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: A collective groan was let out in Dodger-land and in fantasy circles when Los Angeles announced that Blake DeWitt would remain the team's starting third-baseman despite the team's activation of Andy LaRoche from the disabled list. We all thought this was a temporary move until LaRoche worked his way back after setting the minors on fire or DeWitt lost control of the job with sub-par play. But DeWitt, who has 4 multi-hit game and 2 home runs (including an inside the park job) since May 4, has done nothing to warrant such a move. He?s made himself worth owning in NL-only leagues and is even worth a look in mixed leagues for owners with ailing third basemen.
Comment: After pitching 7.1 shutout innings of one-hit ball in his first Triple-A start, Kennedy, who also struck out 8 and walked none in the minor league contest, made his case to return to the major league club. With Kei Igawa currently throwing as the Yankees no. 5 starter, New York is probably itching to get Kennedy back into the rotation. Due to Sunday's rainout at Detroit, the Yankees can skip Igawa on his next turn. If that happens, a decision on Kennedy could come by the end of the week.
Comment: B.J. Ryan was cleared this week to pitch consecutive days for the Blue Jays and that's music to his fantasy owners' ears. Ryan was losing some save opportunities to Jeremy Accardo, who just landed on the DL, but now that he?s getting a more normal workload, expect Ryan's numbers to be in line with some of the better ninth-inning guys in baseball as long as he remains healthy.
Comment: Fantasy owners shouldn't necessarily be racing to the waiver wire to add him, but Curt Schilling upped his fantasy stock this week by starting to throw in his rehabilitation program. You should take this news with a grain of salt as it is still possible that Schilling might be a shell of his former self when he returns (if he even makes it back) after the All-Star break. But he is now worth monitoring in all fantasy leagues.
Comment: Adenhart, a top pitching prospect, had the opportunity to show the Angels that he belongs in the majors this season. He fell on his face in his first two starts, however, giving up 8 earned runs, 9 hits and issuing 10 walks in just 6.1 total innings. Needless to say, he is getting sent down to the minors quick, presumably after his start on Monday. Adenhart is still someone to keep on your radar in case he gets another shot, but for now, let him sit on the waiver wire.
Comment: Just when he looked primed for a career season, Rafael Furcal's back slows him down. His back has been a problem throughout his career and it is possible that it could derail what looked liked a big-time contract year. Furcal appeared poised for a potential MVP run this season, but now that his back is barking, fantasy owners just have to hope he can stay on the field. If you own him, it would be wise to have a contingency plan in place.
Comment: In April 2007, Hernandez owned a 1.56 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 3 starts before sporting a 6.30 ERA in May. In his first 5 games this season, Felix held a 1.67 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. However, in his last 3 starts, Hernandez has put up a 7.13 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. Notice a trend? It may be time to sell high on Hernandez, whose control issues continue to dog him. He's earned a pretty high price tag with his hot start, so you could probably pull in a decent haul of value if you move him before his stock continues to fall.
Comment: The stiff neck that has been bothering him does not appear to be a serious injury, but fantasy owners still have to be concerned about V-Mart's 2008 season thus far. Yes he's batting well over .300, but the power drought (0 home runs through 28 games) is a bit alarming considering he had 25 bombs and 114 RBI. Fantasy owners drafted Martinez to give them a leg up over other catchers in the HR and RBI departments and so far he has been disappointing in those cateogories.
Comment: First they delayed his return from the disabled list, then they optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. Buck, a popular sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this season, really just has nowhere to play in Oakland's lineup. Since Emil Brown is killing the ball, it likely made the decision easy for the A's brass. If an injury befalls Oakland's outfield, Buck will surely get the call to the major-league roster, but unless someone struggles mightily, Buck could be spending a decent chunk of time in the minors.
Comment: We all knew Gagne was playing terribly, but for him to come out and admit that he doesn't deserve the ball in the ninth-inning just goes to show you how far this former Cy Young winner has fallen. To make matters worse, fantasy owners have no idea who they should pick up as the Brewers have decided to roll with a hodge-podge of a committee led by the likes of Guillermo Mota, Salomon Torres and David Riske. Avoid this situation entirely.
Comment: Heading into this season, Neshek was one of the more valuable set-up men in fantasy baseball. He had sparkling numbers last year (7-2, 2.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 74 SO in 70.1 IP) and if anything happened to Joe Nathan, Neshek would have been next in line to close. But after a poor start to his 2008 campaign (4.73 ERA in 13.1 IP), Neshek's season was put to rest after it was discovered that he had a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He won't need surgery, yet, but Neshek's season is officially over.
Comment: Speaking of finished seasons, Mark Prior's attempt at a comeback hit a road-block this week. He experienced discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder on Saturday and was sent back to San Diego to be examined by doctors. While we here at UPDATE! would like to think that none of you were holding out hope that Prior would come back and be an effective hurler, those of you that were keeping the faith should abandon the Mark Prior comeback train immediately.
BULLISH
BLAKE DEWITT
Los Angeles Dodgers, 3B
Comment: A collective groan was let out in Dodger-land and in fantasy circles when Los Angeles announced that Blake DeWitt would remain the team's starting third-baseman despite the team's activation of Andy LaRoche from the disabled list. We all thought this was a temporary move until LaRoche worked his way back after setting the minors on fire or DeWitt lost control of the job with sub-par play. But DeWitt, who has 4 multi-hit game and 2 home runs (including an inside the park job) since May 4, has done nothing to warrant such a move. He?s made himself worth owning in NL-only leagues and is even worth a look in mixed leagues for owners with ailing third basemen.
