NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

This year, we're incorporating grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Dansby Swanson would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Jhoulys Chacin, Padres - Chacin has been solid lately, posting a 3.04 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 22:8 K:BB ratio in 23.2 innings over his last four starts. He has been aided by his strong GB:FB rate, which has risen a bit this year. But start Chacin at home, where he has a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings, not on the road, where he has a nightmarish 8.77 ERA in 25.2 innings. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Amir Garrett, Reds - Garrett opened the season in the Reds' rotation but was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on May 7 as a way to limit his overall workload. He made one appearance in the minors, striking out all six batters he faced in a perfect two-inning appearance last Friday against the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox. Garrett posted a 4.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB ratio over his first 36 innings (six starts) this season for Cincinnati with nine of those earned runs allowed in 3.1 innings in a start April 24 against the Brewers. His return to the majors wasn't that successful, as Garrett allowed six runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five batters in just four innings Thursday versus the Cubs. The upside is still there despite the rough start, but like any rookie pitcher, growing pains are expected. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: owned, if not, $14.

Jeff Hoffman, Rockies - Hoffman, the centerpiece of the 2015 trade that sent Troy Tulowitzki to Toronto, was profiled last week when dominated the Dodgers to earn his first career win. He struck out a career-high eight in 5.1 innings but was rewarded with a demotion. Hoffman will make a spot start Monday, due to Wednesday's rainout against the Twins. He has posted a 3.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB ratio in 39.0 innings for Triple-A Albuquerque. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (if he can be stashed)

Vance Worley, Marlins - Worley is on his fifth team in five years, which should provide all you need to know about him. The journeyman right-hander started eight games for Triple-A New Orleans this season, during which he's posted a 4.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Worley has struggled to retire the opposition, as batters have hit .305 off him, which is fairly in line with his history. He is the scheduled starter against the Dodgers. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activation/updates:

Homer Bailey, Reds - Bailey, limited to just eight starts the last two seasons due to elbow and other arm woes, threw a 48-pitch bullpen session last Friday, his longest session to date. As he works back from surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow, Bailey has now moved to the next phase of his rehab, which has him throwing a bullpen session every three days, followed by live batting practice and then a simulated game. Then, he'll finally be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment in preparation to make his 2017 debut sometime in mid-to-late June. Bailey has had setbacks the last two seasons, so tread lightly until he shows that he is really ready to return to action. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same early spec return bid as prior)

Jarred Cosart, Padres - Cosart, sidelined since his April 18 with a strained right hamstring, was activated Thursday to make a spot start in place of Trevor Cahill (shoulder). He allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings Thursday against Milwaukee. Cosart will make at least one more start Wednesday in place of Cahill. Once Cahill returns, Cosart may be moved back to the bullpen as a long reliever. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Anthony DeSclafani, Reds - DeSclafani, who hadn't pitched since dealing with elbow tenderness at the beginning of spring training, was finally cleared to begin throwing. After posting a 3.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 105 strikeouts over 20 starts with the Reds last season, DeSclafani will begin a gradual rehabilitation program with the long-term goal of returning in the second half of the regular season. DeSclafani held righties to a 199/.274/.311 slash line but lefties pummeled him to the tune of .300/.337/.500, which held down his overall numbers. Expect a firmer timetable for DeSclafani's return to be established once he gets back into regular pitching activities. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec return bid)

Jon Gray, Rockies - Gray suffered a stress fracture in his left foot about a month ago during the best of his three starts to open the season. The bone scan on his foot showed solid healing and Gray has been throwing bullpen sessions while wearing his walking boot. Gray will need to progress from his current throwing of 90-100 feet to throwing off a mound, then bullpen sessions and rehab starts, putting him a few weeks away from returning. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (same early spec return bid, up as he gets closer)

Junior Guerra, Brewers - Guerra, who injured his right calf in his first start of the season April 3, is working his way back to the Brewers. He allowed five runs - two earned - over five innings Monday in his first rehab start with Double-A Biloxi. He'll make a second rehab start, this one at Triple-A Colorado Springs, before hopefully rejoining the Brewers' rotation before the end of May, at which time Milwaukee will have to decide who he will replace. (Just an FYI as still should be owned in all formats, if not, $9/$18/$25, if a believer in what he did last year.)

