By Eric Radom

Some Notes:
• It is time to start assessing your needs and addressing them. Continue to target players who are off to slow starts. 
• Injuries continue to pile up. See below.
• Interleague play starts next week. Be aware of designated hitters playing in National League parks.
• Somebody wake me up. It is almost June and the Orioles have the best record in the American League.
• The Seattle Marlins closer job is still up for grabs. My money is still on Heath Bell in the long term.
• Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hit his third home run of the season May 17, and it went to right-center field, which means he is officially back on track.
• Rafael Soriano now has a two-week audition as Yankees closer with the injury to David Robertson. If he excels, he may keep the job. After all, they are paying him like a closer. 
• White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Adam Dunn would play left field instead of Dayan Viciedo in National League parks.
• Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig is on the shelf again. He looks to be another guy that plays great when healthy, but cannot stay healthy.
• The injuries have begun already for St. Louis right fielder Carlos Beltran. It was fun while it lasted.
• The Dodgers continue to play well without center fielder Matt Kemp, with excellent pitching from Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano, but Kemp's hamstring injury could derail his Triple Crown chances.
• White Sox pitcher Chris Sale talked himself back into the rotation, where he continues to excel.
• Who would have thought catcher Carlos Ruiz would be the savior for the Phillies’ offense?
• Jose Bautista is heating up for the Blue Jays, but why would they need him when they have Edwin Encarnacion?
• Orioles center fielder Adam Jones seems to be turning into a clutch home-run hitter.    
• Grant Balfour lost his closer job to Brian Fuentes in Oakland, and he was not happy about it. Watch out for Ryan Cook to swoop in at some point.    

The Infirmary:

AL East:
• Brian Roberts could return in June from a concussion.
• Zach Britton is out until at least May with a shoulder injury.
• Andrew Bailey is out until at least July with thumb surgery.
• Nolan Reimold is out until at least late May with a bulging disc in his neck.
• Daisuke Matsuzaka is out until at least June after elbow surgery.
• Carl Crawford is out until at least mid-July with a sprained elbow.
• Michael Pineda is out for the season with a torn labrum.
• Kyle Farnsworth has an elbow strain and is out until at least June.
• Sergio Santos is out until at least mid-May with a strained shoulder.
• Dustin McGowan has a sore foot. He could be back in May.
• Jacoby Ellsbury badly hurt his shoulder and is out until at least June.  
• Mariano Rivera is out for the season with a torn ACL.
• Mark Reynolds is out until at least late May with a strained oblique. 
• Kevin Youkilis may be back next week from a back injury.
• Jeff Niemann is out until at least late June with a fractured foot.   
• Brett Gardner is out until at least June with an elbow injury. 
• Evan Longoria is out 4-8 weeks with a partial tear in his hamstring.
• Desmond Jennings is out until at least late May with a sprained knee.
• Ivan Nova is day-to-day with a foot injury.  
• Evan Longoria is out 4-8 weeks with a partial tear in his hamstring.
• Brett Lawrie is suspended four games for assaulting an umpire with a batting helmet. 

AL Central:
• Grady Sizemore had back surgery and is out until at least June.
• Jonathan Sanchez is out until at least late May with biceps tendinitis. 
• Victor Martinez is out until at least August with a torn knee.
• Joakim Soria is out for the season with a torn elbow.
• Lorenzo Cain is out until at least mid-June with a groin strain.
• Josh Tomlin is out until at least late May with a wrist injury. 
• Salvador Perez is recovering from knee surgery. He hopes to be back in June.
• Scott Baker is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Jose Valverde is day-to-day with a back strain.  
• Danny Duffy is out for the season with a torn elbow ligament.
• Ryan Doumit is day-to-day with a strained calf.
• Denard Span is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. 

