Out for The Season

Jake Westbrook of the Indians will have surgery on his right elbow which will cause him to miss the rest of the season. For fantasy owners, this isn't a big blow but it does hurt since he was your 3rd starter in most fantasy lineups. For AL-only owners, this is a big blow because of the scarcity of quality players in this kind of format. Obviously, he should be dropped.

Jeremy Bonderman of the Tigers will most likely miss the rest of the season due to a medical procedure to due with a blood clot. Bonderman went under the knife after the removal of the blood clot and into an angioplasty. There is no time schedule for his return and owners should just drop him from your lineups unless you have a DL spot. Keep him in the DL spot until more news surfaces or if someone else on your team, knock on wood, gets injured.

DL Info

Jake Westbrook of the Indians is headed for the DL with inflammation in his right elbow. Owners should drop and cut this guy because he's not going to do anything for your team. Go out and grab a bat or a hot starter.

Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals is on the 15-Day DL with a small tear in his left shoulder. After having strong years in 06/07 Zimmerman was expected to carry a heavy load in a poor lineup and produce .275/22HR's/100RBI's for owners but instead has come out of the gates this slowly and he now find himself on the DL. Owners, keep him on your team unless you can find a way to add him as a sweetener in a deal.

Posada of the Yankees is expected to return on Thursday. This is great news for owners!

Hafner

Travis Hafner of the Indians has landed himself on the 15-Day DL after suffering from a sore right shoulder. After going for 28, 33, 42 HR's for 2004, 2005, and 2006 respectively he has declined dramatically over the past two seasons.

In my eyes, this is a great chance for Hafner to recover physically and mentally because he has absolutely looked miserable at the plate. Owners who took a chance and drafted him fairly high this year have seen him produce nothing for you so this stint to the DL, hopefully, will turn this season around for Hafner. Honestly, I don't believe Hafner is the 35+HR and .300AVG hitter he was 3 years ago. I would try to sell this hitter ASAP.

Two Pitchers

Bartolo Colon pitched in his second game with the Red Sox and got his second win of the season. This outing was very impressive going 7 innings while allowing 5H's, 1ER, and striking out 4 Mariners. As I mentioned before, go out and pick this guy up!

Fausto Carmona of the Indians is expected to be out 4 weeks with a strain in his left hip. This is terrible news for owners who expected Carmona is be fairly dominating after watching him go 19-8 last year. Stash him on the DL and wait him out. Or as I always try to do, use him as a sweetener in a 2 for 1 deal.

Carmona

Fausto Carmona of the Indians was placed on the 15-Day DL with a strained left hip. The Indians are not sure when Carmona will return until an MRI is completed. In 2008, Carmona has compiled a 4-2 record with 23K's, 38BB's, and a 3.10ERA in 58 innings. For owners, his stat line is nice except for the BB's which is a little worrisome.

Owners, just stash him on the DL or on the bench. He shouldn't be dropped until further information is available on the extent of his injury.

Joe Borowski

Joe Borowski of the Indians was activated from the DL and will see the closing duties back in his lap immediately. With Kobayashi and Betancourt holding down, NOT, the fort while he was gone owners should have Joe back in their lineups right away.

Even with the high ERA, blown saves, and losses Borowski offers owners the chance to move up in the saves category (he had 45 in 2007). An active closer is valuable in EVERY league format. Remember, there can only be ONE save per game.

Masa Kobayashi

Kobayashi of the Indians picked up his second save in as many games last night. This Japanese import was a pick of mine to pick up the closer duties after the loss of Borowski to injury but instead Betancourt was put into the closer role.

For owners who picked up Kobayashi congrats, just a little late. Now, for owners who need saves go out to the wire and see if you can pick this guy up because it seems he will be coming into the 9th to close out games. Combine Kobayashi with Scotty Downs of the Blue Jays and you can start to climb back into the saves category race.