By Eric Radom

Some Notes:
• It is time to assess and address your needs. Look for struggling players that are showing signs of life.
• Injuries continue to pile up. See below.
• Interleague play has ended. Designated hitters are back to being full-time players.
• It's time to start thinking about which teams are going to look to deal players, and how that will affect their values.
• Let's see whether the losses of pitchers CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte can slow down the Yankees. 
• It didn't take long for Toronto's Jose Bautista to become the league's home run leader again. 
• Arizona's Aaron Hill is the first player in more than 80 years to hit for the cycle twice in less than two weeks.  
• Kevin Youkilis fills a huge hole at third base for the White Sox, if he can stay healthy.  
• Tyler Clippard appears to be the Nationals' closer of the future now, even when Drew Storen returns.  
• Chase Utley is back and homered during his first at bat. Ryan Howard is right behind him, and the Phillies need both.  
• Arizona's Trevor Bauer had a less-than-stellar major league debut against the Braves, but he gets the Padres this week.
• Bauer should have a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation, thanks to Daniel Hudson's elbow injury, even when Joe Saunders returns. 
• Carlos Ruiz is having a career year when the Phillies need him the most. That guy is a winner.  
• It looks as if Jared Burton is the most likely option for saves in Minnesota while Matt Capps is on the disabled list.

The Infirmary:

AL East:
• Nick Markakis is out until at least early July with a hand injury.
• Zach Britton is back from his shoulder injury, but remains in the minors to build arm strength.
• Andrew Bailey is out until at least late July because of thumb surgery.
• Nolan Reimold is likely out for the season with a bulging disc in his neck.
• Clay Buchholz is out until at least early July with an illness. 
• Carl Crawford is out until at least mid-July with a sprained elbow.
• Brandon Morrow is out until at least early July with an oblique injury.
• Kyle Farnsworth could return this weekend from an elbow injury.
• Sergio Santos is out until at least July with a strained shoulder.
• Kyle Drabek is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Jacoby Ellsbury hurt his shoulder and is out until at least mid-July.
• Mariano Rivera is out for the season with a torn ACL.
• Josh Beckett should be back this weekend from a shoulder injury. 
• Andy Pettitte is out until at least late August with a fractured fibula. 
• Jeff Niemann is out until at least late June with a fractured foot. 
• Brett Gardner is out until at least mid-July with an elbow injury.
• Evan Longoria is out until at least early July with a partial tear in his hamstring.
• CC Sabathia is out until at least mid-July with a groin injury.
• Matt Joyce is out until at least early July with an oblique injury. 
• David Price is day-to-day with a strained back. 
• Scott Podsednik is out until at least early July with a groin injury.
• Henderson Alvarez is day-to-day with an elbow injury.
• Russell Martin is day-to-day with a back injury.
• Drew Hutchison is out until at least early August with an elbow injury.

AL Central:
• Grady Sizemore had back surgery and is out until at least July.
• Felipe Paulino is out for the season with an elbow injury. 
• Victor Martinez is out until at least August with a torn ACL.
• Joakim Soria is out for the season with a torn elbow ligament.
• Lorenzo Cain is out until at least early July with a torn hip flexor.
• Carl Pavano is out until at least early July with a shoulder injury. 
• John Danks is out until at mid-July with a shoulder injury.
• Chris Getz is out until at least early July with a leg injury.
• Kevin Youkilis is day-to-day with an illness.
• Carlos Santana is day-to-day with a back injury. 
• Matt Capps is out until at least early July with a shoulder injury. 
• Phil Humber is out until at least early July with an elbow injury.
• Brent Morel is out until at least early July with a back injury.
• Travis Hafner is out until at least early July with a knee injury.
• Lonnie Chisenhall is out until at least mid-July with a wrist injury. 

AL West:
• Dallas Braden has had a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery and might not return until July.
• Bartolo Colon is out until at least early July with an oblique injury.
• Brandon McCarthy is out until at least mid-July with a shoulder injury. 
• Brett Anderson is out until at least August after elbow surgery.
• Jerome Williams is out until at least early July with an illness.
• Mike Carp is out until at least July with a shoulder injury.
• Franklin Gutierrez is out until at least early July with a concussion.
• Chris Iannetta is out until at least early July with wrist surgery. 
• Vernon Wells is out until at least late July with a thumb injury.
• Kevin Millwood is day-to-day with a groin injury. 
• Neftali Feliz is out until at least July.
• Michael Saunders is day-to-day with an illness.
• Derek Holland is out until at least early July with a shoulder injury. 
• Alexi Ogando is out until at least mid-July with a groin injury.
• Mitch Moreland is out until at least late July with a hamstring injury. 