AL West:
• Dallas Braden has had a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery.
• Franklin Gutierrez is out until at least late May with chest and foot injuries.
• Brandon Inge is out until at least late May with a groin injury. 
• Brett Anderson is out until at least August after elbow surgery.
• Manny Ramirez is suspended for the first 50 games of the season.
• Miguel Olivo is out until at least mid-May with a strained groin.
• Yoenis Cespedes is day-to-day with a strained hand.
• Chris Iannetta is out until at least late June with wrist surgery.  
• Coco Crisp is out until at least late May with an ear infection. 

NL East:
• Placido Polanco is day-to-day with a knee injury.
• Josh Thole is out at least a week with a concussion. 
• Vance Worley is out until at least late May with an elbow injury. 
• Ryan Howard will be out until at least late May with an infection in his repaired Achilles.
• Chase Utley has serious knee issues. He might try to come back in May.
• Michael Morse is out until at least early June with a strained lat.
• Drew Storen had bone fragments removed from his elbow. He will be out until July.
• Mike Pelfrey is out for the season with elbow surgery.
• Jason Bay is out until at least early May with fractured ribs.
• Jayson Werth is out until at least late July with a broken wrist. 
• Brad Lidge is out until at least late May after having surgery for a sports hernia. 
• Wilson Ramos is out for the season with a torn ACL. 

NL Central:
• Carlos Marmol is out until at least late May with a hamstring injury. 
• Ryan Madson is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Geovany Soto is day-to-day with a knee injury.  
• Allen Craig is out until at least mid-June with a hamstring injury.
• Chris Carpenter has no timetable for return with nerve issues in his shoulder and neck.
• Carlos Gomez is out until at least late May with a hamstring injury.  
• Carlos Beltran is day-to-day with a knee injury.  
• Mat Gamel is out for the season with a knee injury. 
• Scott Rolen is out until at least late May with a shoulder injury.  
• Jon Jay is out until at least late May with a shoulder injury.  

NL West:
• Stephen Drew should be back in early June from ankle surgery.
• Jorge De La Rosa is on track for a June return from elbow surgery.
• Matt Kemp is out until at least late May with a hamstring injury. 
• Carlos Quentin could be back by early May from a minor knee surgery.
• Chris Young could be back this weekend from his shoulder injury.
• Daniel Hudson is out until late May with shoulder tightness.
• Brian Wilson is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Cory Luebke is seeking a second opinion, but his elbow issue could require surgery.
• Pablo Sandoval is out until at least early June with a fractured wrist.
• Jhoulys Chacin is out until at least late May with a shoulder injury. 
• Juan Nicasio is day-to-day after being hit in the thigh with a line drive. 
• Juan Rivera is out until at least late May with a leg injury.
• Huston Street is out until at least late May with a shoulder injury. 

Top Performing Fantasy Players For 2012 (By Position)    

Top 15 Fantasy Catchers: Carlos Ruiz, Yadier Molina, Carlos Santana, Matt Wieters, A.J. Pierzynski, Mike Napoli, Brian McCann, Buster Posey, Ryan Doumit, A.J. Ellis, Jonathan Lucroy, J.P. Arencibia, Joe Mauer, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jesus Montero

Top 15 Fantasy First Basemen: Edwin Encarnacion, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Konerko, Bryan Lahair, Joey Votto, Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche, Freddie Freeman, Mark Trumbo, Prince Fielder, Michael Cuddyer, Prince Fielder, Chris Davis, Michael Young, Mitch Moreland

Top 15 Fantasy Second Basemen: Jason Kipnis, Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia, Omar Infante, Kelly Johnson, Jose Altuve, Mike Aviles, Dan Uggla, Robinson Cano, Ben Zobrist, Aaron Hill, Mark Ellis, Daniel Murphy, Dustin Ackley, Howie Kendrick

Top 15 Fantasy Shortstops: Starlin Castro, Rafael Furcal, Emilio Bonifacio, Derek Jeter, Elvis Andrus, Mike Aviles, Hanley Ramirez, J.J. Hardy, Asdrubal Cabrera, Ian Desmond, Alcides Escobar, Troy Tulowitzki, Dee Gordon, Jose Reyes, Jed Lowrie

