Should you worry about John Smoltz?

The Disabled List is unusually crowded for the start of the regular season. Why the upsurge? It could be the fact that ballplayers, especially pitchers, are playing longer and often into their forties. The wake of the Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee controversy may be part of it too. Those older players may be laying off the HGH and other “meds” because of increased scrutiny. Whatever the reason, the Disabled List does not look like an April Disabled List. As Yogi Berra might say, it is getting late, early this year.
Many leagues set aside a DL spot where you can park a disabled player. This can save you from having to make a tough choice. Even if you have no DL spot, it is often worth it to keep a quality player on your bench until he’s ready to play. Let’s take a look at the DL to see who is worth taking up a roster spot and who you should pass on as the 2008 season gets underway.

For Better

1. John Smoltz, SP, Braves: Smoltz is on the DL for “shoulder soreness”. It’s not a big deal. Putting Smoltz on the DL gives Atlanta some flexibility in the roster until they need him. The Braves have him penciled in for a start on April 6. The 40-year old has pitched with shoulder soreness before, and pitched effectively. He has logged over 200 innings in three consecutive seasons, since returning from the bullpen. Nothing to worry about.


2. Josh Beckett, SP, Red Sox: Beckett is on the DL with a sore back, but like Smoltz, it’s not a big deal. He is also only 27, so that is another factor in his favor. Beckett will be back on the mound for Boston in a week or so.


3. Brad Lidge, RP, Phillies: Lidge has a lot of baggage, mostly mental baggage. A devastating Albert Pujols’ home run in the 2005 playoffs sapped his nerve. Lidge was never the same and it was imperative that he gets out of Houston. A knee injury put Lidge on the Disabled List to begin the season, but he should be ready to return within a week. Even with all the risk, it is a great opportunity for Lidge. He will be closing for a contender and his competition for the job, Tom Gordon, is 40 and looks done.


4. Scott Kazmir, SP, Rays: Kazmir’s sore elbow will cause him to miss a few starts, targeting a late April return. The brittle 24-year-old is no stranger to the DL. Nevertheless, he is worthy of taking up a DL spot, or even a bench spot. Kazmir lead the American League in Ks last season with 239.


5. Randy Johnson, SP, Diamondbacks: No, he has not retired. Yes, I know he was born during the Kennedy administration. The 44-year-old Johnson begins the season on the DL still recovering from back surgery. The Diamondbacks expect him to pitch in April. Johnson has value because he misses bats. The geriatric lefty struck out a very impressive 72 batters in only 56.2 innings of work last year. Those Ks are golden, especially in Roto leagues. Park Johnson in your DL roster spot if you have one.

Honorable Mention

Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers: Granderson broke a finger in spring training when a pitch hit him. He is eligible to come of the DL in mid-April, but he could be out longer. Granderson should be fine without any lingering effects once he is cleared to play.
Kazuo Matsui, 2B, Astros: On the DL with hemorrhoids. Yup, they were bad enough to land Matsui on the DL. He will be ready to play in a few days, and presents a good source of steals at a thin position.

For Worse

1. Andy Pettitte, SP, Yankees: Another veteran pitcher on the DL with a bad back. I guess it takes longer to recover when you don’t have your favorite trainer to nurse you back to health. What makes Pettitte a less attractive option than Smoltz or in some ways Johnson is the strikeouts. Pettitte doesn’t get many. Pettitte pitches for a team that will score a lot, so he will help you with wins. The other categories, not so much.


2. Curt Schilling, SP Red Sox: Schilling is finished as a fantasy player. He will be out until the All Star break rehabbing his shoulder. This is one long rehab — Maybe he would have been better off going under the knife? Best-case scenario for Schilling is a few wins in the second half of the season. His days of low-ERA and high strikeouts are gone. Schilling is not worth occupying a roster spot, even if your league has a DL.


3. B.J. Ryan, RP, Blue Jays: Ryan was shut down after only five games in 2007 and had to have Tommy John surgery. He looks to be making a fast recovery and could be back in April. That is the good news. The bad news is that he may have to fight Jeremy Accardo for the closer’s job in Toronto. Accardo was terrific after taking the job last season, saving 30. Ryan has a lot more value in leagues that use middle relievers.


4. Jerry Owens, OF, White Sox: Owens looked to be a nice source of steals coming into the season. Owens swiped 32 bases as a rookie last season, in only 93 games. Currently he is on the 15-Day DL with a torn groin muscle. Even when he gets back, he’s not going to be in a running mood with his groin barking.


5. Mike Gonzalez, RP, Braves: Gonzalez was a big part of the Braves’ plans one year ago. Atlanta traded a pretty good player, Adam LaRoche, for Gonzalez before the 2007 season. However, an elbow injury ended Gonzalez’s season on May 15. The southpaw is still on the DL recuperating from elbow ligament replacement surgery. He could come back in May if all goes well, but he would come back as a setup man. Rafael Soriano is the closer in Atlanta. Gonzalez only has limited value as a handcuff to Soriano or in leagues that use middle relievers.

Dishonorable Mention

Duaner Sanchez, RP, Mets: A poor-man’s Mike Gonzalez. Best-case scenario is that he becomes a good setup man for a contender. Sanchez is still recovering from 2006 shoulder surgery. There are plenty of better, healthier options if you are in a league that uses middle relievers.

Moises Alou, OF, Mets: According to the Mets, Alou’s hernia will sideline him for a month. Knowing Alou, you have to expect two months on the DL for the 41-year-old. He hit .328 with 13 HR in 87 games in 2007. That is good, but he is too risky to pick up until you know he is definitely coming off the DL.

John Lackey, SP, Angels: Lackey will be out until May with a triceps injury. He is worth carrying on a fantasy DL spot, but any pitcher with an arm injury carries a lot of risk.

Nomar Garciaparra, 3B, Dodgers: Nomar’s injury problems make him the new Ken Griffey, Jr. He has not played a full season since 2003 with the Red Sox. His latest (hand) injury costs him valuable time. Lucky for him, third base prospect Andy LaRoche is also hurt. Even so, expect LaRoche to eventually win the job.