Beckett placed on DL, other AL N&N

Baltimore Orioles third basemen Melvin Mora should be out about a week with a strained right hamstring. Mora says that it “could be a week, or less,” and his manager says that right now they don’t think they will be putting him on the disabled list. Mora has been on fire since the all star break, hitting .393 with a 1.160 OPS in the second half with12 home runs and only 14 strikeouts. This does not look like a long term injury.

Even though Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett was placed on the 15 day disabled list (retroactive to August 18th) with right elbow inflammation, manager Terry Francona says his tests came out “awesome,” and because the move was retroactive to the 18th, Beckett is scheduled to come of the DL and start Friday’s opener against the Rangers.

Meanwhile in Cleveland, Victor Martinez is returning from the DL. He is expected to split time between three positions, catcher, DH, and first. Martinez struggled early in the year before getting injured, however if hes available in your league you should pick him up. Im going to take his 2300 previous at bats before his 200 this year. And those 2300 ABs have been good, this year being his first full season with an OPS+ under 120.

Detroit Tigers third basemen Miguel Cabrera left Friday’s game with a mild staring to his left pectoral muscle. He is expected to play sometime this weekend and the injury is not considered serious.

New York Yankees Joba Chamberlain is ready to be activated, and should be Monday. He threw 35 pitches and felt no tightness at all. He is expected to return to the bullpen, and baring an injury to Mariano Rivera this is really going to hurt his value.

AL News & Notes

Texas – Milton Bradley left Tuesday’s game early with left knee soreness. He returned Last Night to the lineup with no day off, and went 2-for-3 with a Home Run.  Bradley’s OPS on the season is over 1.00, if he can stay healthy, he should be a big contributor to your home stretch.

Baltimore – Adam Jones was cleared to walk without a boot on Wednesday.  Prior to his injury, Jones had a .725 OPS, 0.21 BB/K rate, and a mediocre 76.9 contact%, which fits well with his mediocre .279 batting average.  Jones is mostly a groundball (46.3%) hitter, but the balls that he manages to get in the air, do not fly out of the ballpark with just a 6.2 HR/FB% and a 14.2 IFFB%. If Jones can come back soon enough, he will be a nice shot in the arm for Baltimore, and your team.

Cleveland – Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez both started Rehab Assignments this week with AAA Buffalo.  They have both hit well in their games, Hafner, in 5 AB vs. LHP succeeded in his efforts, getting 3 hits, 2 of them doubles, compiling a 1.66 OPS, walking once.  Martinez is has 1 hit in 2 AB with buffalo, picking up 2 RBI, and scoring once, evening out his OPS at 1.00, he also walked once.  These 2 guys can and will be main contributors down the stretch, if they are available in your league(s), pick them up while you can.

Minnesota – Alexi Casilla was activated from the DL on Wednesday, after being on the DL since July 29th with a torn tendon in his right thumb, some speculated he might miss the rest of the season.  In 2 rehab games, 4-7, 2 BB, 1 K, 1.238 OPS.  Prior to his injury, Casilla had a .775 OPS, 0.64 BB/K rate, and a high 89.7 contact% to go along with his high .313 batting average.  Casilla should be available in some leagues, at a weak position, he is definitely worth a roster spot.