Allen Craig: Leaves Game With Hamstring Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Allen Craig: Craig left Wednesday's game with a hamstring injury, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Allen Craig (hamstring) questionable Thursday - Allen Craig | STL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Allen Craig felt left hamstring discomfort near the end of Wednesday's game and is questionable for Thursday.

Franklin Morales (P-BOS)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Will Rhymes faints after getting hit in arm with pitch, is OK (Big League Stew) - Now that we know Will Rhymes of the Tampa Bay Rays is OK, the following video isn't quite so scary. It's still off-putting, though: Whoa! Answer Man down, Answer Man down ! There's no fainting in baseball! It's funny, now, that when trainers asked Rhymes to tell them his name, he said, "I'm Batman." Here's a guy with a sharp mind on his shoulders. But in the moments after Rhymes' legs fell limp and he collapsed into the embrace of coach George Hendrick, speculation on Twitter abounded. He was hit on the arm, not on the head or thorax — so what happened? Did the major bruise cause a circulatory problem? Had he broken a bone and gone into shock? What gives, (other than his legs)? Well, Dr. skipper Joe Maddon had a diagnosis after the game: Adrenaline rush. When the juices get flowing, it can work against you too, apparently. ''He got kind of rubber-legged right there,'' Maddon said. ''That stuff hurts. I know it's in the arm, but that can definitely take your breath away. It was described to me as kind of an adrenalin rush that caused that reaction.'' X-rays were negative and the team said Rhymes is day to day with a bruised right forearm. Phew. Rhymes had put a scare into everyone, especially pitcher Franklin Morales of Boston, who threw the pitch. Via the Twitter of Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal : Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com

Fantasy Baseball: Rockies' Christian Friedrich off to a Sizzling Start

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Colorado Rockies southpaw Christian Friedrich has been nothing short of sensational in his first two big league starts. In 13 innings the 24-year-old has allowed a mere two earned runs for a 1.38 ERA. He has only yielded 11 hits and a pair of walks for a 1.00 WHIP.

Friedrich is not only getting outs, he is overpowering hitters, racking up 17 strikeouts (11.8 K/9) with impressive control (8.5/1 K/BB).

He won his Major League debut by holding the Padres to one run over six innings. He followed that performance up with a masterful seven-inning, one-run, ten-strikeout gem against the Giants, only to see his bullpen allow two runs in an inning of work.

Friedrich has been silencing righties (.184, .436 OPS), but will have to improve against left-handed batters. He has allowed four hits in ten at bats to lefties with a 1.200 OPS.

Friedrich's success is a little surprising based on his 4.04 lifetime Minor League ERA, though he had pitched well for Triple-A Colorado Springs prior to being called up. Christian was 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 27 strikeouts (four walks) in 30 innings.

Friedrich was once a top left-handed pitching prospect after a brilliant run at Eastern Kentucky. 2010 and 2011 were tough years, but he seems to have gotten the joke and is worth keeping an eye on as long as he is pitching this well and has a spot in the rotation. He’s a nice streamer candidate for his next start (Seattle).

Friedrich is barely owned in fantasy leagues, but that should change in the coming days. If he shuts down the Mariners on Saturday, which is a strong possibility, that number will jump dramatically.

Also check out:

• Why Are People Lukewarm on Jonathan Lucroy?
• Fantasy Feast Closer Report – 5/14/12
• Should You Buy Low on Matt Moore?
• Should You Be Streaming Gerardo Parra?
• Can James McDonald Keep Fantasy Owners Saying “I’m Lovin’ It”?

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Happy Pre-Friday

Source: RotoSynthesis

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I typically don’t like wagering on baseball on Mondays and Thursdays, when there are fewer games from which to choose.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Grand Slam Pickups to Boost Your Team

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Whether you are dominating your fantasy baseball league or in need of some repairs, waiver-wire pickups can ignite your squad to another level.

We are nearly a fourth of the way through the 2012 baseball season, but there is still plenty of waiver-wire gold to be had.

Here's a look at the top waiver-wire pickups of the week.

 

3. Daniel Nava, OF, Boston Red Sox

Daniel Nava is a temporary pickup, given Jacoby Ellsbury is due back in mid- to late June, but he's simply been tearing the cover off the ball lately. He's riding a streak in his first six games of 2012 and he's worth picking up for the short term. He has eight hits in his first 15 at-bats, including a home run.

 

2. Chris Johnson, 3B, Houston Astros

Chris Johnson certainly has the talent to be a major impact player in the big leagues. He had an incredible start to his major league career in 2010, but backpedaled a bit in 2011. This season, he's hitting .289 with four home runs, 20 RBI and 15 runs in 33 games. He's an up-and-coming player. 

 

1. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

The great Mike Trout is finally starting to live up to his vast potential. The 2009 first-round pick has hit .372 with three home runs, eight RBI, 10 runs and two stolen bases in the past two weeks, and he's hitting .316 in 15 games this season. Catch Trout while you can.

 

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about fantasy baseball together.

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Waiting in the Wings: Wil Myers

Source: Fake Teams by Craig Goldstein

To preface, I really tried to hold off writing about Myers, since Jason had covered him earlier this month, but given his hitting binge and subsequent promotion to Triple-A, he fit the profile of a "Waiting in the Wings" hitter too well. I link to Jason's article below, and you should absolutely read it.

