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While you're enjoying Cinco de Mayo, here's a few transactions and their possible ramifications from the past week.
Hitters Up
Wellington Castillo - The Cubs backstop prospect was called up to replace Steve Clevenger, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained right oblique. Castillo is someone to keep your eye on as he has plenty of talent, but playing time will be the question, as Soto appears to be getting most of it at the moment.
Tyler Moore - The much less heralded Nationals call up generally plays first base in Syracuse. The Nationals called him up to play the outfield though and to hopefully provide a spark for their struggling lineup. He might see more time than they initially expected with Adam LaRoche fighting through an oblique injury. He's shown some pop at Triple-A, but isn't worth an add in any fantasy leagues.
More after the jump...
Allen Craig - Craig has returned and started a couple games at first base for the Cardinals. He's worth a look in most formats due to his positional eligibility. He won't play every day as the Cardinals ease him back in, and there's been some speculation that they're hesitant to play him in the outfield right now. He hit two doubles in his last start and appears to have shaken off any rust he might have accumulated. He's worth owning in case of any injury in St. Louis.
Mike Carp - Carp was activated from the disabled list, and I'd use him as you would have before he went down with an injury.
Will Middlebrooks - I profiled Middlebrooks last week in my weekly Waiting in the Wings column, which was some fortuitous timing. He's worth a look in most leagues because of his hype, but I wouldn't expect him to generate more than a replacement level player in 10 team leagues. Might be worth a shot for fantasy owners reeling from Longoria's injury.
Bobby Abreu - Released by the Angels, Abreu went down the road a bit and latched on with the Dodgers. Supposedly he'll be a bench bat, occasionally making a start in the outfield. If this were four years ago, that role would make him worth a bench spot in deeper leagues, but if this were four years ago he wouldn't have been so bad he needed to be released. He's not worth your time.
Hitters Down
Evan Longoria - Obviously a huge loss for any owner. Should be back in about 2 months, with a timetable of 4-8 weeks, plus any time making rehab starts in the minors. None of the Tampa replacements (Rodriguez, Keppinger, Johnson) are worth your time, as they'll be rotating in and out of the lineup.
Jose Lopez - In case you still believe in him...the Indians don't.
Pablo Sandoval - A broken hamate bone will land Sandoval on the DL. Conor Gillaspie was recalled to replace him in the lineup and could be serviceable for the Giants. Of course, serviceable for them, means useless for you. Avoid him in all but the deepest of leagues.
Kevin Youkilis - Man it is not a good time to be a third baseman. Youkilis was replaced by the aforementioned Middlebrooks and will hope to return quickly from the DL.
Mat Gamel - Tore his ACL and is done for the year. Travis Ishikawa will take his spot in the field, but I would be far more interested if they moved Aramis Ramirez to first and made room for Taylor Green. Green is worth monitoring just in case the Brewers decide to do that.
Pitchers Up
Tim Hudson - Hudson was activated from the disabled list this week and is well worth using in all formats.
Pat Corbin - Corbin got the call after I posted last weeks report, and pitched pretty well in his first outing. He's a deep mixed or NL Only grab. I snagged him off waivers in my 20-team mixed league and I figure he's got a little potential but will likely be more of a safe play. He's a matchup play for any shallow leagues.
Ryan Dempster - See Tim Hudson. Use as you normally would. Randy Wells was optioned in a corresponding move.
Jhoulys Chacin - Sent down to the minors due to ineffectiveness. Cut bait in all leagues that don't let you option him down as well.
Pitchers Down
Cory Luebke - A fantasy favorite, Luebke hits the DL with a strained left elbow. Never a description you're comfortable with for a pitcher. Reports say the Padres are playing it safe and he's expected to come off as soon as his time is up.
*UPDATE* - Padres announced Luebke has damaged his UCL. Tommy John surgery is a possibility. Early speculation has Alex Hinshaw as a replacement.
Mariano Rivera - Suffered a torn ACL and MCL while shagging balls in the outfield before Friday nights game against Kansas City. Replacement options are David Robertson and Rafael Soriano, with most people's money being on Robertson. Odds are they're both snagged by this point, but I could see Soriano getting a shot because Girardi knows Robertson is the better pitcher and more useful in high leverage situations. Will be interested to see how it plays out.