Jed Lowrie: Lowrie is close to starting a minor league rehab assignment which could put him on target for a late June to early July return to the Red Sox lineup. In his debut last year, Lowrie showed some interesting skills, 12% BB% and 25 doubles in 260 AB. A wrist injury may have played a part in his showing that kind of doubles power but not the power needed to clear the fences, just 2 home runs. As the 25 year-old enters his prime power years, more home run power could be on its way. He will need to improve his contact skills, 74% Ct%, or generate more power. With Nick Green and Julio Lugo as his competition, Lowrie should have no trouble reclaiming the starting shortstop job upon his return.
Nick Punto: Punto, who has been out with a groin strain, is expected to return from the DL today. He has been really struggling; 0/12/.187 in 123 AB, but an unlucky .187 BHIP% can take part of the blame. Unfortunately, when you have no power, and just an average contact rate, 2008/2009 Ct%’s of 83%/82%, any kind of bad luck really shows in the batting average. He does have speed, 5 steals in 6 attempts, and with Alexi Casilla failing, Punto could be in line for some playing time. If you are desperate for steals in AL-only leagues, you may want to give him a shot for his speed and hope lady luck gives you some batting average upside.
Nomar Garciaparra: Garciaparra appears to be at least a couple of weeks away from returning from his strained calf injury. It has been three years now since the soon-to-be 36 year old has put up any kind of numbers that resemble the player he was in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Now he has league average power, 20 extra-base hits in 211 AB over the last two seasons, no speed, 1 steal in that same time period, and poor plate patience, 2008/2009 BB%’s of 8%/4%. If he played regularly, he would be worth a spot on a fantasy roster, but since he is also constantly injured, let someone else deal with him.
Robinson Tejeda: Tejeda, who has been out since May 20 with shoulder tendonitis, is about a week away from returning to the Royals. He has pitched well out of the bullpen the last two years, 2008/2009 ERA’s of 3.97/2.65, and has displayed an ability to make hitters miss, K/9’s of 8.9/12.2. However if he doesn’t rein in the walks, BB/9’s of 4.9/6.9, the combination of poor control and too many fly balls, FB%’s of 48%/43%, will lead to serious trouble. He is too risky to even use in AL-only leagues.
Sidney Ponson: Ponson is aiming for a late June return from his strained elbow injury. In 43.1 innings this year, Ponson has been pounded, 1-5 record with a 7.27 ERA. He has suffered some tough luck, 56% strand rate and a .344 BHIP%, but with his skill set, 5.0 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, and a 54% GB%, he will always be at the mercy of his team’s defense and the luck of the bouncing ball. You can safely ignore him in all formats.
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