MLB Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

When I started looking over the wire stories this morning, it seems like the recurring theme was injuries again. I know; it's that time of year for baseball players. They've been playing for two-and-a-half months straight, and the wear and tear from travel and repetitive motion can take its toll. But it just seems to be bad news after bad news.

Let's see if the notes can bring anything brighter to the picture.

• Travis Hafner is making the dreaded trek down to Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews to get a second opinion on his ailing shoulder. In general, a trip here is never a good sign. Hafner may be out much longer than expected. If you have the DL spot available, keep him around, but otherwise I wouldn't be afraid to cut bait.
• Todd Wellemeyer will miss his turn in the rotation this week with tightness in his shoulder as well. The Cardinals don't seem to think this is serious, but Wellemeyer should be monitored. He's been a very pleasant surprise all year, and this is cause for concern.
• Carlos Zambrano left last night's game against the Rays with shoulder tightness. He will have an MRI today to see if there is any damage. Right now, missing one start is a near certainty. The question is more if he will miss any beyond that. Keep an eye on this one.
• Rafael Furcal's back injury isn't recovering as expected. He likely will not return until after the All-Star break at this point. Troy Tulowitzki, however, will be back for this weekend's series. Grab him off waivers now and be ready to activate him for next week. Given the scarcity of shortstops, this is good news.
• Milton Bradley sat out last night, but will be available today. You have to have him in the lineup right now if he's healthy, but availability does not mean that he will start. I'd wait until the weekend if you have daily changes.
• J.D. Drew continues to pound the ball in June. Drew has gone .407/8/17 for the month, and he has carried the Boston offense in the absence of David Ortiz. He's still injury prone, and I'd watch him a bit. He's played a lot of games. I'd look to sell high around the break if I thought I could get a good deal for him.
• Chase Headley has played two games in a row for the Padres, who seem ready to give the rookie a look. This could cut in to time for two people: Kevin Kouzmanoff and the outfielder of the day. Right now, it will be Kouzmanoff, who could end up on the DL with a back injury. Headley can rake and was pounding the ball in the minors. Expect San Diego to give him every shot to succeed. He's worth a flyer in deep, mixed leagues and all NL-only formats. He's the next rookie bat. You can count on that.
• Keep an eye on Jeff Clement too, as the Mariners will give him the bulk of the time behind the plate going forward.
• Kevin Youkilis will likely return to the lineup this weekend against the Cardinals. He's had back problems off and on, but seems able to swing the bat. Keep him in your lineup for Saturday.
• Some great performances yesterday from Aaron Laffey (despite the loss), Jeremy Guthrie (eight innings, one run, ND), Brian Bannister (7IP, 2ER, W), and Kevin Slowey (6IP, 1ER, W).
• Every owner seems to look at their team about this time and look for places to improve. Here are some buy-low candidates that could really help your cause: Mark Teixeira, Nick Markakis, Dustin McGowan, Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia, and C.C. Sabathia.
• While we're at it, some sell high guys: Nate McLouth, Xavier Nady, Carlos Quentin, Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew, and Ryan Ludwick.

Notes for today's games:

• Joba Chamberlain's strength and pitch counts have been better with each start. He may not have recorded a win yet, but as a starter, his ERA is under 3.00. I'd have him in the lineup against a weaker hitting San Diego team.
• Shawn Hill has been good at home, but he struggles on the road and in domes. His road ERA is over six, and he has allowed a BAA of .366 in six games. Hill struggles with lefties, so Morneau and company are all good plays for Minnesota. Glen Perkins has pitched better in his last two outings, but has struggled at home. He's faced tough offenses there, and the Nats are not an AL-East-type team. He's worth a flyer.
• Zack Greinke has been hit or miss all season. For June, it has been more miss. His ERA over three starts is 6.00, and his command has been awful. Even though batters have only hit .254 against him for the month, he has walked 13 in 18 innings. I'd avoid him on the road. Anthony Reyes gets the ball for St. Louis as they look to avoid a sweep. Reyes is touch and go, and not a good option with how Kansas City is swinging the bats.
• The Blue Jays are not a good offensive team, and Dave Bush, much like the other Milwaukee pitchers, has been better at home than on the road. He has struggled in June, but his "bad" outing was on the road in Colorado, thus skewing the numbers. At home, he recorded wins against Houston and Minnesota. Not a bad option today, but I like A.J. Burnett more for the win.
• James Shields's numbers for June look awful, but part of that is a one-inning outing against Boston and a beat-down by the Angels on the road. Shields posts a 1.72 ERA at home this season and a .202 BAA. Even with the way the Cubs are playing, Shields should be in all lineups.
• Need spot starts today? Go with Bush, Perkins, Greg Smith, and Gavin Floyd.

Notes for tomorrow's games:

• The Red Sox have seen Kyle Lohse enough to know they like him. The team posts a .304 average, led by Jason Varitek at .333. Lohse should be avoided in all formats, as he allows a .325 BAA on the road to boot.
• Mike Mussina has allowed more than three runs just once in his last 10 starts. He's recorded 10 wins already this season and has been very good at home recently. I'd sit Jay Bruce as well, as Mussina holds lefties to a .234 average. He's a great spot-start option. I'm not saying to avoid Edinson Volquez; I just think this will be a low-scoring game.
• Matt Garza is a good option every time he takes the ball at the Trop. He gets it there on Friday against a struggling Houston team. Jeff Suppan at home is the same deal. I told myself I'd recommend him when he gets the ball at Miller Park, so I'm sticking with it. Having Baltimore as the opponent doesn't hurt though.
• Mark Hendrickson on the road is not a solid solution to any problem. Mark Ellis is a great spot-start with the bat, as he's 4-8 with three home runs against Hendrickson.
• Erik Bedard may be struggling, but Mark Teixeira doesn't enjoy facing him. Big Tex is 1-11 against Bedard.
• Early spot start calls? Still like Clayton Kershaw, Suppan, Jorge Campillo, and Garza.

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