Around the NL: Nolasco debuts, Rollins third
What's been going on around the National League in the past week? Tristan H. Cockcroft takes a quick-hitting look at the news and notes for each of the 16 NL teams:
Atlanta Braves: The Braves' trade of Ryan Langerhans is curious, not because he was batting .068 through 20 games, but more because he had started all 11 of the team's games against right-handers, and was talked up as the clearly better defender than Matt Diaz in left field. Diaz is easily the better batsman of the two, defense aside, and you can't make a case against him starting against right-handers, as he has a .343 batting average and .838 OPS against them since 2006, better than his .291/.787 numbers against lefties. He should get the bulk of the at-bats in left field looking forward, and with those numbers, even mixed-league owners should consider adding him. … Every Monday has its surprising late disabled-list move, and this week's was closer Bob Wickman hitting the DL with an upper back strain. He had been largely ineffective in the past week, with two blown saves and five earned runs allowed in 1 2/3 innings in his past three appearances, so at least the DL move could serve as an explanation for his performance. Rafael Soriano might appear the best bet for saves as the right-hander in the Atlanta bullpen, but I'd grab Mike Gonzalez based on how he has looked so far. His 1.74 ERA and past experience in the role could earn him the first save chance in Wickman's absence, and as fantasy owners know, sometimes it's that first shot that earns a pitcher a long-term role.
Florida Marlins: Ricky Nolasco, who won the fifth-starter role out of spring training, will finally get to take his first turn in that spot when he's activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. He has been sidelined since an April 6 relief appearance -- his spot was skipped the first time through -- due to a tender elbow, but had a 1.50 ERA in two rehabilitation appearances for Class A Jupiter. Nolasco isn't an elite prospect, ranking only eighth among Marlins by Baseball America in 2006, but keep in mind he managed seven quality starts in 12 tries for the big club after the All-Star break, after recording a 3.41 ERA and 1.26 WHIP for his minor league career. He's capable of handling average or worse major league offenses, making him an intriguing NL-only matchups option.
New York Mets: The Mets' rotation -- with the exception of Mike Pelfrey -- has been stellar thus far, ranking second in the majors in ERA (3.07) through Monday, but that number already began to decline after Orlando Hernandez landed on the DL. He was diagnosed with bursitis in his shoulder, likely ensuring that for the eighth consecutive season, he'll fall short of the 30-start plateau. In his place, the Mets turn to Chan Ho Park, whose 7.29 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and .299 BAA in four starts for Triple-A New Orleans is hardly a safe-looking stat line. Plus, he managed only four innings in his first start for the Mets on Monday, allowing seven runs on eight hits. Don't bother adding Park, though you NL-only Pelfrey owners, this does increase the likelihood he gets another couple turns in the rotation. … Jose Valentin also hit the DL on Monday with a knee problem, leaving second base to a mix of Damion Easley and Ruben Gotay. Easley should receive the bulk of the playing time, though his rates against right-handers -- .219/.665 since 2005 -- are scary-looking numbers. His .274/.899 stats against left-handers are good enough to give him some short-term NL-only value, but keep in mind that's the main reason he was signed in the first place, to spot in for Valentin against lefties on occasion.
Philadelphia Phillies: Jimmy Rollins has batted third in the order twice in the past 10 games, coincidentally both times when Ryan Howard sat against a left-hander. That's not enough to declare it a trend, but it's an interesting experiment that the team might want to consider more in the coming weeks. For one thing, his on-base percentage, while .366 to date, was .334 in his best year in 2006 and is .330 for his career, both numbers noticeably below the major league average of .347 from the leadoff spot. For another, Rollins' slugging percentage rose to a career-high .478 in 2006 and is .613 this year, both numbers above the MLB average of .448 from a No. 3 hitter. He's tied with Ian Kinsler for the second-most homers (9) in the majors, and hitting lower in the order could mean additional RBI chances. Sure, Rollins' appeal as a base stealer might be diminished hitting in a run-producing spot, but he's swift enough to swipe 30-plus bags, and with the hitting prowess he has displayed the past year-plus, he could be a 30-homer, 100-RBI man in the No. 3 hole.
Washington Nationals: Did John Patterson turn the corner on Monday? The right-hander, 0-4 in his first five starts, turned in his first quality-start effort of the season, limiting the Padres to one run on four hits in six innings. That earned him his first victory since April 15, 2006, a span of 11 starts, but more importantly, Patterson's command seemed a bit better than it was in any of his previous turns this year. A lack of velocity -- he hovered in the high 80s -- was one of his common complaints, and he walked a disturbing 17 batters in 23 1/3 innings in his first five starts, a rate well above the 2.95 per nine innings he averaged in his last healthy season, in 2005. One such outing like this doesn't cure all Patterson's problems; after all, he's backed by the Nationals' bottom-ranked offense (3.12 runs per game). It does, though, help bring him closer to regular usefulness in NL-only formats, and another outing or two like this could earn him mixed-league matchups status once more.