Top 15 Fantasy Third Basemen: Edwin Encarnacion, David Wright, Miguel Cabrera, Emilio Bonifacio, Mike Aviles, Hanley Ramirez, Martin Prado, Adrian Beltre, David Freese, Jose Bautista, Brett Lawrie, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Headley, Chipper Jones, Evan Longoria

Top 25 Fantasy Outfielders: Josh Hamilton, Adam Jones, Carlos Beltran, Matt Kemp, Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Braun, Michael Bourn, Josh Reddick, Austin Jackson, Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Andre Ethier, Curtis Granderson, Emilio Bonifacio, Hunter Pence, Bryan Lahair, Matt Holliday, Shane Victorino, Jason Heyward, Alejandro De Aza, Melky Cabrera, Martin Prado, Jordan Schafer, Josh Willingham, Giancarlo Stanton

Top 25 Fantasy Starting Pitchers: Brandon Beachy, Lance Lynn, Justin Verlander, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Cain, Jered Weaver, Jake Peavy, Cole Hamels, Clayton Kershaw, Brandon Morrow, Yu Darvish, Stephen Strasburg, Roy Halladay, David Price, Wandy Rodriguez, Zack Greinke, James McDonald, CC Sabathia, Johnny Cueto, Kyle Lohse, Felix Hernandez, James Shields, Anibal Sanchez, Ted Lilly

Top 20 Fantasy Relief Pitchers: Fernando Rodney, Jim Johnson, Jonathan Papelbon, Jason Motte, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Perez, Santiago Casilla, Henry Rodriguez, Brett Myers, Joe Nathan, Joel Hanrahan, Rafael Betancourt, Kenley Jansen, Grant Balfour, Matt Capps, Sean Marshall, Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Broxton, Javy Guerra, Brandon League

Finds: Mitch Moreland, Dayan Viciedo, Brennan Boesch, Alcides Escobar, Casey Jannsen, Rafael Soriano, James McDonald, Felipe Paulino

Flukes: Elliot Johnson, Andy Dirks, Roger Bernadina, Alfonso Soriano, Aaron Harang, Felix Doubront, Scott Diamond, Kevin Millwood

Trade Bait: Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Reddick, Carlos Ruiz, Omar Infante, Gio Gonzalez, Gavin Floyd, Jarrod Parker, Erik Bedard

Trade Targets: Erick Aybar, Brennan Boesch, Neil Walker, B.J. Upton, Bud Norris, Tim Lincecum, Daniel Hudson, Ivan Nova

On Fire: Josh Reddick, Joey Votto, Jose Bautista, Adam Jones, David Wright, Andrew McCutchen, Bud Norris, Brandon Beachy, James McDonald, Yu Darvish

Ice Cold: Adam Lind, Howie Kendrick, Dee Gordon, Erick Aybar, John Danks, Ricky Nolasco, Chad Billingsley, Justin Masterson

Hot Pickups Of The Week: Raul Ibanez, Dayan Viciedo, Jose Tabata, Mark Ellis, Carlos Zambrano, Felipe Paulino, James McDonald, Bud Norris, Addison Reed

Last Week: Rafael Dolis, Casey Janssen, Dale Thayer, Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, Kyle Seager, Allen Craig, Henderson Alvarez, Josh Reddick

Two Weeks Ago: David Robertson, Edward Mujica, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Scott Downs, Pedro Alvarez, Jed Lowrie, Will Middlebrooks, Jarrod Parker, Chris Capuano

Fantasy MVP Pitcher For The Week: Bud Norris

Fantasy MVP Hitter For The Week: Joey Votto

Ut Oh Of The Week: Adam Lind has been so bad, the Blue Jays finally sent him down.  

