Jason Bay has a strained intercostal, which is the highway that runs along Florida’s coast. Specifically, by Palm Beach where people are old and this strained whatever-the-shizz-is happens. If you were counting on a bounce back from J-Bay, you might want to count to yourself so you don’t annoy your cubicle neighbor. (Neighboricle? Who might’ve also been the person who lived next to that nice black lady in The Matrix.) These injuries tend to linger — see Braun, Ryan for further reading — and Bay already had Metco and age to deal with. I’m not optimistic about him being at full strength until May and even then I have my doubts about how much we’re gonna see from him. Rudy and I are betting Scott Hairston sees time in our deep leagues, but Duda could, as well. Though I wouldn’t Camptown Race to pick him up. Anyway, here’s what else is going on in fantasy baseball:
Edwin Encarnacion – Will start at 3rd base with Bautista moving to the outfield. Encarnacion is a Latin 28, and I have little faith in him hitting over .260 but he could hit 25 homers with everyday ABs. The only problem he seems to ever have is staying healthy. The way randoms come out of the woodwork to hit bombs in Toronto every year, I wouldn’t be surprised if this year it’s Edwin’s turn. Not saying he’s going to hit 50 homers like some schmohawk, but if he hit 30 homers in 500 ABs it wouldn’t surprise me.
Brian Wilson – Will miss a week. O, Sergio Romo, will see saves in his stead, man. For those who found us Googling “O + Steadman” — you’re at the totally wrong site and your spelling is off.
Juan Rivera – Hotel and Casino gets hurt a little with Bautista moving to right field. Rivera should see time at DH, but I imagine Lind, Snider or Arencibia could also see some time at DH. Frankly, that team has 7 of one player, then 2 of another player (Pods, Rajai).
Ian Stewart – Sounds like Stewart will open the season on DL. Or if Sean Connery is reading this, “Ee-yan Shtewart is hurting. Wigginshton is the man now, dog.”
Mark Trumbo – The Sciosciapath said Trumbo won’t be an everyday player. I’d still own him in most leagues if you have room on your bench. It’s worth a few day flyer to see if he hits his way into the everyday lineup. By next Monday, you drop him if he’s not doing anything. No harm, no foul.
Stephen Drew – Had an MRI for abdominal pain, might land on the DL. Did you know Grey can’t have an MRI because he has metal plates in his head from one of the few amusing anecdotes that didn’t make it into the (e)book? Did you also know Grey likes to talk about himself in third person?
Mike Napoli – I might put a moratorium on Napoli questions. He isn’t going to start every day this year. He hasn’t started the last three years and he has 20 homers in each season. That’s why there’s the Ron Popeil School of Catcher Management. You set him and you forget him.
J.A. Happ – Out with an oblique injury. Vague! You shouldn’t have owned him anyway so maybe that pressure is why he got hurt. You better send him a Get Well card.
Jarrod Dyson – Backup/bench option for the Royals that could have value because of his speed — SAGNOF! — if the Royals are hit by injuries. See, Dyson is specially engineered for speed. Most runners move only one leg at a time when they run but Jarrod Dyson moves both in a centrifugal motion that reduces friction and removes all the dirt from the infield.
Brad Lidge – Out with a partially torn rotator cuff. He’s saying back by June, wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see him until August. Madson is a Cuddle Boy, and Charlie Manuel don’t like no Cuddle Boys, so he’s saying Contreras will close. I really don’t think it’s going to be this clear cut. Madson will get some saves, but for now Contreras is the main pick up.
Drew Storen – Has all but lost the Nats closer job, but, since Sean Burnett is the favorite for saves, I wouldn’t drop Storen.
Ronny Paulino – May hit the DL with stomach issues. Hey, now the Yanks and Mets both have colon problems.