Wil Myers - RF - Royals - Myers was drafted in the third round of of the 2009 draft out of Wesleyan Christian Academy. He had first round talent but dropped due to $2 million demands, which the Royals did not hesitate to meet. Myers was drafted as a catcher, and played there during his first two

Marian Gaborik is benched in Game 2 loss - Marian Gaborik | NYR

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Marian Gaborik was parked on the bench for most of the third period during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to New Jersey in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Roto Roundup: Gio Gonzalez, Yu Darvish, Edwin Encarnacion and Others

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

Reds setup man Aroldis Chapman has been dominating major league batter since the start of spring training, but is still setting up for Sean Marshall. To me, he should either be closing or in the starting rotation. In 19.1 innings this season, he has given up just 6 hits, walked 5, struck out 34 , and has yet to give up a run. Teammate Mike Leake has struggled to start the season, and he had a solid start last night to remain in the starting rotation for at least one

2011′s Best Performances: 3-4 Defensive Ends

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Khaled Elsayed

Yesterday we looked at the top performances by 3-4 outside linebackers, so sticking with the 3-4 theme we’re going to look at those players lined up at defensive end. Naturally there’s one player who features more prominently than any other, but there’s still a healthy selection of players from other teams. As ever, the grades [...]

Arencibia falls a triple short of the cycle - J.P. Arencibia | TOR

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

J.P. Arencibia blasted his fourth homer as part of a 3-for-4 effort Wednesday against the Yankees.

David Clarkson helps Devils draw even in ECF - David Clarkson | NJ

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

David Clarkson potted his third game-winning goal of the playoffs in Wednesday's Game 2 victory over the Rangers to tie the series.

Andy Dalton improving arm strength

Source: Draft Sharks

Bengals QB Andy Dalton has packed on some muscle this offseason in an effort to improve his arm strength.  Beat writer Geoff Hobson has noticed "more zip" on Dalton's ball in OTAs.  QBs coach Ken Zampese sees improvement too.  "He's got a better base to throw from now than he did during the season, which gives you the distance and the arc," Zampese said.  "He's got more control of himself when he gets back there with the fifth step. It's more balanced."  There were questions about Dalton's arm strength coming into the league last year, but it didn't appear to be an issue to us.  The increased velocity can only help though.  It's also good news for WR A.J. Green, who has the deep speed to take advantage.

Drew Brees frustrated with contract negotiations

Source: Draft Sharks

Saints QB Drew Brees is frustrated by the lack of progress in his negotiations for a new long-term deal.  "I don't think the negotiation should have been this difficult," Brees said.  "We've reached out on a number of occasions and at times I've been frustrated by the lack of response."  Brees also sounded a bit offended by the team's current offer: "I would say that the numbers that have been thrown around by ESPN and some of these other places, at times, have been pretty heavily inflated."  The deadline for franchise players to sign long-term deals is July 16th.  We still expect Brees to be signed, sealed, and delivered before then.  As long as he's there for the start of training camp, his fantasy stock will be unaffected.

Jerry Dipoto (P-FA)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Angels GM on firing Hatcher: 'The voice needed to change' (The SportsXchange). With the offense and its expensive centerpiece "grossly underperforming," Los Angeles Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto decided a change was needed. Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com

Baseball Daily Dose: Hosmer's Hitting Woes

Source: Rotoworld Baseball Articles

Patrick Daugherty breaks down Eric Hosmer's struggles while checking in on Carlos Beltran in Thursday's Dose.

Up Goes Frazier! Up Goes Frazier!

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Todd Frazier went deep twice yesterday.  When asked the other day if Frazier would play, Dusty Baker said, “It could be (Miguel) Cairo.  I’ve got an idea what guys’ strengths and weaknesses are… We’ll see. It’s up to Frazier.   Okay, who switched out my mint toothpicks with splinters!  You know my T-picks kill the skunk breath!”  Todd Frazier is a damn fine specimen of underachieving-could-easily-be-achieving-if-he-starts-hitting prospect hitting nom-nom.  In the minors last year, he had 15 homers and 17 steals, year before 17/14, year before he helped pen Richard Marx’s foray into romance novels, “Hold Onto The Knights.”  What can’t he do!?  Not sure if that’s rhetorical, but I’ll answer.  I’m not sure he can hit for an average over .240 in the long run.  There’s a chance Rolen gets Wally Pipp’d even if he returns healthy and that ‘if’ is the size of Hasselhoff’s ego.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Aroldis Chapman – 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Ks.  ERA is at 0.00, WHIP is at 0.57.  Dusty Baker said yesterday that the plan is for Aroldis to start someday.  That reminds me of a sentence I read recently in Scientific American, “Because of natural evolution patterns, it’s conceivable that pigs will fly someday.”

Vance Worley – Placed on the DL.  Went from a match-ups pitcher who could get lit to having an inflamed elbow.  Call the fire department!

Clay Buchholz – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks to lower his ERA to 7.77.  He looked fine yesterday, but, no kidding, I can’t believe he’s still in the rotation.  Like for real, or “Pho Real” if we’re going by the name of my Vietnamese restaurant that I’m minority owner of.  Last time I write up a bucket list drunk.

Daisuke Matsuzaka – Bobby Valentine said he’s not close to returning.  Red Sox fans exhaled.

Chase Utley – Yesterday, he took grounders.  Phillie fans inhaled.

Hiroki Kuroda – 5 IP, 7 ER.  Yankee fans burped.

Ivan Nova – Set for a bullpen session tomorrow.  Pop the champagne.  Super, Nova.

Fernando Rodney – Notched his 12th save and lowered his ERA to 0.48.  I’m guessing the Devil wouldn’t make any deals with him while he was on the Angels.

Carlos Ruiz – 2-for-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI and his 7th homer.  Hannah, so far and away the Phils best hitter so far, Hannah.  <–Almost palindrome!

Freddy Galvis – 2-for-4, with a run and an RBI.  He’s hitting near .400 over the last week and… nothing.  It’s good to see him hitting, but he could steal some bases (23 steals last year in the minors).  Somebody put Hot Stuff on his feet.

Alfonso Soriano – Before I even say it, I regret it.  I So-rue-iano.  Yet, he did hit his 2nd homer in as many games yesterday.