Fantasy Baseball: Start 'Ems Of The Week 

Must-start Batters: Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Carlos Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Reyes, Troy Tulowitzki, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Joey Votto, Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler, Prince Fielder, Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton, Andrew McCutchen, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Santana, Hunter Pence, Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli, Mark Teixeira, Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Rodriguez, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Matt Wieters, Brian McCann, Jay Bruce, Ben Zobrist, Elvis Andrus, David Wright, Michael Bourn, Brandon Phillips, Joe Mauer, Michael Young, Brett Lawrie, Asdrubal Cabrera, Dan Uggla, Corey Hart, Miguel Montero, Jimmy Rollins, Desmond Jennings, Ichiro Suzuki, Paul Konerko, Andre Ethier, David Freese, Carlos Beltran, Adam Jones, Billy Butler, Buster Posey, Starlin Castro, Jason Heyward, Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Edwin Encarnacion, Yadier Molina, Rafael Furcal, Jason Kipnis, Shane Victorino

Others To Consider This Week: Aramis Ramirez, B.J. Upton, Alex Gordon, Kevin Youkilis, Michael Cuddyer, Drew Stubbs, Howard Kendrick, Neil Walker, Aaron Hill, Paul Goldschmidt, Cameron Maybin, Alex Rios, Jesus Montero, Ike Davis, Nick Markakis, Erick Aybar, Martin Prado, Gaby Sanchez, Nick Swisher, Logan Morrison, Brennan Boesch, Dexter Fowler, Jeff Franceour, Melky Cabrera, Lucas Duda, Delmon Young, Austin Jackson, Matt Joyce, Josh Willingham, Dee Gordon, Alex Avila, Yunel Escobar, J.J. Hardy, J.P. Arencibia, Dustin Ackley, Freddie Freeman, Russell Martin, Kelly Johnson, Jemile Weeks, Ian Desmond, Rickie Weeks, Mark Reynolds, Kendrys Morales, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Bryan Lahair, Mike Aviles, Jose Altuve, Tori Hunter, Adam Dunn, Mike Moustakas, Jordan Schafer, Eric Hosmer

Must-start Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay, Felix Hernandez, David Price, Jered Weaver, CC Sabathia, Tim Lincecum, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Jon Lester, Dan Haren, Mat Latos, Madison Bumgarner, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Cain, Ian Kennedy, C.J. Wilson, Ricky Romero, James Shields, Yu Darvish, Stephen Strasburg, Tommy Hanson, Matt Moore, Gio Gonzalez, Matt Garza, Jordan Zimmermann, Jake Peavy, Jonathan Papelbon, Fernando Rodney, Craig Kimbrel, Chris Perez , Henry Rodriguez, Rafael Betancourt, Joe Nathan, Huston Street, Santiago Casilla, John Axford, J.J. Putz, Jason Motte, Joel Hanrahan, Brandon Morrow, Jim Johnson

Others to consider this week: Max Scherzer, Josh Beckett, Shaun Marcum, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Hellickson, Colby Lewis, Trevor Cahill, Ervin Santana, Brandon Beachy, Derek Holland, Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley, Wandy Rodriguez, Ted Lilly, Johnny Cueto, Jaime Garcia, Bud Norris, Gavin Floyd, Edwin Jackson, Jonathon Niese, Brandon McCarthy, Adam Wainwright, Bartolo Colon, Lance Lynn, Kyle Lohse, Javy Guerra, Brandon League, Brett Myers, Jonathon Broxton, Sean Marshall, Josh Johnson, Carlos Zambrano, Jeff Samardzija, Addison Reed, Brian Fuentes, Casey Jannsen

And, now some other guys we like this week ... 

Sleepers Of The Week ...

Or, what DUD will become a STUD, at least for one week.

Hitters: Mitch Moreland, Jeff Franceour

Pitchers: Adam Wainwright, Hiroki Kuroda

Busts Of The Week ...  

Or, what STUD will become a DUD, at least for one week.

Hitters: Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau

Pitchers: Aaron Harang, Doug Fister

Posted May 18, 2012