Shortly after returning from the disabled list Adrian Beltre went straight back on the 15-day disabled list with a severely contused testicle. The third baseman of the Seattle Mariners is not expected to miss more than two weeks. In 82 games Beltre is hitting .275 with 44 runs, 5 home runs, 31 RBI and 10 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: Beltre is a low-end option in deep mixed leagues but has more appeal in AL-only leagues. Stash him if the waiver wire is poor on alternatives, but Gordon Beckham (CWS) is worth a look or two. I even spotted Jorge Cantu (FLA) in one of my leagues.
The Texas Rangers finally decided to place Nelson Cruz on the 15-day disabled list and made this move retroactive to August 4, meaning the outfielder can be activated as early as Wednesday. Cruz suffers from a sprained ankle. Nelson Cruz clearly has the best season of his career. In 93 games he has 56 runs, 25 homers, 58 RBI and 17 stolen bases while batting .269.
Fantasy Impact: I drafted Cruz this season because I thought of him as a starter on a much-improved team in a very hitter-friendly ballpark. As it turns out he has been one of the best outfielders this season. Denard Span (MIN), Nick Swisher (NYY), Josh Willingham (WAS) or Andrew McCutchen (PIT) are the best options to replace Cruz for the remainder of his DL-stint.
Beaning has become a bit of a trend in the MLB, one that may force David Wright to miss the remainder of the season. The third baseman of the New York Mets was hit on the helmet by a 93-mph fastball from Matt Cain (SF) and suffers from post-concussion symptoms. David Wright is having a solid season but did not quite live up to the success of previous seasons. In 115 games he has 74 runs, only 8 long balls, 55 RBI and 24 stolen bases, while batting .324.
Fantasy Impact: David Wright is one of the top third basemen in the league and should be put on DL until we know for sure whether his season is over.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia is another player of the Texas Rangers who finds himself on the 15-day disabled list this week. The catcher experienced recurring numbness in his right hand. It is still unclear how much time Saltalamacchia will miss. Kevin Richardson has been recalled from Triple-A to serve as the backup catcher to Taylor Teagarden, who will be the everyday catcher until Saltalamacchia returns. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is batting .236 on the season and has 34 runs, 9 home runs and 34 RBI in 83 games.
Fantasy Impact: Saltalamacchia isn’t one of the top backstoppers in the league but catchers are usually hard to come by. Stash him if you have a spot available. I’ve seen Ryan Doumit (PIT) and Chris Iannetta (COL) on waiver wire in one of my leagues. If you aren’t this lucky you’ll have to do with the likes of John Baker (FLA), Kelly Shoppach (CLE) or Dioner Navarro (TB).
The Atlanta Braves sent Nate McLouth to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The outfielder is not expected to miss more than two weeks of action. Ryan Church will most likely replace McLouth at center field. In 101 games with Pittsburgh and Atlanta McLouth is batting .258 with 66 runs, 15 homers, 56 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
Fantasy Impact: McLouth should be kept in all leagues and formats. I replaced him with Josh Willingham (WAS). Nick Swisher (NYY), Michael Cuddyer (MIN), Garrett Jones (PIT) and Franklin Gutierrez (SEA) were also available.
Here are a few players who are expected to come off the DL soon:
Micah Owings (CIN), Starting Pitcher, might return August 21. Nelson Cruz (TEX), Outfielder, might return August 19.
he is going on a tripple A assignment, that's for sure. I'd expect him back after the weekend. The D-backs have nothing to play for so I take it they'll take things slowly.
