Here is a look at some other players that might be out on the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league in week 7 to consider adding with your FAAB budget or waiver claim.

American League Only:

SP – Alex Cobb/ Chris Archer (TB) – I wrote about both of these players in the minor league report earlier this week. Given that Cobb has the major league experience from last season, I would expect him to get the first shot to replace Jeff Niemann in the rotation.

OF – Manny Ramirez (OAK) – due to come of the suspended list on May 30th, Ramirez should take over as the full-time designated hitter in Oakland. For those looking for boosts in the batting average or power category, Ramirez is certainly worth a look to see what he has left in the tank.

National League Only:

1B – Travis Ishikawa (MIL) – has shown a little bit of pop with two home runs yesterday and now four home runs in 50 at bats this season. In his career, he has hit 19 home runs in 653 at bats with 92 RBI. With Mat Gamel lost for the season and the Milwaukee Brewers short on power, Ishikawa should see more at bats going forward.

OF - Gregor Blanco (SF) – has assumed the right field role in San Francisco and has scored seven runs in his last four games. For the season, he is batting .293 in 58 at bats with four stolen bases. He will provide runs scored and stolen bases, but no power so he could be a good fit depending on what your fantasy team needs.

OF – Jerry Sands (LAD) – replaces Matt Kemp on the active roster and could see time against left-handed pitching, which limits his value even in NL-only formats. Sands was batting .257 at Triple-A Albuquerque with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 136 games.

3B - Elian Herrera (LAD) – promoted from Triple-A to replace Juan Uribe who is headed to the disabled list. Herrera was hitting .358 in 120 at bats with two home runs, 14 RBI and nine stolen bases. He saw time in the minor leagues last season at second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield so he could see action at a variety of positions in the major leagues.

Here is a look at the most added players at CBS:

1. Josh Reddick
2. Andy Dirks
3. Christian Friedrich
4. Brian Fuentes
5. Allen Craig
6. Dale Thayer
7. Rafael Soriano
8. Casey Janssen
9. Raul Ibanez
10. A.J. Ellis

Here is a look at the most added players at Yahoo:

1. Rafael Soriano
2. James McDonald
3. Wei-Yin Chen
4. Mike Trout
5. Elliott Johnson
6. Daniel Nava
7. Joe Blanton
8. Allen Craig
9. Christian Friedrich
10. Derek Lowe

Here is a look at the most added players at ESPN:

1. Andy Dirks
2. Raul Ibanez
3. Josh Reddick
4. Carlos Zambrano
5. Allen Craig
6. Dale Thayer
7. Jeff Samardzija
8. James McDonald
9. Kyle Seager
10. Casey Janssen

2012 Waiver Wire – Week 7 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

With Jeff Niemann hitting the disabled list for the Tampa Bay Rays, the team may look to Triple-A for a new pitcher in their starting rotation. One candidate is Chris Archer, currently 3-4 with a 4.71 ERA in Triple-A with 40 strikeouts in 42 innings. Acquired in a trade from the Chicago Cubs last season for Matt Garza, Archer some work to do on his control before he would succeed at the major league level. The other option is Alex Cobb who has a 4.14 ERA in Triple-A with 44 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. Cobb posted a 3.42 ERA in nine major league starts last season with a 1.33 WHIP and would have value in AL-only leagues if he gets promoted.

First basemen Anthony Rizzo continues to rake at Triple-A for the Chicago Cubs and is batting .359 in 142 at bats with 13 home runs and 37 RBI plus two stolen bases. Given the lack of power in the Cubs major league lineup, Rizzo shoulsd be a late summer call up to the major leagues.

Rizzo’s teammate Brett Jackson has been struggling to hit this year with a .226 average and three home runs, 12 RBI and seven stolen bases. The outfielder has not been able to reduce the number of strikeouts he tallies, with 48 punchouts in 137 at bats. Until he is able to get his plate discipline in order, he has little shot of succeeding in the major leagues.

