Brian Giles will be activated from the disabled list on Friday and should be back in action for the weekend series in Los Angeles after missing a month with a bruised knee. Giles and fantasy owners have seen quite a drop in production. Two years ago, he posted a 0.78 FPI with a .301 avg, .426 OBP, .909 OPS, and a modest HR/AB of 36.3 (total of 15 HR). Last year, he dropped to just a 0.60 FPI, fell to .263 avg, .371 OBP, .769 OPS, and a 43.1 HR/AB. Of course, he's been hurt for a bit this year, but his numbers are still WAY off. His FPI is just 0.51 and he only has 1 HR and an OBP of .339. Historically, he could at least be depended upon for a high OBP. His batting eye is usually above 1.75, but this year he's at an even 1.0 with 16 K's and 16 BB's. If he returns healthy, expect his OBP and FPI to improve and his statistics to experience a correction in the 2nd half. High OBP and runs can be expected from Giles for the rest of the season. The HR years are way behind us at this point.
Manager Ned Yost officially announced his pitching rotation through the All-Star Break and rookie Yovani Gallardo was only slotted into one start. With pitcher Chris Capuano set to come off the DL and make a start next Tuesday, Gallardo will be the odd-man out and likely be moved to the bullpen. Gallardo will still make his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs tomorrow (Friday). Gallardo has been great in his two starts, hurling quality starts in both outings and posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and .191 BAA. If you can afford the bench space, you may want to hold-on to Gallardo for a few weeks. I don't foresee his bullpen career lasting too long.
I can't see too well - is that Anthony Reyes or Anthony Young (remember those two years in the early 90's when Anthony Young was 3-30 with the New York Mets? Ok - no more flashbacks). Reyes dropped another game and is now 0-10. He went 5.0 IP / 2 ER before the NY rain changed his plans. He's a two-start pitcher next week against Arizona and San Francisco. I wouldn't wish this situation on the worst of my NL-only enemies at this point. No wins, a 6.10 ERA, and a 1.42 WHIP. Unless you seriously buy-into the eventual statistical correction theory with Reyes, I would stay away.
So you're in a league that values holds? Well, Tony Pena has been out of action for the last two games with "an infection." Regarldess of what is actually infected, he should be back in action on Thursday. Pena has been a great middle-relief guy, earning 16 holds and a save while posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 35 games for the D-Backs. He looks like he has the stuff to be a closer one day, but for now his true fantasy value is in those leagues that value holds.
Rookie call-up J.A. Happ will get the start for the Phillies on Sunday against the NY Mets. JA (short for James Anthony) is 1-2 in 13 starts for the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx with a 4.02 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and a K/9 of 9.6. Obviously, he has decent strikeout totals and is a solid prospect in the Phillies organization, but hasn't been dominant in Triple-A with such a high ERA and WHIP. You'd have to be pretty desperate to go with Happ for a Sunday spot-start.
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