Big Papi

David Ortiz of the Red Sox will be placed on the 15-Day DL with a partially torn tendon in his left wrist. This is devastating news for owners because of his surge of almost 60 points in his batting average this month. According to the Red Sox they are unsure on how long he will be out. This is never good news. But with a torn tendon in his wrist this sounds like a relatively long stint on the DL and if he does have surgery it might take 4-6 weeks and worse case scenario the season.

It is impossible to replace such a bat in any fantasy lineup but for the unlucky who have lost his services, try and find some hot bats off the wire, yes I know how that will be. If you are absolutely dying for power you will have to deal some pitching for hitting. If you are hurting in both categories, it might be time to think ahead to the future.

Posada

Jorge Posada of the Yankees is expected to return to the catchers position by the end of this week. This is great news for owners who have lost his services for the past 4-5 weeks due to a sore throwing shoulder. As I have stated before, catchers, let me rephrase that, good catchers are hard to find that can contribute to your fantasy roster.

I can't wait to get Posada back into my lineup.

HR Streaks

It isn't too normal for guys to have consecutive games where they hit home runs so for all owners of Chase Utley, Jay Bruce, and Manny Ramirez enjoy their current HR streaks.

Utley - 5 game HR streak (7HR's in last 8 games).
Bruce - 3 game HR streak (.577AVG since his major league debut, 7 games).
Manny - 3 game HR streak (4 HR's in last 6 games).


Absolutely amazing production coming from these three guys. If you happen to have all three on your team, all I can say is thank the fantasy gods!

Smoltz

After returning from the DL to work out of the bullpen, John Smoltz of the Braves blew his save chance in his first game back. With news coming out that Smoltz will throw from a different arm angle just to reduce any pain while throwing should concern owners. Even though Smoltz has been known to change his wind up and his arm angle from time to time to adjust to injuries which have seemed to hit his aging body.

For owners of Rafael Soriano make sure to keep him your daily lineup because Bobby Cox has come out and told everyone will be closing by committee so expect Soriano to receive some save opportunities until one of them takes the job.

Saves in Review for June 2

The Usual Suspects
Lidge (14), Sherrill (18), Nathan (15), Torres (6), Capps (11), F.Rod (22), and Wood (15).

Stupid BS
Gregg (3) with 1ER
Smoltz (1) with 2ER

I think I will stop writing this post everyday unless there is some news of a closer who might lose his closers role. I think it is getting pointless for me to post about closers who continually get saves night in and night out.

Joba

Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees will make his debut as a starter on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees have placed a 65-70 pitch limit on his young hard throwing arm. For owners who drafted Chamberlain and kept him you will have a chance to see if Joba can add to your stat categories especially the K column.

With the Yankees absolutely crying for help and staring up at division leaders, the Rays and Red Sox, this change was almost written on the wall. In my opinion, I prefer Chamberlain coming out of the bullpen and throwing 2 innings a game and striking out 2-4 batters. I am not completely sold on his ability to start games just yet. Just have to wait and see.

Doug Davis/Max Scherzer

Doug Davis is the one guy who is holding Max Scherzer from the starting rotation. For owners of Scherzer, make sure to keep him on your roster because, as we know, Davis is not the greatest of pitchers and if Davis falters, the Diamondbacks will not hesitate to put Davis in the bullpen and place the hard throwing young arm of Scherzer on the mound to start.

For owners who have Scherzer don't deal him but for the ones who don't own him, try and see if you can grab him from another owner in a deal.

Mark Prior

For most fantasy owners Mark Prior is a complete after thought. But for some idiots like me, I have always kept an eye out for Prior because of his potential to carry your pitching staff when healthy. Prior will not pitch in 2008 after opting for surgery to his right shoulder which may in fact end his career. It is absolutely sad how a promising pitcher has to sit on the sidelines and watch instead of throwing on the mound in front of his fans.

I hope Prior has successful surgery and finds a way to pitch and stay healthy. He is only 27 and if he can find a way to stay healthy he still has the chance to spend 5-7 more years in the bigs.

Barajas

Catchers are hard to find in any fantasy format but when they do it can add that one surge of power that can propel you into fantasy euphoria. Rod Barahas of the Blue Jays is swinging the hot bat. In his past 10 games Barajas has 10H's, 2HR's, 8RBI's, and has raised his average by 25 points to .298. Ride the ship when it is going well and bail when it starts to sink. This is a great catcher to buy into right now but it won't last. Enjoy his stats until they dry up.

Keep on Raking

Chase Utley of the Phillies is unconscious right now!!!! He just hit his 4th straight HR in as many games. Add to this he has 6 HR's in his past 7 games and 17RBI's. I can't even begin to explain how valuable Utley is to any fantasy roster. Just be glad he is on your roster and not someone elses. He is absolutely amazing!

Josh Hamilton of the Rangers is continuing his sweet swing with another HR last night. He has 3HR's in his last 5 games while batting in 10. It seems like his off-field troubles have been solved and fantasy owners who found him and have him on their rosters should be glad he stopped doing lines and started raking. The only problem I see with Hamilton is he has never competed a full season so he might start to lose steam as the season goes on. But at this moment, enjoy his sweet swing and the top spot in your fantasy leagues.