Every week Update! will be putting together a list of noteworthy performances, events and going-ons in the baseball world. We'll get you up to speed on what to get excited (or nervous) about while providing useful fantasy insight:
Comment: Dana Eveland has arrived. Following a strong debut against the Cleveland Indians, Eveland pitched 6.1 innings of shutout ball against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. His overall line looks pretty nice right now: 1-0, 0.68 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13 strikeouts in 13.1 IP. He came over in the Dan Haren trade and is making quite an impression with his new club. Eveland has shown great poise in his first couple of starts, and fantasy owners should add him to their rosters.
Comment: Albert Pujols bashed two home runs against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. That would give him three on the season if the Cardinals' Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies had not been rained out. Those of you who passed on Pujols because of his elbow (despite the fact that he's been dealing with this "injury" for several years with eye-popping results) must feel pretty bad right about now.
Comment: Rafael Soriano's status as the closer of the Atlanta Braves may be in jeopardy. Anytime the words "elbow" and "pain" enter the picture, it ain't good. Peter Moylan and Manny Acosta will pick up the save opportunities in the interim. Don't be surprised if Soriano does not finish as the saves leader in Atlanta at season's end.
Comment: Julio Lugo's performance at the plate is much improved from last season (.303 AVG thus far in 2008), but his terrible defense (four errors this season) may lead to the promotion of top prospect Jed Lowrie. Lugo has some fantasy value in Boston's powerful lineup (which hasn't even begun to catch fire yet) and he should steal a bunch of bases. Still, if his defense becomes too much of a liability, Boston may have no choice but to bench him.
Comment: Rich Harden has landed on the disabled list yet again, a strained shoulder muscle the culprit. Fantasy owners have no right to groan. The risk was all-too evident prior to your draft. But don't cut him just yet. There has been no indication that Harden will miss a ton of time. He isn't likely to come back and stay healthy all year though, so enjoy the headache.
Comment: Andruw Jones...need I say more? Seriously, if you own Andruw Jones, do not hesitate to drop him. He's going to hurt your team more than he helps it, even if he matches his 26 home runs from last season.
BULLISH
DANA EVELAND
Oakland Athletics, SPComment: Dana Eveland has arrived. Following a strong debut against the Cleveland Indians, Eveland pitched 6.1 innings of shutout ball against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. His overall line looks pretty nice right now: 1-0, 0.68 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 13 strikeouts in 13.1 IP. He came over in the Dan Haren trade and is making quite an impression with his new club. Eveland has shown great poise in his first couple of starts, and fantasy owners should add him to their rosters.
ALBERT PUJOLS
St. Louis Cardinals, 1BComment: Albert Pujols bashed two home runs against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. That would give him three on the season if the Cardinals' Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies had not been rained out. Those of you who passed on Pujols because of his elbow (despite the fact that he's been dealing with this "injury" for several years with eye-popping results) must feel pretty bad right about now.
BEARISH
RAFAEL SORIANO
Atlanta Braves, RPComment: Rafael Soriano's status as the closer of the Atlanta Braves may be in jeopardy. Anytime the words "elbow" and "pain" enter the picture, it ain't good. Peter Moylan and Manny Acosta will pick up the save opportunities in the interim. Don't be surprised if Soriano does not finish as the saves leader in Atlanta at season's end.
JULIO LUGO
Boston Red Sox, SSComment: Julio Lugo's performance at the plate is much improved from last season (.303 AVG thus far in 2008), but his terrible defense (four errors this season) may lead to the promotion of top prospect Jed Lowrie. Lugo has some fantasy value in Boston's powerful lineup (which hasn't even begun to catch fire yet) and he should steal a bunch of bases. Still, if his defense becomes too much of a liability, Boston may have no choice but to bench him.
BUST
RICH HARDEN
Oakland Athletics, SPComment: Rich Harden has landed on the disabled list yet again, a strained shoulder muscle the culprit. Fantasy owners have no right to groan. The risk was all-too evident prior to your draft. But don't cut him just yet. There has been no indication that Harden will miss a ton of time. He isn't likely to come back and stay healthy all year though, so enjoy the headache.
ANDRUW JONES
Los Angeles Dodgers, OFComment: Andruw Jones...need I say more? Seriously, if you own Andruw Jones, do not hesitate to drop him. He's going to hurt your team more than he helps it, even if he matches his 26 home runs from last season.
