The prospect watch

Injuries are mounting and fantasy owners are expressing concern about the slow start of many players. Here's an extended list of players that could help.

Mike Cameron (Brewers), OF: Cameron may have been forgotten on draft day because he was suspended for the first 25 games of the season. He is due back on Tuesday. In the last six years that he has played at least 140 games, he has at least 18 home runs, 76 RBIs and 17 steals. He won't help with batting average, but he did have 21 homers, 78 RBIs and 18 steals playing in San Diego last season. Should be owned in all leagues.

Moises Alou (Mets), OF: An injury is a concern anytime he takes the field, but the 41-year-old still can hit. He is due back soon after missing the start of the season because of hernia surgery. Alou has hit more than .300 the last three years. He hit .341 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 328 at-bats last season. He hardly strikes out and gets on base. Should be owned in all leagues.

Ryan Doumit (Pirates), C: Doumit was supposed to share the job with Ronny Paulino, but Doumit has received most of the starts. If he continues to play and stay healthy, he is a valuable catcher. He is hitting .344 with four homers in 61 at-bats. Should be owned in all leagues.

Andy Sonnanstine (Rays), SP: Started the season with an 8.80 ERA after three starts. Then he threw a three-hit shutout and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings in his last start to win two straight. Should be owned in AL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues.

Felipe Lopez (Nationals), 2B/SS: Lopez has taken over at second base in place of Ronnie Belliard. Lopez has speed and some power. He stole 24 bases last season. Should be owned in NL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues.

Clint Barmes (Rockies), 2B/SS: Barmes has settled in at second base with Jayson Nix struggling. He has been inconsistent in his major league career, but right now he is performing well and getting regular at-bats. He is batting .333 in 54 at-bats. Should be owned in NL-only leagues.

Jayson Werth (Phillies), OF: Werth has been good in place of the injured Shane Victorino, who is expected to return Tuesday. Geoff Jenkins is struggling and Werth could get more playing time over Jenkins in the rightfield platoon. Should be owned in NL-only leagues.

Matt Stairs (Blue Jays), DH: He will get more at-bats with the departure of Frank Thomas. He has power and could hit 20 home runs. He had 21 home runs in 357 at-bats last season. Should be owned in AL-only leagues.

Daniel Cabrera (Orioles), SP: Cabrera is like that girl who teases you. A few good performances and you think he turned the corner and then he's back to getting hammered. He has great stuff, but is inconsistent. He's pitched well in three straight starts and has the potential to be good. Consider in AL-only leagues while he is good.

Erick Aybar (Angels), 2B/SS: The injury to Howie Kendrick has opened the door for Aybar to play every day. He is hitting .358 in his first 67 at-bats and has four stolen bases. Should be owned in AL-only leagues.

Jorge Cantu (Marlins), 3B: Cantu is off to a fast start and in his only full season with the Rays in 2005 he had 28 homers and 117 RBIs. Don't expect those numbers, but the power is legit. Should be owned in NL-only leagues.

Kyle McClellan (Cardinals), RP: He has pitched well out of the bullpen and if you're in a league with holds, consider him in NL-only leagues.

Santiago Casilla (A's), RP: Has been lights out. Hasn't allowed an earned run through his first 11 innings, has walked just one and struck out 14. If Huston Street gets traded or is injured, he could close. Should be owned in AL-only leagues.Be the smartest player

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THE PROSPECT WATCH

Jay Bruce (Reds), OF: With Corey Patterson and Jerry Hairston Jr. in centerfield, Bruce could be up shortly. Manager Dusty Baker said he doesn't want to rush Bruce and if he does come up, he needs to play every day. Bruce is one of the top prospects in baseball and is tearing up the minors. He is hitting .338 with four home runs, 13 RBIs and six stolen bases in 19 games at Triple-A Louisville. Should be owned in all leagues.

Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), SP: Was very impressive in spring training. The 20-year-old lefty throws in the mid-90s and has a great curve. He hasn't thrown many innings in the minors and the Dodgers don't want to rush him. The call could come soon, though, because the Dodgers aren't getting good production from the No.5 spot in the rotation. In 25 2/3 innings at Double-A Jacksonville, he has 31 strikeouts and eight walks with a 1.40 ERA. Should be owned in NL-only leagues.

Max Scherzer (Diamondbacks), SP: The Diamondbacks have done a great job developing young talent. Scherzer is generating quite a buzz in the minors. He throws in the mid-90s and has improved the command on his slider. He has a 1.17 ERA in four starts spanning 23 innings and has allowed 12 hits, three walks and struck out 38 at Triple-A Tucson. It might be some time before he is called up unless a starter gets injured or the bullpen needs to be bolstered. Consider stashing in NL-only leagues.

Adam Lind (Blue Jays), OF: Lind, who was hitting .356 with four home runs and 15 RBIs at Triple-A Syracuse, was recalled by Toronto yesterday. Should start at least against righthanders and be owned in AL-only leagues.

Related topic galleries: New York Mets, Matt Stairs, Felipe Lopez, Moises Alou, Baseball, Injuries, Spring Training