NL News & Notes (8/27)

Pittsburgh – Craig Hansen has been optioned to AAA Indianapolis in favor of RHP Jesse Chavez.  On Tuesday night, Hansen walked in the tying and go-ahead runs against the Cubs, he was sent to AAA the next morning.  In 30 1/3 innings with Boston this season, Hansen had 3.48 tRA, with Pittsburgh (10 IP), he had a horrible 9.35 tRA. In those combined 40 1/3 innings, he had a horrible K/BB rate of 0.80.  If you own this guy, I can’t imagine any active RP that are available in your league.

St. Louis – Chris Carpenter (shoulder) will have a bullpen session Wednesday, but he continues to describe weakness around his shoulder.  With St. Louis’ playoffs hopes fading away in the 2008 season, if they cannot make a run, and if Carpenter does not feel 100% expect Carpenter to be shut down for the rest of the 2008 campaign.

Atlanta – Mark Kotsay has been traded to the Boston Red Sox, resulting in the Braves calling up Outfielder Josh Anderson.  Kotsay does not have enough fantasy value to be owned in many leagues, but if he is, give a look to Chris Dickerson or Nelson Cruz, both succeeding in their short-campaigns in the bigs after very successful minor league tenors.

Houston – Kazuo Matsui is expected to return from the DL on Monday after fielding grounders and hitting from a tee on Tuesday.  Matsui is not much more than an average fantasy player, he should be able to return and help your team with his solid .763 OPS.

Los Angeles – The Dodgers have recalled Blake Dewitt from AAA on Wednesday.  Although failing in his first attempt with the Dodgers this season (.688 OPS), he has succeeded in AAA with an OPS of .850. (Dewitt was 11-19 in his last 4 games with AAA Las Vegas including a 5-for-5 Sunday.