Wade Miller struggled on Sunday against the Brewers, giving up nine hits, two walks, and six earned runs in four innings and his scheduled start on Saturday has been filled by the top of the Cubs rotation

National League Grumblings: Week 2
Contributed By: Greg Pyron

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Notes: Starting pitcher Micah Owings shut out the Nationals in his major league debut Thursday night (5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6K). Owings is filling in for Randy Johnson, but it is possible that he could stick in the rotation at the expense of Edgar Gonzalez once Johnson returns. Gonzalez pitched okay in his first start (5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) against the Nationals; however, his propensity to give up the longball (7 HR in 42.2 IP last season and 5 HR in 23 IP this spring) figures to be a problem for him. Owings is considered along with Dustin Nippert as one of the top two pitchers in the Diamondbacks’ system, and he was 16-2, 3.33 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 130K/51BB in 162 IP combined last year between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Tucson.

Injuries: Randy Johnson (offseason back surgery) is scheduled to make his final rehab start on April 13 at Triple-A Tucson and if that goes well, he would return to the Arizona starting rotation on April 19. Outfielder Carlos Quentin (partially torn labrum) took batting practice on Saturday at “about 80 percent” and could be on the verge of heading out on a minor league rehab assignment this week. He appears to be at least a week or so away from returning from the disabled list. Outfielder Jeff DaVanon is still working his way back from offseason right shoulder surgery. He could return by early May.

Player to watch: Alberto Callaspo could probably start for many teams, but the 23-year-old will serve as utilityman extraordinaire for Arizona this season. He had a terrific ’06 season for Triple-A Tucson (.337-7-68-93-8 with 27K/56BB and .882 OPS in 114 games) and could see playing time at third base against lefties and in right field against right-handers. If an injury were to strike, he could provide solid fantasy value.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Notes: While the Braves bats did not do a whole lot in week one (.221 team BA with 25 runs scored), they did enough to win five of six games, largely on the strength of their pitching. Led by strong performance from their starting rotation, the Braves posted a team ERA of 3.47 through the first six games. Catcher Brian McCann (.364-2-7) and shortstop Edgar Renteria (.333-2-4 with one stolen base) have seemingly been a part of nearly every Braves rally thus far as they have been without a doubt the team’s top two hitters to this point.

Injuries: Starting pitcher Mike Hampton (oblique strain) was forced to stop

Hampton will miss his second straight season in Atlanta after suffering a torn flexor tendon.

his bullpen session Sunday after experiencing pain in his surgically repaired elbow. The veteran lefty had Tommy John surgery in September of 2005 and was working his way back into pitching shape this spring before suffering the oblique strain. A visit to Dr. Dave Altcheck on Monday revealed a torn flexor tendon in Hampton’s left elbow. Surgery will be performed Tuesday morning to repair the injury and Hampton will miss the entire 2007 season. Reliever Lance Cormier (shoulder) threw the ball around in the outfield from a distance of 90 feet without any pain. He could possibly return on April 19^th.

Player to watch: Second baseman Kelly Johnson was just 3-for-20 in week one, but he did hit two homers and draw four walks in five games. His hitting figures to come around and if he can continue to draw walks at that rate (.366 OBP lifetime in minors), he could be in for a nice season as the Braves leadoff hitter.

CHICAGO CUBS

Notes: Starting pitcher Wade Miller struggled on Sunday against the Brewers, giving up nine hits, two walks, and six earned runs in four innings, and he struck out none. If he is unable to right the ship within the next few weeks, Angel Guzman could possibly replace him in the starting rotation.

Injuries: Mark Prior (shoulder) last pitched on March 28^th in a spring training game. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today (Monday) and could make his first extended spring training start later in the week. Kerry Wood (shoulder) is out indefinitely. At this point, the Cubs have no timetable for his return, but it figures to be about a month away at best.

