The Chicago Cubs don’t seem to have much luck with the top of their rotation this year. Ryan Dempster has been to the disabled list, Ted Lilly, too, and now they’ve sent Carlos Zambrano to the 15-day disabled list again because of muscle spasms in his back. Zambrano can return on August 15 if the Cubs make the move retroactive to August 1.
In 20 games Zambrano has 7 wins and an ERA of 3.35. He struck out 101 batters in 123.2 innings.
Fantasy Impact: Zambrano needs to be stashed in all leagues and formats. I was browsing the waiver wires in my leagues today and could not find a single pitcher I would like to have on my team for a week or two. “Pitch Or Ditch” may help you to find a pitcher with a favourable matchup.
Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique. It is very likely that the outfielder will return as soon as he is eligible to come off the DL on August 21.
Justin Upton is clearly having a breakout season this year. In 103 games he is batting .301 with 68 runs, 20 home runs, 66 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Upton’s injury is a huge blow, if only for two weeks, as there aren’t many good outfielders left on waiver wire. Nick Swisher (NYY) or Pat Burrell (TB) might be your best options.
The Los Angeles Angels placed starting pitcher Joe Saunders on the 15-day disabled list. He has been diagnosed with tightness in his pitching shoulder.
Saunders is 9-7 on the season and has a 5.33 ERA. In his first ten starts Saunders went 6-3 with a 3.26 ERA but has since gone 2-4 with a 7.41 ERA.
Fantasy Impact: I dropped Saunders long before his injury and don’t see why anyone would hang on to him right now.
Numbness in his left forearm got Jed Lowrie of the Boston Red Sox on the 15-day disabled list. The injury is not considered serious but the shortstop will undergo tests.
Lowrie appeared in only 19 games this season, batting .143 with 3 runs, 1 homer and 7 RBI.
Fantasy Impact: Lowrie has very limited fantasy value. It’s not necessary to keep him stashed, regardless of the league you’re in.
The New York Mets added another name to their endless list of injured players. Starting pitcher Jonathon Niese suffered a torn right hamstring and is out for the remainder of the season.
In 5 starts Niese got 1 win, had a 4.21 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.
Fantasy Impact: You probably didn’t have Niese on your team before the injury and you certainly don’t need him on your team now.
Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:
Tim Hudson (ATL), Starting Pitcher, could return in fantasy week 20 (August 17-23).
Chris Dickerson (CIN), Outfielder, eligible to return August 11.
Gil Meche (KC), Starting Pitcher, expected to return August 13.
Torii Hunter (LAA), Outfielder, might return August 14.
Pedro Martinez (PHI), Starting Pitcher, expected to return August 12.
this article is courtesy of novafantasysports.com and has been published on usatoday.com http://www.fantasyplayers.com/mlb/FeedItem.asp?FEED_ITEM_ID=80809
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