FAAB Factor-AL: Wieters To The DL

Starting Pitchers:

Alfredo Aceves, Yankees - CC Sabathia's trip to the DL allows for Aceves to join the Yankees rotation this week. Last season for the Red Sox he had a 4.86 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 22 walks over 37 innings. He has below average command and won't overpower hitters, so it's tough to see him finding much success, especially in the AL East. He's much better suited in long relief, but the Yankees don't have many better options right now, with Michael Pineda also on the DL. This week Aceves should get the Mets on the road, where he should get a soft landing. Mixed: No; AL: $4.

David Phelps, Yankees - In his first start of the season, Phelps gave up one earned run to the Angels on the road this week with three strikeouts and one walk. Last season as a starter, Phelps didn't fair well, as he had a 4.93 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 24 walks over 65.2 innings. This week he gets the Pirates at home. He can't be trusted in mixed leagues yet. Mixed: $1; AL: $5.

Drew Pomeranz, A's - Now that Dan Straily is back in the minors, Pomeranz gets a chance to show that he belongs in the A's rotation. This past week he pitched five shutout innings against the Mariners with five strikeouts, no walks, and only two hits allowed. A part of the trade that sent Brett Anderson to Colorado, Pomeranz did not take to Coors Field or the thin air, as he had a 6.23 ERA over 21.2 innings in 2013 and a 4.93 ERA over 96.2 innings in 2012. His velocity has ticked up a little since then and he's shown improvement with his control, as seen in his last start, so perhaps we can expect some different results this time around. This week he gets the White Sox at home. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Matt Shoemaker, Angels - With Hector Santiago now in the bullpen, the Angels need a new fifth starter in their rotation and for now that starter appears to be Shoemaker. He's currently at Triple-A Salt Lake, but should be called-up prior to his start this week on the road against the Phillies. The last two seasons at Salt Lake he's had an ERA north of 4.50 and this season is no different with a 6.31 ERA over five starts. He has missed bats with 26 strikeouts in 25.2 innings at Salt Lake and some of his ERA can likely be written off to the PCL, but the fact remains, he does not look like even a decent option to help owners or the Angels. We'll see what he can do this week against the Phillies and Rays. Mixed: No; AL: $4.

Chris Young, Mariners - Young has turned back the clock as of late, with four earned runs allowed over his last three starts combined (19.2 IP). Still, it's tough to trust him, as he isn't even league average at missing bats. For the season he has 18 strikeouts to 16 walks over 37.2 innings, which is more telling than his 2.63 ERA. This week he gets the Twins on the road, where his luck might continue. Mixed: $2; AL: $7.

Relief Pitchers:

Cody Allen/Marc Rzepczynski/Bryan Shaw/Scott Atchison, Indians - John Axford is out as the closer for the Tribe, but who will replace him is a bit uncertain. Allen immediately jumps to mind as the guy to pickup in leagues, as he's a RHP, who throws hard, misses bats, doesn't walk too many guys, and has done well in their bullpen the last two seasons. Marc Rzepczynski could see some save opportunities too, as he's a LHP, unlike Allen and some of the other potential replacements. He doesn't throw nearly as hard as Allen, but he is apt at getting out LHBs, so he can't be counted out of the mix. As for Bryan Shaw and Scott Atchison, they could see some save chances, but Allen will likely have to fail first. Both are decent enough options, but neither throws as hard as Allen, though both have shown better control this season and are more ground ball pitchers than Allen. Expect Axford to get a shot at earning his job back later this season, after he brings down that 4.91 ERA to something more respectable. Allen Mixed: $8; AL: $24.Rzepczynski/Shaw/Atchison Mixed: $1; AL: $5.

