5/5/07

Baltimore Orioles purchased the contract of RHP Todd Williams from Triple-A Norfolk.  
Analysis: Williams will have no fantasy significance as a middle reliever.

Chicago Cubs recalled RHP Angel Guzman from Triple-A Iowa and optioned IF Ronny Cedeno to Iowa.  
Analysis: Guzman is an interesting prospect, but he figures to return to Triple-A in a couple weeks when Wade Miller is healthy. Those in NL-only leagues should consider stashing Guzman on the bench, if possible.

Detroit Tigers placed RHP Joel Zumaya on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Aquilino Lopez from Triple-A Toledo.  
Analysis: Joel Zumaya is expected to miss the next 12 weeks after suffering a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger. The Tigers will no doubt look for Fernando Rodney and Jose Mesa to step up as setup men. Lopez will not have any fantasy value.

Florida Marlins optioned OF Eric Reed to Triple-A Albuquerque; Activated RHP Sergio Mitre from the 15-day disabled list.  
Analysis: Mitre could have a little value in NL-only leagues. He’s not someone to rush out and pick up though. Reed had just one hit in ten at-bats with the Marlins this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Yhency Brazoban from his Minor League rehab assignment and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.  
Analysis: Brazoban is working his way back from elbow ligament replacement surgery and should be back up with the Dodgers once he gets a little more work in at the minor league level. At that time, he’ll join the team’s crowded bullpen in a middle relief role.

New York Yankees recalled RHP Darrell Rasner from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; Optioned RHP Colter Bean to Triple-A.  
Analysis: Rasner could have some value in AL-only leagues, but mixed leaguers should be able to do better, even for a spot-starter. Mr. Bean can be amusing at times with his comedic stylings, but he should not even be on the fantasy radar.

Philadelphia Phillies placed RHP Ryan Madson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle and purchased the contract of RHP Clay Condrey from Triple-A Ottawa.  
Analysis: This is a huge blow to an already weak bullpen weakened even further recently with the loss of Tom Gordon. Condrey has no fantasy value.

San Francisco Giants optioned RHP Scott Munter to Triple-A Fresno; Designated 1B Lance Niekro for assignment.  
Analysis: Munter took Niekro’s spot on the roster until the Giants needed a starting pitcher for Sunday’s game. Munter will probably be back in middle relief for the Giants later this season, but he won’t have any fantasy value.

Seattle Mariners optioned RHP Julio Mateo to Triple-A Tacoma. 
Analysis: Mateo was optioned to Tacoma after missing Saturday’s game without permission. The Mariners also suspended the 29-year-old for ten games without pay following his arrest on a charge of third-degree assault against his wife. The charge stemmed from an incident that allegedly occurred Friday night.

Texas Rangers placed RHP Kevin Millwood on the 15-day disabled list with

Millwood is expected to start Monday's game against the light hitting Angels

a strained left hamstring and recalled RHP Wes Littleton from Triple-A Oklahoma.
Analysis: The Rangers hope Millwood will be ready to start their May 14 game against the Angels. Littleton will serve as a middle reliever in the interim.

5/6/07

Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Rafael Perez to Triple-A Buffalo and recalled OF Franklin Gutierrez from Triple-A Buffalo.  
Analysis: Perez pitched well in his only relief appearance, but there was a greater need for another right-handed bat. Gutierrez should see some playing time against lefties. However, he is not likely to have any fantasy value.

Florida Marlins placed OF Cody Ross on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain and recalled OF Eric Reed from Triple-A Albuquerque.  
Analysis: Reed makes a quick return to the majors. He will mainly serve as an extra outfielder though and will not have any fantasy value.

Los Angeles Dodgers placed Marlon Anderson on the 15-day disabled list and recalled INF Andy LaRoche from Triple-A Las Vegas.  
Analysis: Anderson’s sore elbow opens the door for LaRoche, arguably the team’s top prospect. LaRoche is expected to get the opportunity to earn the starting job at third base so those in NL-only leagues may want to pick him up. The younger brother of Adam was struggling at Triple-A prior to the promotion, but he batted a combined .315 with 19 homers and 81 RBI in 432 at-bats between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2006.

Minnesota Twins placed C Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad.  
Analysis: Mauer could be out for longer than the required 15 days, though no timetable has been set. Mike Redmond will get the majority of the playing time behind the plate in Mauer’s stead.

