Fantasy Baseball: Wednesday News and Notes

People talk about those "four letter words" that you can't say in front of little kids or at the office, or to your parents and grandparents. This year, fantasy owners can attest to a whole lot of other words that make them cringe, cry, or pass out.

Yesterday, we heard a few more. Just this morning as I turned on SportsCenter, my head turned on a dime when "Hamilton" and "hurt" were used in the opening highlight. So maybe it's not just the words, but what sentence they're used in.

I think we could all come up with a list. Personally, hearing on television or seeing in print the words "hurt", "surgery", "MRI", "evaluated", or "x-ray" make me want to lie down. Then you get the phrases "left the game", "will go on a rehab stint", "been sent down", and "squeamish may want to turn away" that make you want to punch a pillow.

It's almost like people get excited to share it with you too. I know Grady Sizemore owners are likely getting bombarded with emails this morning from friends in their leagues that couldn't wait to give them a hard time. Don't worry, we'll get through this. I think there's even a 12-step program being put in to place.

Let's get to the notes.

Monday Rewind

• It's possible that Grady Sizemore could be facing surgery on his injured elbow. The Indians are hopeful that two full weeks of rest will reduce the inflammation, but if that doesn't work, the surgery would keep Sizemore out until the end of July. It would total a month of rest, as Sizemore has served only as the DH in the last two weeks. The surgery has a four to six week recovery time.
• Edinson Volquez returned only to leave the game in the first inning with numbness in his pitching hand and end up back on the DL. Volquez had no concerns after the game, and the team didn't seem to be worried overall, so this could be a precaution. Still, keep an eye on this one, as it isn't ever a good sign to leave the mound immediately after returning from an injury.
• Let's give Hiroki Kuroda some credit after his performance. Kuroda was eased back in nicely, working just five innings and throwing 86 pitches. He gave up only two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six. Solid outing, especially where there were concerns on my side based on the type of injury. He should be picked up in every format.
• Hard to figure which Jarrod Washburn is going to show up, but if you look at his game log, it may be possible to get a bit of insight. Washburn's struggles have come against two main opponents—the Angels and Rangers. His three worst outings of the year have been against those two teams. Factoring those teams out, he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a start.
• Evan Longoria left last night's game against the Royals with tightness in his hamstring. He had already been limited to DH, and he pulled up trying to run out a ground ball. I'd expect a day off to be in the not too distant future for him, and these injuries only heal with rest.
• Hard to believe that Roy Halladay had never had 14 strikeouts in a game. Halladay has dominant stuff, but apparently pitches to contact more often than you would think. He wasn't as sharp last night as he has been at other times this season, as he gave up four earned runs. Still, another dominant performance. Healthy, he's looking to sew up the Cy Young by the break.
• Hard to figure what injury Josh Hamilton will be on the DL with. One report says groin, but most reports say abdominal strain. The major concern is that this could be for as long as two months (at the extreme). Help is available on waivers. Specifically look to Luke Scott or Michael Cuddyer to replace the power. Both are about 50 percent available. Scott will break 25 home runs this season, and Cuddyer should close in on 20 himself. Need others? Check out my "Roaming the Outfield" column here.
• Jacoby Ellsbury hit eighth against a righty last night in Detroit. The move on Sunday against a lefty made sense. Ellsbury gets on base at just a .268 clip against them. His splits against right-handed pitching, though, are very good. I think, batting that low, we could see him run less because of the station-to-station baseball that could take place in front of him. With David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek ahead, Ellsbury may not have the room to run. With Nick Green or Julio Lugo behind him, he could suffer a bit in terms of runs scored as well.
• Let's hope that the outing yesterday gives Daisuke Matsuzaka something to build on. While he recorded his first win, the Red Sox pitcher still managed to need a map to find home plate. No truth to the rumors he hired Lewis and Clark for help. Matsuzaka got through five innings, giving up six hits and walking three while striking out six. It's starting to feel like watching Nuke LaLoosh.