Ernesto Frieri, Angels - Frieri is back in as the Angels closer, making him someone that needs to be picked up in all leagues where he was dropped. Joe Smith hasn't done anything wrong and should still be held in all AL only and deeper mixed league formats. He's likely to continue to see saves, when Frieri needs rest or gets roughed up again. I thought Frieri deserved a longer leash than he was given, when he was removed from the closer role, and since then he's pitched the same way he was pitching before, striking guys out, keeping the walks to a minimum, but giving up costly home runs. The home runs he was giving up earlier this season were with men on and the last one he gave up was a solo shot. If he can curb his appetite for self-destruction and limit the home runs he gives up, he should be fine, but if he cannot, then we'll be seeing more Joe Smith. I think Frieri will get this turned around soon. Mixed: $12; AL: Owned.

Casey Janssen, Blue Jays - Janssen was activated from the 15-day DL this Sunday, after dealing with a back injury. He should immediately start working in high leverage situations and see save opportunities sooner rather than later, as the team needs him to help solve their closer situation, after Sergio Santos had to be removed. Last season Janssen had a 2.56 ERA with 34 saves, 50 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 52.2 IP. Finally healthy, he needs to be owned in all leagues. Mixed: $15; AL: $40.

Catchers:

J.P. Arencibia, Rangers - Starter Robinson Chirinos has been battling a stomach virus as of late, thus giving Arencibia a small bump in playing time. He hit a double and his first home run of the season this week, possibly showing his bat is starting to come around. Last season he hit below .200, but did slug 21 home runs, so value to be had here, at a price. Don't forget about him in AL only and deeper mixed leagues. If he starts to warm up, the home runs should be there. Mixed: No; AL: $4.

Steve Clevenger & Caleb Joseph, Orioles - Matt Wieters was put on the 15-day DL this Sunday, as he deals with a right elbow strain that could leave him out for an indefinitely amount of time. Fortunately for the O's he should not need Tommy John surgery. In his place, expect Clevenger to step up and be the new starting backstop. He's hitting .256/.326/.462 this season with six doubles over 43 PA. He doesn't have much of any power to speak of and his batting average has been poor in the past, so there's not much upside here. As for Joseph, he was called up this week from Triple-A Norfolk to back up Clevenger. Last season at Double-A Bowie, he hit 22 home runs with a .299 batting average over 570 PA, so he has some power and upside. If he can get enough playing time, he's a much more interesting option than Clevenger. Clevenger Mixed: $1; AL: $4. Joseph Mixed: $1; AL: $5.

Corner Infielders:

Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians - Chisenhall has started five of the last seven games for the Tribe at DH, as the team looks to get their offense going in different ways. On the season he has hit .348/.408/.449 with seven doubles, but no home runs over 77 PA. A touted prospect, when he first came up, Chisenhall has failed to live up to most of that hype, but then again, he's only 25 years old. Expect him to continue to DH and possibly steal some playing time from Nick Swisher, when Carlos Santana goes across the diamond, as Swisher is hitting close to .200 this season. Mixed: $3; AL: Owned.

Juan Francisco, Blue Jays - The Blue Jays have opted to move Brett Lawrie back to second base to give Francisco more playing time at third base, as he has hit too well to keep his bat out of the lineup. He went 3-for-3 in a game this week with a walk, double, and home run, so it's easy to see why the team wants him in the lineup and not Steve Tolleson or Chris Getz at second base. A career .246 hitter, Francisco has power but the question is if he will hit enough to keep him in the lineup. For now that answer appears to be yes. Mixed: $4; AL: Owned.

Conor Gillaspie, White Sox - Gillaspie was activated from the 15-day DL this week, after he dealt with a hand injury. He has started two games at third base, since coming back, but don't expect him to get steady playing time, as there is still Marcus Semien to deal with, who doesn't exactly have a home, after Gordon Beckham came off the DL himself. Gillaspie has gone 3-for-9 since coming back, which is a good sign that his hand injury is behind him. Last season he hit .245/.305/.390 with 13 home runs over 452 PA. Mixed: $2; AL: $8.