New York Yankees signed RHP Roger Clemens to a Minor League contract.  
Analysis: Clemens is coming out of retirement once again. And why wouldn’t he if teams are going to continue to pay him absurd amounts of cash to play two-thirds of the season?

San Francisco Giants purchased the contract of RHP Tim Lincecum from Triple-A Fresno.  
Analysis: Lincecum, the team’s top prospect and one of the best pitching prospects in the game, will take the place of Russ Ortiz for at least the next couple weeks. If he pitches well, he should stick for the rest of the year. All Lincecum did at Triple-A this season was go 4-0 with a miniscule 0.29 ERA, .119 BAA and 46 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. He should be picked up in all formats.

Seattle Mariners recalled RHP Sean Green from Triple-A Tacoma.  
Analysis: Middle reliever of no fantasy relevance.

St. Louis Cardinals placed OF Preston Wilson on the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Dennis Dove to Triple-A Memphis; Purchased the contracts of OF Ryan Ludwick and RHP Brian Falkenborg from Triple-A Memphis.  
Analysis: Playing with discomfort in the knee for most of the season, Wilson managed to hit just .219 with one homer and five RBI in 64 at-bats. Ludwick, 28, is worthy of consideration in NL-only leagues though he could head back to Triple-A when Juan Encarnacion returns from the disabled list. Ludwick was batting .340 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 106 at-bats for Memphis. Dove and Falkenborg are middle relievers with no fantasy value.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays optioned RHP Ruddy Lugo to Triple-A Durham.  
Analysis: Lugo’s brutal April was his undoing. He posted a 9.28 ERA and 2.81 WHIP in 10-2/3 innings this season.

Washington Nationals activated OF Nook Logan and SS Cristian Guzman from the 15-day disabled list, placed RHP John Patterson (right elbow biceps soreness) on the 15-day disabled list and outrighted OF Michael Restovich to Triple-A Columbus.
Analysis: Logan and Guzman will return to their respective starting positions and have a little value in NL-only leagues. Felipe Lopez will shift from shortstop back over to second base. An MRI performed on Patterson’s sore arm found no structural damage, but doctors did find fluid in the elbow as well as some nerve problems. There is currently no timetable for his return. Our best guess is that he will be out for at least six weeks and possibly longer than that. Restovich mustered just four hits in 28 at-bats this season.

5/7/07

Baltimore Orioles selected RHP Jon Leicester from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned LHP Kurt Birkins to Triple-A Norfolk; transferred LHP Adam Loewen to the 60-day disabled list.  
Analysis: Leicester is expected to fill a middle relief role, but it’s also possible that he could eventually get a shot as the team’s fifth starter. He might have a little value in AL-only leagues if he ends up in the starting rotation. Birkins had a 15.75 ERA and 3.25 WHIP in four innings pitched with the Orioles. Loewen will not be back until September at the earliest as he recovers from a stress fracture in his left elbow.

Cleveland Indians placed RHP Jake Westbrook on the 15-day disabled list,

While the Indians made Westrbook's stay on the DL retro to May 3rd, it doesn't mean he will be pitching in Week 7.

retroactive to May 3, with a strained left abdominal muscle; Recalled RHP Fausto Carmona and RHP Edward Mujica from Triple-A Buffalo and designated RHP Jason Davis for assignment.  
Analysis: Carmona will again be a part of the starting rotation while Westbrook is out. Carmona has a 3-1 record and 2.97 ERA in five starts this season and should have some value in AL-only leagues. Westbrook could be out until early June. Mujica and Davis are of no fantasy significance.

New York Yankees optioned LHP Kei Igawa to Class-A Tampa and purchased contract of RHP Matt DeSalvo from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; Transferred RHP Humberto Sanchez to the 60-day disabled list.  
Analysis: Igawa will work with Yankees pitching instructors at Tampa to adjust his mechanics. The Japanese import was 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and eight homers allowed in 30-2/3 innings this season. DeSalvo, 26, posted a 3-0 record and 1.05 ERA in five starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He’s only worth picking up in AL-only leagues if you’re feeling lucky. Sanchez is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month.

San Diego Padres recalled RHP Justin Germano from Triple-A Portland; optioned RHP Royce Ring to Portland.
Analysis: Ring will be a solid reliever in time, but the Padres just do not have room for him at this point. Germano, 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts for Portland this season, will take Clay Hensley’s spot in the starting rotation. If the 24-year-old pitches well during that stretch, he could stick, but he will most likely head back to Triple-A in about two or three weeks. NL-only leaguers may want to roll the dice on him though.