The Texas Rangers placed outfielder Josh Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, April 27. He is suffering from a strained rib cage muscle and will be out until at least mid-May.
Josh Hamilton has been a first round pick in many fantasy leagues after a breakthrough season in 2008 but he is off to a slow start. He is only hitting .242 and has 8 runs, 2 home runs, 10 RBI and 3 stolen bases.
Marlon Byrd will replace Josh Hamilton in the outfield.
Another top player on the 15-day disabled list is Brian McCann, catcher for the Atlanta Braves. McCann was complaining about blurred vision which may explain his poor batting average of .195 to date. Contact lenses didn’t solve the problem and McCann will now test glasses in a rehab assignment. McCann is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, May 8 but could be out several more weeks if he requires surgery.
David Ross replaced Brian McCann and did a reasonable job.
Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, who has been on the disabled list with a right hip labrum tear, could return to the line-up as soon as Friday, May 8.
The New York Yankees will be even more excited about these news than fantasy owners because neither Cody Ransom, who is on the disabled list now as well, nor Angel Berroa turned out to be very productive.
Relief Pitcher Joe Beimel of the Washington Nationals, who has been out since April 21 with a hip flexor strain, is expected to return May 6.
The Nationals are using a closer-by-committee system since Joel Hanrahan lost his job as the designated closer, with Julian Tavarez being responsible for the only save since.
I expect Joe Beimel to become the full-time closer and he should be picked up immediately. Being the Nationals’ closer may not be the best reference but full-time closers are hard to come by.
The Seattle Mariners finally decided to place closer Brandon Morrow on the 15-day disabled list because of a biceps tendonitis. This move is retroactive to April 24 and means that he’ll come off the disabled list on May 9. According to the Mariners this was a precautionary move rather than a setback.
David Aardsma took over the closer role in the meantime but will return to the set-up role again once Brandon Morrow is activated.
Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, as of May 4, with a hamstring strain. The injury occurred when “Big Z” was running out a bunt for a hit. Randy Wells has been recalled to the rotation.
The good news is that the injury doesn’t seem to be all too serious. The bad news is that Zambrano’s recovery could take up to 2-3 weeks.
There is no need to drop Zambrano. He should be held on to in all fantasy formats and possibly be put on the DL spot.
this article is courtesy of novafantasysports.com
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