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Your Daily MLB News & Analysis: The Rule of Thumb...Injuries

 

Daily Dose of All the MLB Action from April 28th

Sliding headfirst incorrectly has claimed another victim. Josh Hamilton is in the midst of recovering from a UCL tear in his thumb due to a headfirst slide into first base, Dustin Pedroia struggled last season due to a similar injury, and now the Nationals prized young-gun Bryce Harper has damaged his bat grabber. [chuckle] Moral of the story: slide feet first, kids. rotoballer-fantasy-baseball-advice-bryce-harperSo, you drafted Bryce Harper ahead of CarGo, Stanton, Hanley, Tulo and Freeman? I say you due to the fact that I wasn't overpaying for him anywhere this season, therefore I have no shares in him. Surely you can't feel great about Monday's news that Harper would indeed need surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of his left thumb; an injury which is expected to keep him on the shelf until July or later. It's obviously impossible to get your return out of Harper this season which is a total bummer. Instead of urging you to make an ill-advised trade to further weaken your team this early in the season, I will give you three buy low targets to possibly target on the waiver wire.

Buy Low Candidates to Replace Bryce Harper

Gregory Polanco (AAA), PIT - Polanco is off to a scorching start for Triple-A Indy and after a 2-for-5 night on Monday he's slashing a ridiculous .400/.457./652 with a 1.089 OPS. Leading the International League with sixty total bases in ninety at-bats, Polanco should be in Pittsburgh already. With Travis Snider's production slipping, we could see Polanco in the Steel City very soon. His ownership is at 65% in CBS leagues and just 25% in Yahoo!-- it should be higher. Josh Reddick, OAK - Reddick started off the season mired in an offensive funk which may have resulted in owners bailing. He was hitting under the Mendoza Line up until April 18th when he had a three hit game. Since that date he's had 4 additional multi-hit games and has his average up to .250 on the season. With just 1 HR and 6 RBI thus far Reddick could be a nice buy low candidate right now for Harper-less squads. Mike Olt, CHC - Olt is about as post-hype sleeper as they come. A once highly-touted top prospect with the Rangers, Olt is finally getting his shot to play often at the Major League level with the Cubs. Olt hit 28 homers in Double-A back in 2012 and already owns 4 dingers in 2014. His average is lacking but he's gotten spotty playing time to this point. With a steady dose of at-bats the once can't miss slugger could be a sneaky add for Harper owners looking to find power offense deep in the barrel. Olt is currently owned in just 25% of CBS leagues and just 4% of Yahoo leagues.

AL Notes

Late Monday evening the Indians announced that they will shift Carlos Carrasco to the bullpen which presumably opens the door for Trevor Bauer to be recalled from Triple-A. Bauer is now a must add in all formats. Sonny Gray tossed a dandy game versus Yu Darvish and the Rangers as he allowed just 3 hits and a walk in route to his first career complete game shutout. Gray struck out 6 and lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.76 with only 8 runs allowed over 41 IP. Gray is looking like a viable ace on a dominant Oakland staff. Yu Darvish was removed after throwing 83 pitches to get just 10 outs. Darvish just didn't have command of his pitches which ultimately led to the shortest outing of his MLB career. He'll look to bounce back against the Angels later this week. Joe Smith notched his first save as the newly appointed closer for the Angels allowing a hit and no runs. Smith closed out three games for Cleveland last year and could just steal the job away for good with a few solid showings. WHEW! Carlos Santana finally woke up a bit with a 2-for-4 night including a three-run blast for his second home run of the season. Santana is off to a brutally slow start but I encourage you to be patient with the multi-positional slugger. Santana can be streaky, but when he gets going he can drive in a bunch of runs in short order. Jose Abreu notched his 32nd April RBI on Monday which set a new club record for the White Sox. With 10 HR to his credit Abreu is looking like a top 15 fantasy contributor and most likely the biggest draft day bargain for 2014. Andre Rienzo improved to 2-0 with a win over the Rays on Monday. Rienzo doesn't profile as a fantasy asset due to lacking K% and peripherals, but he has 2 more wins than Jeff Samardzija and unfortunately wins are still a standard 5x5 scoring stat. With Chris Sale coming back though, Rienzo's time is coming to an end. Alejandro De Aza collected his 4th homer of the season. Even with his measly .188 BA, De Aza can definitely contribute to fantasy teams thanks to his knack for stealing and his sneaky pop. He's on pace for another near 20-20 season and his average will climb with the temperatures in May.

NL Notes:

Khris Davis was 0-for-5 with 4 strikeouts before coming up with a clutch RBI triple in the top of the 12th inning to give the Brewers the lead and eventual win over the Cardinals in 12. Francisco Rodriguez came in to nail down his Major League leading 12th save in as many chances. Franky has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2014 fantasy season with his 0.00 ERA and 12 consecutive save conversions in as many chances. Keep rolling with the veteran and his nasty splitter. Matt Holliday and Allen Craig homered for the Red Birds in a losing effort Monday. The homers were each of their second on the season. Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Morneau went deep for the Rockies to help Franklin Morales earn his third win on the season. Tulo's 6th homer on the season was a three-run jack. Morneau, also now with 6 taters, put one in the pool area at Chase Field. Morneau has found his stride with the Rockies and is now hitting .351/.376/.628 with 21 RBI. It's good to see. LaTroy Hawkins notched his 8th save as yet another reborn veteran closer gets the job done. Hawkins struck out one over a clean frame lowering his ERA to 2.61 through 10.1 IP. Tyson Ross and Madison Bumgarner allowed 4 ER and neither made it thru 6 innings as the Padres and Giants battled on Monday. Brandon Hicks hit his 4th homer of the season in a loss to the Padres Monday night. Hicks actually has some pop and has hit 47 HR over the past three seasons at Triple-A. Only 28, Hicks could carve out a starting gig with more production like this. Marco Scutaro has shown no signs of returning so I think it could be Hicks' spot to lose at this point. If you were a Kolten Wong owner or simply need a boost at middle infield, I suggest snagging Hicks ASAP. Padres 30 year old backup catcher Rene Rivera homered and drove in 5 runs on Monday against the Giants. Rivera is merely a backup and not worth rostering, but that was a hell of a performance tonight. Jace Peterson started at 3B for the Padres and actually went 2-for-4 with a SB. With Chase Headley working his way back though, Peterson's time is limited. He makes for an intriguing player to watch however knowing Headley's fragility. Huston Street notched his 10th save of the season with a clean 9th to defeat the Padres. Street has been another veteran gem in the bullpen whom has outperformed expectations. He's allowed just 1 ER over 11 IP.   Irrelevant thought of the day: Possibly of some relevance due to it's sporting nature; I ask: Why has no one made a video compilation of all the cut-away shots by camera-MEN who are zooming in on big breasted or attractive women during sporting events? Here's to you sexually deprived camera men. Thank you for keeping it real.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
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3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF