The Los Angeles Dodgers placed OF Manny Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.
Manny’s hammy became injured on Monday and he is expected to miss at least the next two weeks and possibly a third.
So far this year Manny is batting .322/.412/.525 which are rather enjoyable numbers, but what isn’t enjoyable, is the fact that he only has eight home runs in 183 at-bats.
Reed Johnson and Garret Anderson will see a boost in playing time, as will Xavier Paul.
Starting with Paul, he is hitting .295/.348/.410 with 18 hits and 8 RBI as well as 3 SB in only 61 AB and appears to be the best option out of the three, especially since he was recently recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque where he was smoking the ball—(.348/.404/.635, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 7SB, 63 H, in 181 AB).
Reed Johnson—the old Cubs throwaway—would be in line as a second, albeit lesser, fantasy option as he is hitting .276/.297/.366 with 34 hits, seven RBI, and a single SB in 123 AB. Johnson will probably be utilized for his defensive prowess against certain teams in certain situations, and shouldn’t have too much fantasy value even with Manny out.
Speaking of meaningless fantasy players, Garret Anderson could also see increased time but isn’t worth a squirt right now as he is hitting .189/.205/.291 with 24 hits, 11 RBI, a pair of dingers and a solo stolen base in 127 AB.
Here are some other short term options for you to consider:
Scott Podsednik-OF-Royals (57%): Podsednik is batting .375 (27 for 72) over the last 18 games and has raised his average to .293. Podsednik now has three four-hit games on the season to go along with 20 steals and 28 RBI, and is currently riding a six game hit streak.
J.D. Drew – OF – Red Sox (43%): Drew continues to show himself to be a top notch short term option (middle ground option in Al only leagues) as he is hitting .345 (10 for 29) with four homers and six RBIs over the last 11 games.
Scott Hairston – OF – Padres (2%): Hairston was activated from the 15 day DL on June 2nd, and struggled out of the gate, but those days seem to be behind him as Hairston is once again heating up.
Hairston is hitting .224/.314/.388 with 8 HR, 25RBI and 4 SB. Hairston’s numbers seem poor, but in reality they are a reflection of his time on the DL, and the slow return in early June. He and the Padres will face Washington and Colorado next; two teams that will offer a ton of offensive opportunities.
The last time Hairston faced the Rockies, coincidentally, he had five hits in 13 AB and drove in eight runs—3 of which came off of a three run homer against Jimenez—so don’t worry about the Padres offensive woes, you only have to take advantage of the ones actually providing fantasy points.
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