Clayton Richard – 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Hodgepadre!

Chase Headley – 2-for-3, 3 RBIs and his 5th homer.  Truly a breakout year, which correlates to around 16 homers and a .265 average.  The mouth on the left side of the screen says, “Yawn.”  The mouth on the right side of the screen says, “stipating.”

Jose Valverde – Tigers are saying Valverde should be back by this weekend.  If you own Valverde, I’m not sure if that’s good news.  The Tigers are saying Benoit could see saves, but it might also go based on match-ups.  Benoit made me think of the WWF, which made me think of Words With Friends.  I’m surprised the World Wildlife Federation hasn’t made them change the name to Words With Pals or Words With Entertainment.

Austin Jackson – Left yesterday’s game with an abdominal strain.  He might get a precautionary MRI, and we know how well those turn out!

Carlos Quentin – Rehab assignment was shutdown as he needed a cortisone shot.  2008 called and said Carlos Quentin’s stats are being erased; they’re all lies.

Jason Bay – He’s about two weeks away from returning.  Yay.  Put the ‘Get Well Soon’ balloons on order.

Alex Presley – Has left the building.  He had the full-time job, but he Mr. Bungled it and is off to the minors.  Mr. Bungled it so bad the Pirates are turning to McLousy or Yamaico Navarro.  Navarro got the start yesterday and went 0-for-2, and was lifted for a pinch hitter.  In the minors, Navarro showed light power (10-ish homers) and light steals (12-ish).  He does have 3rd base eligibility in Yahoo and ESPN, but outside of leagues that only play Pirate players, I’d hold for now.  And in those leagues, who’s your 2nd draft pick?  Jose Tabata?  Do you reach for Hanrahan?

Brett Lawrie – Suspended only 4 games, but plans to appeal.  I’d love to hear the preliminary appeal discussion with his attorney.  Attorney talking to Lawrie, “We can either go with your frustration was stemming from the egregious strike calls made by Bill Miller.  Or we can go with a skinny guy in the front row was casting a shadow that made it look like there was a hat rack on the ground.”  Lawrie, “I think I can put a hashtag on that second reason.”  “Done and done!”

Colby Rasmus – 0-for-4 with 4 high fives to Bautista, Arencibia, Johnson and Encarnacion, who all homered.  I think Rasmus also worked in a fist pump to Thames, who doubled.

Kyle Drabek – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks vs. the Yankees.  This is coming off a 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER effort vs. the Twins and 5 IP, 5 ER against the Angels, who just fired their hitting coach.  Kyle Drabek:  I Make Smart Money Look Stupid.

Wilson Betemit – 2-for-7 with his 6th homer.  Is Betemit available to teach Ryan Zimmerman how to hit?  Cause that would be helpful.

Omar Infante – 3-for-5 with two steals as he bats .336.  Omar’s coming yo!

Mike Minor – 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER.  Not sure if I’ve verbalized it, um, writing, but this Minor shizz has got to be off your team until further notice.  You know how they have obits written ahead of time for celebrities?  Atlanta reporters have the tweet “Mike Minors” ready to go.

Ubaldo Jimenez - 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks to lower his ERA to 5.09.  Matthew Berry likes him as a buy low.

Dustin Ackley – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer.  Hey, his bats finally got back from Japan!

Michael Saunders – 2-for-3 with his 5th steal, which he dedicated to his dad, the Colonel.

Melky Cabrera – Scratched with a sore left toe.  He’s day-to-day, or at least that’s what the aliens told me who read his mind despite his best efforts to stop them.

Corey Hart – 1-for-3 with his 8th homer.  Surprised to see him in some comments as a guy people can pick up.  I’m assuming these leagues are shallow, but, as they said in 14th century China, assuming makes an ass outta of you and Ming.  To answer, yeah, he should be owned, especially now because he usually goes on tears.

Brian Dozier – 1-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer in four games, while hitting .286.  Okay, I’m talking him up solely because I dropped Cozart for Dozier.  Hopefully, things stay rozier.

Trevor Plouffe – 1-for-5 with his 2nd homer.  The Eskimos have a name for the sound of crap hitting the toilet water, it’s Plouffe.

Justin Morneau – He was activated from the DL and went 1-for-5.  It’s like he never left!

Ryan Doumit – To the DL for three weeks with a strained calf.  What an odd thing to find in a colander.

Josh Willingham – 3-for-5, 2 runs and 1 RBI as the Twins scored 11 runs.   My fact checking monkey tells me the Twins didn’t carry over this whole year’s worth of runs.

Felix Hernandez – 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER vs. the Indians.  F-Her, you should be embarrassed.  Luckily, I didn’t use the thesaurus for synonyms for embarrassed.  The Native American Anti-Defamation League has enough to deal with.

Bud Norris – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks.  I think he might be the unofficial winner of the most comments on whether or not people should pick him up.  Yeah, this Bud’s for you.

Carlos Lee – 3-for-4 with his 3rd homer, now hitting near .400 over the last week.  Ugh, first Alfonso Soriano, now Carlos Lee.  Kick me in the ass and call me Murray Chass.

Andy Dirks – 3-for-4, 2 runs and 1 RBI.  Hitting .370 out of the 2 hole.  Plouffe!

Eric Hosmer – 0-for-7.  Maybe he can work the count into something favorable then they can put in Mitch Maier.

Felipe Paulino – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 9 Ks.  He’s kinda put together three solid starts (his 2nd one vs. the White Sox was a bit of bad luck).  His K-rate has always been solid, but his walk rate losses sight of the strike zone sometimes.  So far, he’s been in control.  The 1-something ERA won’t stay there, but he could be what you thought you were getting from Filthy Sanchez this year (not what you actually got).

