| Players of the Week: July 14 - 20 |
| American League |
| Luke Scott |
 | Team: Baltimore Orioles |
| Pos: OF |
| Stats: He hit .538 (7-13) with four runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and six RBI. |
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| National League |
| Willie Harris |
 | Team: Washington Nationals |
| Pos: LF |
| Stats: Hit .583 (7-for-12) and led the N.L. with seven RBI. |
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Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
 Wood's blister lands him on DL
Kerry Wood, RP CHC
News: The Cubs placed closer Kerry Wood on the disabled list Thursday for the 12th time in his 10-year career because of a blister on his pitching hand. Wood, who has 24 saves in 29 chances and was selected to the NL All-Star team, has a blister on his right index finger that has kept him out since July 11. Chicago general manager Jim Hendry hopes Wood can return Tuesday at Milwaukee when he is eligible to be activated. He was put on the DL retroactive to July 14. "He is making progress. He is getting better. But I think with the amount of time off he's going to need a little work, whether it's a couple of (bullpen sessions)," Hendry said. "I just talked to him. He's hopeful he will be ready by Tuesday with some work under his belt." The Cubs, who opened a series against Florida on Thursday night, will make a corresponding move before Friday's game. Triple-A Iowa starter and former Notre Dame football star Jeff Samardzija is among the candidates. "It's a possibility. We will probably see how the game goes," Hendry said. "He will be considered." Samardzija, who signed a $10 million, five-year contract with the Cubs in 2007 despite speculation that he could have been a first-round pick in the NFL draft, made his debut for Iowa on June 24.
Analysis: Wood is 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA. He sat out the All-Star game last week at Yankee Stadium because of the blister. This is not good news for Wood owners, who have him 93 percent of leagues right now. He should be fine to return by mid August, however. There will be a mad rush to pick up reliever Carlos Marmol now, who is owned in 61 percent of Fantasy leagues right now, as he will most likely close in Wood's absence. Samardzija is 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA for Iowa in six starts. He has 40 strikeouts in 37 1-3 innings. He's not really a viable Fantasy candidate.
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Rauch will be Lyon's primary setup man
Jon Rauch, RP ARI
News: The Sports Xchange reports Arizona RHP Jon Rauch struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday, in his first appearance with the Diamondbacks after being obtained from Washington. He will be the primary setup man for closer RHP Brandon Lyon, manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday.
Analysis: Unfortunately for the 68 percent of Fantasy leagues where he is owned, it doesn't look like Rauch will do the closing for the D-Backs. He's just an NL-only middle reliever for now. That doesn't mean things won't change in the future, so keep an eye on the situation.
Profile
Weaver expected to make Monday start
Jered Weaver, SP ANA
News: The Sports Xchange reports Angels SP Jered Weaver is expected to be able to make his next start. Weaver left his start Tuesday after only three innings with tightness in his back near his right shoulder blade. The problem improved with treatment on Wednesday. The Angels are off Thursday, so each of their starting pitchers will get an extra day's rest before making another start. Weaver is not scheduled to pitch again until Monday in Boston.
Analysis: Weaver was looking for his second straight decision before having to leave Tuesday's game. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his last five starts and is beginning to look like the rookie from 2006 that took the league by storm. Weaver is a decent No. 3 Fantasy SP when healthy, but can be much more. His next scheduled start for Monday against the Red Sox looks more certain now, as does his two-start status for Fantasy Week 18 (July 28-Aug. 3). He's a must-start that week, barring any last-minute setbacks.
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Cedeno homers in Thursday's game
Ronny Cedeno, 2B CHC
News: Cubs infielder Ronny Cedeno, getting a rare start Thursday against the Marlins with Kosuke Fukudome out of the lineup, went 1-for-3 with his second home run.
Analysis: Cedeno last homered in April, back when he used to cut into SS Ryan Theriot's at-bats more. He has potential, but without a full-time job, he remains just a low-end NL-only option.
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Blanco gets rare start, hits homer
Henry Blanco, C CHC
News: Cubs C Henry Blanco, starting on a rare day off for Geovany Soto, went 2-for-4 with his second home run of the season Thursday against the Marlins. He's now batting .299.
Analysis: Blanco doesn't matter in Fantasy since he doesn't get many at-bats. Leave him for the deepest of NL-only leagues.
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 DeRosa stays in OF, goes hitless
Mark DeRosa, 2B CHC
News: With Kosuke Fukudome getting a day off Thursday against the Marlins, Cubs 2B Mark DeRosa started in right field. He went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored and is batting .190 (4-for-21) since the All-Star break.
Analysis: DeRosa played mostly outfield with Alfonso Soriano on the DL, but he figures to play mostly second base now that Soriano has returned. His versatility and decent power make him worth starting in most Fantasy leagues.
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Slumping Hanley hammers a home run
Hanley Ramirez, SS FLA
News: Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez, in a 3-for-24 (.125) slump since the All-Star break, hit a two-run home run Thursday at the Cubs. He finished 1-for-5, though, so now he's in a 4-for-29 (.138) slump.
Analysis: Home runs are usually good signs for struggling hitters. Ramirez remains one of the top players not just at his position, but in all of Fantasy, so keep him active no matter what.
