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: Rather quietly, Howie Kendrick made his return to the Angels on Friday after missing 42 games with a strained hamstring. In his three games back, Kendrick only has one hit, but has driven in a run in each contest. Once the rust wears off, Kendrick should proceed to hit well over .300 from here on out. He is capable of competing for many a batting title for the next several years and should be added/activated this week in fantasy leagues.
Comment: With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, Boston should once again look to Masterson for pitching help. Masterson, who has made two strong spot-starts for Boston this season only to be sent back down to the minors immediately afterwards, may get a decent run at a starting gig if Dice-K's shoulder keeps him out of action. If he gets some leash, Masterson is worth an add in all leagues as he is a top pitching prospect throwing for one of the better offenses in baseball.
Comment: The Rockies offense has been abysmal this season and they finally found a way to get Ian Stewart's bat in the lineup. Stewart, who had 12 HR and 43 RBI in 46 Triple-A games this year, is getting a look as the starting second baseman for Colorado. Though he came up as a third baseman, the presence of Garret Atkins has forced the Rockies to get creative. Stewart deserves to be picked up in all NL-only leagues and is worth taking a chance on in mixed leagues if you are need of second base help.
Comment: The Mets seem like they are turning things around and Reyes has been right in the thick of things. Over the past 7 days, Reyes has slugged 3 homers, swiped 3 bases and scored 10 runs while batting .367. Considering he was batting .250 in April, this is quite the turnaround for the speedy leadoff hitter. If Reyes can keep this up, he will no doubt finish as a player worthy of the first-round selection bestowed upon him on draft day.
Comment: Butler, a highly touted fantasy sleeper entering 2008, was sent down to Triple-A Omaha this week following a terrible May that saw him bat .233. Overall this season, Butler's fantasy line was rather mediocre: .263 AVG, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 12 R, 0 SB. The 1 homer through 53 games is particularly alarming. Butler still has the ability to be productive at the major-league level and he will likely be recalled this season. However, for now, there is no point in keeping him on your roster.
Comment: Jackson looked like he was going to be a breakout star this season with a red-hot April (.348 AVG, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 1 SB in 26 games), but a concussion and minor hamstring strain have forced a serious down-turn in his numbers in May (.247 AVG with 1 HR in 24 games). Now Jackson is dealing with a quad injury that is going to force him to miss a few games this week. Fantasy owners can only hope that Jackson comes back late in the week healthy and gets back on track.
Comment: Like Joba Chamberlain, this stud reliever, who features a fastball that touches 99 mph on the radar gun, is going to be turned a starter. Just not this season. The Mariners brass was toying around with the idea of making Morrow a starter this season in order to bolster their rotation, but decided he would not make the switch in 2008. Why? Their rotation stinks, but they feel that Morrow makes their team better by serving as a set-up man to J.J. Putz. Morrow would be an instant must-add player if he moves to the rotation, unfortunately, it seems as if the chances of that happening this season are slim.
Comment: Though he's only day-to-day for now, David Ortiz and his sprained wrist are worth monitoring. Wrist injuries can be very problematic for hitters, causing a serious drop in power numbers (see: David Lee 2007). While the ailment seems very minor, fantasy owners will want to track Ortiz's at-bats in the next week or so.
Comment: Bonser has been terrible all year. He's looked nothing like a major-leaguer in 2008 and should seriously consider changing his name to "Spoof Bonser." All kidding aside, Scott Baker is progressing well in rehab for the Twins while Francisco Liriano is making strides in Triple-A. As soon as they rejoin the rotation, Bonser and his 5.97 ERA are toast.
Comment:Byrnes was placed on the disabled list this week with a strained hamstring, a move that was a long time coming. Byrnes has been absolutely awful this season, batting .219 with 4 stolen bases one year after setting career-highs in both categories. He was pretty overrated heading into this season, especially when one considers that he only popped 20 or more homers 3 times in his career (he's 32 years old). Fantasy owners should consider dropping Byrnes or at least trying to trade him for whatever they can get.
Comment: How the mighty have fallen. It seems as if Delgado is going to sit against most (if not all) left-handed starting pitchers as he sat two straight last week before being inserted back in the lineup on Thursday. Now he did face a lefty on Friday in Clayton Kershaw, but clearly the Mets are starting to understand that Delgado is not going to return to his past 40 homer self. Fantasy owners who were still holding out hope on Delgado should drop the aging veteran.
Comment: Speaking of first baseman way past their prime, Konerko was moved down to sixth in the White Sox lineup. Konerko is batting a pathetic .205 this season and has rapidly declined over the past two years. He is no longer the reliable power machine that fantasy owners could play with confidence. He's worth dropping in most leagues at this point, despite his past power performances.
BULLISH
HOWIE KENDRICK
Los Angeles Angels, 2B
Comment: Rather quietly, Howie Kendrick made his return to the Angels on Friday after missing 42 games with a strained hamstring. In his three games back, Kendrick only has one hit, but has driven in a run in each contest. Once the rust wears off, Kendrick should proceed to hit well over .300 from here on out. He is capable of competing for many a batting title for the next several years and should be added/activated this week in fantasy leagues.