Player to watch: Rich Hill was perhaps a bit underrated in many leagues on draft day. When he has had trouble in the past, it has been mainly due to his control. However, when he can control his pitches he can be dominant as he was on April 6^th (7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K) and for the final two months of the 2006 season (6-3, 2.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 78K/21BB in 77.2 IP).

CINCINNATI REDS

Notes: Starting pitcher Eric Milton returned from the disabled list on Sunday and came away with a loss against the Pirates after giving up ten hits, a walk, and four earned runs while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings. He figures to have no value in mixed leagues and very little value in NL-only leagues. Reliever David Weathers converted both save opportunities the Reds produced in the first week and should be owned in all fantasy leagues. He is clearly the favorite for saves in Cincinnati though Mike Stanton may get the occasional chance based on matchups.

Injuries: Outfielder Josh Hamilton (flu) is day-to-day. Reliever Jared Burton, a Rule 5 selection from Oakland, was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 5^th, with a strained right hamstring.

Player to watch: Ken Griffey Jr. told reporters after Sunday’s game that the left hand that he broke over the winter was still bothering him. He is 5-for-20 with no extra-base hits and two RBI through six games.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Notes: Starting pitcher Jason Hirsh was outstanding in his Rockies debut on

Despite the unfavorable venue for the young right-hander, Hirsh has the potential to be one of the top sleepers of the 2007 campaign.

April 6th – 7 2/3 innings, six hits, one earned run, eight strikeouts, and no walks – and is worth keeping an eye on in mixed leagues. He struggled in his cup of coffee with the Astros over the last two months of 2006, but this is a 25-year-old who posted a 40-18 career minor league record with a 2.90 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 412K/157BB in 472.1 minor league innings.

Injuries: Brian Lawrence was touched up for ten hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work in his first rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs on April 5^th. Lawrence is scheduled to make another start for the Sky Sox on Tuesday.

Player to watch: Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki could get a couple days off this week according to manager Clint Hurdle to try to help him through his current slump. Tulowitzki is off to a 5-for-24 start and has struck out nine times. Utility man Jamey Carroll will be the choice to start in Tulowitzki’s stead on those selected days.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Notes: Closer Jorge Julio was pulled from a save chance on Sunday with one out in the ninth after loading the bases with one out. Lee Gardner, a 32-year-old journeyman, came in to record the final two outs on just four pitches. First year manager Fredi Gonzalez says that Julio is still his team’s closer, but that Julio would get Monday off after throwing a total of 50 pitches Saturday and Sunday. Gardner was in the right place at the right time as both Kevin Gregg and Henry Owens had already pitched, but Gardner was up in the 8^th again on Monday, and was ready to go had he been called upon. Matt Lindstrom, incidentally, was available having not pitched since April 6^th, and he was used earlier in the game on Monday, making it appear, at least for now, that he is not in the closing picture.

Injuries: Taylor Tankersley (shoulder) retired all three batters he faced in a rehab outing at Single-A Jupiter on Saturday and could be activated from the disabled list Friday. Hanley Ramirez (hamstring) is day-to-day, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday. Ricky Nolasco (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 8^th.

Player to watch: Mike Jacobs battled a right ankle injury for more than half the season a year ago, but is healthy now and off to a fast start, going 6-for-23 with two homers and five RBI in his first six games. He has the ability to hit .275-280 with 25 homers, so mixed leaguers should keep a close eye on him.

HOUSTON ASTROS

Notes: Brad Lidge was removed from the closer job on Monday after allowing five runs in just two-thirds of an inning on Sunday. Dan Wheeler will be the team’s primary option to close out games for at least the time being. It is possible, of course, that Lidge could regain the closer role if he could string together several positive performances.

Injuries: The Astros are relatively healthy at this point.

Player to watch: Third baseman Morgan Ensberg was hampered by a shoulder injury for much of last season, but he could end up being a steal if he can stay healthy in 2007. This is a guy who hit .283-36-101 in 2005; while he may never reach those numbers again, he is worth keeping an eye on in mixed leagues in which is he unowned.