What's the Buzz? 8/25/06
We'll start it off with congratulations to Alfonso Soriano who became the fastest player ever to reach 200 HR and 200 SB. He did it in his 929th game which beat the previous holder, Eric Davis who did it in 1,053 games. And people were worried about Soriano hitting in that ball park. He remains one of the league's top hitters and as always, remains a fantasy stud.
There are quite a few players on the mend who could impact your team when they return over the next couple of weeks. Here's a look at some of them:
Craig Counsell, SS ARI: expected to return August 26
Derrek Lee, 1B CHC: sometime early next week
Tom Glavine, SP NYM: scheduled to start next Friday's game
Cliff Floyd, OF NYM: by the end of next week
Tom Gordon, RP PHI: Sept. 1
Jason Varitek, C BOS: possibly a week away...more likely 10 days minimum
Casey Blake, 1B/OF CLE: activated from DL today
Kyle Davies, SP ATL: looks like a week and a half away
Carl Pavano, SP NYY: a week maybe...probably more like two
There's also a few day to day guys that you'll need to watch if you're in a league that allows daily roster moves:
Orlando Cabrera, SS ANA: split nail -- possibly out for a game or two
Jack Wilson, SS PIT: viral syndrome -- possibly out for a game or two
Manny Ramirez, OF BOS: knee -- could be back by the end of the weekend
Kevin Youkilis, 1B BOS: stomach virus -- out maybe a game or two
Jim Thome, DH CHW: hamstring -- could be used as pinch hitter this weekend
Pat Burrell, OF PHI: wrist/foot -- could be back on Saturday
Orlando Hernandez, SP NYM: general soreness -- should be ready for next week's start
Chad Cordero, RP WAS: ingrown toenail -- probably just a few day off needed
It looks like it's the end of the road for Royals OF Reggie Sanders. After battling injuries all year long, he will wrap it up with surgery to repair the torn patellar tendon in his left knee. He was put on the 15 day DL and will be out for the remainder of the season. The team brought up 2B Jeff Keppinger to take his roster spot, but don't expect any fantasy value out of him.
The closer by committee situation seems to be working for the Phillies right now as Ryan Madson picked up tonight's save, his second. It should be about another week until Tom Gordon returns, so expect Charlie Manuel to continue to play the matchups while using Madson, Geoff Geary and Arthur Rhodes out of the pen to close games.
The Cleveland closer situation is also starting to take shape. While Rafael Betancourt got the save today, he was only in there because Tom Mastny had pitched the previous two days. Mastny should be the number one option there with Betancourt getting the occassional opportunity during times like this.
If you've been following the Josh Beckett story lately, youve learned that they are now saying it was a cut, not a blister, that forced his removal from yesterday's game. Either way, the "injury" is now leaving his next start in question. I'm sure the Sox will anounce his status before the next scoring period begins.
Be careful with Jim Edmonds right now. While it was nice to see him return to the lineup after a 10 day absence, it wasn't so nice watching him strike out all four times he was up. And apparently those were the only 4 K's for the Cubs' staff tonight. Edmonds might still be a game time decision over the next week again.
It looks like Brad Radke is going to be a liability down the stretch if you have him. He was pulled from tonight's game after giving up 3 runs in only 2 innings. No injury has been reported, but Radke has been battling a sore shoulder for some time. You might want to consider reserving him for now if you have a healthier alternative.
The Devil Rays again put Scott Kazmir on the 15 day DL with soreness in his shoulder and could more than likely, put him on the shelf for the remainder of the season. Wait until official notice is given, but the Rays have no reason to take a chance with their top pitcher. J.P. Howell was called up, but I don't recommend him.
After striking out 7 in 7 shutout innings, Daniel Cabrera is looking a little better these days. He's had 3 great outings in his last 4 starts and has 27 K's in that span. If you can afford to take a little hit in ERA every so often, you might want to think about picking him up. His strikeout potential is almost too good to pass up this time of year.
The Diamondbacks activated Tony Clark from the DL today. He'll probably spell Conor Jackson once a week and serve as a pinch hitter for the most part. His value is very limited. Alberto Collaspo was sent down to make room.
As expected, the Braves put Danys Baez on the DL after his emergency appendectomy and brought back pitcher Lance Cormier. The Braves will give Cormier a start some time next week, but it looks like he'll get bumped from the rotation when Kyle Davies comes back.
The A's were once again forced to put SS Bobby Crosby on the 15 day DL with a lower back strain. The team brought up D'Angelo Jimenez for some depth but it looks like Marco Scutaro will see the majority of playing time in Cosby's absence. Regardless of when/if Crosby comes back, it's pretty safe to dump him, if you haven't already, and look for someone better on the waiver wire.
It looks like Nationals OF Alex Escobar is done for the year after he dislocated his shoulder diving back towards first base tonight. Poor kid just hasn't been able to put it together for a full healthy season. This definitely increases the value of Ryan Chrurch who now becomes the primary centerfielder. He might be a nice option to look into.
Damian Jackson's tenure with the Nationals is over as the team released him today. There is a chance he catches on somewhere else as a bench guy, but really...why bother?
And finally, congrats to Barry Zito who picked up his 100th career win tonight against the Texas Rangers. He took a no hitter into the 8th, but ended up giving up a single to Mark DeRosa to start the inning. He then retired the next three and was allowed to come out for the ninth. It ended after getting just one out as he was removed after then giving up 3 runs. Still, a nice quality outing from him is good to see. Congratulations Barry.
