BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Jay Gibbons could return later this week.  He should mostly be used as a DH, with occasional starts at first base.

No surprise that Russ Ortiz was removed from the starting rotation.  The next removal should be from a major league roster.

Hayden Penn has been activated from the DL and will make a few starts in the minors.  Penn has been impressive in 7 Triple-A starts, averaging almost a K per inning, while posting a 1.79 ERA.  He will definitely get a shot to start at some point and could be worth stashing on reserve.

Closer Chris Ray keeps rolling along, converting 24 of 25 save opportunities.  The one area of potential danger was walks.  But since June 1st, he has only issued 1 walk in 19.1 innings. 

BOSTON RED SOX

Tim Wakefield is expected to miss three to four weeks with a stress fracture on his ribcage.  Left-hander Kason Gabbard was called up to take his spot in the rotation.  In his first start in Seattle, he allowed 3 ER in 5.1 innings.  Gabbard started the season in Double-A, then was promoted to Triple-A, where he did not look good in 5 starts.  The Red Sox do not need a fifth starter until August 1st, so he will probably go back to the minors to stay sharp.  He is not recommended if he returns.

Matt Clement has not even begun a rehab assignment yet and is not expected back until at least September.  David Wells is scheduled to throw a simulated 5 inning game on Monday.  If all goes well, he will begin a minor league rehab assignment and could be back in the starting rotation in early August.

After batting just .186 in April, Alex Gonzalez has raised his average to .276.  What is surprising is the drop in his power skills since he hit 23 home runs in 2004.  Moving from Florida to Fenway was supposed to give his power a boost after a disappointing 2005.  But a half-season with the Red Sox has produced just 7 home runs and 13 doubles.  Don’t expect a rebound as he has just 5 doubles while playing at home with the inviting target of the Green Monster.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Robinson Cano is at least two weeks away from returning from an injured hamstring.  Miguel Cairo is safe to use in AL-only leagues in that time period. 

With a 2005 G/F ratio of 2.69 and a 3.89 this season, Derek Jeter’s days of 20+ home runs are over. Hitting that many balls into the ground, it is only a matter of time before less of them find holes, which should bring down his .344 batting average.  However, with 20 stolen bases in 22 attempts, he will keep running.

With 21 home runs and a .277 batting average, Alex Rodriguez is not on pace to equal 2005’s 48 home runs and .321 batting average.  His contact rate, G/F ratio, and batting eye are remarkably similar to last year numbers.  So look for a good second-half from ARod.  Maybe now that he is DHing more to take his mind off of his fielding problems will be the catalyst he needs to step it up to another level.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

After an impressive rookie season in 2005, Jonny Gomes seems to have taken a step back this year.  A closer look at his numbers reveals that the .282 batting average last year was over his head.  A 71% contact rate does not support an average that high.  This season his 69% contact rate is producing a .227 batting average.  However, the power is real.  Last year, in 348 AB, he hit 21 home runs with a G/F ratio of .57.  This season, in 313 AB, he has 19 home runs with a G/F ratio of .56.  If he continues to get AB, he will hit home runs, just be aware that a low batting average will come with it.

Free-swinging Jorge Cantu hacked his way to 28 home runs and 117 RBIs at 23 years of age last year.  This season, slowed down by an injured foot, he has just 8 home runs in 214 AB.  Though his contact rate is down from 86% to 80%, everything else has remained steady.  The 40 RBIs in just 56 games show that he is still hitting the ball hard.  Be patient with him.

After winning 4 of his first 5 career starts, Jamie Shields has been hit in his last 5 starts.  During this period, his strikeouts are down, his walks are up and he has had some problems with the longball.  Although he demonstrated some nice skills in his early starts, it is advisable to keep him reserved to see if he can work through this.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

The main beneficiary of Shea Hillenbrand’s departure is Eric Hinske.  Shuffling between third base, right field and DH, Hinske should play regularly against right-handers the rest of the way.  He has had a power resurgence this season with 10 home runs in just 157 AB.  Not facing left-handers will help his batting average, as his average against them in the last two seasons has hovered in the .170 area.  He should be active in all formats.

Gustavo Chacin in about a week away from beginning a minor league rehab assignment.  Look for his return in early August.

Lyle Overbay is on pace for a career year with 16 Home Runs, 58 RBIs and a .305 batting average.  The batting average is for real, as he has always displayed a good batting eye and has shown improvements in his contact rate.  However, the power is suspect.  A G/F ratio of 1.59, which is in-line with his career numbers, is a warning sign that the home runs could slow down in the second-half.