Second basemen Kolten Wong (STL) is off to a good start at Double-A with a .309 batting average through 123 at bats with two home runs, 16 RBI and six stolen bases. A first round pick in the 2011 draft, Wong figures to see St. Louis in September with a chance to claim a starting job next spring training.

Outfielder Ben Revere (MIN) has picked up his performance of late, hitting .357 over his last 10 games with five stolen bases. For the season at Triple-A, Revere is hitting .322 with six steals. Given the lack of production from the Minnesota outfield, he should get a chance at some point this season, making him a reserve target for AL-only leagues.

Shortstop Everth Cabrera is batting .333 with 15 stolen bases at Triple-A and could be soon looking at a promotion to the San Diego Padres with both middle infielders struggling. Cabrera should be a reserve target for NL-only league owners that are looking for stolen bases.

The 2012 Minor League Report – Week 7 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

As much as the Miami Marlins keep trying with Heath Bell it just does not seem like he can be counted on for saves going forward. He allowed two runs in an inning of work on Sunday and has not picked up a save since May 1. He has also yet to work three consecutive scoreless outings at any point this season. Steve Cishek blew his one save chance of the week and allowed two runs in two innings and Edward Mujica blew a save on Friday with three runs allowed in 1/3 of an innings leaving the question of who will get the next save opportunity still to be answered.

Dale Thayer, one of the less likely candidates to replace injured closer Huston Street in the San Diego Padres bullpen led the National League with three saves last week, working three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Thayer collected 173 saves in the minor leagues so he does have closing experience and given his success in his first week with Street out of action, he should continue in that role barring any bumps in the road.

Frank Francisco is still the closer of the New York Mets, but his margin for error is very slim after allowing five runs in 2/3 of an inning last week over two outings. With a .328 batting average against, an 8.56 ERA and 1.98 WHIP, it is only a matter of time before a move is made. Jon Rauch (2.93 ERA, .98 WHIP) is the likely candidate to replace Francisco with Bobby Parnell  (2.25 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) also in the mix

American League Saves last week:

Jim Johnson – 3
Jose Valverde – 2
Casey Janssen – 2
Alfredo Aceves – 2
Matt Capps – 2

National League Saves last week:

Dale Thayer – 3
Jason Motte – 2
Brett Myers – 2
Santiago Casilla – 2

2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Report – Week 7 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

American League:

7 games: all teams

Hitters:

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings sat out his sixth consecutive game with an injured knee and there is still no timetable for his return although it does not sound he will need a trip to the disabled list. Unless some new breaks early Monday morning, it is best to reserve him for next week if you have other alternatives.

The Baltimore Orioles promoted outfielder Xavier Avery from Triple-A where he was hitting .273 with five home runs, 16 RBI and eight stolen bases.  With Nolan Reimold and Endy Chavez both out of action, Avery should get at bats next week if you need a player in an AL-only format. Avery led off for the Orioles on Sunday and went 0-for-4 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Oakland Athletics placed Yoenis Cespedes on the disabled list with a strained hand and recalled third basemen Josh Donaldson from Triple-A where he was hitting .447 in 47 at bats with five home runs and 14 RBI. Donaldson’s value though is at the catcher position and I would wait to see if shows he can hit at the major league level before activating him again.

Pitchers:

Starting pitcher Jason Hammel of the Baltimore Orioles missed this week’s start on Thursday against Texas, so he will now start on Monday against the New York Yankees making him a two start pitcher in week 7.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte returned to the major leagues in his first start since 2010, allowing four runs in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. I would be okay with activating him in AL-only formats, but I would wait to see a couple of more starts from him before putting him in your starting lineup in mixed league formats.

Brian Fuentes was named the new closer for the Oakland Athletics and should be activated for all formats next week. His ERA tends to run higher than what you would like to see from a closer, currently at 3.86 this season, but if you need saves he is worth owning.