Krispie Young – Hit a grand slam in his rehab game.  It was shirts vs. I sold my shirt for blow.  *checking notes*  Nope, different type of rehab.

Albert Pujols – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer to tie Gordon Beckham for 217th best in baseball!

Adam LaRoche – 3-for-4, 4 RBIs and his 7th homer.  LaRoche has 29 RBIs and is hitting .339.  Yesterday, Hosmer pooped twice.

Wilson Ramos – Going for ACL surgery in 2-3 weeks and won’t be back this year.  Bernie Williams, “I’d love to play my guitar at the opening of the ACL!”

Ian Desmond – 1-for-4 with his 5th homer.  He’s hitting around .330 over the last week with 2 steals.  Shine on you crazy Desmond!

Henry Rodriguez – Got the save yesterday even after Desmond E’d a guy onto base.  HanK-Rod still mowed them down, showing no signs of his recent failings.  I realized something watching him.  He’s Charlie Sheen in Major League (or real life).  His stuff is insane, and he can’t control it.

Michael Morse – Made throws yesterday for the first time in several weeks.  He said, “I haven’t been throwing, so it was kind of like a monkey riding a bike.”  That sounds awesome!  I wanna see him throwing through flaming hula hoops while balancing on a seal’s nose!  Please!

Saints | Drew Brees frustrated by contract talks

Source: Footballguys.com

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees said his contract negotiations with the team have become 'extremely frustrating.' The team placed the exclusive rights franchise tag on Brees in March, and the sides have until July 16 to work out a long-term extension. 'It's been extremely frustrating for me,' Brees said. 'I don't think the negotiation should have been this difficult.' Brees added that he didn't think there has been a sense of urgency from the team.

Rams | Josh Gordy working with first team

Source: Footballguys.com

St. Louis Rams CB Josh Gordy was working with the first team in organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 16. CB Bradley Fletcher (knee) is still recovering from injury, and rookie CB Janoris Jenkins is still acclimating. Those three will battle to start opposite CB Cortland Finnegan.

Rams | LG competition to heat up

Source: Footballguys.com

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said Wednesday, May 16, that a number of players will get a shot at the starting left guard job. In organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, OG Bryan Mattison saw most of the work at the position.

Rams | Greg Salas taking part in OTAs

Source: Footballguys.com

St. Louis Rams WR Greg Salas (leg), who is coming off a serious leg injury, was able to take part in organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 16, and he did not show any ill-effects of the injury.

Rams | Jose Valdez claimed off waivers

Source: Footballguys.com

The St. Louis Rams claimed OL Jose Valdez off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday, May 16. The New York Jets also put in a claim.

Raiders | Marcel Reece still not practicing

Source: Footballguys.com

Oakland Raiders FB Marcel Reece is still not participating in offseason work. The restricted free agent is represented by Joel Segal, who also is the representative for Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson.

Ryan Fitzpatrick - Does Buffalo have a QB controversy?

Source: The Huddle

Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix made it clear to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick his role as starting quarterback was secure before the team signed QB Vince Young. 'Buddy Nix has been a guy that has been very fair to all his player, he's been a guy who's been trying to create a competitive atmosphere,' Fitzpatrick said Wednesday, May 16. 'Buddy caught me in the hallway one day and said, 'We're looking to create some competition for the number two spot at quarterback, we are bringing in Vince Young. We made him an offer. We'll see if he comes. But just to let you know, obviously, you are our guy and we are just trying to get better at every position.'
Huddle Up: It is Fitzpatrick's job to lose. He was playing at a Pro-Bowlish level last year before suffering cracked ribs in Week 8. In the seven games before the injury Fitzpatrick completed 67 percent of his passes with 13 TDs and seven INTs. Buffalo was 5-2. He played through the pain down the stretch but his post-injury numbers dropped to 59 percent, 11 TDs and 16 INTs.

Pujols joins two-HR club with three-run blast - Albert Pujols | ANA

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Albert Pujols hit his second home in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the White Sox.

Bengals | Andy Dalton gets stronger in weight room

Source: Footballguys.com

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has added muscle through his chest and shoulders, as he felt he needed to get stronger in the weight room during the offseason. He weighed 217 on Draft Day 2011, but he now checks in at '224.6,' according to Dalton.

Bears | Financials for Brandon Hardin

Source: Footballguys.com

Updating a previous report, the Chicago Bears agreed to four-year contract with FS Brandon Hardin worth $2.721 million Wednesday, May 16. The deal includes a $591,376 signing bonus, according to a league source.

Ryan Mathews could be the No. 1 fantasy football back this year

Source: KFFL.com NFL

San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has a strong opportunity to be the No. 1 scoring running back in fantasy football leagues this year.

Adam Jones ends 15-inning marathon in K.C. - Adam Jones | BAL

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the 15th inning Wednesday, Adam Jones hit what would prove to be the game-winning home run in Baltimore's 4-3 win in Kansas City.

Broncos | Rookie QB Osweiler showing improvement already

Source: Footballguys.com

Cecil Lammey, NFL Insider for ESPN Denver and senior writer for Footballguys.com, reports QB Brock Osweiler showed improved arm mechanics and footwork in Broncos rookie minicamp. Our View: Osweiler is not a finished product but it's a good sign that he's showing improvement. He's tall, has a strong arm, and is very athletic for a player his size. Osweiler is set to be groomed as the QB of the future behind Peyton Manning for a few years.

Durant leads Thunder to Game 2 comeback win - Kevin Durant | OKC

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Kevin Durant had 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as the Thunder defeated the Lakers in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Goal Line Stand: Fantasy Football Top Tens

Source: Rotoworld Football Articles

Evan Silva unveils his preliminary top-ten rankings at quarterback, running back, receiver, and tight end.

NHL Playoff Observations -- Wednesday

Source: RotoSynthesis

Just a few things that caught my eye ...

