Beyond the Boxscore–Fantasy MLB News and Notes 5/1/08 Injury News and more
For some reason, unable to upload pictures tonight, so it’s just the text. Bear with me, just technical difficulties.
Brewers reigning NL ROY Ryan Braun is starting to show signs of life. In the last ten games Braun has raised his batting average from .222 to .287, he has collected 17 hits, ten of them being doubles and he has raked in 11 RBI. Hopefully you didn’t lose faith in the young slugger and you are reaping the rewards of this hot streak. He still isn’t running like he did last year, and he probably won’t, but you can expect him to get near his statistics that he put up during his awesome 2007. It is probably too late to buy low on him at this point, but it doesn’t hurt to kick the tires with the Braun owner in your league.
Rangers’ OF Josh Hamilton is improving on his impressive rookie campaign. Through one month, he is hitting .322 with 6 HRs and a major league leading 32 RBI. Even with Edinson Volquez heating up the National League, it still looks like the Rangers did well with that trade. Continue to play the big bopper, and as the Texas sun starts to warm the summer air, expect some of those 10 doubles to turn into some more long balls.
For those of you holding on to Francisco Liriano (and I am one of them), it might be time to reconsider that strategy. Liriano had his first start in the minors last night, and it wasn’t much better than the ones he was having in Minnesota. Liriano went just 4.1 innings, gave up four runs, walked five and struck out three. I fear that he may be spending a couple of months down at AAA if he continues to pitch this way. Be sure you are picking up someone worthwhile, and don’t just dump Liriano for someone like Scott Baker.
After going 3-2 to end 2007, many players came into this year high on the Rockies’ Franklin Morales. Those hopes are dashed now, at least in the short term, as Morales was demoted back to Triple A. In his five starts, Morales was 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA. Even more disturbing was in 25.1 innings pitched, Morales struck out only nine and walked 17! Almost 2:1 on the BB/K ratio. That’s horrible. If you have him, feel free to let him go.
Don’t look now, but Ryan Doumit is turning into a viable fantasy option at catcher in Pittsburgh. He isn’t quite playing every day (but what catcher does), but is making the most of his playing time. Doumit hit his fifth homer of the season tonight, and is now hitting .351. Now I can’t believe that he just all of a sudden figured things out after years of scuffling in the majors. But think about this before you just brush it off as this year’s Chris Shelton (which, by the way, it still might be). In one season in the minors Doumit hit 10 HRs in just 67 games, and the following season hit 12 in just 51 games. If you missed out on one of the top 4 catchers, he might be worth adding while he is swinging a hot bat. But be ready with another option in case he comes back to earth.
Will Ian Kennedy be heading back to the minors? The Yankees young guns have been under a lot of scrutiny here in NY the last couple of days, and Kennedy didn’t exactly pitch in a way that would give the coaching staff confidence in him. Kennedy failed to get through five innings for the fourth time in six starts as he lasted just 4.2 innings on Thursday. He gave up four runs, walked three and struck out just one. He now sits at 0-3 with an 8.52 ERA, and is it possible that Kei Igawa is a better option? That’s a scary thought for Yankee fans.
Angels prospect Nick Adenhart’s MLB debut did not go to plan tonight. Adenhart’s spring nearly got him a rotation spot to start the season, and he was doing great in AAA. But he was horrendous in his first start, as he didn’t get out of the third inning. Adenhart went 2.1 innings, gave up five runs, walked five and didn’t strike out a batter. It is too soon, obviously to call him a bust, but this will most likely stop the rush to the waiver wire to add Adenhart. Watch his next start to see if he will be worthy of a roster spot, and don’t write him off just yet.
Injury News
B.J. Upton strained his left shoulder swinging the bat tonight, but insists that it isn’t a big deal. Upton swung the bat and immediately grasped his shoulder in pain. Interviewed after the game Upton said that this injury has happened in five of his six seasons and once in high school. He claims he will be out just a few days. Usually I don’t believe the athlete when he makes a diagnosis on himself, but for some reason in this case I do. Upton will probably be out through the weekend, but expect him back early next week.
As I reported yesterday, John Smoltz says when he comes back he will be pitching from the bullpen. I guess this is good news for Smoltz owners for two reasons. One, it will probably get him back from the injury faster, and it gives him a chance to be a dominant pitcher, which it didn’t look like he would be in 2008.
The discussion with Phil Hughes yesterday was whether or not he would be sent to AAA. That conversation ended Thursday when it was revealed he has a stress fracture in one of his ribs, and will be out until July. This is the second consecutive season that Hughes will suffer an injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time. Will this become a trend for him? Only time will tell. Stash him on your DL until he is ready to return if you are in a keeper league. Yearly leagues, is it time to cut ties with Phil? Depends on who is available.
According to Peter Gammons, Max Scherzer’s time in the Arizona rotation depends on the health of Doug Davis. If Davis is able to return from his cancer treatments, he will go back into the rotation and Scherzer will return to the pen. If Max pitches like he did the other day, the D-Backs will find a way to get him starts.
Reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins tested his injured ankle Thursday and got bad news. Rollins felt enough soreness after running in the outfield that he won’t be starting a rehab assignment as was expected and won’t be ready to come off the DL Monday when he is eligible. Keep an eye here for more information on Jimmy’s rehab and when he might be able to return to action.
Quick Hitters
Royals starter Zach Greinke continues to be impressive. He was a hard luck loser tonight as he went seven strong innings, gave up two runs and fanned nine. I continue to consider him a sell high candidate, as I just can’t believe this is for real…….but I’m starting to come around on him. He still hasn’t given up more than two runs in a start and his ERA sits at just 1.47.
Matt Garza was much better in his second start off the DL. Garza went six, gave up just two runs and struck out three as he got his first win of the year. I don’t anticipate Garza being a number two type fantasy starter, but he is certainly has the talent to be on someone’s roster in most every league.
Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo had another quality start. Gallardo went six innings, gave up three and struck out four. I believe he will continue to get better as the season wears on, and will be a top 20 pitcher by the end of 2008.
Have you ever seen a closer get as many decisions as the Marlins’ Kevin Gregg? Usually closers finish the year 1-1 or 2-1, but not Gregg. In just 13 appearances, Gregg fell to 3-2 today as he gave up the game winning runs in the ninth to the Dodgers.
Matt Kemp has started in ten straight games for the Dodgers now, and is making the most of this opportunity. In those games Kemp has collected 15 hits, 13 RBI, and stolen four bases. This could be the start of the breakout that we have all been expecting. Keep an eye on this rising star.
Alex Rios continues to impress. Rios stole his seventh base of the year, and also hit his third home run and Rios is hitting .320. Although you would like to see Rios be swinging with a little bit more power, but you can’t complain about the first month this young guy has had.
As always, your questions about your team (adds, drops, trades, etc) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee an answer within 18 hours.