Zach McAllister replaced the injured Josh Tomlin in the Cleveland Indians rotation and gets a start next Thursday against the Seattle Mariners. McAllister has struck out 13 in 13 innings in his two major league starts this season and is worth playing in AL-only leagues if you are trying to gain a couple of spots in the strikeout category.

To see all of the two start pitchers in week 7, click here.

National League:

7 games: all teams

Hitters:

First basemen Lance Berkman was activated from the disabled list by the St. Louis Cardinals and returned to the lineup on Sunday hitting fifth and playing first base. Berkman went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts and he should be activated in all formats for games next week.

Second basemen Rickie Weeks of the Milwaukee Brewers was out of the lineup again on Sunday with a sore hand and the team has not announced when he will return to action despite X-rays showing no breaks. I would leave him reserved for games next week if you have other players on reserve to insert for him in your lineup.

The San Francisco Giants demoted third basemen Conor Gillaspie after he batted just .150 and the team will now turn to Joaquin Arias at the hot corner. Arias has no value in any type of format and is not worth a pickup at this time.

Catcher Wilson Ramos of the Washington Nationals was placed on the disabled list with a torn ACL and is likely done for the season so he should be dropped in all annual leagues. Jesus Flores takes over as the lead catcher and should be owned in NL-only formats.

Third basemen Scott Rolen of the St. Louis Cardinals was placed on the disabled list with a strained shoulder and will be replaced in the lineup by Todd Frazier. Frazier is batting .310 on the season with a home run and three RBI and should be active in NL-only formats.

Pitchers:

Former closer Carlos Marmol was placed on the disabled list by the Chicago Cubs with an injured hamstring. While he should have already been reserved in all formats, now the call is whether to drop him or keep him if you have a small reserve squad. Given the volatility of the closer position in fantasy baseball this season, I don’t see a reason to hold on to him if you need to use that roster space for a healthy player.

To see all of the two start pitchers in week 7, click here.

2012 Fantasy Baseball Lineup Planner – Week 7 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

The pitchers below are listed alphabetically and not in any type of ranked order.

American League:

Start them:

Brandon Morrow ~ TB (Niemann), NYM (Batista)
CC Sabathia ~ @BAL (Chin), CIN (Cueto)
Colby Lewis ~ KC (Chen), @HOU (Harrell)
Dan Haren ~ OAK (Ross), @SD (Suppan)
David Price ~ @TOR (Alvarez), ATL (Hudson)
Drew Smyly ~ @CWS (Danks), PIT (Bedard)
Jake Peavy ~ DET (Scherzer), @CHC (Lohse)
Jason Hammel ~ NYY (Nova), @WAS (Detwiler)

Roll the Dice:

Bartolo Colon ~ @LAA (Santana), @SF (Lincecum)
Bruce Chen ~ @TEX (Lewis), ARI (Miley)
Derek Lowe ~ @MIN (Marquis), MIA (Johnson)
Ervin Santana ~ OAK (Colon), @SD (Bass)
Henderson Alvarez ~ TB (Price), NYM (Gee)
Ivan Nova ~ @BAL (Hammel), CIN (Bailey)
Jason Vargas ~ @BOS (Beckett), @COL (Guthrie)
Jeanmar Gomez ~ @MIN (Pavano), MIA (Sanchez)
Jeff Niemann ~ @TOR (Morrow), ATL (Delgado)
Jon Lester ~ SEA (Millwood), @PHI (Blanton)
Josh Beckett ~ SEA (Vargas), @PHI (Lee)
Max Scherzer ~ @CWS (Peavy), PIT (Correia)
Wei-Yin Chen ~ NYY (Sabathia), @WAS (Strasburg)

It is interesting that Colon has struggled at the Oakland Coliseum but has a 1.59 ERA and 0.92 WHIP on the road where he has two starts next week. Santana broke his 6-game losign streak with a win in his last outing and he has been better in his last three starts with a 2.82 ERA. Beckett has been good in four of his six starts, but his two bad starts have been ugly with 14 runs allowed in seven innings of work. Lowe is 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA but has a 1.51 WHIP and 13 walks compared to 13 strikeouts. Sell high now if you own him.

