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Around the League - A.L.

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

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Los Angeles Angels

Peter Bourjos will make his return from his hamstring injury early next week. He only has 1 SB on the year in 22 games played so hopefully he can be a little more active on the basepaths. Jerome Williams will pitch out of the bullpen for now but he will likely be the first pitcher called upon should the Angels need a SP.

Houston Astros

Hector Ambriz would likely get the first shot at the closer job if Jose Veras blows a couple more saves. He's not a great reliever but saves are saves and if you are speculating then he's worth a pickup. Veras may be traded around the deadline resulting in Ambriz taking over at that time. Jose Altuve missed today's game with a sore groin but should be fine within a day or two.

Oakland Athletics

Brett Anderson could be out until around the all-star break with his foot injury. It's possible that he'll need surgery if there continue to be issues with the foot. Although Anderson is worth hanging onto if you have the DL slot or bench spot, be careful to check for updates and not totally depend on him because this situation could get worse.

Toronto Blue Jays

Brett Lawrie could miss about another month with his ankle injury. Although Jose Reyes should be back in a few weeks it is questionable how many SB he will get coming off an ankle injury. He's a player you may actually be able to sell high on in a trade once he returns.

Cleveland Indians

Asdrubal Cabrera should be out until the all-star break with his quad injury. Mike Aviles is worth a pickup if you need a SS or MI that can hit for average with about handful of HR and SB in the next month while Cabrera is out. Chris Perez is making his way back and could be back a week or two. So far it hasn't been announced that there are any further physical complications or signs of anything more serious with his shoulder injury.

Seattle Mariners

Franklin Gutierrez will not return as early as expected and will miss at least a few more weeks.

Baltimore Orioles

Wei-Yin Chen should return from his oblique injury by the end of the month. Dylan Bundy continues make his way back from some arm issues. While no surgery was prescribed it's still a possibility. The team will have made a big mistake if they are doing everything to avoid surgery and he ends up needing it in a couple months anyway. He would be out about a year if he ends up requiring Tommy John surgery. Kevin Gausman doesn't have a pretty ERA/WHIP thus far but he's worth a pickup if you want a potential impact starter. His best start was his most recent one against the Tigers which is a good sign.

Texas Rangers

Mitch Moreland will miss at least a couple weeks with a hamstring injury. Chris McGuinness will replace him at first base and start against RHP. He's worth a pickup if you need power but make sure the Rangers are playing a RHP if your league allows daily transactions and lineups. Ian Kinsler is still at least a couple weeks from returning. Enjoy Jurickson Profar until then because he'll likely be sent down upon Kinsler's return.

Tampa Bay Rays

David Price should return to the rotation in a couple weeks. Chris Archer will continue to replace him in the rotation for now but he proved in his last start that although he has great stuff he still has some control and command issues to be ironed out before he can be depended on.

Boston Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the lineup tonight and should avoid being placed on the DL with his hamstring injury. Hopefully the hamstring is 100% and he will continue to steal plenty of bases. Will Middlebrooks should return in a week or two but he could share time at third base with Jose Iglesias when he gets back.

Kansas City Royals

Salvador Perez is getting a shot in the 3-hole in the lineup and I think he will really thrive there. I am all for buying on Perez right now. He's hitting for average but not much power thus far but I think the power will come.

Detroit Tigers

Austin Jackson could be just a week away from making his return. Jose Valverde has a very lucky BABIP thus far and I wonder what will happen once that normalizes. His FIP is 4.56.

Minnesota Twins

Samuel Deduno has been solid in the rotation thus far and is someone worth owning in AL-only leagues or for spot-starts in mixed leagues. He'll face Jordan Zimmerman and the Nationals on Sunday.

Chicago White Sox

Jake Peavy will be out until around the all-star break with his rib injury. Hector Santiago will replace him in the rotation and I really love him for AL-only leagues and like him a lot for mixed leagues. He should provide an excellent K/9 with decent ERA/WHIP.

New York Yankees

Michael Pineda will start his minor league rehab assignment on Saturday and I think he's worth investing in. I could see him joining the rotation around the all-star break if things go well. Eduardo Nunez won't return any time soon after experiencing another setback with his oblique.