• Sometimes it just doesn't pay to try, try again. Like dumping the puck up the wall to escape the defensive zone. I'm talking to you, Rangers. It didn't work in the first or the second. So why keep doing it in the third?

• Ilya Kovalchuk's release is absolutely sick. Unfreakingly insane.

Doumit hits disabled list with strained calf - Ryan Doumit | MIN

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Twins placed C Ryan Doumit on the 15-day disabled list with a right calf strain.

Ryan Doumit: (Calf) Placed on DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Ryan Doumit: Doumit was placed on the 15-day DL with a right calf injury. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Fantasy Baseball: Is Oakland Athletics' DH Manny Ramirez Worth Picking Up?

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

What a long, strange trip it’s been for Manny Ramirez.

Last May, the veteran slugger was languishing with the Tampa Bay Rays before he abruptly retired in lieu of serving a 100-game suspension for the second positive drug test result of his career.

Fast-forward seven months to last December, when Ramirez got the itch to play again and formally requested reinstatement by Major League Baseball. In a somewhat surprising move, he landed with the Oakland Athletics, who signed him this past February to a minor league contract.

And here we are in mid-May, and Ramirez is nearing completion of his 50-game suspension to start the season.

He is ready to report to Triple-A Sacramento this weekend to get some minor league reps prior to joining Oakland. Per csnbayarea.com, Ramirez is in line to appear with the Rivercats this Saturday. He is eligible to make his big league debut this season on May 30—incidentally, his 40th birthday.

The signing of the one-time Hall-of-Fame-bound Ramirez is not deemed as that relevant of a storyline in 2012, especially as the candle of his career burns out.

Following the twilight of a PED-filled career isn’t entirely that interesting anymore. And let’s be real: The fact that Ramirez is riding into the sunset in Oakland makes his imminent return to the big leagues that much more yawning.

"Mannyball" in Oakland doesn’t exactly snag the headlines across the country.

But while the majority of MLB media outlets overlook the resurrection of Manny being Manny, fantasy owners should take special interest in Ramirez as a possible designated hitter option for their lineup.

It’s likely that Ramirez was not selected in most fantasy drafts due to his two-month suspension. But now that he is likely to return to the majors by month’s end, it’s time to evaluate whether it’d be wise to pick him up off the waiver wire in the next couple of weeks.

American League-only fantasy owners will pay close attention.

Here is how some notable designated hitters stack up as of May 16th, 2012 (with at least 100 at-bats as DH): 

- David Ortiz (Boston): .353/.417/.633, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R

- Billy Butler (Kansas City): .288/.340/.489, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 14 R

- Edwin Encarnacion (Toronto): .270/.329/.589, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 22 R

- Adam Dunn (Chicago White Sox): .248/.384/.597, 12 HR, 28 RBI, 22 R

- Travis Hafner (Cleveland): .252/.397/.430, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 11 R

- Luke Scott (Tampa Bay): .228/.282/.482, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 13 R

If Ramirez were to put up anything close to those numbers, he’d be considered a steal.

However, there are some obvious factors that suggest he might not be able to meet those standards. After all, he hasn’t played in the majors in over a year. And let’s be honest, even when he was with Tampa Bay he wasn’t exactly performing at a level of relevance.

Can he be counted on to put up high marks with the Athletics? A team that is abysmally inept offensively?

Maybe. Especially if he’s given enough reps to dust off the rust.

Oakland’s designated hitters have a combined slash line of .221/.344/.344 with three home runs, 13 RBI and 19 runs scored in 37 games. Most of the damage has been done by Jonny Gomes, Seth Smith and Kila Ka’aihue.

Not exactly a high bar being set.

Ramirez, even at the age of 40, could certainly put up close to those numbers. The only question will be whether he has enough (ahem) juice left in his creaking body.

If Ramirez is employed full-time at DH, then, sure, it’s certainly possible. It’s likely he’d replace Gomes as the right-handed designated hitter, with Gomes sliding into the outfield, if necessary.

The A’s have a lot of flexibility right now with plenty of outfielders on their roster.

Thus, Ramirez might not be a good DH option because he likely will have to split time with other players until his conditioning is up to speed. Also something to consider is the fact that by the time Ramirez is eligible to rejoin Oakland on May 30, the A’s will be approaching the interleague portion of their schedule.

The Athletics have back-to-back series in National League parks from June 8 through June 14.

Considering his outfield skills, or lack thereof, what’s the likelihood that Ramirez will see any consistent at-bats during that stretch?

Probably next to nil.

He won’t see consistent playing time until June 15. The safe bet is to see how he does during in the week after he joins Oakland, and then determine during the interleague series whether he’s worth picking up off the waiver wire.

If, however, you are jonesing for a DH, then by all means, pick him up sooner rather than later. If you do, consider that Ramirez’ bat speed will definitely be slow.His strikeouts will mount and batting average will struggle to climb.

Moreover, with the Athletics’ anemic offense, what’s the probability he’ll drive in a significant number of runs? Very low. Especially since Gomes is handling lefties quite nicely so far this season. Against left-handed pitching, Gomes has a .250/.385/.500 slash line.

Ramirez won’t outperform those numbers. At least not right away.

Right now, it’s best to not pick up Ramirez for your DH spot.

He won’t get significant playing time until mid-June. Even for AL-only fantasy leagues, there are more suitable options for the time being. Continue to plug in Scott or Hafner. They may have lower batting averages, but they are driving in runs and are on teams with better offenses.

If Ramirez is putting up decent numbers in his brief appearances, maybe claim him off waivers before the end of June.

Most likely, he won’t last very long, though. After all, it’s Manny Ramirez. He could get lost in Sacramento and go AWOL at any point. It’s not worth a roster spot on your fantasy roster.  