Sit Them:

Carl Pavano ~ CLE (Gomez), @MIL (Gallardo)
Jason Marquis ~ CLE (Lowe), @MIL (Greinke)
John Danks ~ DET (Smyly), @CHC (Dempster)
Kevin Millwood ~ @BOS (Lester), @COL (White)
Tyson Ross ~ @LAA (Haren), @SF (Vogelsong)

Batters are hitting .316 against Millwood who has a 5.88 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. His second start his on the road at Coors Field. Ross was good in his first two starts, but then reality set in and he fell back to earth with 19 runs allowed in his last 13 innings. Danks might be hiding an injury with his drop in velocity for all pitches and evidenced by his higher walk rate and lower strikeout rate this season. Also not helping matters is his elevated home run rate.

National League:

Start them:

Anibal Sanchez ~ PIT (Bedard), @CLE (Gomez)
Anthony Bass ~ @WAS (Strasburg), LAA (Santana)
Clayton Kershaw ~ ARI (Kennedy), STL (Westbrook)
Cliff Lee ~ HOU (Harrell), BOS (Beckett)
Ian Kennedy ~ @LAD (Kershaw), @KC (TBD)
Jake Westbrook ~ CHC (Dempster), @LAD (Kershaw)
Joe Blanton ~ HOU (Rodriguez), BOS (Lester)
Johnny Cueto ~ @ATL (Hudson), @NYY (Sabathia)
Kyle Lohse ~ CHC (Volstad), @LAD (Billingsley)
Ross Detwiler ~ SD (Suppan), BAL (Hammel)
Ryan Dempster ~ @STL (Westbrook), CWS (Danks)
Ryan Vogelsong ~ COL (White), OAK (Ross)
Stephen Strasburg ~ SD (Bass), BAL (Chen)
Tim Lincecum ~ COL (Guthrie), OAK (Colon)
Wade Miley ~ @LAD (Billingsley), @KC (Chen)
Zack Greinke ~ @NYM (Gee), MIN (Marquis)

Roll the Dice:

Alex White ~ @SF (Vogelsong), SEA (Millwood)
Chad Billingsley ~ ARI (Miley), STL (Lohse)
Erik Bedard ~ @MIA (Sanchez), @DET (Smyly)
Jeff Suppan ~ @WAS (Detwiler), LAA (Haren)
Jeremy Guthrie ~ @SF (Lincecum), SEA (Vargas)
Josh Johnson ~ PIT (Correia), @CLE (Lowe)
Kevin Correia ~ @MIA (Johnson), @DET (Scherzer)
Paul Maholm ~ @STL (Lohse), CWS (Peavy)
Tim Hudson ~ CIN (Cueto), @TB (Price)
Yovani Gallardo ~ @NYM (Batista), MIN (Pavano)

Billingsley has been pitching okay despite going winless in his last five starts, but the walks are starting to pile up again. After allowing only one free pass in his first 20 1/3 innings, he has given out 13 walks in his last 20 1/3 innings.

Sit Them:

Dillon Gee ~ MIL (Greinke), @TOR (Alvarez)
Homer Bailey ~ @ATL (Delgado), @NYY (Nova)
Lucas Harrell ~ @PHI (Lee), TEX (Lewis)
Miguel Batista ~ MIL (Gallardo), @TOR (Morrow)
Randall Delgado ~ CIN (Bailey), @TB (Niemann)

Batista gets his third start of the season but he has a .338 batting average against and has issued more walks than strikeouts. Delgado is too hit-or-miss in terms of consistency and there are too many two start pitchers to roll with him unless you have injuries on your staff.

2012 Two Start Pitchers – Week 7 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

Here is a look at some other players that might be out on the waiver wire in your fantasy baseball league in week 6 to consider adding with your FAAB budget or waiver claim.

