News: St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman is projected to miss the next eight to 10 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus and another minor cartilage tear, the team announced. Berkman, who was placed on the disabled list last Sunday after suffering the injury while stretching to make a putout at first base, will begin his rehab work in Houston. The Cardinals anticipate Berkman returning to St. Louis for the latter part of his rehab. "It was great to hear his voice and hear that excitement," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's thinking about counting down the days until he's back."
Analysis: If there was a positive note to take from Berkman's surgery, it's that there was no mention of repairing his ACL, which likely would have ended his season. Instead, the 36-year-old slugger could return at some point following the All-Star break, but St. Louis will certainly be overly cautious during his rehab. "It was great news," Matheny said. "As good a news as we could get. The doctors were extremely optimistic about what they saw." Berkman ripped 14 hits in 13 games before the injury (.333), and should be reserved in all Fantasy formats for now.
News: The Washington Post reports Nationals first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, on the 15-day disabled list due to a back injury, will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Monday. Morse played on an extended spring training game on Friday and hit two home runs.
Analysis: Morse is targeting a June 8 return and should be able to make that date, barring a setback. After batting .303 with 31 homers and 95 RBI a year ago, owners have been waiting to see what he can to this season so keep an eye on his progress going forward. Morse should continue to be stashed away in most Fantasy formats as a Week 10 (June 4-10) return is looking like a strong possibility.
News: MLB.com reports Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, on the 15-day disabled list, will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Saturday. Reynolds has not played since May 10 due to a left oblique strain.
Analysis: Reynolds showed some signs of life at the plate before going down with the injury, batting .348 (8 for 23) with two homers and six RBI in his previous seven games. Keep an eye on his progress during his rehab stint to see when the 28-year-old will return. Despite his prowess for striking out, Reynolds has a ton of power potential and should continue to be stashed away in deeper mixed leagues while he's on the DL.
News: San Diego outfielder Carlos Quentin is expected to rejoin Class A Lake Elsinore on Friday as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, according to the North Country Times. Quentin, who has been on the disabled list all season, was shut down earlier this month after experiencing pain in his surgically repaired knee. "I think that time off gave him just what he needed, so we'll see how he does and take it day to day," manager Bud Black said.
Analysis: Quentin was able to take batting practice without any reported discomfort last Wednesday, but there is still no timetable for his return. The 29-year-old has played in two games for Lake Elsinore and recorded two hits and two RBI during seven at-bats. Fantasy owners should keep monitor Quentin's progress while keeping him reserved only in deeper formats for now.
News: Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings, on the 15-day disabled list due to a sprained left knee, will not return until the end of next week "at the soonest," manager Joe Maddon told reporters on Friday. Maddon also added that Jennings would likely start a minor-league rehab assignment by sometime mid-week. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since May 12 with his injury.
Analysis: Jennings is eligible to be activated off the 15-day DL on Sunday, but the Rays have been saying all along that he needed more time. Maddon made it official on Friday, so it sounds like Jennings won't be ready to return until the end of Fantasy Week 9 (May 28-June 3) at the earliest. That is also barring any setbacks, so owners should keep an eye on his status during his rehab starts. Jennings can be considered a viable Fantasy start in all formats when healthy, but it sounds like he owners will have to wait until Week 10 (June 4-10) to get him active.
News: Houston outfielder Jordan Schafer was held out of the lineup for Friday's game at the Dodgers because of a persistent toe injury. It's the fourth time in the past five games Schafer has been sidelined as he was replaced in center field by Justin Maxwell for the Astros.
Analysis: Schafer was able to return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, but was back on the bench the past two days. The 25-year-old has cooled off after a slow start, partly because of nagging injuries, and is hitting just .204 in May. Keep him reserved in NL-only Fantasy formats for now.
News: Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero remained out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Brewers. Montero has not played since Monday due to a strained left groin.
Analysis: The Diamondbacks said earlier in the week that the earliest Montero could return would be Friday but he was still not in the lineup against the Brewers. If the 28-year-old misses more time he will likely require a stint on the DL so keep an eye on his status over the weekend. Montero is batting .254 with eight RBI so far in May and should be considered a viable option in most Fantasy formats, when healthy.
News: Orioles catcher Taylor Teagarden is expected to resume his rehab work after receiving a positive second opinion on his ailing back, the Baltimore Sun reports. Teagarden received the same evaluation from a doctor in Dallas and will return to Florida for his rehabilitation.
Analysis: Teagarden has already received three epidural injections and there is no timetable for his return. The 28-year-old is unlikely to see much playing time once he does return and is not considered a worthwhile Fantasy option at this point.
News: Colorado catcher Ramon Hernandez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hand strain on Friday, the team announced. Hernandez has not played in consecutive games this month as his batting average has slipped to .215 on the year. Catcher Wil Nieves was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take his spot on the roster. "I want to let it calm down, and then get back out there. If I keep playing it’s not getting any better," Hernandez told reporters.
Analysis: Hernandez has recorded just one hit over his past eight games played as he has been unable to completely shake the hand issue. He could also continue to lose playing time to prospect Wilin Rosario once he returns from the disabled list. Hernandez should be reserved only in deeper NL-only Fantasy formats if you have an available DL slot.
News: Royals starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez (biceps) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, according to the Kansas City Star. Sanchez was placed on the disabled list with left biceps tendinitis on May 9. There is no immediate timetable for his return.
Analysis: Sanchez (1-2) is likely to receive multiple rehab starts as the Royals hope he could improve his control. The left-hander has struggled with command again this year and owns a lowly strikeout-to-walk ratio of 18-to-22 over 25 1/3 innings. He has also been tagged for multiple runs in two of his past three starts for a 6.75 ERA. Fantasy owners should watch his status, but he is only worth reserving in deeper AL-only formats.