Wednesday Notes

• While a new month could be just what Armando Galarraga needs, not one of his wins has come during a night game. Chris Harris of ESPN.com pointed out that last season Galarraga had a BABIP of .246, one of the luckiest in baseball. This season, he has normalized to .298. When regression to the mean hits, numbers float back up. Reserve him, and look to others in leagues if you haven't already.
• Andy Pettitte isn't quite 100 percent, as he's still having problems with his back. He's on track to start today, but the Texas offense could present a problem for him in a ballpark that is giving up plenty of home runs. No Ranger has fantastic numbers, but the injury concern could be enough to override that.
• While Joe Crede sat out last night, he's expected to return to the lineup tonight against Cleveland. Cliff Lee has been his friend in the past. Crede has ten hits in 28 at-bats against the lefty. If you have the chance, get him active today. No concerns on Lee, but you have to like the matchup for Crede.
• Kyle Lohse last started on May 23, and had a good outing against Cleveland. His three before that, not so much. In 14.1 innings he gave up 17 runs. With a forearm injury that has delayed his start twice, I'm hesitant to put him in the lineup even at home against the Reds. Use at your own risk, as there are just a couple flags to raise here.
• If you've still been holding on to Chris Young, now might be the night to use him. Young is 8-for-21 against Chad Billingsley, so this could be where extreme patience finally pays off. Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds are also both above .300 against the Dodgers starter. Billingsley is, though, 6-4 in 10 starts against Arizona.
• You might want to start any Dodger that you can get your hands on. Jon Garland has seen the Dodgers hit him to the tune of .326 in the past, and he's had some recent struggles. While he's been ok on the road, this combination is playing with fire.
• In eight starts this season, Josh Outman has yet to give up more than three earned runs in any outing. Outman has had some command issues, and has given a few free passes this season, but his ability to keep the ball down makes him a fine start today against a struggling Chicago offense and Clayton Richard.
• Yes, Jason Marquis has seven wins and a sub-4.00 ERA this season, but this is as much luck as anything else. Marquis' success has come on the road, where he gets the Astros tonight. That said, this season, his BABIP is 20 points below his career mark and 35 points below the league average. Something is going to come back here, and it really is more a matter of time than anything else. The Astros have hit him VERY well, posting a .341 number in 205 combined at-bats. Just be wary.
• Might want to look away from Vernon Wells today. He's just 1-for-12 against Jered Weaver. Otherwise, I'm not too high on Weaver. His road numbers haven't been solid, as batters are hitting .301 against him away from home. Even with the wins coming, there has been some luck involved in the way he's scattered these hits. Toronto's offense is one of the best in baseball right now, and that would have the luck running short.
• Spot Starts: Josh Outman, Braden Looper
• Keep on the Bench: Armando Galarraga, Jon Garland

Thursday Notes

• Lots of day baseball on Thursday. Be ready to set those rosters early on!
• Mark Buehrle at home has been on of the more automatic starts. He's only lost one of his last 14 starts in Chicago, and that should be taken as a good thing for a team that will need the stopper. Only once in his last ten starts this season has he allowed more than four runs, and that came on the road. Get him active.
• The two big bats that have done damage against Scott Baker for Cleveland are both sitting on the DL. Without Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore, the lineup becomes much easier for Baker to handle. That said, Baker hasn't much luck keeping the ball in the ballpark, and is just 2-3 at home with an ERA over 5.00. I'm not thrilled with him as an option until we see something worth starting.
• Get Jason Kubel in the lineup against Fausto Carmona. Kubel is 8-for-18 against the Cleveland starter. Keep your other Twins active as normal in this one, especially given the numbers we've seen Carmona put up so far this season. He's given up at least four earned runs in his last four starts, and was already hit hard by Minnesota once this season.
• I'm not quite sold on using Aaron Harang in every situation just yet. Given that batters are hitting .331 against him on the road, that's a problem. The Cardinals have good numbers, and the only one you would want to intentionally reserve is Chris Duncan, as he's 3-for-18 against him. Harang has given up five or more earned in three of his last five road starts.
• The only Tiger with good numbers against Tim Wakefield? Magglio Ordonez. The outfielder is 15-for-38 with two home runs against Wakefield, and is really the only option with a good enough track record to start. Get him in the lineup, but look elsewhere to replace other Tigers if you have the options.
• Spot Starters: Ross Detwiler, Brian Tallet, Dave Bush

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub fantasy blog. You can get your questions answered by sending an email to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.