Monday, August 15, 2011, 8:04 AM
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Fantasy]
I learned a lesson this weekend: If I tweet too much, my employers could very easily demote me for it. After all, that's what happened to Marlins OF Logan Morrison.
Brandon McCarthy got pummeled on Friday, Jake Peavy wasn't good enough on Saturday, and Dontrelle Willis reverted to his usual bad form on Sunday before leaving with a sore forearm. The rough weekend dropped the "smart plays" record to 79-49; today's picks are here.
On to the news:
* After having his next scheduled start pushed back a few days, Braves SP Tommy Hanson has been placed on the DL due to shoulder tendinitis. Remember that last week's MRI showed no structural damage in Hanson's shoulder, so don't panic, especially since he's penciled in to pitch again next Monday. However, going on the DL with the same ailment twice in a season isn't encouraging, and Hanson hasn't been good lately. Hanson's leash just got shorter for fantasy owners.
* On the bright side for the Braves, catcher Brian McCann returned to the lineup on Sunday. Activate him if you've got him.
* The Yankees expect 3B Alex Rodriguez to come off the DL sometime during their series with the Twins that begins on Thursday. File this factoid away for next year's draft season: A-Rod hasn't played more than 138 games since 2007.
* Twins OF Denard Span has been struggling after returning from a concussion, and asked for the day off on Sunday. AL-only owners should start searching for replacements for Span.
* In this story, Ozzie Guillen appears to say that the White Sox now have a co-closer arrangement between Chris Sale and Sergio Santos. Sale has gotten two saves in the last 10 days, and is worth an AL-only pickup.
* Brandon Belt hit two homers on Sunday, and because of that he'll be in the Giants' lineup again tonight. Don't get too attached to him, though, because if the Giants have shown one thing, it's that they're good at jerking Belt around.
* Shin-Soo Choo is one-for-seven in two games since coming off the DL on Friday. You pretty much have to start Choo if you have him.
* The Marlins aren't sure when SS Hanley Ramirez will return to action. Happy Monday, Ramirez owners!
* Tigers OF Brennan Boesch (thumb) returned as a pinch hitter on Sunday after missing a few games, and hopes to be in the lineup tonight.
* Mariners 1B Justin Smoak broke his nose and his cheekbone after a ground ball took a bad hop toward his face over the weekend. He'll miss a couple of weeks. I had a bad hop grounder hit me in the mouth when I was an eight-year-old second baseman. I picked the ball up, threw out the runner, and stayed in the game despite spitting blood. I'm just saying.
* Looking for a keeper league target/NL-only reliever for the stretch run? Check out the game Diamondbacks' super prospect Trevor Bauer pitched last night. The D-backs probably won't let Bauer take Jason Marquis' slot in the rotation; Marquis might be done for the season after breaking his leg on Saturday.
* Blue Jays' speed demon Rajai Davis is on the DL with a torn hamstring. Davis hasn't been playing much lately, and there's no timetable for his return. You can waive him unless you're in an AL-only league with a DL spot available.
* The Cardinals might skip Jaime Garcia's next start while fixing his mechanics. We should know for sure in a day or two.
* The A's have called up 1B/OF Brandon Allen. Allen had three hits on Sunday, but will back up Conor Jackson for the time being. When the A's realize that Allen is one of the best two or three power hitters on their roster, they'll let him play. AL-only owners should make a play for him now.
* It doesn't sound like the Mets will get SS Jose Reyes back on August 23, which is when he's eligible to come off the DL.
* Finally, let's all wish Carlos Zambrano well in his retirement. Until he comes back, anyway.
See you back here tomorrow morning.