American League Only:

RP - Casey Janssen (TOR) – he takes over the closer role in Toronto from Francisco Cordero while the team waits for Sergio Santos to return from the disabled list. He picked up his first save of the season tonight, working a scoreless innings with one strikeout. He should have value for the next couple of weeks until Santos is ready to return to action.

RP – Addison Reed (CWS) – Chris Sale is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday and if he is going to miss any time, Reed could assume the closer role. Reed has picked up two saves over the last few days and is still unscored upon in 10 innings of work with 14 strikeouts.

2B – Johnny Giavotella (KC) – called up from Triple-A by the Royals, Giavotella was hitting .331 in 133 at bats with five home runs, 25 RBI and a stolen base. Given that Chris Getz has held his own since taking over at second base, it remains to be seen how much time Giavotella is going to receive.

SS – Brian Dozier (MIN) – the new starting shortstop in Minnesota, Dozier has hit second in all three games since being recalled from Triple-A and is batting .250 in 12 at bats. Dozier hit .276 at Rochester in 105 at bats with a home run, 12 RBI and two stolen bases.

National League Only:

OF- Scott Van Slyke (LAD) – promoted from Triple-A with Juan Rivera going on the disabled list, Van Slyke figures to see at bats against left-handed pitching. Van Slyke was hitting .336 for the Albuquerque Isotopes with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 122 at bats.

OF – Bobby Abreu (LAD) – also a beneficiary of the Rivera injury, Abreu is in line for more at bats in left field. Abreu hit fifth tonight and is hitting .357 since coming back to the National League

SP – Christian Friedrich (COL) – made his major league debut Wednesday night and went six strong innings allowing one run with seven strikeouts. A first round pick in the 2008 draft, he had struggled the last two seasons in the minor leagues with an ERA over 5.00. This season he was off to a good start in Triple-A with a 3.00 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 30 innings of work.

RP – Dale Thayer (SD) – picked up two saves in back-to-back games to start the week with Huston Street on the disabled list and is the favorite to close going forward despite his lack of career success in the major leagues.

Here is a look at the most added players at CBS:

1. David Robertson
2. Steve Cishek
3. Rafael Soriano
4. Joe Blanton
5. Will Middlebrooks
6. Chris Johnson
7. Kyle Seager
8. Chipper Jones
9. Carlos Ruiz
10. Rafael Dolis

Here is a look at the most added players at Yahoo:

1. Casey Janssen
2. Josh Reddick
3. Dale Thayer
4. Addison Reed
5. Henderson Alvarez
6. Kyle Seager
7. Jeff Samardzija
8. Andy Dirks
9. Ryan Doumit
10. Will Middlebrooks

Here is a look at the most added players at ESPN:

1. Jed Lowrie
2. David Robertson
3. Pedro Alvarez
4. Chris Capuano
5. Drew Smyly
6. Carlos Ruiz
7. Josh Reddick
8. Chipper Jones
9. Rafael Dolis
10. Jon Jay

2012 Waiver Wire – Week 6 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

Left-handed starting pitcher John Gast is performing well in his second go round at Double-A, tossing seven shutout innings in his last start with five strikeouts. For the season, Gast has a 2.03 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. Gast was a 6th round pick in the 2010 draft from Florida State and is currently ranked the top left-handed starter in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system.

Gast’s teammate, outfielder Oscar Taveras, has been heating up of late, hitting .364 over his last 10 games with four home runs and 11 RBI. For the season, Taveras is batting .331 with nine home runs and 30 RBI plus two stolen bases. Taveras hit .386 last season at Quad Cities in 308 at bats and has shown a good ability to make contact as he moves up the minor league system with only 16 strikeouts in 118 at bats this season.

The Washington Nationals have another starting pitcher, currently at Double-A that could be ready to help the major league club next season. Left-handed pitcher Daniel Rosenbaum has been tough to hit with a .179 batting average against and sports a 0.81 ERA through 44 2/3 innings with 27 strikeouts. On top of that, he has walked only three hitters and allowed one home run.

