David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox
Ortiz began his rehab stint for Triple-A Pawtucket yesterday, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. He is aiming for 20 ABs in Triple-A before making his 2013 debut for the Red Sox. According to ESPN Boston, Ortiz "feel's alright." He did run the bases with seemingly no problem and it's not like Papi is a leer jet on the basepaths anyways, but the good news is that he is on track to return a week from now on April 19th. Last season, the big fella hit .318 with 23 long balls and 60 RBI in just 90 games, so injuries have haunted him recently, but he will be a most welcome addition to (currently first place) Boston and Manager John Farrell.
Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland Indians
It's looking like Santana could play today after somewhat lucking out on the last two games being rained out as he heals from a left wrist contusion. He suffered the injury on Monday when he was hit by a pitch from reliever Chris Perez after they were crossed up on signs. He remains day-to-day, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, but all signs do point to him playing tonight--or tomorrow at the latest--against the division rival White Sox. Santana has been a problem for opposing pitching early on, batting an even .500 with two homeruns and five runs batted in. Santana has shown the ability to produce runs in his tenure with the league, but the sizzling average early on is a welcome sight to fantasy owners everywhere.
Prince Fielder, 1B
Fielder continued his hot hitting last night, recording two hits (one double), two walks and driving in four runs, giving him 14 RBI on the season. The "Big Vegetarian," as I like to call him is hitting a mean .355 through his first 31 at-bats (11 hits) and is driving in more runs now that he has the protection of Victor Martinez in the lineup, something he ceased to have the luxury of last season. 30+ HR and 110 RBI by the end of the year is as close to a guarantee in baseball as it gets.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oakland Athletics
The 27-year old AL West slugger is off to a bit of an auspicious start for Oakland in 2013, hitting just over the Mendoza line at .211. He did notch his third homerun of the season last night, a mammoth blast over the center field wall measuring 436 feet off of RP Sean Burnett. Cespedes was a very hot commodity during draft season, flying up peoples big boards because of his rare combination of speed and power. He has also walked four times this season, putting him on pace for about 65 this year, slightly above last years walk totals (43 BB in 129 games). Keep him in your lineups, he will start to heat up eventually and it's not like he's hitting so badly that he is ruining your statistics.
Felix Hernandez, SP, Seattle Mariners
Hernandez was hit hard for the second straight outing, taking the loss in a 4-3 ballgame that saw the Rangers record 10 hits off the Mariner's Ace, including a solo-HR by catcher A.J. Pierzynski. His ERA still sits at 3.05, a very good number, but after surrendering eight runs (seven earned) in his last 15 innings of work, it is a cause for concern although the Rangers aren't slouches with the lumber. Now that Seattle finally has a little pop in it's lineup, the expectations are high for the 27-year old right hander, but I wouldn't look too far into it. Four runs isn't a disastrous outing and they don't call him "King Felix" for nothing.