Dodgers/D-Backs, Yankees/Angels still going late. Any news breaks from there I'll get it to you first thing in the morning.
Catch you next time...
There are quite a few players on the mend who could impact your team when they return over the next couple of weeks. Here's a look at some of them:
Craig Counsell, SS ARI: expected to return August 26
Derrek Lee, 1B CHC: sometime early next week
Tom Glavine, SP NYM: scheduled to start next Friday's game
Cliff Floyd, OF NYM: by the end of next week
Tom Gordon, RP PHI: Sept. 1
Jason Varitek, C BOS: possibly a week away...more likely 10 days minimum
Casey Blake, 1B/OF CLE: activated from DL today
Kyle Davies, SP ATL: looks like a week and a half away
Carl Pavano, SP NYY: a week maybe...probably more like two
There's also a few day to day guys that you'll need to watch if you're in a league that allows daily roster moves:
Orlando Cabrera, SS ANA: split nail -- possibly out for a game or two
Jack Wilson, SS PIT: viral syndrome -- possibly out for a game or two
Manny Ramirez, OF BOS: knee -- could be back by the end of the weekend
Kevin Youkilis, 1B BOS: stomach virus -- out maybe a game or two
Jim Thome, DH CHW: hamstring -- could be used as pinch hitter this weekend
Pat Burrell, OF PHI: wrist/foot -- could be back on Saturday
Orlando Hernandez, SP NYM: general soreness -- should be ready for next week's start
Chad Cordero, RP WAS: ingrown toenail -- probably just a few day off needed
It looks like it's the end of the road for Royals OF Reggie Sanders. After battling injuries all year long, he will wrap it up with surgery to repair the torn patellar tendon in his left knee. He was put on the 15 day DL and will be out for the remainder of the season. The team brought up 2B Jeff Keppinger to take his roster spot, but don't expect any fantasy value out of him.
The closer by committee situation seems to be working for the Phillies right now as Ryan Madson picked up tonight's save, his second. It should be about another week until Tom Gordon returns, so expect Charlie Manuel to continue to play the matchups while using Madson, Geoff Geary and Arthur Rhodes out of the pen to close games.
The Cleveland closer situation is also starting to take shape. While Rafael Betancourt got the save today, he was only in there because Tom Mastny had pitched the previous two days. Mastny should be the number one option there with Betancourt getting the occassional opportunity during times like this.
If you've been following the Josh Beckett story lately, youve learned that they are now saying it was a cut, not a blister, that forced his removal from yesterday's game. Either way, the "injury" is now leaving his next start in question. I'm sure the Sox will anounce his status before the next scoring period begins.
Be careful with Jim Edmonds right now. While it was nice to see him return to the lineup after a 10 day absence, it wasn't so nice watching him strike out all four times he was up. And apparently those were the only 4 K's for the Cubs' staff tonight. Edmonds might still be a game time decision over the next week again.
It looks like Brad Radke is going to be a liability down the stretch if you have him. He was pulled from tonight's game after giving up 3 runs in only 2 innings. No injury has been reported, but Radke has been battling a sore shoulder for some time. You might want to consider reserving him for now if you have a healthier alternative.
The Devil Rays again put Scott Kazmir on the 15 day DL with soreness in his shoulder and could more than likely, put him on the shelf for the remainder of the season. Wait until official notice is given, but the Rays have no reason to take a chance with their top pitcher. J.P. Howell was called up, but I don't recommend him.
After striking out 7 in 7 shutout innings, Daniel Cabrera is looking a little better these days. He's had 3 great outings in his last 4 starts and has 27 K's in that span. If you can afford to take a little hit in ERA every so often, you might want to think about picking him up. His strikeout potential is almost too good to pass up this time of year.
The Diamondbacks activated Tony Clark from the DL today. He'll probably spell Conor Jackson once a week and serve as a pinch hitter for the most part. His value is very limited. Alberto Collaspo was sent down to make room.
As expected, the Braves put Danys Baez on the DL after his emergency appendectomy and brought back pitcher Lance Cormier. The Braves will give Cormier a start some time next week, but it looks like he'll get bumped from the rotation when Kyle Davies comes back.
The A's were once again forced to put SS Bobby Crosby on the 15 day DL with a lower back strain. The team brought up D'Angelo Jimenez for some depth but it looks like Marco Scutaro will see the majority of playing time in Cosby's absence. Regardless of when/if Crosby comes back, it's pretty safe to dump him, if you haven't already, and look for someone better on the waiver wire.
It looks like Nationals OF Alex Escobar is done for the year after he dislocated his shoulder diving back towards first base tonight. Poor kid just hasn't been able to put it together for a full healthy season. This definitely increases the value of Ryan Chrurch who now becomes the primary centerfielder. He might be a nice option to look into.
Damian Jackson's tenure with the Nationals is over as the team released him today. There is a chance he catches on somewhere else as a bench guy, but really...why bother?
And finally, congrats to Barry Zito who picked up his 100th career win tonight against the Texas Rangers. He took a no hitter into the 8th, but ended up giving up a single to Mark DeRosa to start the inning. He then retired the next three and was allowed to come out for the ninth. It ended after getting just one out as he was removed after then giving up 3 runs. Still, a nice quality outing from him is good to see. Congratulations Barry.
Dodgers/D-Backs, Yankees/Angels still going late. Any news breaks from there I'll get it to you first thing in the morning.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:36 PM