If you are a Seattle Mariners fan, you have to like what you are seeing from the starting pitchers at the Double-A level. Their 2010 First round pick James Paxton has a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 innings with 36 strikeouts, but still needs some work with his control with 18 walks allowed. Their 2011 first round pick Danny Hultzen has a 2.35 ERA in 30 2/3 innings with 34 strikeouts, but again walks are an issue with 19 free passes given out. Also there is the team’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Taijuan Walker who has a 1.30 ERA in 27 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts.

The Texas Rangers have more young pitching on the way with Justin Grimm currently leading the Texas League at Double-A in ERA at 1.60. A 5th round from the 2010 draft, Grimm is holding hitters to a .183 batting average and has 37 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings. He has allowed only two runs in his last 17 innings of work.

The 2012 Minor League Report – Week 6 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

The Miami Marlins removed closer Heath Bell from the ninth inning role after his fourth blown save of the season. Bell sports an ugly 11.42 ERA and 2.88 WHIP with 10 walks in 8 2/3 innings and a .385 batting average against. Steve Cishek, who has been lights out this season with four wins, a 0.63 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP, should see the first chance at save opportunities in place of Bell. The Marlins could also turn to Edward Mujica who collected two saves last week with Cishek throwing too many pitches in previous outings to be available to close.

The Chicago Cubs pulled struggling Carlos Marmol from the closer role and instead will go with a combination of Rafael Dolis and James Russell. Dolis picked up his second save of the season last week while Russell collected one hold. Neither of them are good bets for long-term success, but if you need to replace an injured closer for the next month or two, Dolis should pick up a few saves.

Across town, the Chicago White Six moved starting pitcher Chris Sale to the bullpen where he will take over as closer for Hector Santiago. Sale was pitching well as a starter, but once his elbow started acting up and given his delivery which was questionable as to how it would hold up down the line as a starter, the team made the move now to put him in relief. Addison Reed, who had been looking like a nice sleeper pick to grab saves later this season now loses a little bit of luster with Sale now in the pen, though Reed did pick up a save last week.

The Los Angeles Angels bullpen played musical chairs last week as the team removed Jordan Walden from the closer role, only to see Scott Downs and LaTroy Hawkins both get injured over the weekend leaving the Angels bullpen in a state of flux. Recently acquired Ernesto Frieri moves into the mix for saves after posting a 2.31 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in San Diego. He has not recorded any saves in 107 major league appearances, but he has the stuff to get the job done if given the chance.

Those fantasy owners that patiently stuck with relief pitcher Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Dodgers were rewarded today when manager Don Mattingly named him the new closer in place of Javy Guerra. Given Jansen’s strikeout rate and if he can limit his walks, he could quickly move into the top tier of closers given the amount of volatility at the top of the closer rankings.

Closer Huston Street of the Padres was placed on the disabled list with a lat injury. Given his track record of injuries, it is not a surprise and although he sounds like it will be a short stint on the disabled list, he seems to miss a good amount of time each season. Set up man Andre Cashner should see the majority of save chances in place of Street although Luke Gregerson could see a few chances as well.

American League Saves last week:

Chris Perez – 4
Fernando Rodney – 2
Joel Peralta – 2
Joe Nathan – 2
Jonathan Broxton – 2

National League Saves last week:

Brett Myers – 3
Edward Mujica – 2
Frank Francisco – 2
Jonathan Papelbon – 2

2012 Fantasy Baseball Closer Report – Week 6 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

Here is a look at the latest news and notes from around major league baseball to help you set your fantasy baseball lineup for week 6 (May 7 – May 13)  of the 2012 fantasy baseball season.

