Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Chapman to close for Reds
Angels OF Mike Trout is batting .355 with four homers, six stolen bases, 15 runs scored and a 1.026 OPS in 20 games. Would anyone still rather have Bryce Harper for the remainder of the 2012 season?
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Edwin Jackson had a very good outing for us on Saturday, Christian Friedrich got bombed by the Mariners - the Mariners! - on Saturday, and Anthony Bass was solid on Sunday. With the streaming starter record up to 31-17, we'll go with Erik Bedard (owned in 6.4 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the Mets tonight, and the steady R.A. Dickey (24.7 percent owned) tomorrow against the Pirates.
On to the news:
- Aroldis Chapman closed out Sunday's game for the Reds, and is the team's new closer even if he might not be available tonight after pitching four times in five days. Chapman has the stuff to dominate as much in his new role as he did as a setup man, and could be one of the game's best closers if he stays where he is. He's already owned in 78.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, so don't expect to pick him up as a free agent. Sean Marshall can still be helpful as a setup man in NL-only and deep mixed leagues, but if you need saves from your relievers in standard mixed formats, feel free to cut him. It's hard to imagine Chapman losing this job.
- Cardinals 1B Lance Berkman is back on the DL, and the team is hoping that an MRI on his knee today doesn't show any torn ligaments. Berkman's owners should prepare for the worst, and while power-hitting prospect Matt Adams should play regularly in the short term, Allen Craig (29.5 percent owned) will probably get the job when he comes off the DL in a couple of weeks. Adams' 2012 value will likely hinge on another injury, and that's not a longshot with Carlos Beltran around.
- Kevin Youkilis might come off the DL to rejoin the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday. Buh-bye, Will Middlebrooks.
- A's SP Brandon McCarthy is on the DL with a sore shoulder, but he doesn't think it's serious. McCarthy's teammate, OF Coco Crisp, will reportedly be reactivated today after missing time with the worst ear infection in history.
- With Vernon Wells (thumb) on the DL and Torii Hunter's return still TBD, Peter Bourjos (3.5 percent owned) will get another chance to play in Anaheim. Remember that Bourjos hit 12 homers and stole 22 bases last season, and is only 25 years old. He could have value, but he'll probably need to hit right away to keep a job.
- Best wishes to Dodgers 2B Mark Ellis, who is expected to miss six weeks due to a scary knee injury.
- The Tigers hope to get OF Austin Jackson (abdominal strain) and closer Jose Valverde (back) back in action on Tuesday.
- Are you as concerned as this Bay Area columnist is about Tim Lincecum? I'm still ready to buy low.
- Stephen Strasburg was pulled from Sunday's game after five innings because of a tired arm, but manager Davey Johnson doesn't expect his ace to miss a start. Putting Strasburg on the DL would be a convenient way for the Nats to get closer to the innings limit that they say was a media creation, right? Keep an eye on this one.
- Lots of news from Miami, where speedy Emilio Bonifacio is on the DL with a sprained thumb, struggling 1B Gaby Sanchez has been sent to the minors, and 2B Omar Infante is expected to miss a few days due to a death in his family.
- Speaking of struggling first basemen, could the Mets send Ike Davis to the minors? It sounds like manager Terry Collins is open to the idea, but he doesn't make those decisions.
- Ancient Mets SP Miguel Batista is on the DL with a lower back strain.
- White Sox 1B Paul Konerko hopes to return to the lineup on Tuesday. He's had swelling above his left eye after getting hit by a pitch last Friday. Teammate Brent Morel is headed to the DL with a back injury, and vet Orlando Hudson is expected to join the team and start in his place.
- Reminder: Jays 3B Brett Lawrie is due back tonight after serving his four-game suspension. Activate Lawrie if you have him.
- Here's an update on Phillies SP Vance Worley, who is likely to be pitching with pain when he comes off the DL. I don't like the sound of that.
- Look for Astros OF Jordan Schafer to miss a couple of games due to a strained muscle in his lower leg.
- The Cubs play their first interleague game in an American League park on June 8, which is when we might see slugging 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo.
- Diamondbacks OF Chris Young has been activated from the DL. Start him if you have him.
- This week's edition of Free Agent Frenzy is available for your reading pleasure. Please check it out.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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