Last week was not a good week for pitchers, as quite a few of them ended up on the disabled list. Rich Harden, Starting Pitcher of the Chicago Cubs was one of them. A lower back strain forces him to miss at least two starts.

Harden got the win 4 times in 8 starts and has a 4.74 ERA and a WHIP of 1.37, while striking out 53 batters in 43.2 innings.

Harden should be kept in all formats even though his season has been rather disappointing up to now. If you need a short-term fix for two starts why not check out the daily article “Pitch Or Ditch”?

Poorly pitching Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Rays has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a quadriceps strain. This move is retroactive to May 21. Much-hyped starting pitcher David Price has been called up to the rotation.   

In 9 starts Kazmir got 4 wins but his 4 losses in particular rose his ERA and WHIP to a disastrous 7.69 and 1.95 respectively. He struck out 35 in 45.2 innings.

Stash Kazmir if you can, but his rehab may go well beyond the date he’s eligible to come off the DL.

Back spasms got Starting Pitcher Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds on the 15-day disabled list. He might return for June 2.

Volquez has a 4-2 Win-Loss record this season. In 8 games his ERA is 4.35 with a WHIP of 1.29 and he recorded 45 Ks in 48.2 innings. 

Of course you should hold on to Volquez in all fantasy leagues and formats. Homer Bailey has been recalled to take his spot in the rotation.

Colorado Rockies Catcher Chris Iannetta landed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury. Iannetta will probably return to action in the middle of June.

Chris Iannetta is only hitting .231 but has 8 home runs, 18 RBI and 15 runs.

Yorvit Torrealba will be the replacement behind the plate. Unless you are in an NL-only league you should be able to find better options. A.J. Pierzynski (CWS), Kurt Suzuki (OAK) or Yadier Molina (STL) may still be on the waver wire.

Elijah Dukes, Outfielder for the Washington Nationals, suffered a strained hamstring and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. This move is retroactive to May 18. The rehab looks very good and he will likely be activated when he’s eligible to come off the DL.

Dukes has 12 runs, 4 long balls, 24 RBI and 2 stolen bases in 34 games, while batting .277.

He should only be kept in NL-only leagues or very deep mixed formats. Willy Taveras (CIN), Nick Swisher (NYY), Jason Kubel (MIN), Mike Cameron (MIL), Jack Cust (OAK), to name a few, look like more than just temporary replacements.

Troy Percival’s career as a professional baseball player may be over. Tampa Bay Rays’ closer suffers from a shoulder tendonitis and is considering retirement at the age of 39.

Percival has 6 saves on the season, a 6.35 ERA ans a WHIP of 1.68.

Keep Percival until he announces retirement. A new full-time closer has not been named yet, but Joe Nelson appears to be the first choice. Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and Jason Isringhausen should get their save opportunities as well.

Vicente Padilla has been put on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain but is not expected to be out beyond these two weeks. This is a very bad timing for the Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher, as he had 4 consecutive quality starts and nearly halved his ERA to 4.71.

In 8 starts he got 3 wins and has 26 Ks in 49.2 innings. His WHIP stands at 1.41.

This week’s edition of the injury report concludes with Second Baseman Akinori Iwamura of the Tampa Bay Rays, whose season came to an abrupt end due to a torn ligament in his knee. This is extremely bad news for fantasy owners, as he was red hot!

In 44 games he had 19 runs, 16 RBI and 8 stolen bases and batted .310.

The Rays will use Willy Aybar, Ben Zobrist and Reid Brignac to replace Iwamura.

It is widely expected that Zobrist will end up as an everyday player but he does not have 2B eligibility yet.

 Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:

Ryan Ludwick (STL), Outfielder, eligible to return May 29.

Pat Burrell (TB), Designated Hitter, might return May 26.

Jesus Flores (WAS), Catcher, expected to return May 29.