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 Cantu can do with three more hits
Jorge Cantu, 3B FLA
News: Marlins 3B Jorge Cantu went 3-for-3 with a walk and a double Thursday at the Cubs. He's now 5-for-7 over his last two games.
Analysis: Cantu has had a resurgent year in Florida, looking even better than he did when he hit 28 home runs for Tampa Bay in 2005. He doesn't qualify at second base like he did in those days, but he deserves to start in all Fantasy leagues now as a third baseman or corner infielder.
Profile
Wood down; Marmol gets bumpy save
Carlos Marmol, RP CHC
News: Cubs RP Carlos Marmol, subbing for closer Kerry Wood who was placed on the 15-day disabled before the game, got four outs for his fourth save Thursday against the Marlins, but it wasn't smooth. He threw 38 pitches in the ninth and loaded the bases, finally ending it by striking out Wes Helms on a 3-2 pitch. He walked three batters and recorded three strikeouts
Analysis: Manager Lou Piniella still has confidence in Marmol. "He's a little too excited. He just needs to calm down a little bit, make his pitches, trust his pitches, he's got good stuff," Piniella said. Marmol certainly has the stuff to become a lights-out closer if the Cubs ever need him to, but Wood doesn't figure to stay on the DL for long. Treat Marmol as nothing more than a short-term stopgap.
Profile
Zambrano walks none in win Thursday
Carlos Zambrano, SP CHC
News: Cubs SP Carlos Zambrano, who walked six batters in his last start at Houston, had his command back Thursday against the Marlins. He held the Marlins to two runs and six hits in seven innings, striking out six and hitting a batter. He didn't walk anybody, though, and improved to 11-4.
Analysis: Zambrano is on pace for his fewest walks since 2002, when he pitched only 108 1/3 innings. Of course, he's also on pace for his fewest strikeouts since then, but most Fantasy owners will take that exchange if it makes him a better pitcher overall. Keep him active in all leagues for his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday at Milwaukee.
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Olsen's bad run continues with loss
Scott Olsen, SP FLA
News: Marlins SP Scott Olsen got roughed up Thursday at the Cubs, pushing his ERA above 4.00 for the first time since April. He allowed six runs and seven hits, walking three and striking out three in six innings. The loss dropped his record to 6-5.
Analysis: Olsen now has a 6.75 ERA over his last four starts. He has improved greatly over his disastrous 2007 campaign, but he remains too inconsistent to use in mixed leagues, particularly since he doesn't get as many strikeouts as he used to. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Mets.
Profile
Soto in slump, sits out Thursday
Geovany Soto, C CHC
News: Cubs rookie C Geovany Soto, in a 2-for-24 (.083) slump since the All-Star break, got a night off Thursday against the Marlins.
Analysis: Soto has demonstrated some of the best power of any catcher this season, making him a must-start in Fantasy. As a youngster, though, he'll go through a few cold stretches. Keep him active due to the lack of alternatives at the position.
Profile
Fukudome takes a breather Thursday
Kosuke Fukudome, RF CHC
News: Cubs OF Kosuke Fukudome, mired in a 14-for-74 (.189) slump, got the night off Thursday against the Marlins.
Analysis: Fukudome has started to come to life a bit recently, but he remains too cold to start in most Fantasy leagues. The rookie might have trouble adjusting to a longer season, so keep an eye on him. He's worth starting in most Fantasy leagues when going well.
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Slumping Uggla sits out Thursday
Dan Uggla, 2B FLA
News: Marlins 2B Dan Uggla, in a 1-for-22 slump since the All-Star break, got a day off Thursday at the Cubs. He did walk in a pinch-hit appearance, though.
Analysis: Uggla's batting average has dipped to .269, which looks a bit more appropriate for him, quite honestly. Still, his power at a power-poor position ranks second to none, so keep him active in Fantasy.
Profile
Edmonds expected to return Friday
Jim Edmonds, CF CHC
News: Cubs OF Jim Edmonds, who missed his second straight game with a sore left knee Thursday against the Marlins, reported improvement to the Chicago Sun-Times. Manager Lou Piniella expects to have him back over the weekend for the rest of the series against the Marlins.
Analysis: Edmonds still has some power, but he doesn't have enough consistency for you to trust him in mixed leagues. However, he looks like a safe start for Fantasy Week 18 (July 28-August 3).
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Buck nets two RBI after haircut
John Buck, C KC
News: Gil Meche promised John Buck he'd pitch a good game if he could shave the catcher's head. Buck lived up to his end of the bargain. He has the shiny dome and razor burns to prove it. Meche followed through, too, though it took a little longer. Meche pitched seven scoreless innings after a shaky start and Buck drove in two runs after his pregame haircut, helping the Kansas City Royals hold off Tampa Bay 4-2 Thursday. "He was begging to do it, promised me he'd pitch good, and I'm a catcher, I'll do anything to help a pitcher," said Buck, who opted to keep his goatee to offset the clean pate. "He kept his promise."
Analysis: Buck is 5-for-15 (.333) with one homer and five RBI in his last five games. Buck's hot bat has been keeping Miguel Olivo from stealing at-bats from him lately. Buck will likely continue to split starts with Olivo unless his bat catches fire for an extended stretch, so he remains nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy option at this time.
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