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Around the League - N.L.

Kevin Nielsen provides a National League update for injuries, call-ups, and other fantasy news.

Dee Gordon has been called up by the Dodgers and is worth a pickup in all formats.
Dee Gordon has been called up by the Dodgers and is worth a pickup in all formats.
USA TODAY Sports

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Dee Gordon will be called up by the Dodgers because of Hanley Ramirez going on the DL and Mark Ellis remaining injured. Gordon may play some of his games at 2B and gain eligibility there. The speedy middle infielder had hit .314/.397/.431 with 14:17 BB:K and was successful in 14 of his 16 stolen base attempts. He should be picked up in all formats because of his ability to dramatically boost your SB total.

Carlos Martinez was called up from AA. He is a legitimate top pitching prospect as a starter and the Cardinals likely only called him up to pitch out of the bullpen because of how badly they need the help. Martinez' fastball can hit 100 MPH out of the bullpen so he should net plenty of holds. Trevor Rosenthal is still probably next in line to Edward Mujica.

Marcell Ozuna has performed well since being called up to replace Giancarlo Stanton and should be in the lineup every day moving forward. He would be a strong addition in an NL-only league.

Andrew Brown was called up by the Mets to replace Collin Cowgill and might see a little bit of playing time against RHP. He's not worth adding at the moment.

Injuries / Sent Down

Jason Heyward is still at least a couple weeks away from returning from his appendectomy.

Brian McCann has hit 4 HR in just 22 minor league at-bats as he continues to prove that he is healthy. He could be back with the Braves on Monday, making right now the time to sell Evan Gattis.

Chris Carpenter might return to the Cardinals to pitch out of their bullpen later this season. This is an interesting development, if he pitches well and Edward Mujica ends up struggling he could end up with some saves. This is obviously just speculation and any possibility for value out of Carpenter would be months away.

Jason Motte had Tommy John surgery and will not return this season. Mitchell Boggs was ineffective as Motte's replacement and was sent down to AAA.

Matt Adams should be back early in the week but he'll still be in a bench and pinch-hitting role for the most part.

Kyuji Fujikawa should return early in the week to pitch in a setup role for Kevin Gregg.

Matt Garza could be just a couple week away from returning. It remains to be seen who will be bumped from the Cubs rotation to make room for him but my guess is Scott Feldman or Carlos Villanueva.

Hanley Ramirez has been placed on the DL with a hamstring injury and will miss at least a couple weeks.

Chris Capuano should be back in the rotation to face the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Ted Lilly will be out at least a couple weeks with a rib injury. Matt Magill will take his spot in the rotation but I'm not crazy about him for fantasy. See how he does tonight against the Giants before adding him.

Hector Sanchez will no longer be the backup catcher for the Giants because they want him to play every day at AAA.

Adeiny Hechavarria has returned as the Marlins starting SS but doesn't carry much fantasy value.

Giancarlo Stanton's hamstring injury is more serious than most and we might not see him with Marlins until sometime in June. It's worth noting the team has absolutely nothing to gain by rushing him back and will likely give him a little extra time to make sure he is 100%.

Jayson Werth won't return until at least early in the week from a hamstring injury and might end up on the DL.

Ryan Zimmerman is back while Anthony Rendon was sent down to AAA.

Neil Walker is on the DL with a hand injury but should only miss the minimum amount of time. The move was made retroactively to April 27th.

Francisco Liriano should return to the Pirates rotation on May 11th against the Mets next weekend. If you're desperate for starting pitching help then he does at least represent some potential to perform well and give you some dominant performances if he is commanding his pitches. He does have 17 K with 0 BB in his two AAA rehab starts. That is definitely a good sign.

Ryan Hanigan could be only about a week away from returning and reclaiming his starting catcher role from Devin Mesoraco.

Johnny Cueto had a setback in his return and at this point we're waiting for an update from the Reds on when he will pitch again.

Jhoulys Chacin will return tomorrow against the Rays. I wouldn't start him his first start back at Coors Field.

Notes

Aramis Ramirez has returned from the DL but it's expected he will get more off-days than usual in the near future. Check the Brewers lineup for him if you play in a daily league.

Kevin Gregg gained some job security with Carlos Marmol's terrible performance today. Kyuji Fujikawa, still injured, is probably going to be the only real threat to Gregg's closing gig moving forward.

The Diamondbacks bullpen is getting interesting. JJ Putz has four blown saves while David Hernandez hasn't been at his best and Heath Bell was throwing the ball well until getting roughed up on Wednesday. If Putz costs them one more win I think they may make the switch to Bell, at least temporarily.

Didi Gregorious was activated today after recovering from a concussion on a HBP but is not in the starting lineup just yet.

Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford are both in the Dodgers lineup tonight and should be fine moving forward.

Julio Teheran's turn in the rotation will be skipped due to tonight's postponement.

Jonathan Pettibone has pitched well since being called up and might be worth streaming Wednesday against the Giants.