| Players of the Week: May 5 - 11 |
| American League |
| Kevin Youkilis |
 | Team: Boston Red Sox |
| Pos: 1B |
| Stats: Led the AL with five home runs and tied the lead for RBI with 10. He hit .375 with a .938 SP, three doubles, eight runs and 30 total bases. |
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| National League |
| Lance Berkman |
 | Team: Houston Astros |
| Pos: 1B |
| Stats: Led the majors with a .682 average, 15 hits, 10 runs scored, a 1.136 slugging percentage and a .741 on-base percentage. |
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Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
 Mets call up Vargas as No. 5 SP
Claudio Vargas, SP NYM
News: The Mets made a flurry of moves Tuesday. Pitchers Matt Wise and Claudio Vargas were added to the Mets roster, while hurlers Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa were designated for assignment. Wise was activated from the DL and Vargas was added to the 40-man roster. Club officials said Vargas will start Wednesday's game against the Nationals. Adam Bostick had been an option for that spot start, but now Vargas becomes the Mets' No. 5 starter until Pedro Martinez (hamstring) can return in June. The club also put Angel Pagan on the 15-day DL and recalled infielder Fernando Tatis from the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.
Analysis: Vargas tossed seven shutout innings last time out in Triple-A and is a sleeper for all deeper leagues. Any potentially consistent innings eater for the Mets can be a winner in Fantasy, so take the flier on Vargas now.
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 Wigginton sits with ribcage injury
Ty Wigginton, 3B HOU
News: Astros 3B Ty Wigginton was held out of the lineup Tuesday at San Francisco after getting hit in the left ribcage area Monday. He had X-rays and could need a couple of days off, manager Cecil Cooper said.
Analysis: Wigginton is hitting only .226 with one home run through 53 at-bats. Expect him to finish near 20 home runs if he can ever get his stroke going, making him a low-end Fantasy third baseman. Reserve him for now in daily leagues, though.
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 Drew leaves after spraining wrist
J.D. Drew, RF BOS
News: Red Sox OF J.D. Drew sprained his left wrist diving for a third-inning liner in right field Tuesday at Baltimore. He had to leave the game, finishing 0-for-2 to end his hitting streak at seven games.
Analysis: Drew is known for his injuries, and this latest one might not go away so easily. Wrists play a huge role in hitting, obviously, so unless this sprain is minor, Drew faces the distinct possibility of going on the disabled list. Fortunately, he hasn't done much to help Fantasy owners this season, hitting only three home runs. Keep an eye on his progress.
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Doumit injures thumb Tuesday
Ryan Doumit, C PIT
News: Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit left Tuesday night's game after one inning, not long after injuring his left thumb while muffing a high strike for a passed ball. Ronny Paulino pinch-hit for Doumit, who had been in the cleanup slot against the Cardinals, and flied out to start the second.
Analysis: Doumit had two hits, including his eighth double, one run and one walk in three at-bats during Game 1 of a doubleheader Monday against the Braves. Doumit extended his hitting streak to four games. He is 6-for-16 (.375) with three RBI in that span. It's unfortunate an injury comes when he has been hot at the plate. Doumit increased his batting average to .350 Monday and is having a fine start to the 2008 season. He is seeing most of the starts behind the plate in Pittsburgh, but is losing some time to Paulino. However, Doumit's numbers are still Fantasy worthy enough to use him as a No. 1 catcher when healthy.
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Blalock ready to play Friday?
Hank Blalock, 3B TEX
News: MLB.com reports that injured Rangers 3B Hank Blalock (hamstring) ran the bases at full speed and took infield practice before Tuesday's game against the Mariners. He said afterward that his leg is 100 percent. "My mind feels good about it, too," Blalock said. "Three days ago my mind was still thinking about me coming back, but now I know I'm completely healed because my mind has let it go." The plan is for Blalock to play two games for Double-A Frisco starting Wednesday and have him ready for activation off the 15-day DL as early as Friday against the Astros. "We're going to work him again (Wednesday) and take him through some strenuous stuff, and if he gets through that, we'll get him out of here," manager Ron Washington said. "Let's see how it goes. With a hamstring, you can do it fine under controlled conditions."
Analysis: Washington said Blalock will not play all four games scheduled against the Twins at the Metrodome (turf) next week, if activated in time. The fact that Washington is already talking about Blalock playing in games during Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25) is a great sign the slugger is on the verge of returning. Continue to track his progress leading up to the next scoring period. Blalock last played in a game April 25. He was hitting .299 with three homers and seven RBI before going on the shelf. He has been hit by the injury bug the last few seasons, but looked locked in at the plate before going on the DL. He is a big-time injury-risk sleeper in Fantasy when healthy. Now might be the time to start adding him in Fantasy leagues (owned 39 percent).
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A-Rod eyes return next Tuesday
Alex Rodriguez, 3B NYY
News: MLB.com reports that Alex Rodriguez (quadriceps) told reporters on Tuesday that he is planning to rejoin the Yankees' lineup next week during a three-game series against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. "We're aiming for Tuesday at home," Rodriguez said. "You've got to be smart, so it's a good way to go."
Analysis: Rodriguez was recently ruled out of the three-game series against the Mets over the weekend despite the fact he's eligible to come off the disabled list on Thursday. Rodriguez will not travel with the team when it returns to New York after Thursday's series finale with the Rays at Tropicana Field. The Yankees' main concern is the first aggressive burst Rodriguez would make after jumping out of the batter's box at game speed, which was how he re-aggravated the injury against the Orioles. At this time, it sounds like A-Rod may be able to be activated for Fantasy Week 8 (May 19-25).
