Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained calf muscle. It is unknown when the first baseman will return but he could miss more than two weeks.
After a slow start Berkman is batting .273 with 50 runs, 18 home runs, 55 RBI and 6 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Lance Berkman’s injury is a huge blow for fantasy owners as he is one of the elite players in the league. Hank Blalock (TEX), Jose Lopez (SEA), James Loney (LAD) or Mark Teahen (KC) might be your best possible replacements on waiver wire.
Starting pitcher Erik Bedard is back on the 15-day disabled list. The Mariner suffers from inflammation in his left shoulder. Bedard already missed a month earlier this season with the same injury. Jason Vargas has been recalled to take a spot on the 25-man roster.
In 15 starts Bedard has 5 wins this season, a 2.82 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He struck out 90 batters in 83 innings.
Fantasy Impact: Despite being oft injured and having issues with his pitch count Bedard served me well when he played and therefore should be stashed if possible. John Danks (CWS), Gavin Floyd (CWS), Ricky Romero (TOR), Jason Marquis (COL) or Chris Volstad might still be on waiver wire and could fill in for as long as Bedard is out of action. You might also want to read “Pitch Or Ditch” for day-to-day pick-ups.
Kansas City’s outfielder Jose Guillen was sent to the 15-day disabled list with what appears to be a partially torn ligament in his knee. He could be out for the rest of the season.
Guillen is batting .245 on the season with 30 runs, 9 long balls, 40 RBI and 1 stolen base in 79 games.
Fantasy Impact: Guillen is a low-end option in deep mixed leagues and AL-only. Considering that he is underachieving in addition to a possible season ending injury, there is no need to stash him. Mark DeRosa (STL), Jason Kubel (MIN), Denard Span (MIN), Michael Cuddyer (MIN) or Andrew McCutchen (PIT) might still be available.
The New York Mets added another player to the 15-day disabled list. Gary Sheffield is suffering from a strained hamstring and will be eligible to be activated on August 2.
The outfielder has a team leading 10 homers and is batting .286 with 40 runs, 36 RBI and 2 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Gary Sheffield is a low-end option at best in deep mixed leagues and AL-only leagues. I believe there are adequate replacements on waiver wire. Feel free to drop him.
Outfielder Chris Dickerson of the Cincinnati Reds landed on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right rotator cuff. Dickerson will probably return to action in late August.
In 85 games so far, Dickerson is batting .259 and has recorded 27 runs, 2 long balls 13 RBI and 8 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Chris Dickerson may only have appeal in NL-only leagues but should be dropped if the likes of Mark DeRosa (STL) or Andrew McCutchen are available.
Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:
Chris Snyder (ARI), Catcher, might return July 28.
Ryan Dempster (CHC), Starting Pitcher, expected to make July 28 start.
Matt Lindstrom (FLA), Relief Pitcher, could be back before the start of fantasy week 18 (August 3).
Pedro Martinez (PHI), Starting Pitcher, could return before the start of fantasy week 18.
David Eckstein (SD), Second Base, might return July 28.
Scott Richmond (TOR), Starting Pitcher, expected to return July 31.
this article is courtesy of novafantasysports.com
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