Bobby Parnell RP, Mets
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 27 percent owned, ESPN: 34.2 percent)
After Frank Francisco landed on the disabled list on Sunday with an oblique strain, Mets manager Terry Collins wasted no time by naming Parnell as his replacement at closer. You may remember that Parnell auditioned for the job after the All-Star break last year and fell flat on his face, but given the underwhelming alternatives in a pretty terrible bullpen, he should have a pretty lengthy leash in the interim. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 3.19 ERA and 31/8 K/BB ratio over 31 innings this season and deserves to be owned in most formats.
Waiver Wired Column
Trevor Bauer SP, Diamondbacks
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 44 percent owned, ESPN: 44 percent)
This should be fun. After months of anticipation, Bauer is scheduled to make his major league debut Thursday against the Braves. I have some concerns about his control (4.6 BB/9), but the 21-year-old right-hander has been unhittable in the minors this season, posting a 2.23 ERA and 116 strikeouts over 93 innings between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. And while it's a rough development for the Diamondbacks, Daniel Hudson's torn ulnar collateral ligament means that Bauer should have a rotation spot even after Joe Saunders returns from a shoulder strain. My guess is he'll face an innings limit eventually, but he's worth a speculative add in all formats on potential alone.
Waiver Wired Column
Jared Burton RP, Twins
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 11 percent owned, ESPN: 10.1 percent)
When Matt Capps was first placed on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, most fantasy owners rushed to the waiver wire to pick up talented set-up man Glen Perkins. It was an understandable impulse, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has flipped the script on fantasy owners by giving Burton the first two save chances this week. Perhaps it shouldn't be much of a surprise, as Burton has the advantage of being right-handed. Finally healthy, he also owns a solid 2.90 ERA and 29/6 K/BB ratio in 31 innings this year and has induced ground balls 46.4 percent of the time. Perkins should still get a look in certain matchups and is well worth owning if you're scrounging for saves, but Burton appears to have the edge right now.
Waiver Wired Column
Stephen Drew SS, Diamondbacks
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 24 percent owned, ESPN: 15.7 percent)
After missing more than 11 months following right ankle surgery, Drew finally returned to the Diamondbacks' lineup on Wednesday night, finishing 1-for-4 with a strikeout. Happy now, Ken Kendrick? The 29-year-old shortstop is expected to get regular rest over the first couple of weeks, so fantasy owners will have to be patient initially, but he could prove to be a savvy addition if he feels comfortable and shakes the rust at the plate. And let's be real here, it won't take much for Drew to be relevant at the shortstop position.
Waiver Wired Column
Bud Norris SP, Astros
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 42 percent owned, ESPN: 35.8 percent)
It seems some fantasy owners dumped Norris on the waiver wire after he was placed on the disabled list earlier this month with a left knee sprain. The 27-year-old right-hander is scheduled to return to the Astros' rotation Friday against the Cubs, so there's no better time than now to rectify that. While Norris has a 4.81 ERA on the year, he still has an impressive 81/28 K/BB ratio over 73 innings and has allowed three runs or less in nine out of his 13 starts. He should be useful in all formats the rest of the way.
Waiver Wired Column
Luke Scott OF/1B, Rays
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 16 percent owned, ESPN: 17.5 percent)
Another player who has fallen off the fantasy radar due to injury, Scott is on track to return from the disabled list Thursday. The 34-year-old struggled after getting off to a great start in April, but he still has nine homers and 35 RBI in just 177 at-bats. With Matt Joyce on the disabled list and Hideki Matsui scuffling, Scott shouldn't have any trouble finding regular at-bats in the short-term. I prefer him as a plug-and-play option against right-handed starters, but his pop and multi-position gives him plenty of appeal outside of shallow leagues.
Wilson Betemit 1B/3B/OF, Orioles
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 5 percent owned, ESPN: 0.7 percent)
No, Betemit is not going to save your fantasy team, but he can still be useful in deeper leagues. Thanks to a red-hot June, the 30-year-old is hitting .265 with 10 homers and 30 RBI over his first 200 at-bats this season. He's currently riding a seven-game hitting streak which has helped raise his batting average by 30 points. Betemit has been awful against left-handed pitching for two years running, so he's best utilized in a daily format, but his multi-position eligibility should come in handy.
