Fantasy Baseball Injury Impact: John Smoltz

The Braves have scheduled a news conference for this morning to announce that John Smoltz will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Tough news for him, as it could very well end what has been a very good career.

But it's also tough news for fantasy owners, who now have to find a replacement for the potential saves that were lost. So who do you turn to?

Rafael Soriano, Braves-Soriano immediately gets a boost in value because he will take over full-time at the end of Atlanta's bullpen. Atlanta is playing good ball, and that will create opportunities. Bobby Cox will not have a committee to use, so this is a good situation. If he's available, grab him now.

Ryan Franklin, St. Louis-Franklin has taken over for Isringhausen because of injury and failure at the end of the bullpen. Franklin is still available in a few scattered leagues and should be owned by anyone looking for saves.

Soloman Torres, Milwaukee-Torres has taken over in place of the injured Eric Gagne. Don't expect Gagne to come back to this job full-time if Torres continues to pitch well. He's lower on my list because of the lack of winning in Milwaukee, but still is a viable candidate.

Dan Wheeler, Tampa-Wheeler is only lower because he is a fill-in closer for Troy Percival. Percival's injury is hamstring related, so that can be a touchy issue. Wheeler stands to have the most success in the short-term, but represents the most long-term risk—Percival will certainly take the job back upon his return.

Scott Downs, Toronto - BJ Ryan is certainly the closer in Toronto, but he has someone behind him ready to take the job if he falters. Ryan hasn't shown the ability to pitch in back-to-back games as of yet. Because of that, Downs is stealing a few saves here and there. Downs has more short-term value, because as Ryan's health improves he will get more and more of the chances.

Other options include Masa Kobayashi, who will be the closer if (when) Joe Borowski blows a few more games, and Eddie Guardado, who could take the job from CJ Wilson because he's CJ Wilson.

Check out the full Roundtable Blog.