JUSTIN MASTERSON
Boston Red Sox, SP
Comment: With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, Boston should once again look to Masterson for pitching help. Masterson, who has made two strong spot-starts for Boston this season only to be sent back down to the minors immediately afterwards, may get a decent run at a starting gig if Dice-K's shoulder keeps him out of action. If he gets some leash, Masterson is worth an add in all leagues as he is a top pitching prospect throwing for one of the better offenses in baseball.
IAN STEWART
Colorado Rockies, 2B/3B
Comment: The Rockies offense has been abysmal this season and they finally found a way to get Ian Stewart's bat in the lineup. Stewart, who had 12 HR and 43 RBI in 46 Triple-A games this year, is getting a look as the starting second baseman for Colorado. Though he came up as a third baseman, the presence of Garret Atkins has forced the Rockies to get creative. Stewart deserves to be picked up in all NL-only leagues and is worth taking a chance on in mixed leagues if you are need of second base help.
JOSE REYES
New York Mets, SS
Comment: The Mets seem like they are turning things around and Reyes has been right in the thick of things. Over the past 7 days, Reyes has slugged 3 homers, swiped 3 bases and scored 10 runs while batting .367. Considering he was batting .250 in April, this is quite the turnaround for the speedy leadoff hitter. If Reyes can keep this up, he will no doubt finish as a player worthy of the first-round selection bestowed upon him on draft day.
BEARISH
BILLY BUTLER
Kansas City Royals, DH
Comment: Butler, a highly touted fantasy sleeper entering 2008, was sent down to Triple-A Omaha this week following a terrible May that saw him bat .233. Overall this season, Butler's fantasy line was rather mediocre: .263 AVG, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 12 R, 0 SB. The 1 homer through 53 games is particularly alarming. Butler still has the ability to be productive at the major-league level and he will likely be recalled this season. However, for now, there is no point in keeping him on your roster.
CONOR JACKSON
Arizona Diamondbacks, 1BComment: Jackson looked like he was going to be a breakout star this season with a red-hot April (.348 AVG, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 1 SB in 26 games), but a concussion and minor hamstring strain have forced a serious down-turn in his numbers in May (.247 AVG with 1 HR in 24 games). Now Jackson is dealing with a quad injury that is going to force him to miss a few games this week. Fantasy owners can only hope that Jackson comes back late in the week healthy and gets back on track.
BRANDON MORROW
Seattle Mariners, RPComment: Like Joba Chamberlain, this stud reliever, who features a fastball that touches 99 mph on the radar gun, is going to be turned a starter. Just not this season. The Mariners brass was toying around with the idea of making Morrow a starter this season in order to bolster their rotation, but decided he would not make the switch in 2008. Why? Their rotation stinks, but they feel that Morrow makes their team better by serving as a set-up man to J.J. Putz. Morrow would be an instant must-add player if he moves to the rotation, unfortunately, it seems as if the chances of that happening this season are slim.
DAVID ORTIZ
Boston Red Sox, DHComment: Though he's only day-to-day for now, David Ortiz and his sprained wrist are worth monitoring. Wrist injuries can be very problematic for hitters, causing a serious drop in power numbers (see: David Lee 2007). While the ailment seems very minor, fantasy owners will want to track Ortiz's at-bats in the next week or so.
BUST
BOOF BONSER
Minnesota Twins, SP
Comment: Bonser has been terrible all year. He's looked nothing like a major-leaguer in 2008 and should seriously consider changing his name to "Spoof Bonser." All kidding aside, Scott Baker is progressing well in rehab for the Twins while Francisco Liriano is making strides in Triple-A. As soon as they rejoin the rotation, Bonser and his 5.97 ERA are toast.
ERIC BYRNES
Arizona Diamondbacks, OFComment:Byrnes was placed on the disabled list this week with a strained hamstring, a move that was a long time coming. Byrnes has been absolutely awful this season, batting .219 with 4 stolen bases one year after setting career-highs in both categories. He was pretty overrated heading into this season, especially when one considers that he only popped 20 or more homers 3 times in his career (he's 32 years old). Fantasy owners should consider dropping Byrnes or at least trying to trade him for whatever they can get.
CARLOS DELGADO
New York Mets, 1BComment: How the mighty have fallen. It seems as if Delgado is going to sit against most (if not all) left-handed starting pitchers as he sat two straight last week before being inserted back in the lineup on Thursday. Now he did face a lefty on Friday in Clayton Kershaw, but clearly the Mets are starting to understand that Delgado is not going to return to his past 40 homer self. Fantasy owners who were still holding out hope on Delgado should drop the aging veteran.
PAUL KONERKO
Chicago White Sox, 1BComment: Speaking of first baseman way past their prime, Konerko was moved down to sixth in the White Sox lineup. Konerko is batting a pathetic .205 this season and has rapidly declined over the past two years. He is no longer the reliable power machine that fantasy owners could play with confidence. He's worth dropping in most leagues at this point, despite his past power performances.
