When doctors said Aaron Harang is going to have a useless part of his body removed, everyone in the Reds clubhouse thought the same thing, “What is Willy Taveras doing in Harang’s body?” If Dusty were a doctor, he would left Harang’s appendix in a few more innings. The appendectomy will force Harang to the DL for the rest of the season. Too bad, the Reds just traded for Rolen and things were really starting to come together. Feel free to cut Harang. He’s done-zo. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Chris Dickerson – Headed to the DL with a whatever-you-don’t-care. What you do care about, the Reds might call up Chris Heisey. He’ll be talked about in the afternoon post where I break down the potential September call-ups.
Adam Jones – He hurt his back while swinging the bat. He’s been terrible so far in August and now it sounds like he’ll be missing a few games at least. Cue an awkward dancing Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny Devito and turn on the Billy Ocean…
Scott Downs – Returns from the DL on Monday. Will he be the closer? Here’s what Gaston said, “I’m not sure about closing. I’m not sure about that. We’ll see how it goes. If he got here tomorrow and I said we’re going to stick him in the closer’s spot right away, I’m not sure if that’s fair to him either.” That is both wishy and washy.
Mark Reynolds – DNP with a 100-degree temperature. Get well soon, Mini Donkey!
Carlos Gonzalez – Out for up to a week after he cut his hand while cutting a piece of steak. Can’t they get Spilborghs to cut up his meat for him? After Barmes’s vension accident a few years ago, maybe the Rockies should go vegetarian during the summer months. Or only use chopsticks. Crab rangoon is delicious!
Seth Smith – With CarGo’s inability to handle a knife, Smith might see some short term time. He also has 2 homers in the last three games.
Ubaldo Jimenez – 8 IP, 2 ER, 9 Ks. If you owned only Rockie pitchers, you’d probably be doing better than you are in your leagues. Zoinks!
Fausto Carmona – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks. He’s actually had a full month of decent starts. Not great, decent. Check your modifiers, Razzball reader.
Jhonny Peralta – HR yesterday as he bats near .400 over the last week. Let me pull out my lukewarm endorsement…. If you really need an MI, what the hey?
Matt Diaz – 4-for-4 yesterday. It’s Dye-as. Usually only hits lefties, currently hitting everyone.
Pedro Martinez – 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 Ks. I swear, I keep thinking to myself he’s going 5 IP, 3 ER or 6 IP, 4 ER. I’m like the quiet psychic. This Fall on Fox, turn up the volume and watch as he solves mysteries while speaking just above a whisper… Robert Carlyle is The Quiet Psychic.
Angel Pagan – 2 HRs yesterday. See, there is a reason he was nominated for the Henry Aaron Award!
Jayson Werth – Hit his 29th homer yesterday. You gotta love when your third outfielder pans out. I know the feeling, I own Raul Ibanez on a few teams. (Though he’s been cold lately.) Third outfielders panning out make me horny! *Awkward silence at Razzball.com* Did Grey just say third outfielders… Yeah, that’s what I thought.
Ricky Nolasco – 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 12 baserunners. Here’s the deal, Nolasco. And I’m gonna break it down to you real simple like Jeff Foxworthy. One terrible game like the stinker vs. the Astros when you gave up 10 earned runs in just over three innings. That’s forgivable because you came back and pitched a complete game the next game. But when you follow that up with another stinker, you become unpredictable and harder to start. Thanks for listening, Nolasco. I’m glad we had this talk.
Alcides Escobar – Hit his first homer yesterday. After he crossed home, I screamed at the TV, “I have guys to hit homers. Steal a frickin’ base, doode!”
Adam Dunn – Hit his 33rd homer yesterday. If he doesn’t get to 40, Stephen Hawking will press a button on his Speak & Spell and blow up the Earth. Just so you know what we’re up against.
Drew Stubbs – He looks so lost at the plate, it’s kinda comical. Still has speed, will have bumps.
Homer Bailey – 7 IP, 1 ER. I’m glad he pitched a good game… Actually, I don’t care. What am I, his hypenate nephew-slash-personal assistant? No, I’m not. He gets the Dodgers next. Blech.
Scott Feldman – 7 IP, 0 ER, 11 Ks. Easily his best start of the year. I still can’t get fully behind starting him, but if you need to take some risk, then go for it.
Bud Norris – 1 IP, 6 ER as he roofied his owners. When thinking about starting a rookie, see Example A: Norris’s line.
Jake Fox – 4-for-4, HR yesterday. Can an AL team trade for him this winter? Please. I’d like to own him in the fantasy, but non-Biblical way.
Ryan Dempster – 7 IP, 4 baserunners, 0 ER, 5 Ks. Right side of the brain, Dempster beat the NL-best Dodgers yesterday. Left side of the brain, Dempster lost to the Padres last time out. So his next start vs. the Mets is a good thing or a bad thing? Damn conflicting sides of the brain!
John Smoltz – 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners and 9 Ks vs. Padres. If only the Red Sox played in Petco… Smoltz gets the Nats next time out. I’d roll the dice for another start, then reevaluate.
Jack Cust – 2 HRs yesterday. Cust is hitting near .500 in the last week with three homers. Few hitters get as streaky as Cust (though A-Rod comes close right after he gets out of the salon and has his frosted tips done).
