Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Remember Andrew Bailey?
Poor Mike Fiers. See what happens when you take a good fantasy pitcher and send him to Coors Field for a night?
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Mike Minor didn't get it done for us last night, dropping the streaming starter record to 72-48. Today's pick is Houston's Lucas Harrell (owned in 8.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) at Wrigley Field, and Wednesday's selection is Harrell's teammate, the improving Bud Norris (10.8 percent owned). Norris has had a disappointing season, but owns a 3.46 ERA over his last four starts, and carries a whiff rate of more than a batter per inning.
On to the news:
- Red Sox RP Andrew Bailey will be activated in time for tonight's game. You may remember Bailey as the guy who was supposed to be a top-10 fantasy closer this season before injuring his thumb shortly before Opening Day, and having surgery that has kept him out all year. Bailey is expected to set up for Alfredo Aceves in the short term, but I'd be willing to place a small bet that he gets the closer job back before the end of the season. Keep an eye on this situation, and note that Bailey is owned in just 23.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
- Dale Thayer got last night's save for the Padres, and could be in line for more while Huston Street is on the DL with a calf strain.
- The Rangers are reportedly thinking about calling up blue-chip SS prospect Jurickson Profar (.283 BA, 13 HR, 15 SB at Double A) to fill a utility role. Don't get any ideas about Profar becoming Mike Trout in the short term, even if he does take some at bats from Michael Young.
- Did I forget to note yesterday that Rangers C Mike Napoli is on the DL with a strained quad? Well, there you go.
- Angels SP C.J. Wilson left Monday's game after trying to catch a line drive with his pitching hand, but the team seems to think he's OK.
- Nationals OF Jayson Werth missed Monday's game due to an ankle injury, and will have an MRI today. He sounds iffy for tonight.
- Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval made only a pinch-hit appearance in his first game off the DL, but he's expected to start tonight.
- Paul Konerko passed his concussion tests, and the White Sox are hoping he can return on Friday, which would be a "best-case scenario," according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Derek Lowe is the new Yankee closer! OK, that's not true, but he did get a save last night thanks to four shutout relief innings. If Lowe becomes part of the Yankee rotation at some point, remember that's he's struck out only 41 batters in 119 innings this season, and stay away.
- Roberto Hernandez - formerly known as Fausto Carmona - will make his first start of the season on Wednesday for the Indians. Hernandez had a 4.07 ERA in four minor-league rehab starts, with 20 strikeouts against four walks in 24 1/3 innings. AL-only owners can consider him, but note that his ERAs from 2009-11 were 6.32-3.77-5.25.
- Rockies SS Josh Rutledge was held out of Monday's game because of a sore quad, but the team apparently doesn't think it's serious.
- I'll make my regular appearance in the FOXSports.com fantasy chat room today at 2 p.m. ET. Make sure to stop by with your questions!
- Is it really big news that the Braves are about to use a six-man rotation for 11 days?
- Here's an update on Joey Votto, who should return sometime next week. The word sometime is intentionally vague.
- Another day, another game at shortstop for Ben Zobrist. That's four, if you're counting.
- Speaking of interesting positional eligibility, Hanley Ramirez is up to 11 games at shortstop. He should be eligible in your league, and is on his way to 2013 eligibility in most leagues.
- And speaking of the Dodgers, Jerry Hairston Jr. is on the DL with a hip injury. More Juan Uribe! Wooooo!
- Don't read anything into Carlos Santana's appearance in left field last night. It was an emergency situation.
- With Nate Schierholtz (toe) on the DL, Domonic Brown figures to get everyday at bats in right field for the Phillies. Brown needs to start hitting for power, and steal a base once in awhile.
- Mariners 1B Mike Carp (hip) is headed to the DL, meaning that Justin Smoak will probably return to Seattle to underachieve some more.
- The Blue Jays have decided that Brandon Morrow will make two more rehab starts, meaning that an August 24 return is likely. No hurry, Jays. It's not like my AL keeper league team is desperately awaiting Morrow's arrival or anything.
- The Nats aren't committing to a timetable for Ian Desmond's return from the DL, but his rehab seems to be progressing very well.
See you back here tomorrow morning.

