Hanley Ramirez (SS-FLA) - Ramirez was passed this year in fantasy drafts by Troy Tulowitzki as fantasy's #1 shortstop (at least we did here at Fantistics), but the disparity is growing by the at-bat. Tulo leads the NL in slugging percentage while Ramirez entered Sunday's game batting .194/.315/.258 with zero home runs. It's only April, and given that he's Hanley, the Marlins really have no choice but to continue to roll him out there in the hopes that the slump ends. He's even been caught in half his six SB attempts, though Ramirez does have a 1.10 EYE. Ramirez lost 101 points of OPS last year over 2009, though 21 HR and 32 SB made him a viable first-round pick. In watching the Marlins game Sunday, the announcers are dissecting his swing and it's very clear that last year's swing was far more compact, with the leg kick much lower. Seems like a couple mechanical adjustments in order. Not too worried here yet.
Chris Valaika (SS-CIN) - Valaika was recalled from Triple-A Louisville Sunday to fill in for the injured Scott Rolen (strained left shoulder). So who is this guy? Valaika rebounded from a tough 2009 to bat .304/.330/.408 in 424 at-bats for Louisville last year, but also had just four homers and a 0.26 EYE. It's hard to be too optimistic here, as Miguel Cairo will likely remain the starter at third base while Rolen is out. Valaika should play all over the infield, but watch his at-bats before picking him up.
Hong-Chih Kuo (RP-LAD) - Kuo is rehabbing a back injury and will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Monday. Assuming that goes well, Kuo should be back to the Dodgers later in the week. Considering Jonathan Broxton has a 5.19 ERA and 1.62 WHIP, it's not a stretch to think that Kuo could find himself closing games sooner rather than later given last year's 1.20 ERA from Kuo.
Armando Galarraga (SP-ARI) - It's still hard to believe this guy threw a pseudo-perfect. Sunday, Galarraga allowed six runs (two earned) over three innings, walking four, striking out five, and serving up home runs to David Wright and Jason Pridie. For the year, Galarraga sports a 6.00 ERA in 21 innings with a whopping eight homers and a 19:10 K:BB. The strikeouts are probably flukish given his previous record, but the D-backs have to be looking for a plan B right now. We're just not sure who that would be at this point. Zach Duke is probably out until June with a hand injury and Jarrod Parker has a 12.00 ERA in three starts for Double-A Mobile.
Antonio Bastardo (RP-PHI) - With Brad Lidge on the DL with a shoulder injury and Jose Contreras set to join him with a flexor injury, Ryan Madson is now the favorite to close in Philadelphia. Manager Charlie Manuel has never been too keen on Madson as his primary closer, so Bastardo deserves a look in deeper leagues. Bastardo earned his first save on Sunday, retiring one batter after Roy Halladay lasted "just" 8 2/3 innings and 130 pitches. Bastardo has yet to allow a run this year in 9.1 innings while striking out 14 and walking four. He's clearly found a home as the team's top LH reliever and now, late-inning specialist.
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