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Dodgers place Furcal on 15-day DL
Rafael Furcal, SS LA
News: The Dodgers placed Rafael Furcal on the 15-day DL after they realized his back injury is worse than originally thought. He is eligible to return May 21, but might not be ready by then, according to MLB.com. The team's official site expects Luis Maza to be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas, where he is hitting .402, third in the Pacific Coast League. Chin-lung Hu is expected to start in Furcal's absence.
Analysis: Furcal was off to a great start in a contract year, but the 30-year-old's best years appear to be behind him -- especially when you consider his speed and slap-hitting skill set. Consider him a stashee in any league with reserves and DL spots. He should return before June, but with back injuries, you never know.
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O'Day optioned back to minors
Darren O'Day, RP ANA
News: The Angels activated INF Maicer Izturis (back) from the disabled list Tuesday and optioned RP Darren O'Day to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Analysis: O'Day pitched his way onto the Angels roster after an impressive spring training. He wasn't that bad with L.A., posting a 3.43 ERA, but it was a numbers crunch and he is back in the minors since he has options. When active, he is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy middle reliever.
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Backe saddled with a fifth defeat
Brandon Backe, SP HOU
News: Astros SP Brandon Backe lost for the third time in his last four starts and in consecutive starts for the first time this year Tuesday at San Francisco. He was tagged for four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits in six innings. He struck out three and had a season-low one walk.
Analysis: We've wanted to see Backe lower his walks all season, but now we'd like to see him raise his wins. His 4.62 ERA doesn't inspire much confidence outside of NL-only leagues, and he shouldn't develop into anything special. His next start -- and second of Fantasy Week 7 -- is scheduled for Sunday at Texas.
Profile
Izturis comes off 15-day DL
Maicer Izturis, 2B ANA
News: Angels 2B Maicer Izturis came off the 15-day DL Tuesday in time to suit up for a game against the White Sox. Izturis, who was on the DL with a strained lower back, did not start Tuesday, but appeared as a pinch hitter in the seventh. He flied out in place of Juna Rivera.
Analysis: Izturis might split time at second base with Sean Rodriguez until Howie Kendrick (hamstring) is ready to come off the DL. When he's hitting, Izturis can be a useful Fantasy reserve in most formats because of his eligibility at 2B, 3B and SS.
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Durham finally back in the lineup
Ray Durham, 2B SF
News: Giants 2B Ray Durham returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Astros after being limited to three pinch-hit appearances in the previous eight games because of tightness in his right hamstring. Durham went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Analysis: While a few folks will be glad to see Durham returning, he doesn't offer much offensive potential at age 36. He can still steal the occasional base and pop the occasional homer, but leave him for NL-only leagues.
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Lyon finally gets back on hill
Brandon Lyon, RP ARI
News: Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon made his first appearance in a week when he took the hill Tuesday against the Rockies. Lyon entered the game in a non-save situation as Arizona led 8-4 in the ninth. Lyon allowed just an infield single to Clint Barmes while pitching a scoreless inning.
Analysis: Lyon has made just three appearances in May and the well has run dry of saves, frustrating Fantasy owners. No need to worry. The Diamondbacks will still win plenty in 2008, and as long as Lyon doesn't lose his cool, he will earn many saves. Lyon remains a high-end Fantasy RP.
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Correia scheduled for 10 pitches
Kevin Correia, RP SF
News: Giants SP Kevin Correia, sidelined with a strained left side muscle, is slated to throw about 10 pitches off a mound Wednesday.
Analysis: Correia went down in late April, and the team said he might miss a month at that time. So far, that sounds about right. When healthy, Correia has proven himself a fairly consistent pitcher, though his lack of upside makes him better suited for NL-only leagues.
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Vizquel to take day off Wednesday
Omar Vizquel, SS SF
News: Giants SS Omar Vizquel, who came off the disabled list Saturday following arthroscopic left knee surgery Feb. 27, is scheduled to get the day off for Wednesday night's game. He went 1-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice Tuesday against the Astros.
Analysis: The 41-year-old Vizquel began his 20th major league season about a month later than he'd planned, becoming the first Venezuelan to play 20 seasons in the majors. There is no need to rush to the waiver wire, however, unless you are in dire need of a shortstop in NL-only formats. Vizquel is more of a defensive whiz than an offensive presence and has little Fantasy value when healthy.
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D-Backs bite into Francis
Jeff Francis, SP COL
News: Chris B. Young had three hits as the Diamondbacks hammered Rockies SP Jeff Francis (0-4), a 17-game winner for the NL champions a year ago, during a 8-4 win for Arizona Tuesday. Francis went 4 2/3 innings, his shortest start, and gave up eight runs on 13 hits -- both season highs. The Diamondbacks didn't waste any time getting to Francis. They scored three times in the first as eight batters came to the plate. They came back in the third with six hitters and three runs -- all one Stephen Drew's homer. Francis didn't issue a walk and struck out three.
Analysis: It just keeps getting worse for Francis, who now owns a 6.27 ERA. Francis is still without a win in eight starts and hasn't pitched much like an ace in 2007. He had a slow start to 2007 as well, and by this time last season, he was 2-4 with a 5.08 ERA. He went on to finish 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA. Perhaps there is still hope for Francis to turn it around. Consider reserving him in larger mixed leagues while he struggles, but hold onto him if you can. His next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Twins.
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W. Rodriguez does fine in sim game
Wandy Rodriguez, SP HOU
News: Astros SP Wandy Rodriguez threw 60 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday with no problems, a step in his recovery from a strained left groin that put him on the disabled list April 20. He's scheduled to pitch another session Friday.
Analysis: Rodriguez has potential in deeper leagues, so keep him stashed on DL spots in those leagues -- especially since the Astros have a potent offense that can make him a winner for Fantasy owners. Rodriguez has a 2.31 ERA, 24 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP in four starts.
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