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: After posting a .385 batting average with 5 HR, 20 RBI and 21 R in 23 games at Triple-A this season, Jeff Clement got the call from the Mariners to join the major-league club. Clement is an elite catching prospect that can really drive the ball. Through his first 14 major league at bats this year, however, Clement had been struggling, failing to register an extra-base hit while striking out six times. That should not stop him from being an automatic add in AL-only leagues and someone to watch even in deeper mixed leagues. He’s that good.
Comment: With Chad Cordero expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks (more on him later), Rauch has a stranglehold on the closer’s gig. Rauch has not given up a run since April 24, netting four saves during that time. Because of the uncertainty regarding Cordero’s return, Rauch should be universally owned in all fantasy leagues as a No. 3 or No. 4 relief option.
Comment: Scherzer has excellent strikeout potential as evidenced by his 106 whiffs in 90.2 innings of minor-league ball last year and 38 Ks in 23 Triple-A innings this season. He was called up this past week and following a filthy bullpen appearance (4.1 IP, 0 ER, 7 SO), Scherzer was inserted into the rotation. With the D-backs winning games with ease, there could not be a more perfect scenario for Scherzer to begin his major league career.
Comment: Taveras is getting the green light from manager Clint Hurdle to be more aggressive on the base-paths and how can you blame him? The Rockies offense has been rather stagnant and Hurdle is clearly looking for a way to generate more runs. Taveras, who is surprisingly still available in a number of leagues, has been hitting just .235 in his first 25 games, but he also has 18 runs and 13 steals over that span. If you need stolen bases and runs, Taveras is well worth owning.
Comment: Fantasy owners who raced to the waiver wire to add Betancourt following Joe Borowski’s placement on the DL may be racing to drop him like a bad habit in the coming days. Cleveland manager Eric Wedge has come out and said that Borowski will return to the closer’s role when he comes off the disabled list. Of course, Betancourt’s play of late helped make that an easy decision. In his last 1.2 innings of work, Betancourt has given up five runs (all earned) while absorbing a loss and a blown save. Borowski is scheduled to begin throwing off a mound this coming week and should be back in about a month.
Comment: Figgins came up lame after scoring a run in Saturday’s game against Baltimore, suffering a hamstring injury that forced him to leave the contest early. — It’s not pulled, it’s just a slight strain — was Figgins’ take on the matter. While the team has no plans to put him on the disabled list at this time, fantasy owners should be concerned. His main contributions in fantasy are runs and steals and he could be less effective in both categories if this injury lingers. Track his status this week to see if he does indeed need a trip to the DL.
Comment: Just when it looked like Mike Jacobs might be on the brink of a breakout season, he sprains his right middle finger. Jacob’s finger is likely going to bother him all season and he recently received a cortisone injection for the ailment. He homered against the Padres on Saturday, but expect inconsistent play from the 27-year-old first baseman.
Comment: While Braves manager Bobby Cox had initially wanted John Smoltz to start following his DL stint, Cox has recently changed his tune, remarking how valuable Smoltz would be as the team’s closer, "It would be great if he could be out there and be part of that bullpen. It may be easier on that shoulder. I can visualize him locking up a lot of games for us." With this news, Soriano owners are screwed out of a closer.
Comment: What’s going on with Chad Cordero? He’s landed on the DL for the second time this season last week with a tear in his lat muscle. His velocity has noticeably dipped and this new injury (that will sideline him for at least a month) has to have fantasy owners wondering if he can give them anything in 2008. Until he gets back out on the diamond and puts together a string of effective appearances, Cordero should not be inserted into your lineups.
Comment: Hill allowed four walks in less than an inning of work before being yanked on Friday and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Hill was sent down to Triple-A to work on his control and confidence as he had 18 walks in 19.2 innings. Despite the fact that he has a season ERA (4.12) that is lower than rotation members Jason Marquis (5.08) and Ted Lilly (5.97), the Cubs clearly feel that Hill needs to work out his issues at the minor-league level. You can probably afford to drop him at the moment, but he’s worth tracking while at Triple-A because if he can dominate there, Chicago will likely give him another shot in 2008.
Comment: After the Yankees learned that Phil Hughes was going to be out until at least July, they needed a strong effort from Ian Kennedy. Instead, he gave up four runs in 4.2 innings of work against Detroit last week, prompting New York to send him down to the minors. Kennedy, a fairly popular sleeper pick in fantasy drafts based on his wins potential with the Yankees, should be dropped in all leagues as a result.
Comment: Prior to this past Tuesday, Tulowitzki owners were hoping that the talented shortstop would enjoy a season similar to 2007, when he caught fire in May and finished as a runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Now those hopes are turning into nightmares as the Rockies placed him on the DL with a torn left quadriceps tendon, an injury that could force him out of action until the All Star break. You have no choice but to stash Tulowitzki on the DL, but don’t be surprised if this injury ultimately ruins his 2008 season.
BULLISH
JEFF CLEMENT
Seattle Mariners, C
Comment: After posting a .385 batting average with 5 HR, 20 RBI and 21 R in 23 games at Triple-A this season, Jeff Clement got the call from the Mariners to join the major-league club. Clement is an elite catching prospect that can really drive the ball. Through his first 14 major league at bats this year, however, Clement had been struggling, failing to register an extra-base hit while striking out six times. That should not stop him from being an automatic add in AL-only leagues and someone to watch even in deeper mixed leagues. He’s that good.
