3 Up, 3 Down

     Don’t look now, but we’re already halfway through June and at the midpoint of the baseball season here.  The All Star Break will be upon us shortly and before you know it, your fantasy trading deadline is going to be staring you in the face.  Are you prepared?  How strong is your team for making a stretch run?  I’m not saying this to panic you, just to help you get prepared.  The season moves quicker than you think and you don’t want to get caught in the second half with your pants down.  We know we’re goign to be seeign a lot of new faces with the second half call-ups, but we’re goign to see a rash of old ones too.  Plenty of guys are coming off the DL soon, and I’m sure plenty of them have been forgotten by your league.  Just make sure you’re keeping track of them as most can give you that surge you need to jump into the top part of your standings.

3 Up

Jed Lowrie, SS  BOS — With the club opting to split time between Julio Lugo and Nick Green, there’s no question that Lowrie will be given every opportunity to take back the starting job once he returns from the disabled list.  Rumors of a Sox/Pirates deal for Jack Wilson were being squashed just as quickly as they came up, so that’s certainly not a concern either. There’s a possible return date for this weekend as Lowrie should start his rehab program this week, and after that, it will be up to him and the Sox as to how much he plays.  He’s never had major pop or any real speed, but his average and OBP should land him the playing time and, in that lineup, should be great for you in runs scored as well.  

Glen Perkins, SP MIN — Heeeeeee’s baaaaaaaack!  Finally.  After starting the season virtually lights out, the young lefty struggled with his command as he quietly battled an elbow injury.  It took him a few starts to realize that pitching through it was not the answer and after a beating from the Yankees, the club threw him on the DL.  Well, the rehab has looked good and it appears that Perkins is ready to make his return.  He’s a two start pitcher having faced the Pirates last night (6 IP with only 2 ER and 4 Ks) and now gets the lowly Astros for his follow-up.  If you can afford to take on the risk (although I don’t see it being that big of a risk), then try him out this week.  I am.

Ronny Paulino, C  FLA – Watch out, John Baker owners.  It’s starting to look like the Marlins weren’t resigned to trading for Paulino to leave him as a back up after all.  While he hasn’t taken over starting duties, he has been getting a little more PT lately.  A little more than Baker, that is.  What’s worse is that Paulino is flashing that power we always knew he had.  In Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays, Paulino mashed his 2nd and 3rd HR of the season and is now hitting .317 against lefties.  Keep monitoring this situation is you find yourself in need of another backstop.

3 Down

Kelvim Escobar/Ervin Santana, SP  LAA — Just when we thought we were getting them back….whoops!  Gone as quickly as they came.  The Halos were forced to return Escobar to the DL after having already banished him to the pen after a rough return, and now they were forced to scratch Santana from his start against the Giants due to a setbck in his own elbow recovery.   Word is that Escobar’s shoulder continues to give him problems and even when he’s eligible to come off the DL next Monday, he’s still going to be stuck in middle relief.   Santana, the Angels believe, will be ready to go against Colorado on the 23rd of June, but there are certainly no guarantees.  Even if he does come back that quickly, I’d give him a few starts before trusting him in your lineup.

Dave Bush, SP  MIL — Aptly being nicknamed in fantasy leagues as “The Ratio Killer”, Bush has been a disaster as of late.  Not that he was ever a lights out kind of guy, but he’s definitely had his moments.  None of course, coming in the last few weeks.  In his last 5 starts, which includes Monday’s shellacking, the Brewers righty is 0-3 with an 8.64 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP.  With him also only averaging 4 Ks per game, it’s obvious that the only people he’s helping is your competition.  Get him out of your lineup fast and don’t even think about putting him back until he strings together a few quality starts….if he can.

Denard Span, OF  MIN — So much for the one constant in the Minnesota outfield.  Span has now missed the last 5 games due to recurring dizziness that has resulted from an inner ear infection.  He’s been put on new meds as the old ones haven’t been working, but he’s already DL bound.  I don’t see it being a long term problem for him, but it certainly opens the door for guys like Chris Gomez and Delmon Young to grab some more regular PT.  If either of them start to get hot, Span could find himself losing at bats when he eventually returns.  Keep him on your bench for now until we hear more about his condition.