Fantasy Baseball Morning Update: Surgery for Halladay
They really reviewed this and still didn't call it a home run? What the ...
First pitch: The A's, Indians and hopefully some new umpires start the American League day at 12:05 p.m. ET, while the Yankees and Rockies get the senior circuit involved at 3:10. The third matinee is Tigers-Nationals at 4:05, so set your lineups early.
Interleague DH issues: Another day in Washington means another day on the bench for Tigers DH Victor Martinez. Travis Hafner can expect another day off for the Yankees as well.
Streaming starters: Ricky Nolasco's fine outing raised our streaming starter record to 22-13 (Jason Marquis also would have worked out, in case you were wondering). Today's pick is Cleveland's Scott Kazmir (owned in 1.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the A's, while Friday's selection is A's rookie Dan Straily (2.6 percent owned) versus the Mariners in Seattle.
On to the news:
- Phillies SP Roy Halladay needs shoulder surgery, and is expected to miss at least three months. The only people who should keep Halladay are A) those with unused DL slots, and B) keeper leaguers. Everyone else can ditch him.
- Heath Bell gets the first shot to replace J.J. Putz as the Diamondbacks' closer, and saved Wednesday's game after giving up a leadoff double. Putz's prognosis is undetermined, but on Wednesday's Fantasy 15 podcast, our friend Jeff Erickson from RotoWire (who was at the game) didn't sound optimistic.
- Here's the story on Vernon Wells appearing at third base last night. Is anyone still in a league that adds positional eligibility after one game? Wells also had three hits - including a home run - with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in the Yankees' win. Way to earn that $21 million, Vernon!
- Despite the imminent return of Kyuji Fujikawa, Kevin Gregg has been named as the Cubs' closer. Who wants to bet on when Gregg will cough up the job?
- No, I don't know why new Red Sox closer Junichi Tazawa entered last night's game with his team down by six runs. Maybe he needed the work.
- Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki (groin) sat yesterday because they didn't want him to play on a wet field, and the same circumstance might present itself today, as Denver's forecast calls for isolated thunderstorms. Don't activate Tulo until we know he's in the lineup.
- Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez left Wednesday's game after aggravating his strained neck. Gonzalez said he'd be ready to play Friday, but let's keep an eye on this situation.
- Rangers C A.J. Pierzynski is on the DL with a strained oblique. If you're not ready to roll with Pierzynski's real-life replacement, Geovany Soto, plenty of power-hitting, bad-BA catchers are available. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (14.2 percent owned) is one.
- Yankees OF Curtis Granderson begins a Triple-A rehab assignment today. He could be back in 10-14 days.
- Nationals OF Jayson Werth will have an MRI today on his hamstring. He's been out of commission for six days, so let's hope he gets things figured out.
- We should know today if Michael Bourn will return from the DL this weekend for the Indians.
- Here comes another Marlins' prospect! 2B Derek Dietrich has been called up from Double A, where he was batting .282 with four homers and a .915 OPS. Dietrich's pop is worth a look in NL-only leagues, but he figures to struggle.
- Reds SP Johnny Cueto is scheduled for a minor-league rehab start today. He could be back with the Reds by next Sunday or Monday.
- Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks (ribs) is day-to-day.
- Orioles 2B Brian Roberts will have surgery today on his injured hamstring. Note to my dad and others who are waiting around for Roberts: The last time he played 60 or more games was 2009.
- It's chat day! Be there at 2 p.m. ET.
See you back here tomorrow morning.

