Over the past couple days, there have been a slew of significant injuries to fantasy studs - three 1st or 2nd round hitters and two top closers.  This roster destruction creates opportunity.  Here is a lst of those five along with where I see the fantasy opportunity.

C Victor Martinez Cleveland Indians -  VMart injured his elbow to compound the lingering hamstring injury he suffered on Opening Day.  Kelly Shoppach immediately becomes a John Buck-esque fantasy option - double digit pop with a .250ish AVG.

OF Alfonso Soriano Chicago Cubs - Soriano is back on the D.L. with a broken hand.  2B Mark DeRosa moves to the OF.  His near-.900 OPS means he is likely rostered in most leagues. 2B Mike Fontenot takes over for now.  If the Cubs decide to recall Eric Patterson, and play him, he could be a sleeper for cheap steals.

1B Albert Pujols St. Louis Cardinals - The season opened with fantasy players worrying about Pujols' elbow and now he has hit the D.L. with a strained calf.  Joe Mather and Chris Duncan are the main beneficiaries.  OF Ryan Ludwick is going to hit 3rd so he could see an uptick in RBIs if he continues to hit.

Closer J.J. Putz Seattle Mariners - Putz was pulled mid-inning with right elbow pain.  Brandon Morrow took over and closed out the game.  he is the leader for saves, but be wary.  He had been shut down recently with a sore shoulder.  I can see the M's utilizing a committee to close games if Putz is out for a significant amount of time.

Closer Rafael Soriano Atlanta Braves - Want an idea of what the Mariners' save distribution could look like if Putz returns to the D.L.?  Look at the Braves.  Since Soriano went on the D.L. on April 7th, more than two months ago, Manny Acosta leads the Braves in Saves with three.  Soriano returned from the D.L. two weeks ago, he notched two saves.  Four other players have a save.  Expect Mike Gonzalez to return from the D.L. and Tommy John surgery and immediately become the seventh Braves relieve rto notch a save.

The 2006 1st round pick of the Colroado Rockies, Greg Reynolds, made his major league debut and took the loss.  The game's boxscore looked good through the 5th inning before the Reynolds allowed three runs in the 6th.  Don't think too deeply about it.  He struck out just one hitter and got 7 groundoutds and nine flyouts.

Cincinnati Reds' rookie Johnny Cueto was lit up a game after teasing fantasy pundits with a gem last time out against the Chicago Cubs.  Prior to that Cubs game, he last a mere 1.2 innings and K'd just two - as he did in the start before that.  Right now, Cueto is a match-up start and not the automatic start he was after his first two starts.

The Los Angeles Angels' 2008 ace, Ervin Santana, got lit up by the Tampa Bay Rays to the tune of five earned runs and ten runners allowed in 5.2 innings. Unlike Greg Reynolds, Santana's 7 Ks and one walk offer consolance that he will be better next time out.

A pillar of the Chicago White Sox climb from the basement in 2007 is former failed pitchign prospect Gavin Floyd.  Prior to yesterday's start, he has a stellar 2.50 ERA.  Following yesterday's 3.2 innings of work and five earned runs, he now sports a still-excellent ERA of 3.32.  However, his two BBs yesterday and zero Ks means he has now walked more hitters (20) than he has struck out (19).  I'd say sell high but do not believe anyone would take him.  It may be time to just cut him.

In the same game, Seatlle Mariners' middle reliver Brandon Morrow struck out two White Sox in an inning.  For the season, has has 9 strikeouts and two walks in 7.1 innings over ten appearances.  He struggled mightily with a K/BB in his rookie season that looked as if it would never be greater than one.

Oakland A's LF Emil Brown hit his 4th HR and drove in RBIs #31, 32 and 33. He also stole his second base of the season.  Can a player be a sell high if no one wants to buy him?

Sticking with the A's, are they trying to force the Texas Rangers to make catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia a 1B?  They stole five bases on him and his pitching counterparts.  I know runners basically steal off the pitcher, but tagging Salty's CS% with an 0-5 will make him look bad regardless.