The wear and tear of 17-years behind the plate is beginning to takes its toll onDetroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez.  Expect the Tigers coaching staff to use him more at first base during the dog days of summer.

American League Hitter and Pitcher Report

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Hitters: SS Miguel Tejada bounced back nicely this week; .321 (9-28), after going 1-for-14 during a three-game set against the Yankees earlier this season.  Tejada is off to a bit of a slow start as he only has one homer and three RBIs in 48 at-bats. But keep in mind these facts; he hasn't hit fewer than 24 homers or driven in fewer than 98 runs in a season since 1999, and he has hit .300 each of the past three years. He remains a must-start in all Fantasy leagues.

Pitchers: In three starts this season, RHP Erik Bedard’s numbers aren’t living up to his 122.3 ADP but his last two starts are.  Bedard is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA.  His K/9 of 9.7 and WHIP of 1.02 just sweetens the situation even better.  His lone start against the Devil Rays in Fantasy Week 3  (April 16-22) looks awfully promising. He has compiled a 2.98 ERA in his last 14 starts against them

BOSTON RED SOX

Hitters: Over the last two years, April and May have not been one of OF Manny Ramirez’s better months and 2007 thus far doesn’t seem to be any different.  Manny is off to a super slow start evidenced by his 7-for-36 with just one extra-base hit (a double) and four RBI through the first 10 games. Just like we saw with David Ortiz in the last few days, players the caliber of Ramirez can change their fortunes in a hurry. Despite the slow start, he remains a must-start in all Fantasy leagues.

Pitchers: RHP Curt Schilling extended his scoreless streak to 14 yesterday

Schilling is pitching for a contract.

 in a victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Schilling (2-1) allowed four hits, struck out four and walked one to pick up his second consecutive win.  Schilling gave up five runs in four innings on opening day and a first-inning homer in his next start, but has not allowed a run since then to drop his ERA from 11.25 to 2.84. Needless to say, he remains a must-start in all Fantasy leagues for quality starts like this.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Hitters: OF Scott Podsednik is batting .357 (10-for-28) in his last eight games.  Podsednik is hitting .313 on the season with one homer, two RBI and three stolen bases. He doesn't look slowed by a hernia injury that was supposed to keep him out the early part of the season. Podsednik is best used in all AL-only and larger Rotisserie leagues at this point.

Pitchers: Manager Ozzie Guillen is concerned with RHP Bobby Jenks' inconsistency in the closer's role. "One day his velocity is there, the next day it's not," Guillen said. "I might be using him a little bit too much. That's my fault. His velocity is not there. I don't know if it's because I'm using him too much or if it's not there." Jenks has converted four of five save chances, but allowed seven hits in 6.2.  Perhaps Jenks will lose a save chance here or there to Mike MacDougal, but he’s still a safe bet as your No. 2 reliever.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Hitters: C Victor Martinez’s owners are wondering what to do with their stud catcher since he injured his quad on that snowy day a week or so ago. According to MLB.com, Martinez is very close to returning the leg injury that has sidelined him since. He has been running, squatting behind the plate and taking batting practice. All that is left is for him to test it in game action.  1B Ryan Garko had four hits in Friday's game and  his first homer of the season Saturday;  he is hitting .471 for the year.  Assuming this hot streak earns him some extra at-bats -- and it should -- mixed leaguers will need to keep a close eye on Garko.  For now though since he is still just getting limited at-bats he is just a AL-only reserve and long-term keeper.

Pitchers: Despite not having pitched since Opening Day, RHP C.C. Sabathia (2-0) gave up three runs -- one earned -- and struck out seven in seven innings in Tuesday's game against the Angels.  He is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 9/3.  Sabathia not only eats innings, but he is a true fantasy ace. Don't be scared away by his WHIP. That will decrease to around 1.25 - 1.30 by season's end.

DETROIT TIGERS

Hitters: The wear and tear of 17 years behind the plate are starting to show with C Ivan Rodriguez.  The all-star catcher has just three hits in his last 20 at-bats and has seen his batting average dip to .250.  In what has traditionally been a strong month for Rodriguez in year’s past, April has not been kind this season.  Pudge should rebound slightly and is still remains a solid Fantasy option in all formats despite his recent slump.

Pitchers: Just because RHP Jeremy Bonderman is decision-less in three

Bonderman has yet to win a game this year but his 2.57 ERA and 15/3 K/BB ratio is good enough to be 3-0

starts this season, his 2.57 ERA with an impressive K/BB ratio of 15/3 are the numbers fantasy owners should be concerned with.  As long as Bonderman keeps pitching effectively, the wins will come.  Flame throwing Joel Zumaya might be younger with a better fastball and more K's, but Todd Jones is the Tigers' closer. And he is getting the job done. Jones won't be much of a boon for your WHIP (or ERA for that matter), but the man simply knows how to lock down a save.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Hitters: The Kansas City Star notes converted OF Mark Teahen and 3B Alex Gordon both sat Friday against the lefthanded Erik Bedard (Teahen pinch hit in the eighth inning). Both Teahen and Gordon are struggling, with Teahen in a 0-for-17 slump. It's tough to find a Royal who is hitting -- eight of their players are at .220 or lower.  For the time being, the Royals appear to be a good play for most opposing starting pitchers.

Pitchers: According to MLB.com, Royals closer Octavio Dotel had a MRI on his injured oblique muscle on Friday in Kansas City. It revealed only minor inflammation and no serious damage. It looks as though Dotel will miss the entire month of April as he works his way back from an oblique injury. Fantasy owners should prepare to go the first month without Dotel in active lineups. In the meantime, the Royals will continue to use David Riske, Joel Peralta and Joakim Soria in save situations. When healthy, Dotel's Fantasy value is limited to AL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Hitters: OF Chone Figgins, who had a splint removed from his right hand earlier in the week, swung on both sides before Saturday's game and felt good. He will throw on Monday.

(Updated 04/14/2007).  Figgins is still on track to return in early May, although if he goes on a rehab assignment soon, he could be back a little earlier. Continue to keep him reserved in all Fantasy leagues until he is cleared to return.

Pitchers: The rainout Sunday moves RHP Ervin Santana to Monday morning

Rainouts have turned Weaver's two-starts in Week 3 into just one.

in Boston on Patriots Day, which could also be affected by weather. RHP Jered Weaver (shoulder) is slated to return the following game, while LHP Joe Saunders could be moved back to keep RHP John Lackey on regular rest Wednesday.  Saunders will remain in the rotation until RHP Bartolo Colon (rotator cuff) and RHP Kelvim Escobar (elbow) are both ready in late April or early May.  Santana, Weaver, Lackey are solid starts in all leagues for Fantasy Week 3 (April 16-22).

MINNESOTA TWINS

Hitters: 1B Justin Morneau is just a hitting machine and is starting to pick up where he left off from last season. Morneau is only hitting .293 on the season with four homers and 10 RBI and remains a great Fantasy assest because of his power potential. Continue to start him in all Fantasy leagues as he should eventually improve on his batting average.

Pitchers: RHP Carlos Silva's rotation spot in Minnesota was in jeopardy in the final week of spring training but after two starts in the regular season, he has a 0.77 ERA. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday. Silva has been working on his sinking fastball, but the key for him on Thursday was being able to mix in his slider and his change up effectively.  Its definitely a nice start but let’s not get too excited.  Silva has a career ERA of 4.29 and he will eventually come back down to Earth.