Jonathan Singleton, Astros - Keep stashing Singleton in AL only and deeper mixed leagues. He hit his 11th home run of the season this week, in a game where he went 3-for-5. He had started to cool off some, after a torrid April, but that seems to have passed. He has shown a good eye at the plate with 25 walks to 36 strikeouts in his 156 PA at Triple-A Oklahoma City. It shouldn't be long until he's up and Marc Krauss and Jesus Guzman are afterthoughts. Mixed: $5; AL: $20.

Middle Infielders:

Mike Aviles, Indians - I mentioned Aviles last week, as a possible replacement in AL only formats for those that lost Jason Kipnis to the DL, but he seems to be hitting well enough that he should be looked at in mixed leagues too. This week he went 9-for-18 with three doubles and a home run. He's now up to a .311/.342/.446 batting line with two home runs and four stolen bases. A career .274 hitter, he should continue to see plenty of playing time at second base, until Kipnis returns. Mixed: $5; AL: $20.

Johnny Giavotella, Royals - Giavotella was recalled from Triple-A Omaha this week to help give the Royals some infield depth, as Omar Infante deals with a back injury. Giavotella has been up for parts of the last three seasons and never really done much in any of them. He has very little power and limited speed with not much ability to hit for average. Still, he should get playing time in the interim at second base and possibly even third, if Mike Moustakas keeps hitting like Mike Moustakas. At Omaha this season Giavotella hit .352/.410/.484 with one home run and four stolen bases over 100 PA. Mixed: $2; AL: $9.

Eduardo Nunez, Twins - Nunez was brought up from Triple-A Rochester this week, after he dealt with an oblique injury. With Pedro Florimon no longer in the fold, there would seem to be an opening at shortstop, but Danny Santana has taken that over and show some pop, leaving Nunez without a home right now. He played in left field on Saturday, but is unlikely to stick there. Last season he hit .260/.307/.372 with three homers and 10 stolen bases over 336 PA. He's worth a small look in AL only formats. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Rougned Odor & Luis Sardinas, Rangers - Odor got the call from Double-A Frisco this week, to come up and help give the Rangers some life at second base, as they continue to bide their time until Jurickson Profar is ready to return from the DL. Odor was hitting .279/.314/.450 with six home runs and six stolen bases over 138 PA at Frisco and is considered a prospect within the Rangers organization. Skipping Triple-A, it's unlikely he's ready for the majors full-time, but that doesn't mean he can't get a few hits while he gets his feet wet. Donnie Murphy was put on the DL with a strained neck, so his main competition for playing time will be Luis Sardinas, who was also called up this week from Double-A Frisco, but doesn't possess the skills of Odor. At Frisco he hit .253/.278/.333 with one stolen base over 90 PA this season. In the past he has shown good speed, though he might not hit enough in the majors to show that part of his game. Odor Mixed: $2; AL: $8. Sardinas Mixed: No; AL: $4.

Outfielders:

Oswaldo Arcia, Twins - Arcia is getting closer to a return, as he picked up his rehab again in Triple-A Rochester, after having to stop because of stiffness in his injured wrist. Last season with the Twins, he hit .251/.304/.430 with 14 home runs over 378 PA. He likely won't be off the DL by the end of this week, so stash him if you can in deeper mixed leagues. He should hit for power, once fully over his current wrist issue. Mixed: $6; AL: Owned.

Lorenzo Cain, Royals - Cain came off the DL this week after dealing with a groin injury and rehabbing at Triple-A Omaha. He went 4-for-5 in his first game back with a double, so he appears ready to contribute to the Royals and for fantasy owners again. Last season he hit .251/.310/.348 with four homers and 14 stolen bases over 442 PA. He's got decent speed; it's just a matter of getting on base enough to showcase it. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.

Craig Gentry, A's - Coco Crisp has been dealing with a neck injury lately that has kept him out of the lineup. He's not expected to need a trip on the DL, so for now Gentry will take his spot. Gentry has done pretty much what owners expected this season, hitting .274 with no homers and five stolen bases over 71 PA. The extra boost in playing time should help his stolen bases numbers. He'd be a decent fill in if Crisp misses more time. Mixed: $3; AL: $12.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.