JON RAUCH
Washington Nationals, RP
Comment: With Chad Cordero expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks (more on him later), Rauch has a stranglehold on the closer’s gig. Rauch has not given up a run since April 24, netting four saves during that time. Because of the uncertainty regarding Cordero’s return, Rauch should be universally owned in all fantasy leagues as a No. 3 or No. 4 relief option.
MAX SCHERZER
Arizona Diamondbacks, SP
Comment: Scherzer has excellent strikeout potential as evidenced by his 106 whiffs in 90.2 innings of minor-league ball last year and 38 Ks in 23 Triple-A innings this season. He was called up this past week and following a filthy bullpen appearance (4.1 IP, 0 ER, 7 SO), Scherzer was inserted into the rotation. With the D-backs winning games with ease, there could not be a more perfect scenario for Scherzer to begin his major league career.
WILLY TAVERAS
Colorado Rockies, OF
Comment: Taveras is getting the green light from manager Clint Hurdle to be more aggressive on the base-paths and how can you blame him? The Rockies offense has been rather stagnant and Hurdle is clearly looking for a way to generate more runs. Taveras, who is surprisingly still available in a number of leagues, has been hitting just .235 in his first 25 games, but he also has 18 runs and 13 steals over that span. If you need stolen bases and runs, Taveras is well worth owning.
BEARISH
RAFAEL BETANCOURT
Cleveland Indians, RP
Comment: Fantasy owners who raced to the waiver wire to add Betancourt following Joe Borowski’s placement on the DL may be racing to drop him like a bad habit in the coming days. Cleveland manager Eric Wedge has come out and said that Borowski will return to the closer’s role when he comes off the disabled list. Of course, Betancourt’s play of late helped make that an easy decision. In his last 1.2 innings of work, Betancourt has given up five runs (all earned) while absorbing a loss and a blown save. Borowski is scheduled to begin throwing off a mound this coming week and should be back in about a month.
CHONE FIGGINS
Los Angeles Angels, 2BComment: Figgins came up lame after scoring a run in Saturday’s game against Baltimore, suffering a hamstring injury that forced him to leave the contest early. — It’s not pulled, it’s just a slight strain — was Figgins’ take on the matter. While the team has no plans to put him on the disabled list at this time, fantasy owners should be concerned. His main contributions in fantasy are runs and steals and he could be less effective in both categories if this injury lingers. Track his status this week to see if he does indeed need a trip to the DL.
MIKE JACOBS
Florida Marlins, 1BComment: Just when it looked like Mike Jacobs might be on the brink of a breakout season, he sprains his right middle finger. Jacob’s finger is likely going to bother him all season and he recently received a cortisone injection for the ailment. He homered against the Padres on Saturday, but expect inconsistent play from the 27-year-old first baseman.
RAFAEL SORIANO
Atlanta Braves, RPComment: While Braves manager Bobby Cox had initially wanted John Smoltz to start following his DL stint, Cox has recently changed his tune, remarking how valuable Smoltz would be as the team’s closer, "It would be great if he could be out there and be part of that bullpen. It may be easier on that shoulder. I can visualize him locking up a lot of games for us." With this news, Soriano owners are screwed out of a closer.
BUST
CHAD CORDERO
Washington Nationals, RP
Comment: What’s going on with Chad Cordero? He’s landed on the DL for the second time this season last week with a tear in his lat muscle. His velocity has noticeably dipped and this new injury (that will sideline him for at least a month) has to have fantasy owners wondering if he can give them anything in 2008. Until he gets back out on the diamond and puts together a string of effective appearances, Cordero should not be inserted into your lineups.
RICH HILL
Chicago Cubs, SPComment: Hill allowed four walks in less than an inning of work before being yanked on Friday and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Hill was sent down to Triple-A to work on his control and confidence as he had 18 walks in 19.2 innings. Despite the fact that he has a season ERA (4.12) that is lower than rotation members Jason Marquis (5.08) and Ted Lilly (5.97), the Cubs clearly feel that Hill needs to work out his issues at the minor-league level. You can probably afford to drop him at the moment, but he’s worth tracking while at Triple-A because if he can dominate there, Chicago will likely give him another shot in 2008.
IAN KENNEDY
New York Yankees, SPComment: After the Yankees learned that Phil Hughes was going to be out until at least July, they needed a strong effort from Ian Kennedy. Instead, he gave up four runs in 4.2 innings of work against Detroit last week, prompting New York to send him down to the minors. Kennedy, a fairly popular sleeper pick in fantasy drafts based on his wins potential with the Yankees, should be dropped in all leagues as a result.
TROY TULOWITZKI
Colorado Rockies, SSComment: Prior to this past Tuesday, Tulowitzki owners were hoping that the talented shortstop would enjoy a season similar to 2007, when he caught fire in May and finished as a runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Now those hopes are turning into nightmares as the Rockies placed him on the DL with a torn left quadriceps tendon, an injury that could force him out of action until the All Star break. You have no choice but to stash Tulowitzki on the DL, but don’t be surprised if this injury ultimately ruins his 2008 season.