Chicago Cubs: It's now official: Mark Prior is out for the season following surgery last Tuesday. Dr. James Andrews performed a debridement of the right-hander's rotator cuff as well as repair of labral and capsular injuries in the shoulder. Check back on Prior's status once 2008 spring training opens, but be prepared for the very real possibility that we never see him return at close to his 2002-03 peak form. … So long as he continues to hit, Ryan Theriot is going to force manager Lou Piniella to keep finding creative ways to get him into the lineup. Now, I'm hardly the biggest Mark DeRosa fan as an everyday second baseman, thinking he's better suited as a play-anywhere-four times-a-week utility man, but with DeRosa offering respectable .267/.865 rates so far, shortstop has been the next-most logical place for Theriot to play. Sure enough, Theriot has started each of the Cubs' last four games ahead of .200-hitting Cesar Izturis, an arrangement that could continue as long as the former continues to hit. While some might question whether Theriot will keep hitting, citing his .271 career minor league mark, consider that he batted .304 at Double-A West Tenn in 2005, and .304 at Triple-A Iowa in 2006, before registering a .328 mark in 53 games for the Cubs last season. He's capable of -- at worst -- a .280 batting average and decent speed (think 20-25 steals), making him a decent NL-only middle infielder.
Cincinnati Reds: Ken Griffey Jr. hasn't been the healthiest fella throughout his Reds career, but this year, it seems he's dogged by even worse luck in that department than in seasons past. A broken hand he suffered while wrestling with his kids in December cost him much of spring training, then he missed four games last week with diverticulitis, a disease of the bowel. He returned last Tuesday, but has since missed each of the Reds' past four games with pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs. In between all of that, Griffey hasn't shown much at the plate (his .770 OPS is his worst since his rookie year of 1989) or in the field (career-worst .946 fielding percentage), leading some to wonder how much he has left to offer fantasy owners. Josh Hamilton continues to perform too well not to use on an everyday basis, so Griffey owners should be particularly concerned he could lose additional at-bats to the rookie in the long haul.
Houston Astros: To think, rookie Hunter Pence was the Astros' most effective hitter during spring training -- .571 AVG in 19 games -- yet despite his efforts, he couldn't even earn an opening-day roster spot in what appeared one of the game's thinner outfields. Well, on Saturday, the Astros corrected their mistake, recalling Pence from Triple-A Round Rock and installing him as their everyday center fielder. He simply tore up the Pacific Coast League, with .341/.986 rates in 22 games, and his .302/.932 career minor league numbers entering the season suggest All-Star upside in the long term. Pence has batted sixth in each of his first two starts, a role that could mean a .280-plus batting average, 20-plus homers and plenty of RBI chances taking into account his talent, the ballpark and the lineup. He's worth an immediate pickup in all but the shallowest of mixed leagues -- and even then, I'd take the chance as a reserve -- but his emergence is devastating to Chris Burke owners. Burke returns to a utility role, limiting his appeal to deeper NL-only formats.
Milwaukee Brewers: Ben Sheets is set to make his scheduled start on Tuesday night, though for a brief time, a groin problem seemed to threaten his status for the assignment. He left his last start last Wednesday after three scoreless innings, and at the time the team feared he might require a DL stint. Fortunately, an MRI revealed no muscle tears, and he reported no problems with his throwing session last Saturday. Sheets should be fine for now, though any injury issues shouldn't be treated lightly with the right-hander, as he made only 39 starts combined from 2005 to '06. Fortunately, it's a good sign that his walk rate this season (1.50 per nine innings) is right in line with his career number (1.88), though it'd be nice to see him bring up his strikeout rate (3.90, down from 7.69 career) to offer more proof that he's at peak form.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Though Salomon Torres ranks among the game's top 10 closers in saves (8, tied for sixth), questions still surround the right-hander in the long haul. He's also tied for the big league lead in blown saves (3) and has a 6.75 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, hardly numbers that inspire faith in his ability. Consider that since he managed to convert all four of his save chances in the regular season's first week, Torres has blown three of seven opportunities, allowing eight earned runs in eight innings during that span. Sure, he has converted back-to-back chances, tightening his grip on the role, but Matt Capps' numbers in the set-up role -- 0.63 ERA, .184 BAA in 15 appearances -- shouldn't be overlooked. Torres doesn't have much margin for error so long as Capps continues to pitch this well, and at this stage of the year, I'd call Capps a mandatory handcuff.
