Jose Lima died yesterday at the age of 37 after suffering a major heart attack. In a career with its ups and downs, Jose was always entertaining. It’s as if he was part baseball player and part wrestler. It’s sadly ironic that he suffered the fate that many wrestlers have met in dying prematurely.
RIP Jose. You were one of a kind and you will be missed.
With Grey in mourning, I’ll soldier on with the rest of Sunday’s news…
Homer Bailey – The odyssey of owning Homer continues as, after 2 straight promising starts (16 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 10 Ks), he was pulled in the 3rd inning with a sore shoulder. Word out of Cincinnati is it was just precautionary and he might even make his next start. Bailey owners – Congrats? Sorry? I don’t know…
Alfredo Simon – Simon is out anywhere from a couple days to two weeks with a hamstring strain. At what point do Oriole relievers just say, “Thanks but no thanks” when offered the closer job? Cla Meredith is probably the best bet for saves but I wouldn’t drop anyone of significance for him.
Kerry Wood – How many times would Kerry Wood not suck if the Indians could trust Wood? Well, he finally netted his first save of 2010 on Sunday. The job is his unless he really stinks it up over the next month. Own him for SAGNOF and cut bait on Chris Perez in all but AL-only leagues.
Zack Greinke – Greinkes! Things got a bit Rockie for the Zack Attack as he finally earned his first loss of the year after giving up 7 ER in 3 1/3 IP. ERA, WHIP, and Ks are all well and good but 1 win? Even Oswalt has 2 wins. Maybe Greinke should request a trade of the other 24 rostered Royals.
Edwin Encarnacion / Jose Bautista – A HR for each player in the win against the Diamondbacks. That’s 4 in 2 days for E-squared and 7 in 9 games for Bautista. Is Toronto putting baseballs in a dehumidor this year?
Mat Latos / Clayton Richard – Both Hodgepadres shut down the Mariners over the weekend giving up 1 ER each over a total of 13 IPs. Latos has a 3.28 ERA now and that’s only the 3rd best (behind Garland and Richard). Stay stingy, San Diego.
Jason Bay – Tripled his season HR total with 2 HRs off CC Sabathia in a 6-4 Mets win. 4 more games like that and he’s a HR ahead of Rod Barajas!
Scott Rolen – Someone else must be drinking from the same fountain of youth as Vernon Wells. Rolen hit HRs #9 and #10 in the Battle of Shaker Heights. There’s no way he’ll keep this pace but he’s probably good for at leat another 10 HRs this year IF he stays healthy. Congratulations to anyone who picked up Rolen early and on that note…
Aramis Ramirez – Condolences to anyone who bought a vial of Aramis this year as it stinks. Oh Aramis, why won’t you listen to Rudy Jaramillo? If he could resurrect Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd, he could salvage you too. In any case, Aramis has a bum thumb and will be out for a couple of days. Time for some tough love and let him use that bum thumb to hitchhike his way off your team.
Ben Sheets / Gio Gonzalez – Owners brave or absent enough to hold onto Sheets after his Deliverance-inspired starts @TB (4 IP / 8 ER) and @TOR (3.1 IP 9 ER) have gotten 3 quality starts in 4 starts with Sunday’s being the best (6 IP, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks). G-squared did him better with 8 shutout innings on Saturday for his 5th win of the year. Both SPs are worth owning in all formats at this point except Fantasy Razzball (the only league I drafted Gonzalez in – doh!).
Mike Napoli – A 3-run HR. 4 HRs in 6. If he’s still available, best to grab him before Scoscia changes his mind and benches him again.
Hank Blalock – Got a rare start at 3B – in place of New Era – and responded with a HR. Doubtful he’ll get 3B-eligibility this year but it’s just nice to see him getting playing time. Wouldn’t want him in a 12-team MLB league but 25 HR power looks awfully good in deeper leagues even if the other stats will be lacking.
Roy Halladay – 6 ER in 5 2/3 IP as he lost in an unlikely duel with Tim Wakefield. He took it like a man though – egging on the Sawx with “I’ll be your huckleberry” as he took hit after hit.