American League:

6 games: KC, LAA, NYY, OAK, SEA, TB, TOR
7 games: BAL, BOS, CWS, DET, MIN, TEX
8 games: CLE

Hitters:

Brian Dozier will be the new starting shortstop for the Minnesota Twins once he is promoted from Triple-A. Dozier is hitting .276 in 105 at bats with a home run, 12 RBI and two stolen bases. Jamey Carroll and Alexi Casilla will split time at second base once Dozier arrives in Minnesota. Dozier will replace Justin Morneau on the Twins roster after Morneau was placed on the disabled list with a sore wrist.

Pitchers:

Staring pitcher Liam Hendriks was demoted to Triple-A and will miss out on two starts next week for the Minnesota Twins. Scott Diamond was promoted from Triple-A Rochester to replace him in the rotation where he had a 2.60 ERA in 34 2/3 innings with seven walks allowed and 26 strikeouts. Diamond struggled at Triple-A last season with a 5.56 ERA as opposing hitters batted .311 against him. Diamond’s first start will come at home on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels, but I would not be looking to own him unless you are in a deep AL-only league and are short on starting pitchers.

Closer Scott Downs of the Angels had to be removed from Sunday’s game and a save chance when he suffered a twisted knee avoiding a line drive. LaTroy Hawkins collected the final two outs of the game to pick up the save and but suffered a fractured pinkie in the game and is likely headed to the disabled list as well. Former closer Jordan Walden could be thrust back into the role next week despite his recent lack of success.

Starting pitcher Doug Fister was activated from the disabled list by the Detroit Tigers and should be active in all formats as he has two starts next week. Fister will get the start on Monday against his former team, the Seattle Mariners.

Starting pitcher Felipe Paulino of the Kansas City Royals was activated from the disabled list and looked good in his start Saturday against the New York Yankees. Paulino three six shutout innings and struck out six in picking up his first win of 2012. He should be activated in AL-only formats for next week.

To see all of the two start pitchers in week 6, click here.

National League:

6 games: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, COL, HOU, LAD, MIA MIL, NYM, PHI, PIT, SD, SF, STL, WAS

Hitters:

New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada left Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a strianed quad and he could be headed for the disabled list. Owners of him should look for a replacement for next week at shortstop or middle infield.

With the addition of Bobby Abreu to the outfield mix, the Los Angeles Dodgers can now go with a straight platoon at first base of James Loney and Juan Rivera. You will need to keep an eye on the Dodger’s schedule each week to see what starting pitcher is going to determine how many starts Loney might get.

Shortstop Alex Gonzalez was placed on the disabled list by the Milwaukee Brewers with an injured right knee. Cesar Izturis will take over shortstop while Gonzalez is out but he has no va;ue in fantasy leagues.

Pitchers:

Cliff Lee is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday and will get the start at home against the New York Mets. Kyle Kendrick who had been filling in for Lee will return to the bullpen and should be reserved once again.

San Diego closer Huston Street was placed on the disabled list with a strained lat and should be reserved. Relief pitcher Andrew Cashner is the likely candidate to get the call in the ninth inning and should be activated for next week if your fantasy baseball team is in need of saves.

To see all of the two start pitchers in week 6, click here.

2012 Fantasy Baseball Lineup Planner – Week 6 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools

American League:

Start them:

Justin Verlander (DET)  ~ @SEA (Millwood), @OAK (Parker)
Jered Weaver (LAA) ~ @MIN (Liriano), @TEX (Harrison)
James Shields (TB) ~ @NYY (Nova), @BAL (Arrieta)
Ricky Romero (TOR) ~ @OAK (Parker), @MIN (Hendriks)

Roll the Dice:

Jake Arrieta (BAL) ~ TEX (Harrison), TB (Shields)
Daniel Bard (BOS) ~ @KC (Duffy), CLE (Masterson)
Felix Doubront (BOS) ~ @KC (Sanchez), CLE (Tomlin)
Justin Masterson (CLE) ~ CWS (Danks), @BOS (Bard)
Philip Humber (CWS) ~ @CLE (Tomlin), KC (Sanchez)
Doug Fister (DET) ~ @SEA (Beavan), @OAK (Milone)
Ivan Nova (NYY) ~ TB (Shields), SEA (Beavan)
Jarrod Parker (OAK) ~ TOR (Romero), DET (Verlander)
Blake Beavan (SEA) ~ DET (Fister), @NYY (Nova)
Neftali Feliz (TEX) ~ @BAL (Matusz), LAA (Williams)
Matt Harrison (TEX) ~ @BAL (Arrieta), LAA (Weaver)

