Fantasy Baseball: Week 13 Rundown

Week 13 Rundown

With interleague play finished for the season, it’s time to get back to the inter-division matchups with a full slate of series’ starting on Monday.

The White Sox travel to the Indians in hopes to prove that they are still in the running for the Central Division.  The Mets will try to bounce back after getting swept at their new stadium, by the hands of the Yankees, when they face the Brewers.

The Cardinals have now shown that they are serious about winning the National League Central.  Mark DeRosa was acquired by the Cardinals this weekend in return for Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

For the Cardinals, the question still remains, will they be able to acquire another outfielder to fill the void of an unproductive Ryan Ludwick or Rick Ankiel?

The Blue Jays also get their ace back, Roy Halladay, after missing him the last couple of weeks, and will pitch on Monday against the Rays.

Players to pick up for week 13

Dan Meyer, SP, RP (FLA):  The word from the Florida Marlins is that Meyer will receive the save opportunities and not Leo Nunez.  This may only be short term, but if he continues to do well they won’t be able to take him out of that role. 

An advantage of having Meyer on your team is that he also can be used in a starting pitching slot if he is eligible for that in your league.

Homer Bailey, SP (CIN):  Bailey was recently called up to pitch on Saturday against the Indians and pitched five innings while recorded the win.  His control was a bit off, but he found a way to get the job done.  He will be in the starting rotation for at least another couple of weeks, so keep pick him up or keep him on your watch list for the time being.

Jake Fox, 3B, OF (CHC):  Fox has just been destroying the ball the last few weeks for the Cubs after being called up to be used as a designated hitter for interleague play.  Because of his latest production, the Cubs said they will work with him on his defense and let him play more at third base. 

Fox is batting .326 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in on the season, but his number will skyrocket if he receives more playing time.

American League injury updates

The Angels once promising setup man Jose Arredondo has been placed on the disabled list by Triple-A Salt Lake with a sprained UCL in his right elbow.

Ervin Santana threw a successful bullpen session June 26 and is slated for an early July return to the Angels starting rotation.

The Athletics' Josh Outman is scheduled to get another MRI on June 29 to see if his left elbow will need surgery.

Rod Barajas will know in the beginning of the week if he will be placed on the disabled list after straining his right hamstring.

The Blue Jays have activated Roy Halladay off of the 15-day disabled list and he will pitch against the Rays on Monday.

The Mariners' third baseman, Adrian Beltre, has opted for surgery on bone chips in his left shoulder and will miss at least six to eight weeks.

Erik Bedard is scheduled to throw another simulated game as early as June 30 and is expected to be back in the rotation sometime next month.

The Orioles have placed Koji Uehara on the 15-day disabled list with a strain on his throwing elbow.

Josh Hamilton is still hitting off of the tee and may be back earlier than originally expected.

The Red Sox third baseman, Mike Lowell, is scheduled for a lubricating shot on Tuesday after experiencing hip tightness.

Carlos Quentin is now starting to take batting and fielding practice before games, and looks like he will be ready around the all-star break.

After experiencing a setback in a rehab game June 25, Xavier Nady is unsure if he will play at all for the rest of the season.

The Royals have placed Kyle Farnesworth of the disabled list with a small tear in his right groin.

National League injury updates

The often-injured Mike Hampton is set to return to the Astros rotation on June 30, after being sidelined by a tender groin.

The Braves have pushed back Kenshin Kawakami’s next start two days, after an apparent injury to his neck.

The MRI on Braden Looper’s arm came back clean so he will start on Monday against the Mets.

Aramis Ramirez took batting practice on Sunday and should return to third base for the Cubs sometime before the All-Star break.

It is now known that Brandon Webb may need season-ending surgery to repair his right shoulder.

Eric Byrnes successfully had surgery on his fractured left hand on June 26 and is expected to return by the end of July.

The Marlins have placed close Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He is expected to miss at least six weeks.

Oliver Perez is expected to make one more rehab start before being activated from the disabled list and returning to the Mets starting rotation.

The Mets have shut down pitcher John Maine for the week of June 28, and is expected to resume rehab sometime the following week.

Padres ace Jake Peavy is expected to have his ankle examined on June 30 to see if he can begin his rehab assignment.

The Phillies have said Antonio Bastardo will miss at least his next start and possibly the following one as well, after he strained his left shoulder.

Edinson Volquez was shut down June 24 after he received his second MRI but is still on track to return to the Reds rotation sometime mid to late July.

Two-start pitchers

Great Options

Johan Santana (NYM):  @MIL, @PHI

Dan Haren (ARI):  @CIN, @COL

Chris Carpenter (STL):  SF, @CIN

Roy Halladay (TOR):  TB, @NYY

Tim Lincecum (SF):  @STL, HOU

Good Options

Ted Lilly (CHC):  @PIT, MIL

Jon Lester (BOS):  @BAL, SEA

Joba Chamberlain (NYY):  SEA, TOR

Roy Oswalt (HOU):  @SD, @SF

Matt Garza (TB):  @TOR, @TEX

Joe Saunders (LAA):  @TEX, BAL

Ricky Nolasco (FLA):  Was, PIT

Rick Porcello (DET):  @OAK, @MIN

Zach Duke (PIT):  CHC, @FLA

OK Options

Gavin Floyd (CWS):  @CLE, @KC

Randy Johnson (SF):  @STL, HOU

Nick Blackburn (MIN):  @KC, DET

Ubaldo Jimenez (COL):  @LAD, @ARI

Rich Harden (CHC):  @PIT, MIL

Bronson Arroyo (CIN):  ARI, STL

Clayton Richard (CWS):  @CLE, @KC

Rich Hill (BAL):  BOS, @LAA

Brian Bannister (KC):  MIN, CWS

Randy Wolf (LAD):  COL, @SD

Braden Looper (MIL):  NYM, @CHC

Vincente Padilla (TEX):  LAA, TB

Fernando Nieve (NYM):  @MIL, @PHI

Other notable two-start options

Carl Pavano (CLE), Jason Berkman (BAL), Brian Moehler (HOU), Luke Hochevar (KC), Sean O’Sullivan (LAA), Mike Burns (MIL), Vin Mazzaro (OAK), Joe Blanton (PHI), Ross Ohlendorf (PIT), Brad Thompson (STL), Josh Geer (SD), Brandon Morrow (SEA), Wade LeBlanc (SD), Craig Stammen (WAS), Gio Gonzalez (OAK), Josh Banks (SD)

This article was originally published on rotoinfo.com.