NL East:
• Brandon Beachy is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Martin Prado is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.  
• Ryan Howard has begun his rehab assignment after an Achilles injury.
• Roy Halladay is out until at least mid-July with a shoulder injury.
• Drew Storen had bone fragments removed from his elbow. He could come back in mid-July.
• Mike Pelfrey is out for the season with elbow surgery.
• Jason Bay is out until at least early July with a concussion. 
• Jayson Werth is out until at least late July with a broken wrist.
• Brad Lidge has been released by the Nationals. 
• Wilson Ramos is out for the season with a torn ACL.
• Emilio Bonifacio is out until at least mid-July with a hand injury.
• Frank Francisco is out until at least mid-July with an oblique injury.   

NL Central:
• Ryan Dempster is out until at least early July with a back injury. 
• Ryan Madson is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Ian Stewart is out until at least early July with a wrist injury.  
• Chris Carpenter has nerve issues in his shoulder and neck and could be back in late July or early August.
• Jaime Garcia is out until at least July with a shoulder injury.   
• Jose Altuve is out until at least early July with a hamstring injury.   
• Mat Gamel is out for the season with a knee injury.
• Lance Berkman is out until at least mid-July with a knee injury.  
• Matt Carpenter is out until at least late June with an oblique injury.
• Jonathan Lucroy is out until at least mid-July with a hand injury. 
• Shaun Marcum will miss at least his next start with an elbow injury.  
• Charlie Morton is out for the season with an elbow injury. 
• Justin Maxwell is out until at least late July with an ankle injury.   

NL West:
• Trevor Bauer is day-to-day with a groin injury. 
• Jorge De La Rosa could return in September from elbow surgery.
• Matt Kemp has a hamstring injury and could be back by mid-July.
• Juan Nicasio is out until at least late June with a knee injury.
• Troy Tulowitzki is out until at least July with a groin injury.
• Mark Ellis is out until at least early July with a leg injury.
• Brian Wilson is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Cory Luebke is out for the season with an elbow injury.
• Ted Lilly is out until at least July with a shoulder injury.
• Jhoulys Chacin is out until at least mid-July with a shoulder injury.
• Andre Ethier is day-to-day with an oblique injury. 
• Aubrey Huff is out until at least mid-July with a knee injury. 
• Tim Stauffer is out until at least late July with an elbow injury. 
• Jason Bartlett is out until at least mid-July with a knee injury.

Top Performing Fantasy Players For 2012 (By Position)  

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

Top 15 Fantasy First Basemen: Edwin Encarnacion, Joey Votto, Miguel Cabrera, Mark Trumbo, Prince Fielder, Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols, Michael Cuddyer, Paul Goldschmidt, Corey Hart, Adam LaRoche, Mark Teixeira, Freddie Freeman, Bryan Lahair

Top 15 Fantasy Second Basemen: Jason Kipnis, Ian Kinsler, Robinson Cano, Jose Altuve, Brandon Phillips, Mike Aviles, Aaron Hill, Omar Infante, Ben Zobrist, Dan Uggla, Marco Scutaro, Kelly Johnson, Dustin Pedroia, Neil Walker, Danny Espinosa

Top 15 Fantasy Shortstops: Starlin Castro, Elvis Andrus, Ian Desmond, Hanley Ramirez, Jimmy Rollins, Mike Aviles, Rafael Furcal, Derek Jeter, Asdrubal Cabrera, Alcides Escobar, Jose Reyes, Jed Lowrie, Dee Gordon, Marco Scutaro, Troy Tulowitzki

Top 15 Fantasy Third Basemen: David Wright, Edwin Encarnacion, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Bautista, Adrian Beltre, Martin Prado, Brett Lawrie, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Aviles, Alex Rodriguez, David Freese, Chase Headley, Kyle Seager, Mike Moustakas, Aramis Ramirez

Top 25 Fantasy Outfielders: Josh Hamilton, Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Braun, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Beltran, Mike Trout, Melky Cabrera, Adam Jones, Michael Bourn, Jose Bautista, Mark Trumbo, Alex Rios, Josh Reddick, Matt Holliday, Curtis Granderson, Alejandro De Aza, Hunter Pence, Giancarlo Stanton, Jason Heyward, Martin Prado, Angel Pagan, Shane Victorino, Austin Jackson, Jay Bruce, Josh Willingham, Dexter Fowler