IAN KENNEDY
New York Yankees, SP
Comment: After pitching 7.1 shutout innings of one-hit ball in his first Triple-A start, Kennedy, who also struck out 8 and walked none in the minor league contest, made his case to return to the major league club. With Kei Igawa currently throwing as the Yankees no. 5 starter, New York is probably itching to get Kennedy back into the rotation. Due to Sunday's rainout at Detroit, the Yankees can skip Igawa on his next turn. If that happens, a decision on Kennedy could come by the end of the week.
B.J. RYAN
Toronto Blue Jays, RP
Comment: B.J. Ryan was cleared this week to pitch consecutive days for the Blue Jays and that's music to his fantasy owners' ears. Ryan was losing some save opportunities to Jeremy Accardo, who just landed on the DL, but now that he?s getting a more normal workload, expect Ryan's numbers to be in line with some of the better ninth-inning guys in baseball as long as he remains healthy.
CURT SCHILLING
Boston Red Sox, SP
Comment: Fantasy owners shouldn't necessarily be racing to the waiver wire to add him, but Curt Schilling upped his fantasy stock this week by starting to throw in his rehabilitation program. You should take this news with a grain of salt as it is still possible that Schilling might be a shell of his former self when he returns (if he even makes it back) after the All-Star break. But he is now worth monitoring in all fantasy leagues.
BEARISH
NICK ADENHART
Los Angeles Angels, SP
Comment: Adenhart, a top pitching prospect, had the opportunity to show the Angels that he belongs in the majors this season. He fell on his face in his first two starts, however, giving up 8 earned runs, 9 hits and issuing 10 walks in just 6.1 total innings. Needless to say, he is getting sent down to the minors quick, presumably after his start on Monday. Adenhart is still someone to keep on your radar in case he gets another shot, but for now, let him sit on the waiver wire.
RAFAEL FURCAL
Los Angeles Dodgers, SSComment: Just when he looked primed for a career season, Rafael Furcal's back slows him down. His back has been a problem throughout his career and it is possible that it could derail what looked liked a big-time contract year. Furcal appeared poised for a potential MVP run this season, but now that his back is barking, fantasy owners just have to hope he can stay on the field. If you own him, it would be wise to have a contingency plan in place.
FELIX HERNANDEZ
Seattle Mariners, SPComment: In April 2007, Hernandez owned a 1.56 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 3 starts before sporting a 6.30 ERA in May. In his first 5 games this season, Felix held a 1.67 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. However, in his last 3 starts, Hernandez has put up a 7.13 ERA and 1.92 WHIP. Notice a trend? It may be time to sell high on Hernandez, whose control issues continue to dog him. He's earned a pretty high price tag with his hot start, so you could probably pull in a decent haul of value if you move him before his stock continues to fall.
VICTOR MARTINEZ
Cleveland Indians, CComment: The stiff neck that has been bothering him does not appear to be a serious injury, but fantasy owners still have to be concerned about V-Mart's 2008 season thus far. Yes he's batting well over .300, but the power drought (0 home runs through 28 games) is a bit alarming considering he had 25 bombs and 114 RBI. Fantasy owners drafted Martinez to give them a leg up over other catchers in the HR and RBI departments and so far he has been disappointing in those cateogories.
BUST
TRAVIS BUCK
Oakland Athletics, OF
Comment: First they delayed his return from the disabled list, then they optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. Buck, a popular sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this season, really just has nowhere to play in Oakland's lineup. Since Emil Brown is killing the ball, it likely made the decision easy for the A's brass. If an injury befalls Oakland's outfield, Buck will surely get the call to the major-league roster, but unless someone struggles mightily, Buck could be spending a decent chunk of time in the minors.
ERIC GAGNE
Milwaukee Brewers, RPComment: We all knew Gagne was playing terribly, but for him to come out and admit that he doesn't deserve the ball in the ninth-inning just goes to show you how far this former Cy Young winner has fallen. To make matters worse, fantasy owners have no idea who they should pick up as the Brewers have decided to roll with a hodge-podge of a committee led by the likes of Guillermo Mota, Salomon Torres and David Riske. Avoid this situation entirely.
PAT NESHEK
Minnesota Twins, RPComment: Heading into this season, Neshek was one of the more valuable set-up men in fantasy baseball. He had sparkling numbers last year (7-2, 2.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 74 SO in 70.1 IP) and if anything happened to Joe Nathan, Neshek would have been next in line to close. But after a poor start to his 2008 campaign (4.73 ERA in 13.1 IP), Neshek's season was put to rest after it was discovered that he had a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He won't need surgery, yet, but Neshek's season is officially over.
MARK PRIOR
San Diego Padres, SPComment: Speaking of finished seasons, Mark Prior's attempt at a comeback hit a road-block this week. He experienced discomfort in his surgically-repaired shoulder on Saturday and was sent back to San Diego to be examined by doctors. While we here at UPDATE! would like to think that none of you were holding out hope that Prior would come back and be an effective hurler, those of you that were keeping the faith should abandon the Mark Prior comeback train immediately.
