TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Despite some talk of playing right field or first base, Rocco Baldelli has returned to center field.

The Rays sent down struggling starting pitcher Doug Waechter and replaced him with Jamie Shields.  The early returns on Shields have been good, 3 starts, 2-0, 2.65 ERA, 16 K’s and just 6 walks in 17 IP.  He was very impressive in Triple-A prior to his recall and could be worth a shot in AL-only leagues.

Aubrey Huff is really struggling with a .185 batting average.  He is still making good contact and his batting eye is above average, which gives hope for a rebound. 

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Jay Gibbons will return to action on Monday and should be activated in all fantasy formats.

In his first two starts back from a DL stint, Daniel Cabrera is 2-0, with zero ER, 14 K’s and a 2.0 G/F ratio, covering 11 innings.  Before you get too excited consider that he has walked 11 batters in that span.  His ability to induce groundballs has been getting him out of trouble, but he will have to cut down on the walks for long-term success.

Despite a 7.80 ERA in 15 innings, rookie Adam Loewen will get at least one more start.  His last outing against Toronto of 11 hits and 5 ER in 5.1 innings was not as bad as it looked.  All 11 hits were singles.  He is still not recommended because of command issues in the minors.

BOSTON RED SOX

With David Wells expected to be out at least another few weeks, the Red Sox will have to decide whether David Pauley or Jon Lester will replace him in the rotation.  It appears that Boston is leaning towards Lester but neither should be a fantasy option.

Pauley is a groundball type pitcher with less than overpowering stuff.  Asking a 22 year old with those skills to make the jump from Double A is just too much, as the 19 ER he has allowed in 21 innings shows. 

Lester is considered the better prospect and was pitching well at Triple A, despite having some problems with command.  However, the four walks in 4.1 inning major league debut shows that he is not yet ready to contribute on the major league level.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Gary Sheffield will have surgery on his left wrist and will be out until September.  For now that guarantees Melky Cabrera regular playing time.  In his first 103 AB this season, Cabrera has been someone who will not hurt your fantasy, but not really help it either.  He has basically been a singles hitter with the ability to draw a walk.  Despite having some speed, he is just 2 for 4 in the SB department. 

The Yankees gave up on retreads Terrence Long and Richard Hidalgo.  That makes it even more likely that Erubiel Durazo will see a good number of AB in the second half with the major league club.  Right now he is playing his way into shape at Triple-A. 

Bubba Crosby should be back with the team on Tuesday.  He will split time in right field with rookie Kevin Thompson and Bernie Williams.  The Yankees would be better off playing Thompson regularly. 

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

It will not be much longer until the Jays pull the plug on the Edgardo Alfonzo as starting second baseman experiment.  Russ Adams has been playing second base in Triple-A.  If he shows he can handle the position defensively, he will be back as the starter soon. 

Gustavo Chacin was placed on the DL with a left elbow stain and could miss a month of action.  Josh Towers was recalled and should replace Chacin in the rotation.  Towers is not as bad as the 9.00 ERA he had in 10 starts before being sent to the minors.  However, as a fly ball pitcher with low strike outs, he has a thin margin for error.

In nine starts Casey Janssen is 5-3 with a 3.07 ERA.  The low K/9 of 4.37 will limit his upside.  But the low BB/9 of 1.3 and the high G/F of 2.02 also limits the risk.  Another good sign is that he is not getting hit hard the second or third time a team is seeing him.