Top 25 Fantasy Starting Pitchers: R.A. Dickey, Matt Cain, Justin Verlander, Chris Sale, Stephen Strasburg, Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels, Gio Gonzalez, James McDonald, Wade Miley, Johnny Cueto, Jered Weaver, Chris Capuano, C.J. Wilson, Zack Greinke, Jake Peavy, Clayton Kershaw, Brandon Beachy, Lance Lynn, David Price, Ryan Vogelsong, Felix Hernandez, Brandon Morrow, Kyle Lohse, CC Sabathia

Top 20 Fantasy Relief Pitchers: Fernando Rodney, Jim Johnson, Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, Joel Hanrahan, Joe Nathan, Chris Perez, Kenley Jansen, Ernesto Frieri, Jonathan Papelbon, Jason Motte, Santiago Casilla, Jonathan Broxton, Tyler Clippard, Rafael Soriano, Alfredo Aceves, Ryan Cook, Huston Street, Tom Wilhelmsen, Rafael Betancourt

Finds: Cody Ross, Daniel Murphy, Dayan Viciedo, Coco Crisp, Luke Hochevar, Mike Leake, Andrew Cashner, Franklin Morales

Flukes: Norichika Aoki, Tyler Colvin, Quintin Berry, David Murphy, Aaron Cook, Clayton Richard, Jared Burton, Clayton Richard

Trade Bait: Ryan Vogelsong, Jarrod Parker, Ubaldo Jiminez, Garrett Richards, Alex Rios, Colby Rasmus, Trevor Plouffe, Dustin Pedroia

Trade Targets: Bud Norris, Adam Wainwright, James Shields, Tyler Clippard, Justin Upton, Chris Young, Ryan Zimmerman, Logan Morrison

On Fire: Alex Rios, Michael Morse, Jimmy Rollins, Andrew McCutcheon, Felix Hernandez, David Price, Madison Bumgarner, Franklin Morales

Ice Cold: Justin Smoak, Zach Cozart, Brian Roberts, Brennan Boesch, Kelly Johnson, Ricky Romero, Jason Hammel, Jeff Samardzija, Doug Fister

Hot Pickups Of The Week: Trevor Bauer, Anthony Rizzo, Will Middlebrooks, Roy Oswalt, Jared Burton, Cody Ross, Dexter Fowler, Franklin Morales

Last Week: Trevor Plouffe, Ryan Cook, Brian Roberts, Clay Buchholz, Doug Fister, Mark Reynolds, Michael Saunders, Trevor Cahill

Two Weeks Ago: Jonathan Lucroy, Justin Morneau, Andy Pettitte, Mitch Moreland, R.A. Dickey, Tyler Clippard, Ervin Santana, Brennan Boesch

Fantasy MVP Pitcher For The Week: Felix Hernandez

Fantasy MVP Hitter For The Week: Alex Rios

Ut Oh Of The Week: The Dodgers are 1-9 during their last 10 games, and now Andre Ethier could be lost from that already-anemic offense. Matt Kemp, where are you?

Fantasy Baseball: Start 'Ems Of The Week   

Must-start Batters: Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Carlos Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Reyes, 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, Mike Trout

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, 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, Bryan Lahair, Mike Aviles, Jose Altuve, Torii 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, Dan Haren, Madison Bumgarner, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Cain, Ian Kennedy, C.J. Wilson, 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 , Rafael Betancourt, Joe Nathan, Huston Street, Santiago Casilla, John Axford, J.J. Putz, Jason Motte, Joel Hanrahan, Brandon Morrow, Jim Johnson, Tyler Clippard, R.A. Dickey, Lance Lynn

Others To Consider This Week: Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, Jeremy Hellickson, Colby Lewis, Trevor Cahill, Ervin Santana, Hiroki Kuroda, Chad Billingsley, Wandy Rodriguez, Johnny Cueto, Edwin Jackson, Jonathon Niese, Brandon McCarthy, Adam Wainwright, Bartolo Colon, Kyle Lohse, Tom Wilhelmsen, Brett Myers, Jonathon Broxton, Sean Marshall, Josh Johnson, Carlos Zambrano, Jeff Samardzija, Addison Reed, Brian Fuentes, Casey Janssen, Mat Latos, Ryan Cook, Jon Lester, Ricky Romero

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: Jose Reyes, Logan Morrison

Pitchers: Trevor Bauer, Homer Bailey

Busts Of The Week ... 

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

Hitters: Mark Teixeira, David Murphy

Pitchers: Chris Sale, Chad Billingsley

Posted June 30, 2012