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NEWS YOU NEED NOW

  • Mark Prior It will be closed for at least three weeks. The Cubs placed Prior on the retroactive 15-day disabled list. 11, with rotator cuff tendonitis. Although Prior does not feel any pain, a recent MRI scan showed Prior has tendonitis. Any surprises here?
  • Troy glaus who has had a great season thus far, injured his knee while swinging on a Brad Radke pitch this weekend. The status of the severity of the injury has not yet been reported. Fantasy owners should be on the lookout for any results on Glaus’s knee.
  • Brian mccannThe rookie catcher for the Atlanta Braves has continued his excellent July by hitting .447 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 10 games this month.
  • Alfonso Soriano on Sunday he hit his 200th HR off the Mets’ Steve Trachsel. Soriano already has six home runs in August and now has 38 on the season, one less than his 2002 career high. He could end the year with 50 home runs and 40 steals. Soriano, a free agent after the season, should be paid big for 2007.
  • Bravos activated third base Chipper jones from the 15-day disabled list. Jones starting at third base and batted third on Sunday.
  • Ichiro suzuki he’s hitting 143 (7-of-49) in August. He also hasn’t walked once this month, and his last RBI was on July 22. Ichiro hasn’t had a problem like that since joining the Mariners. Suzuki is still an essential start.
  • Willy aybar His left hand is broken and will be placed on the disabled list. Aybar actually hurt his hand in his first game with the Braves on July 30, but was able to play despite the pain until he exited Friday’s game. Aybar will probably not return until the rosters are expanded.
  • Carl crawford he can be moved to third place in the batting order according to Tampa Bay Devil manager Joe Maddon. Maddon said of Crawford: “He could definitely be a solid third hitter.” Maddon went on to say, “He has all the ability to do that – power, driving potential, and look at his numbers with running backs in scoring position, they’re very good. He can be just about anything; he’s that talented.” If Crawford moves to third, that could mean an increase in RBIs but the possibility of fewer steals.
  • Scott rolen once again he has spasms in his back. Rolen stayed out of the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend. Rolen is scheduled to return this Tuesday, but the Fantasy Owners should keep a close eye on how Rolen is feeling.
  • Braves place LHP Horacio Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August. 8, with a partially torn ligament on his left middle finger. Ramirez, a once-promising pitcher, has spent a lot of time on the disabled list this year.
  • Twins place the gardener Rondell White on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August. 10, with left hamstring strain. White, who was hot after coming off the disabled list a month ago, will have to wait until at least the 25th before he can return to the lineup.
  • I told the Fantasy owners to look Roger clemens he’s had a great second half of the season, and so far he hasn’t disappointed. After his win this week, his record is now 4-4, and with the Astros playing well, expect Clemens to continue his winning path.
  • An MRI showed that Francisco Liriano She has a mild chronic strain of the ulnar collateral ligament, and a clinical examination revealed weakness and stiffness in her shoulder causing pain in her forearm near the elbow. His status for the rest of the season is uncertain. Liriano, who led the league in ERA this year, will likely be out of the game. A budding superstar or a Mark Prior downfall?

***

Who shot

Mark DeRosa He has been a utility player his entire career, and playing for the Texas Rangers this year he has played 1B, 2B, SS, 3B and all three OF positions. The difference this year, compared to previous years, is that DeRosa is producing like an everyday player. Whether it’s playing in that great offensive lineup the Rangers have, or because he plays more regularly, DeRosa is enjoying the best offensive season of his career. But that doesn’t make you the Who’s Hot award winner. DeRosa hit 4 HRs, had 15 RBIs, scored 7 runs and batted. 414. this week. They are not bad numbers for a utility player. With stats like that, you have to start in the co-ed leagues and the American League only.

Who is not

Jorge posada he had the worst week of any batter in the majors this week. Posada, who didn’t have a hit all week, produced just 1 RBI for his Fantasy Owners. There’s nothing worse than one of the best offensive receivers in the game with a .000 batting average in a week for his team. With games against the Baltimore Orioles, and then a 5-game against the Red Sox, Posada has a chance to emerge from this terrible recession. Fantasy owners, don’t worry, Jorge will be back. ***

***

Get started

  1. Jermaine dye He has a 10-game hitting streak heading into Sunday’s game, in those 10 games, he has recorded 6 multi-hit games. With a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals, one of the worst pitching teams in the Major Leagues, Dye will continue his hot shots. Since the All-Star break, Dye has led the way for the Chicago White Sox with a .346 batting average. Dye is a must-start this week, with seven games.
  2. Mark DeRosa, our Who’s Hot Player of the Week, has found his power hit, and his Fantasy Owners are enjoying their recent power surge. Look at DeRosa’s schedule for the week first, and a Fantasy Owner might be reluctant to start DeRosa. But, don’t be scared off by the Angels or Tigers pitching staff, the way DeRosa has been killing the ball, it’s a must-start for all Fantasy Owners.
  3. Juan Rivera has found a home with the angels. Over the past few weeks, Rivera has gained attention from Fantasy Owners. His power numbers have risen, and with a .301 batting average, Rivera is now a must-start in all Fantasy Leagues. This week, Rivera heads to Texas and then will be at home against the terrible Seattle Mariners pitching staff. If Rivera is on your waiver wire, order it now.
  4. Matt holliday he’s enjoying another fantastic season with the Rockies. Holliday is at home earlier in the week against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he is hitting. 362. At the end of the week, Holliday heads to the Big Apple to face the New York Mets. Holliday is hitting. 317 this month, with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. Look for Holliday for a great week.
  5. Robb quinlan, a relatively unknown to Fantasy owners, has been hit with the ball all over the field lately. Quinlan is enjoying a seven-hitting streak in a row and is hitting .423 in August. Like Juan Rivera, Quinlan will enjoy feasting on the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners pitching staff.

Feel them

  1. Brad Wilkerson he’s one of the only Texas Rangers hitters not hitting this year. Wilkerson, who is hitting a terrible .162 since the All-Star break, has seen his playing time decrease and has given up on Mark DeRosa. Wilkerson should be in most leagues, and this once-promising outfielder should be in yours, too.
  2. Jacque jones has a difficult schedule this week. With games against the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals, I don’t see Jones producing much. Since the All-Star break, Jones has been hitting a treacherous .212. On the bright side, Jones has already hit three HRs this week. But, with games against two strong pitching staff, Jones should be spending the week on his bench.
  3. Hank blalock He’s been fighting lefties all season (.220), and this week he’ll face three of them. With games against the Angels and Tigers this week, Blalock faces two of the best pitching teams in the American League. If you have other options at third base, you may want to replace Blalock until next week.
  4. Adam Kennedy got off to a horrible start in August. At just 231, Kennedy, the Angels’ soft-hitting second baseman, has seen his stock drop and fast. Once a solid Fantasy second baseman, Kennedy finds himself bypassing the exemption cable. If you have Kennedy on your Fantasy list, it’s time to move on and get someone who hasn’t been offensively challenged.
  5. Geoff jenkins he’s having one of his worst seasons since 2002. With just 10 HRs so far, Jenkins has been a flop. The Fantasy Owners might think Jenkins will have a break when facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, but Jenkins will have to face two lefties if he gets the starts. After facing the Pirates, Jenkins receives a gift and faces the Houston Astros pitching staff. If you have Jenkins on your team, sorry to say, you are probably last in your league. Believe me when I say there are more reliable outfielders in your league.

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