St. Louis Cardinals: Though the Cardinals struggled through bad news this past weekend, one promising bit of news did break, that of ace Chris Carpenter's progress with his elbow injury. The right-hander threw a bullpen session on Saturday and reported no problems, paving the way for a simulated game on Tuesday, putting him another step closer to a return to the rotation. He tossed around 60 pitches in the session, and didn't have any issues with the bone spurs that plagued him when he last made such an attempt in early April. Carpenter will still need to display similar progress following his simulated game, and he might need another one or two simulation games or a brief rehabilitation start before being activated, but it appears today like he might have a shot to return by mid-May.
Arizona Diamondbacks: A quick look at the leaderboards today reveals Diamondbacks closer Jose Valverde as the leader of the saves pack with 10 (tied with Milwaukee's Francisco Cordero). Once again, the right-hander is off to a hot start, and seemingly showing signs of being on his way to a breakout campaign. Such a performance, though, isn't unprecedented. Valverde owners from a year ago will surely be quick to remind you that he had 12 saves in 13 chances, a 2.20 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings through May 16 last season, similar to his 10-of-11/1.64/12-11 numbers of 2007. It's not his ability that constantly gets called into question; it's his durability. Go back to Valverde's final two months of 2005, when he had 12 saves, a 1.42 ERA and 27 K's in 25 1/3 innings, and it's clear he has it in him to dominate over half-season spans. It's asking a full season from him that's risky business. This could be the year Valverde puts it all together, but then I said that last year, too, and keeping in mind the turnover rate among closers, if you own him, be forewarned that he's a long-term gamble.
Colorado Rockies: Rookie catcher Chris Iannetta has struggled mightily, which begs the question: Were the Rockies too quick to let veteran Javy Lopez go in the preseason? Perhaps not, but Iannetta's performance to date -- .158/.511 and 18 K's in 38 at-bats -- might not be far from earning him a trip back to the minors. His .303/.927 career minor league rates do suggest he has the talent to make a fantasy impact this season, at least as a No. 2 catcher, and to date, Iannetta has at least done a decent job drawing walks, with eight in 49 plate appearances. The Rockies, though, need better production from him, especially in light of the fact that No. 6 hitter Brad Hawpe really has no reliable lineup protection right now. If you're an Iannetta owner in an NL-only or larger mixed league, keep him reserved for now, but NL-only owners should look at Yorvit Torrealba as a spot No. 2 option in his home games for as long as Iannetta's struggles continue.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Chad Billingsley, he of the 5.93 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in nine appearances, is in danger of a demotion to Triple-A ball to clear a roster spot for Yhency Brazoban, and while it seems like a crazy thought, I say he should be demoted. The Dodgers clearly have no immediate plans for Billingsley, not with Mark Hendrickson and Brett Tomko holding down the back two spots in the rotation for now, and it'd be better for the youngster to be a regular starter in the minor leagues at this stage of his career than to toil in middle relief at the big league level. That's not the kind of role that will allow Billingsley outings long enough to make the necessary adjustments to his command, like lowering the 5.64 walks per nine innings ratio he now has in his big league career. Even if he's demoted, keep him on hand in NL-only leagues, but it's looking like he might need a turnaround in Triple-A ball before he'll be of use in fantasy again.
San Diego Padres: Manager Bud Black has been breaking from his traditional straight platoon in left field, as Jose Cruz Jr.'s hot start has earned him starts in eight of the team's past 11 games, with five of those starts coming against right-handers. Wasn't he supposed to be the lefty-killer portion of the platoon? Cruz sure hits 'em, at 9-for-22 (.409 AVG) with two home runs to date, and .300/.915 rates since 2003. Compare those to his .231/.749 rates against right-handers since 2003, and it's clear the Padres had the right idea in the first place. Cruz probably won't be able to sustain his early-season performance, meaning he's a ride-him-while-he's-hot player you shouldn't count on for much longer. Terrmel Sledge, though, might not be the long-term answer, either. His .265/.815 career numbers against right-handers do indicate the potential to steal the bulk of the at-bats, but his best-case scenario has him useful primarily in NL-only formats. Don't be surprised if San Diego's in the trade market for a left fielder by midseason.
San Francisco Giants: Let's officially begin the Tim Lincecum watch. The No. 10 pick overall in last year's draft is off to a fantastic start at Triple-A Fresno, with a 4-0 record, 0.29 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .119 BAA, 13.35 K/9 … Need I go on? No. 5 starter Russ Ortiz might be pitching well enough to keep his rotation spot for now, with a 2-1 record and 4.50 ERA, but does anyone really believe that will last? His WHIP is 1.54 and his BAA .317, not pretty numbers, and don't underestimate the possibility of an injury creating an opening. Lincecum is pitching too well to keep in the minors, and he certainly has Jered Weaver/Anibal Sanchez 2006-type potential. If you're in a league with deep enough benches and he's available, Lincecum is well worth stashing right now. He and Matt Cain could comprise one of the league's most formidable one-two punches, as soon as 2008.
Tristan H. Cockcroft covers fantasy sports for ESPN.com. You can e-mail him here.