Follow me on Twitter: @nathanieljue

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Doumit likely DL-bound following calf injury - Ryan Doumit | MIN

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said there is a good chance Ryan Doumit will be placed on the disabled list after he left Wednesday's game with a calf injury.

Ryan Doumit: (Calf) Likely Headed to DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Ryan Doumit: Doumit left Wednesday's win over Detroit due to a calf injury and is likely headed to the DL, manager Ron Gardenhire said. Doumit will have an MRI Wednesday night. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Kenny Britt - Kenny Britt has procedure on knee

Source: The Huddle

Tennessee Titans WR Kenny Britt (knee) underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday, May 16, to reduce swelling in his right knee. General manager Ruston Webster said the procedure likely will set Britt's rehab back a week or two. It's the same knee that required ACL surgery last September.
Huddle Up: Titans beat writer Terry McCormick insists on Twitter that it's no big deal, but we've heard that before. Let's just wait for the preseason. If Britt isn't going full-speed with the starters, then it's time to start worrying... and start pushing rookie Kendall Wright up fantasy draft boards.

Rhymes collapses after HBP, leaves on cart - Will Rhymes | TB

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Will Rhymes collapsed on the field during Wednesday's game after he took first base following a hit-by-pitch.

Fantasy Baseball: Is Oakland Athletics' DH Manny Ramirez Worth Picking Up?

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

What a long, strange trip it’s been for Manny Ramirez.

Last May, the veteran slugger was languishing with the Tampa Bay Rays before he abruptly retired in lieu of serving a 100-game suspension for the second positive drug test result of his career.

Fast-forward seven months to last December, when Ramirez got the itch to play again and formally requested reinstatement by Major League Baseball. In a somewhat surprising move, he landed with the Oakland Athletics, who signed him this past February to a minor league contract.

And here we are in mid-May, and Ramirez is nearing completion of his 50-game suspension to start the season.

He is ready to report to Triple-A Sacramento this weekend to get some minor league reps prior to joining Oakland. Per csnbayarea.com, Ramirez is in line to appear with the Rivercats this Saturday. He is eligible to make his big league debut this season on May 30—incidentally, his 40th birthday.

The signing of the one-time Hall-of-Fame-bound Ramirez is not deemed as that relevant of a storyline in 2012, especially as the candle of his career burns out.

Following the twilight of a PED-filled career isn’t entirely that interesting anymore. And let’s be real: The fact that Ramirez is riding into the sunset in Oakland makes his imminent return to the big leagues that much more yawning.

"Mannyball" in Oakland doesn’t exactly snag the headlines across the country.

But while the majority of MLB media outlets overlook the resurrection of Manny being Manny, fantasy owners should take special interest in Ramirez as a possible designated hitter option for their lineup.

It’s likely that Ramirez was not selected in most fantasy drafts due to his two-month suspension. But now that he is likely to return to the majors by month’s end, it’s time to evaluate whether it’d be wise to pick him up off the waiver wire in the next couple of weeks.

American League-only fantasy owners will pay close attention.

Here is how some notable designated hitters stack up as of May 16th, 2012 (with at least 100 at-bats as DH): 

- David Ortiz (Boston): .353/.417/.633, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R

- Billy Butler (Kansas City): .288/.340/.489, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 14 R

- Edwin Encarnacion (Toronto): .270/.329/.589, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 22 R

- Adam Dunn (Chicago White Sox): .248/.384/.597, 12 HR, 28 RBI, 22 R

- Travis Hafner (Cleveland): .252/.397/.430, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 11 R

- Luke Scott (Tampa Bay): .228/.282/.482, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 13 R

If Ramirez were to put up anything close to those numbers, he’d be considered a steal.

However, there are some obvious factors that suggest he might not be able to meet those standards. After all, he hasn’t played in the majors in over a year. And let’s be honest, even when he was with Tampa Bay he wasn’t exactly performing at a level of relevance.

Can he be counted on to put up high marks with the Athletics? A team that is abysmally inept offensively?

Maybe. Especially if he’s given enough reps to dust off the rust.

Oakland’s designated hitters have a combined slash line of .221/.344/.344 with three home runs, 13 RBI and 19 runs scored in 37 games. Most of the damage has been done by Jonny Gomes, Seth Smith and Kila Ka’aihue.

Not exactly a high bar being set.

Ramirez, even at the age of 40, could certainly put up close to those numbers. The only question will be whether he has enough (ahem) juice left in his creaking body.

If Ramirez is employed full-time at DH, then, sure, it’s certainly possible. It’s likely he’d replace Gomes as the right-handed designated hitter, with Gomes sliding into the outfield, if necessary.

The A’s have a lot of flexibility right now with plenty of outfielders on their roster.

Thus, Ramirez might not be a good DH option because he likely will have to split time with other players until his conditioning is up to speed. Also something to consider is the fact that by the time Ramirez is eligible to rejoin Oakland on May 30, the A’s will be approaching the interleague portion of their schedule.

The Athletics have back-to-back series in National League parks from June 8 through June 14.

Considering his outfield skills, or lack thereof, what’s the likelihood that Ramirez will see any consistent at-bats during that stretch?

Probably next to nil.

He won’t see consistent playing time until June 15. The safe bet is to see how he does during in the week after he joins Oakland, and then determine during the interleague series whether he’s worth picking up off the waiver wire.

If, however, you are jonesing for a DH, then by all means, pick him up sooner rather than later. If you do, consider that Ramirez’ bat speed will definitely be slow.His strikeouts will mount and batting average will struggle to climb.

Moreover, with the Athletics’ anemic offense, what’s the probability he’ll drive in a significant number of runs? Very low. Especially since Gomes is handling lefties quite nicely so far this season. Against left-handed pitching, Gomes has a .250/.385/.500 slash line.