Harrison was om fire to start the season with three straight wins but then was pounded in his last two outings, allowing 14 runs in 8 1/3 innings. Beavan has allowed three runs or less in four of his five starts but racks up few strikeouts and wins are tough to come by with the Mariners lack of offense. Nova has picked up his strikeout rate this year but is getting hit at a .341 clip. He should fare well in his second start of the week against Seattle. Bard has been inconsistent this season thanks to an elevated walk rate. I would be willing to give him another week to see if he can get it done with two starts on the docket. Fister comes off of the disabled list to get two starts next week. He worked four scoreless innings in his rehab start at AAA earlier in the week.

Sit Them:

Brian Matusz (BAL) ~ TEX (Feliz), TB (Moore)
Josh Tomlin (CLE) ~ CWS (Humber), @BOS (Doubront)
Jonathan Sanchez (KC) ~ BOS (Doubront), @CWS (Humber)
Francisco Liriano (MIN) ~ LAA (Weaver) TOR (Hutchison)
Liam Hendriks (MIN) ~ LAA (Haren), TOR (Romero)

Matusz is a boom or bust pick this week after three rocky starts to start the season, he then allowed one run in his last 12 1/3 innings against New York and Toronto. Liriano is 0-4 on the season and has allowed five runs in four of his last five starts. Sanchez is holding hitters to a .229 batting average, but he has walked 19 in 22 1/3 innings and has yet to make it past five innings in any of his starts.

National League:

Start them:

Joe Saunders (ARI) ~ STL (Lynn), SF (Zito)
Tommy Hanson (ATL) ~ @CHC (Samardzija), @STL (Lynn)
Bronson Arroyo (CIN) ~ @MIL (Gallardo), WAS (Jackson)
Ted Lilly (LAD) ~ SF (Zito), COL (Pomeranz)
Carlos Zambrano (MIA) ~ @HOU (Happ), NYM (Niese)
Roy Halladay (PHI) ~ NYM (Niese), SD (Volquez)
Lance Lynn (STL) ~ @ARI (Saunders), ATL (Hanson)

Roll the Dice:

Drew Pomeranz (COL) ~  @SD (Volquez), @LAD (Lilly)
Jeff Samardzija (CHC) ~ ATL (Hanson), @MIL (Gallardo)
Yovani Gallardo (MIL) ~ CIN (Arroyo), CHC (Samardzija)
Jonathon Niese (NYM) ~ @PHI (Halladay), @MIA (Zambrano)
A.J. Burnett (PIT) ~ WAS (Jackson), HOU (Happ)
Edinson Volquez (SD) ~ COL (Pomeranz), @PHI (Halladay)
Barry Zito (SF) ~ @LAD (Lilly), @ARI (Saunders)
Edwin Jackson (WAS) ~ @PIT (Burnett), @CIN (Arroyo)

Jackson faced Cincinnati earlier this season and worked nine innings, allowing one run with nine strikeouts. Volquez is off to a good start but I am not ready to bump him up to the top tier yet until he has a few more road starts. He pitched five of his six starts at PETCO Park so far in 2012. Pomeranz with two road starts is a little bit more attractive than if he were starting in Coors Field. Burnett was hammered in his last start, allowing 12 runs in 2 2/3 innings, so things can only go up from there next week

Sit Them:

J.A. Happ (HOU) ~ MIA (Zambrano), @PIT (Burnett)

2012 Two Start Pitchers – Week 6 is a post from: Fantasy Baseball Tools