Franklin Gutierrez OF, Mariners
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 3 percent owned, ESPN: 3.1 percent)
After missing the first two months of the season due to a torn pectoral and plantar fasciitis in his right heel, Gutierrez is hitting .256 (11-for-43) with two homers, two doubles and nine RBI over his first 12 games. It's a good sign for the 28-year-old center fielder, who had just one home run in 322 at-bats last season while playing through a stomach ailment and an oblique injury. Keep in mind that Gutierrez is a .256 career hitter and has an underwhelming 6.6 percent career walk rate, so the upside is limited, but he has shown an ability to reach double-digits in homers and steals in the past. He's worth considering in five-outfielder formats.
Marco Estrada SP/RP, Brewers
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
One week after mentioning Estrada under my NL-only recommendations, I'm ready to give him a shot on the mixed league side. I mean, why the heck not? In his return from the disabled list Tuesday against the Reds, the 28-year-old right-hander struck out a career-high 12 batters while allowing three runs over six innings. While Estrada doesn't have overpowering stuff, you might be surprised to learn that he has 166 strikeouts over 166 innings in the big leagues. With Chris Narveson done for the season and Shaun Marcum nursing an elbow issue, he should continue to get chances in the Brewers' rotation. Estrada has the Marlins on tap next week, who enter play Thursday 27th in the majors in runs scored, so this is a good spot-start opportunity at the very least.
Andrew Cashner RP, Padres
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 6 percent owned, ESPN: 0.7 percent)
The Padres sent Cashner down to the minor earlier this month to stretch him out as a starting pitcher. So far, so good. After posting an outstanding 1.88 ERA and 22/3 K/BB in 14 1/3 innings over three starts with Double-A San Antonio, the 25-year-old right-hander will be recalled to start Thursday against the Astros. I have some concerns about his control and his ability to hold up as a starter after a scare with his shoulder last season, but those in deeper leagues can afford to take a flier on his swing-and-miss stuff. Making half of his starts in the spacious PETCO Park will allow him to get away with some mistakes.
Luke Hochevar SP, Royals
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 7 percent owned, ESPN: 1.4 percent)
Many bought in on Hochevar as draft day sleeper this spring following his strong second half last year, but he really burned fantasy owners by posting a 9.00 ERA over his first six starts. However, the 2006 No. 1 overall pick has turned things around quite nicely of late, compiling a solid 3.20 ERA and 50/16 K/BB ratio over his last nine starts. This includes his current streak of 16 2/3 scoreless innings. Could Hochevar make us all look silly again? I certainly wouldn't put it past him. But those in deeper formats can afford to ride the wave and see where it takes them.
Tyler Moore OF, Nationals
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0.5 percent)
Dare I say it? It looks like Moore is going to make it after all. Sorry, terrible joke. After slugging his way up the organizational ladder, the 25-year-old has four homers over his first 52 major league at-bats, including a two-homer game earlier this month and a pair of bombs this week. He's playing mostly against left-handed pitching right now, but with starting left fielder Steve Lombardozzi really struggling this month, there has been talk of putting him in the lineup against righties, as well. If you're looking for fifth outfielder in a deeper league, he's a pretty good one to speculate on.
Ruben Tejada SS/2B, Mets
MIXED LEAGUES
(Yahoo: 7 percent owned, ESPN: 3.6 percent)
While his recovery from a quad strain took a bit longer than originally anticipated, Tejada finally returned from the disabled list on Sunday. The 22-year-old hasn't shown any signs of rust thus far, collecting five hits in 18 at-bats over his first four games. There isn't a ton of upside with Tejada at the moment since he doesn't have much power and isn't active on the basepaths, but he has a knack for making contact and gets on base at a solid clip. He should continue to bat near the top of the Mets' lineup, so there's value here. However, I like him best in leagues which use on-base percentage or where you can plug him in at a MI (middle infielder) spot.