Ramirez won’t outperform those numbers. At least not right away.

Right now, it’s best to not pick up Ramirez for your DH spot.

He won’t get significant playing time until mid-June. Even for AL-only fantasy leagues, there are more suitable options for the time being. Continue to plug in Scott or Hafner. They may have lower batting averages, but they are driving in runs and are on teams with better offenses.

If Ramirez is putting up decent numbers in his brief appearances, maybe claim him off waivers before the end of June.

Most likely, he won’t last very long, though. After all, it’s Manny Ramirez. He could get lost in Sacramento and go AWOL at any point. It’s not worth a roster spot on your fantasy roster.  

Follow me on Twitter: @nathanieljue

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Baseball: What to Do When Your Team Falls Apart

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Let me tell you a little story about my fantasy baseball season so far. My team started out as the best in the league. We simply obliterated the competition, and we looked unbeatable.

However, they seem to be hitting a wall. After dominating the first two weeks of the season, we barely snuck by during the third week. Really, I wasn't too concerned because I at least won.

The fourth week was when it changed. My pitching staff simply folded in on itself and we lost by 100 points. This week has been even worse so far.

However, panic is not the right response.

Just because Stephen Strasburg had a bad start the other night, there is no way I would be looking to do anything different with him. While it seems like all of my players are terrible and we can't afford to be losing by such huge amounts, no player is perfect all the time. There is natural variation in every player's performance. They will all have good weeks and bad weeks throughout the season. It is bound to happen.

However, did my team simply hit rock bottom all together and will bounce back, or is there a bigger, more systemic problem?

Let me present you with three questions to consider if your team is in this boat as well.

 

1. Are you still waiting for that late-round sleeper to wake up?

If so, it is time to seriously consider whether or not he will wake up soon enough to actually help you. You can't wait forever, and you really need people to contribute right now.

 

2. Are you simply looking at surface numbers?

For example, right now, A.J. Burnett appears to be a terrible investment with a very high ERA. However, upon deeper research, you will discover he had one bad start in between all of his other solid ones. Don't be swayed by outliers.

 

3. Is there another reason you want to keep the player?

You'd be surprised how much this comes up. However, in fantasy baseball there should not be any type of loyalty. Your favorite player will not be offended if he is not performing well and you drop him. This type of thing has been written a lot, but many people still struggle with this concept of worrying about performance and nothing else.

 

So, to finish the story, my team is not going to change very much even though we are in our second consecutive terrible week. I am not going to have bad weeks from Stephen Strasburg or Jered Weaver very often. Mike Napoli and Jose Reyes will be productive and, given their track record, there is no way I could possibly get rid of them.

Nevertheless, if your team is struggling and one of these three questions could be the reason, seriously think about fixing these things as fast as you can.

 

Whether you think I know everything or nothing about Major League Baseball, you should follow me on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook and keep in touch. I love hearing what you all have to say!

Follow @spinkickers

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Fantasy Baseball 2012: Paul Konerko Is a Top First-Base Option

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox has long been considered just an above-average slugging first baseman. Many have written him off as a good slugger who isn't one of the top 10 sluggers at the position. However, Konerko has had career years in the last three years, and he currently is near the top among first basemen.

The average fantasy owner wouldn't be looking for Konerko's name near the top in OPS. Nevertheless, there he is, sitting ninth in the majors (.999) and third among first basemen, behind Joey Votto and Brian LaHair.

Konerko is second in the American League in on-base percentage (.427). He trails only Votto and LaHair in that category among first basemen as well.

He's eighth in the AL in slugging percentage (.573) and trails only LaHair among players who primarily play first base.

Konerko has done alright to this point in the home run department. He's hit seven thus far, including one on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. His at-bats-per-home-runs rate is 18.7, 0.5 above his career average.

He'll pick up as the season progresses. Konerko hits a home run every 14.1 at-bats on his career in June.

That he has seven to this point is fine for his rate, and he'll soon pick up and surpass LaHair—who currently has 10 home runs—as the top home run-hitting first baseman.

Konerko will soon be close with Votto as the top first-base option for this season. LaHair will begin to regress to the mean in the next two months. Players like LaHair, who debut at age 30, don't have great success. LaHair would be hard-pressed to keep up his 1.153 OPS and 10.8 at-bats per home run.

Meanwhile, Votto will stay up there down the stretch. His splits show a drop in production in the month of June (.292/.379/.494), but he's strong in the second half of the season. His slugging percentage is better in the second half than the first half (.569 to .536).

Votto, who currently leads the NL in doubles (16), walks (34) and times on base (72), is the premier first baseman in the majors. With Prince Fielder making a slow adjustment to the AL, Votto is the most fearsome first baseman.

However, Konerko will be with Votto step-by-step. Even though the White Sox captain is 36 years old, he's a steady star. He's calm and healthy.

With 39 home runs and a .393 on-base percentage in 2010 and 31 home runs and a .388 on-base percentage 2011, Konerko has shown an ability to maintain production with age.

He'll be strong down the stretch, knocking the ball out of the park and getting on base consistently. Fantasy owners have little choice but to take notice of Konerko after years of brushing him aside in pursuit of bigger-name sluggers like Votto and Fielder. He'll remain with Votto at the top throughout the season.

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Baseball: 10 Injured Players Not Worth Wasting Your DL Slot on

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

Depending on how you look at it, your DL spot is a lot like one of two things: a reinforced metal safe hidden behind a moderately valuable painting, or that shelf somewhere in your closet where you think your VHS copy of Jerry Maguire might be.

While some fantasy owners use it to masterfully rotate in and out healthy and about-to-be-healthy players, others use it as a way to justify drafting a guy they probably didn't need to draft, then waiting for him to eventually become useful again (hopefully).

