Here's help to replace an injured star
It certainly was a devastating week for many fantasy baseball owners. Josh Hamilton, Ryan Zimmerman, Joe Mauer, Rafael Furcal, J.J. Hardy, Rajai Davis and Phil Hughes were some of the players who landed on the disabled list. Here are some replacements.
David Murphy (Rangers, OF): Murphy should play almost every day with Hamilton on the disabled list. Murphy hit .291 with 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases last season in 419 at-bats. He already has four stolen bases in six games.
Josh Willingham (Athletics, OF): He's not in an ideal offense and he does strike out often, but he draws a lot of walks and has power. He has three home runs and eight RBIs in 13 games.
Sam Fuld (Rays, OF): Fuld is 30 and has shown no power through his minor-league career. He is batting .324 with seven stolen bases. Ride the hot streak -- for now.
Wilson Betemit (Royals, 3B): He's off to a great start and will see time at third base against righthanders and could get some at-bats at DH in place of the struggling Kila Ka'aihue. Betemit is batting .387 with one home run, seven RBIs and two stolen bases.
Maicer Izturis (Angels, Inf.): Izturis is getting more at-bats with Erick Aybar on the DL. He is batting .304 with a homer and five RBIs.
Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays, 3B): A solid replacement, he hit 21 home runs in 332 at-bats last season.
David Freese (Cardinals, 3B): He was supposed to play two out of every three games coming off surgery on both ankles, so it was a good sign to see him play four straight this past week. He is batting .342 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Orlando Hudson (Padres, 2B): His career high is 10 stolen bases in one season and he already has six. Twenty steals is a realistic possibility.
Alex Avila (Tigers, C): He came into the season with 12 career home runs in 355 at-bats. He has the full-time job and has three homers in 31 at-bats.
Nick Hundley (Padres, C): He won't hit for much average, but he's batting .361 with two homers and eight RBIs.
Wilson Ramos (Nationals, C): Ramos' playing time will increase. He's been good so far with 10 hits in 22 at-bats.
Justin Masterson (Indians, SP): Improved control last season, has a good K/9 and gets a ton of ground balls.
All statistics entering Friday.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