Rex Brothers RP, Rockies
NL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0.4 percent)
Brothers has been excellent since returning from the minors earlier this month, allowing only two runs (one earned) over 11 2/3 innings while striking out 19 and walking just three. The 24-year-old left-hander was mentioned as a possible sleeper for saves coming into the season and while his early struggles resulted in a demotion, he is now firmly back on the radar. The Rockies are all but out of the race, so Brothers could find himself closing games if Rafael Betancourt is dealt to a contender in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Heck, it might even be time to stash him in some deeper mixed leagues.
Eric Young, Jr. 2B/OF, Rockies
NL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
Despite starting only nine games and logging just 84 plate appearances this season, Young already has 10 stolen bases. He stole 27 bases last year, despite starting just 37 games and logging just 229 plate appearances. You get the drill. The speedy 27-year-old has a knack for making the most out of limited opportunities on the basepaths. The Rockies haven't given him a chance at second base yet this season, but one wonders if he could be worked into the mix with Marco Scutaro, Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson now that Troy Tulowitzki will likely be out until mid-August at the earliest. Just something to think about.
Tyler Skaggs SP, Diamondbacks
NL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
The Diamondbacks plan to move Josh Collmenter back into the starting rotation now that Daniel Hudson and Joe Saunders are both on the disabled list. Collmenter is probably already gone in most competitive NL-only leagues, so I'm willing to look ahead a little bit. Skaggs was ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the game by Baseball America coming into the season and has a solid 2.84 ERA and 71/21 K/BB ratio over 13 starts with Double-A Mobile. We probably won't see him prior to the All-Star break, but it shouldn't be much longer before he joins Trevor Bauer in the Diamondbacks' rotation.
Tony Gwynn, Jr. OF, Dodgers
NL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0.6 percent)
Gwynn was already playing a lot due to Matt Kemp's hamstring injury, but his playing time should be even more secure now that Andre Ethier is sidelined with an oblique injury. The 29-year-old outfielder is a .248 career hitter and has seen his walk rate collapse over the past two seasons, so you're only picking him up for his speed at this point. Gwynn is just 10-for-16 in stolen base attempts this year, but he shouldn't have much trouble reaching 20 swipes for a second straight season.
A.J. Griffin SP, Athletics
AL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 0 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
Griffin was pretty impressive in his major league debut Sunday against the Giants, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings while striking out four and walking just one. The 24-year-old doesn't have overpowering stuff, usually sitting around 90 mph on his fastball, but he averaged 8.7 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 over parts of three seasons in the minors. Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon are both on the disabled list, Tyson Ross has been very shaky and Brad Peacock is hardly knocking on the door for a promotion to the majors, so there's a chance Griffin could hold down a rotation spot for the rest of the year.
Brian Duensing SP/RP, Twins
AL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
Duensing returned to the Twins' rotation on Saturday against the Reds and gave up four runs over three innings. Considering that he hadn't logged more than three innings or thrown more than 45 pitches in his previous 30 appearances this season, we probably shouldn't look too much into those results. I still believe that Duensing is best utilized out of the bullpen, as he gets much better results against left-handed batters than righties, but the Twins simply don't have many quality options to run out there right now. The 29-year-old southpaw has good control and makes half his starts in a pitcher-friendly environment, so assuming he sticks, he could be worth using in certain matchups.
Zach McAllister SP, Indians
AL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0 percent)
The Indians demoted Jeanmar Gomez earlier this week, so McAllister will be called up from the minors to start Thursday against the Orioles. Acquired from the Yankees in 2010 as the player to be named later in the Austin Kearns deal, the 24-year-old right-hander had a 3.96 ERA and 22/6 K/BB ratio in 25 innings over four starts with the Indians last month. McAllister's upside is limited, but he has good command (2.3 BB/9 in the minors) and plenty of movement on his low 90s fastball. There's a chance he could have a future as a backend starter.
Leonys Martin OF, Rangers
AL-ONLY
(Yahoo: 1 percent owned, ESPN: 0.2 percent)
I didn't recommend Martin last week because I expected his stay in the majors to be a brief one, but it appears he'll hang around for now. The 24-year-old center fielder has impressed in a small sample thus far, going 6-for-19 (.316) with three doubles, two triples, five RBI and a stolen base over six games. Playing time might be hard to come by with Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy all healthy and productive at the moment, but it's easy to see why the Rangers are excited about him.