Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Waiting for Hamilton
In case you haven't noticed, Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera is tied for the AL lead in homers (42), and has the lead in batting average (.331) and RBI (.133). Nobody has won a Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967, so this would be a tremendous feat. On a related note, Ted Williams had two different seasons (1942 and 1947) in which he won the Triple Crown but didn't win the MVP award. I'm on Team Trout - who's with me?
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Bronson Arroyo looked strong on Friday and Mike Minor was pretty good on Saturday to raise our streaming starter record to 102-59. Sunday's choice, Alex Cobb, was skipped by the Rays. Today's pick is Milwaukee's Marco Estrada (owned in 11.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues), while Tuesday's selection is Edinson Volquez (9.3 percent owned) against the Dodgers. Volquez's ERA is 3.11 at PETCO Park this season, and 5.60 on the road.
On to the news:
- Josh Hamilton has missed five straight games due to vision and equilibrium problems causes by sinus issues, according to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, and the Rangers aren't sure when he'll be back. One article on the team's website said that Hamilton could return Monday, and that it's equally possible he won't return until Wednesday or Thursday. I wouldn't blame you for cutting Hamilton in weekly leagues due to the uncertainty if you're in a tight race in the power categories, but don't do it unless you can get a productive replacement. In most formats, holding him is the better option, since it sounds like he'll be back in a few days or sooner.
- Carlos Gonzalez's hamstring isn't getting any better, and it looks like the Rockies might shut him down. Move on if you're in a redraft league.
- Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton might - but might not - be done for the season due to an intercostal strain. Stanton says he'll "get at least a few games in," and that doesn't sound so good with 10 days to go. If you're in a redraft league and can get a decent replacement, cutting Stanton is probably the smart move.
- In other Marlins' news, OF Justin Ruggiano left Friday's game with a sprained right shoulder, and the team isn't sure when he'll play again. Again, it's kind of late in the season to be waiting for guys.
- Coco Crisp pinch-ran on Friday, and didn't play Saturday or Sunday because of his seemingly never-ending case of pinkeye. There's no word on when Crisp will return to the lineup, but I can't imagine it'll be much longer.
- The Brewers and Nats get today's schedule started with a 1:05 p.m. game, while the Blue Jays and Orioles have a doubleheader beginning at 4:05. Set your lineups accordingly.
- Look for Astros 2B Jose Altuve to miss tonight's game after re-aggravating a groin injury on Sunday.
- Roy Halladay left Saturday's start in the second inning because of "spasms" behind his right shoulder, per Philly.com. Halladay's next start is TBD, and he might be shut down.
- Brandon League got another save for the Dodgers on Sunday. Don Mattingly is killing us with this easing-Kenley-Jansen-back-into-the-role thing. He struck out the side yesterday, for crying out loud.
- Speaking of eased-in closers, Aroldis Chapman tossed a scoreless ninth inning in the Reds' 6-0 win on Saturday, and might make another non-save appearance or two before regaining his role.
- There's no easing going on with the Padres, as Huston Street got a save on Sunday. Activate Street if you have him.
- Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez left Sunday's game after fouling a ball off his shin, but he should be ready to go on Tuesday.
- The Reds and Giants have clinched their division titles, so you can look for both teams to rest players a bit over the season's final 10 days. The Nationals have a playoff berth locked up, but own a 4.5-game lead over the Braves in the NL East, and we can assume they'll keep a foot on the gas until the division is clinched. Nobody wants to play in the new, one-game wildcard round.
- Cardinals OF Matt Holliday and C Yadier Molina are both day-to-day with back issues. I'd try to predict when theses guys will return, but backs are tricky. The St. Louis Post Dispatch story makes it sound like Molina is a better bet to play tonight than Holliday.
- Hey, Clayton Kershaw pitched on Sunday! Sure, he walked five guys, but he only gave up one run. It's not clear when Kershaw will start again.
- Tim Lincecum had his Sunday start pushed to Tuesday. Lincecum has a 3.01 ERA since August 1, and will be one of 2013's most interesting players to rank on draftboards.
- The White Sox rotation is uncertain beyond Tuesday.
- The Yankees are hoping to get 1B Mark Teixeira (calf) back in the lineup sometime this week. That timetable should be written in easily erasable marker instead of pen or even pencil, though.
- The Twins will activate RP Matt Capps today after a two-month absence due to a rotator cuff injury. It doesn't sound like the Twins plan to work Capps too hard, but if I owned Glen Perkins, I'd be a little worried.
- Royals C Salvy Perez will be back in the lineup tonight after getting the weekend off to rest his injured hands. Catching is a tough job, you know.
- OF Michael Bourn hopes to return to the Braves' lineup on Tuesday after jamming a thumb Saturday.
- D-backs 3B Chris Johnson left Sunday's game after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, and is day-to-day.
See you back here tomorrow morning.

