BY ADAM RONIS
Chad Tracy returned from the DL today and started at first base for the Diamondbacks. He went 1-for-4. He should see more of his time at third base since Mark Reynolds is hitting .225 and strikes out frequently. NL-only leaguers should consider Tracy. It might take him some time to get going.
Brian McCann is bouncing back in a big way so far. He hit his ninth homer and has 32 RBIs with a .333 average to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He should have a lot of opportunities in that potent lineup.
Brandon Webb dropped his second straight game today in a loss against the Braves. In the last game, he pitched very well despite the loss. This time, he didn't as he allowed 10 hits, seven runs -- four earned -- three walks and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings. He is 9-2 with a 3.01 ERA.
Shaun Marcum has been one of the most consistent pitchers this season. He continued his great start by beating the Royals. He is 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA. He went 7 1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs -- one earned -- walked one and struck out six. He also hit three batters, but it didn't hurt him.
Corey Hart has hit for average, but not much power yet. He homered twice the past week and stole his ninth base today. He went 2-for-4 with a run.
Keep an eye on Russell Branyan in NL-only leagues. He started at third base today and could see more time there with Bill Hall struggling and the Brewers being a heavily stacked lineup from the right side. Of course, you know Branyan strikes out a lot. He went 0-for-5 with four Ks.
Ben Sheets threw just 86 pitches over six innings and allowed seven hits, two runs, no walks and struck out six. He took a no-decision and has a 2.93 ERA. Explore a trade while he is healthy.
Carlos Villanueva was removed from the starting rotation, but that doesn't mean he has no fantasy value. He pitched very well in long relief last season and with a struggling Brewers bullpen he could pick up some wins like today. He threw two scoreless innings and allowed no hits with five strikeouts.
Salomon Torres threw a scoreless inning for his third save.
Jason Bergmann pitched well again, but lasted just 5 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits, no runs, one walk and struck out eight.
Max Scherzer threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four. He still has fantasy value depending on the format.
Jair Jurrjens could not last five innings and took a no-decision. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed eight hits, three runs, walked two and struck out four. He has been consistent so far and has a 2.86 ERA. He was pitching with two blisters.
Manny Acosta picked up the win by throwing a scoreless sixth and seventh inning.
Nick Markakis is usually a slow starter, but he has put up solid power numbers so far. He hit his ninth homer and has 24 RBIs. He is only batting .258, so highlight that as you try and buy low.
Darrell Rasner has been excellent so far, but keep in mind he has faced the Orioles twice, the Mariners and the Tigers when they were struggling. He pitched well in a loss today allowing five hits, one run, one walk and struck out three in six innings. He is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA.
Garrett Olson had one of his better outings of the season. He threw seven scoreless innings and allowed three hits, four walks and struck out seven. He is 4-1 with a 4.09 ERA.
Juan Pierre stole his 19th base and his job security is safe with Andruw Jones out because of knee surgery.
Chad Billingsley was threw another good game, but fell to 4-6. In six innings he allowed four hits, two runs, two walks and struck out seven. He has a 3.68 ERA and is a good player going forward.
Ryan Dempster won to improve to 6-2 with a 2.56 ERA. He went seven innings and allowed seven hits, one run, three walks and struck out three. I still think you should sell high. He should slow down as the innings pile up because he has been a reliever the past few years.
Kerry Wood picked up save No. 11 and has adjusted well to the closer role.
Jim Thome is hitting .207, but he hit his 10th homer and has 27 RBIs.
Victor Martinez is hitting .305, but has no homers and 17 RBIs. Buy low. Johnny Peralta is the opposite. He is hitting .218 and hit his 10th homer, but he has just 17 RBIs. Don't recall seeing someone with 10 homers and an RBIs total that low. That's how bad the Indians offense has been.
Bobby Jenks picked up save No. 13 and has a 1.69 ERA.
Ryan Spliborghs has hit in part-time play this season and will start everyday with Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday on the DL. He is a good option in all leagues while playing consistently. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs against the Phillies.
I'd list all of the Phillies who did damage tonight, but I need at least one hour sleep. The Phillies scored 20 runs highlighted by Chase Utley's 16th homer and six RBIs.
Ian Kinsler hit his seventh homer and has 31 RBIs. He's been stealing a lot and is batting .292 from the leadoff spot in a very productive top of the lineup. He has an 11-game hitting streak.
I hope you didn't get suckered into the good start of Sidney Ponson. He allowed 12 hits and five runs with three walks in five innings against the Rays. He is 3-1 with a 3.63 ERA. Stay away!!
Ok, time for the depressing news for Mets fans, which is all they have these days. We'll start with Scott Kazmir. He went seven innings, allowed three hits, one run, walked none and struck out 10. He is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA.
The bright spot for the Mets was Jose Reyes who hit two homers, but as usual, the Mets offense shut down after the first two innings. He has an 11-game hitting streak.
Gary Sheffield left tonight's game in the sixth inning with oblique spasms.
Jorge Posada caught five innings and went 0-for-5 with a walk in an extended spring training game.
David Ortiz hit his 12th homer and drove in his 40th run.
Bartolo Colon pitched well in his second start of the season, however, he was facing a bad Mariners team. He went seven innings, allowed five hits, one run, one walk and struck out four. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Consider him in deep mixed leagues.
Felix Hernandez was pitching well until he allowed four runs in the eighth inning against the Red Sox. He went 7 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, five walks and struck out five. He is 2-5 with a 3.60 ERA.
Jon Garland threw 7 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed four hits, three walks and struck out five in a no-decision. He has a 3.89 ERA, but will have games where he gets bombed.