If you're reading this, I'm going to assume you're well aware that Mariano Rivera, Brian Wilson and about 42 other players are out for the season. But here are 10 injured guys expected back who you might be better off throwing out—or at the very least, seeing what you can get for them on eBay.

Begin Slideshow

Fantasy Baseball Weekly Waiver-Wire Pickups by Position

Source: Bleacher Report MLB

The 2012 Fantasy Baseball season is a month-and-a-half old. Since the opening series in Japan, fantasy owners have been over-analyzing statistics to determine which players they want to start for their team. While fantasy teams appear flawless on draft day, weaknesses begin to emerge as the season goes on. Injuries happen and players can slump at any time. Sometimes the best place to turn to is the waivers to fix a problem on your team.

I've compiled a list of eight players who should be available on the waiver wire. If you are dealing with injuries or just need to drop an ice-cold player, look for the following names to help your team out.

 

Catcher: A.J. Ellis (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Now, A.J. Ellis is not a name that is going to bring about a ton of fantasy excitement, but he's riding a bit of a hot streak recently. He's belted two home runs since the turn of the month and has eight RBI  during that stretch. He has a .314 batting average and an even more impressive .954 OPS that is second among all starting catchers. Ellis is also third among all active catchers in walks with 21. That puts him behind only Carlos Santana and Joe Mauer in that category.

Ellis is a reliable backstop that isn't going to hurt your fantasy squad anywhere and there is a good chance you can find him on your waivers.

 

First Base: Todd Helton (Colorado Rockies)

 

Now believe it or not, Todd Helton is still a fantasy-relevant name. I know he's been in the league for a long time, but the Rockies first baseman is still a worthy plug-in. Helton has a career .322 batting average and still calls Coors Field his home. He ranks eighth among all first basemen in RBI with 21 six weeks into the season. While he's not drawing the walks he used too, he's also not striking out a lot at the plate.

You can expect Helton's average to rise from the .250 it currently stands at, while he'll continue to be a steady source of RBI and carry the potential to hit 20 home runs.

 

Second Base: Mark Ellis (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Now I didn't want to pick two players that play for the same team (and they have same last name for that matter), but the second base pool is pretty thin. Jemile Weeks is currently getting over a minor injury and I'd like to see more out of Gordon Beckham before I recommend him to my readers. So in my opinion, that leaves Mark Ellis as the best pickup available.

Ellis has 25 runs so far this season, ranking him fourth among all second basemen behind Dustin Pedroia, Dan Uggla and Ian Kinsler. As long as Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are batting behind Ellis, there is no reason to believe that number will falter at all during the season. Ellis has a respectable .272 batting average that he should be able to sustain throughout the year.

 

Third Base: Chris Johnson (Houston Astros)

Chris Johnson has really turned it on since the beginning of May. He's hit four home runs with 20 RBI, two stolen bases and has raised his batting average to .298. Johnson is 27 years old, so theoretically he's entering his prime years.

The Astros are having no problem putting up runs to start the 2012 season, so it may be a good idea to scoop up some of their streaky young players while they're hot. Time is running out to pick up Johnson though, as his own percentage is on the rise. If you need a temporary third baseman, grab Johnson while you still can.

 

Shortstop: Alcides Escobar (Kansas City Royals)

If you're looking to add a shortstop, it may as well be Escobar. He's swiped seven bags so far this year, putting him on pace to surpass last year's total of 26. His average is sitting at an impressive .297 for the year, but that may be a little harder to maintain. Escobar's career average is a lot closer to .250, so you can expect his average to decline as the year goes on.

Still, Escobar is finding ways to get on base, and when Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler can both put it together, Escobar will turn into a reliable source of runs and steals.

 

 

Outfield: Daniel Nava (Boston Red Sox)

Daniel Nava may take a backseat to Will Middlebrooks as Boston's most coveted prospects (it doesn't help that Nava is 29 years old), but Nava is making his name known. Ever since being called up this year, Nava is 7-for-12 at the plate with one home run, six RBI and one steal. It also helps that he is a part of one of the most potent lineups in the majors.

Nava should be able to resume routine playing time in the Sox outfield until Jacoby Ellsbury returns from his shoulder injury, which isn't expected for another month. Until then, feel free to pick up Nava from your waivers and play him with confidence.

 

Starting Pitcher: Jerome Williams (Los Angeles Angels)

Williams has an unimpressive ERA of 4.19 and a WHIP of 1.29, the reason being two rough starts on the road at New York and at Texas where he gave up 11 runs.

Subtract those two starts against tough teams, and Williams has a 3-0 record over 29.1 innings with only seven earned runs allowed and 22 strikeouts. Williams has his next scheduled start Wednesday against a very beatable White Sox lineup. After that, he'll pitch against Oakland. If the matchup is right, I say grab Williams as a spot starter whenever you can.

 

Relief Pitcher: Scott Downs (Los Angeles Angels)

 

Downs is still the Angels closer the last time I checked, but you wouldn't guess that based on his own percentage. He's available in most leagues and appears to be healthy once again. He suffered an injury on May 8th, but he recorded a one-out save just three days ago.

Downs is a solid relief pitcher with great stuff, and he's yet to let up an earned run this year. The Angels are going to start winning games sooner or later, and that will give Downs a lot of save opportunities down the road.

 

I appreciate any comments people want to leave, and if you enjoyed my article please follow my Fantasy Baseball Twitter account. @FantasyMLB_2012

Read more Fantasy Baseball news on BleacherReport.com

Polanco exits after fouling ball off knee - Placido Polanco | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Placido Polanco left Wednesday's game after fouling a ball of his knee.

Rhymes collapses on field, leaves on cart - Will Rhymes | TB

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Will Rhymes collapsed on the field during Wednesday's game against the Red Sox after he took first base following a hit by pitch.