Jeff Locke, Marlins - Locke, out with a shoulder tendinitis, is in the midst of a rehab assignment. Friday, making his third rehab appearance, Locke allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out seven in 5.1 innings for Double-A Jacksonville. In three games, including two for High-A Jupiter, Locke has allowed four runs in 14.1 innings while striking out 17 and walking none. Locke was a starter in his six seasons with the Pirates but profiles as a long reliever with the Marlins. But with Wei-Yin Chen and Tom Koehler on the disabled list and Adam Conley in the minors, which has resulted in Justin Nicolino and Vance Worthy in the rotation, Locke get a shot at starting after a few more rehab starts. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Seth Lugo/Steven Matz, Mets - Lugo (partial UCL tear) and Matz (strained flexor tendon) each made their first rehab appearance at High-A St. Lucie on Thursday. Matz threw 53 pitches, allowing a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings, while Lugo threw 42 pitches in 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and did not walk or strike out a batter. This outing continues their slow progression back to the majors, as the prior week, each tossed a bullpen session, which followed a 20-pitch side session off the rubber after throwing off the slope of a mound. So far, neither has had a setback and both are targeting an early-June return following several rehab assignments. Lugo likely is to be used as a swingman out of the bullpen while Matz should move back into the starting rotation as the only lefty in the Mets' starting five. However, there is a possibility that Lugo ends up starting as well with Robert Gsellman struggling and Zack Wheeler's innings to be managed. Lugo - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (upped early spec bid based on his starting); Matz - 12-team Mixed: $7 (early spec bid); 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned.

Kenta Maeda, Dodgers - Maeda, coming off three solid starts, including possibly his best of the season, landed on the disabled list with left hamstring tightness May 11. His rehab has gone according to plan and he is scheduled to throw four innings an/or 60 pitches for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. Maeda will rejoin L.A.'s rotation Thursday against St. Louis, creating a logjam following the return of both Rich Hill (finger) and Brandon McCarthy (shoulder) this past week. Hyun-Jin Ryu may be the odd-man out. (Just an FYI as still should be owned in all formats, if not, $11/$20/$29).

Aaron Nola, Phillies - Nola, sidelined since late-April with a strained lower back, tossed 6.1 shutout innings (83 pitches) during his last rehab start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday and was activated to start Sunday against the Pirates. That outing follows his rehab start, in which he threw four innings for Lehigh Valley, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks while throwing 37 strikes in his 52 pitches and topping out at 93 mph during the outing. After struggling following a hot start, Nola missed the final two months last season with an elbow strain. He was off to a slow start this year in his first three outings, but if healthy, profiles as a No. 2-3 starter. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18 (upped bid)

Jameson Taillon, Pirates - Taillon landed on the disabled list May 6 with groin discomfort and underwent surgery for testicular cancer two days later. There is no timeframe for his return, but Taillon was cleared to play catch and resume light cardio drills Wednesday. Prior to being sidelined, Taillon had been scuffling, allowing 11 earned runs on 18 hits and six walks with 14 strikeouts in 15.1 innings covering his last three starts. Taillon had a pathology report come back positive for testicular cancer, which is not surprising, given what was announced after the surgery, but he's not completely out of the woods at this point. The next step is to be re-examined next week to determine if the cancer has spread to any other part of his body. If the answer is no, then Taillon may be able to continue progressing forward with his rehab. Taillon posted a 85:17 K:BB as a rookie and registered a 3.38 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 104 innings relying on a 12-to-6 curveball and pinpoint accuracy with his low-90s fastball. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16 (if waived, plus the amount is to be upped as he hopefully gets closer to returning)

RELEIF PITCHER
 
Tyler Cravy/Brian Ellington/Luke Jackson/Jhan Marinez/Adam Morgan/Kevin Quackenbush/Neil Ramirez/Jose Valdez/Asher Wojciechowski - This week's key middle reliever callups/activations, as well as expected call-ups, were/will be in Milwaukee, Miami, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Diego, New York, San Diego and Cincinnati. None, save for Wojciechowski, have substantial value. Wojciechowskicould end up starting for the Reds, but if he is used in the bullpen, he should be a decent source of strikeouts. All except for Wojciechowski - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0; Wojciechowski - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Felipe Rivero, Pirates - Rivero, acquired from Washington at the 2016 trade deadline as a key piece in the Mark Melancon trade, could be next in line in Pittsburgh.  Tony Watson, the Pirates' current closer, will be a free agent after the season and with Pittsburgh likely out of contention this year, Watson could be moved before the deadline. Daniel Hudson has struggled, leaving Rivero as the probable next man up. But Rivero has earned that status, sporting a 0.82 ERA and 0.77 WHIP with a 23:4 K:BB ratio after pitching 22 innings over 22 games. Pitching coach Ray Searage has developed another solid pitcher, and if you haven't grabbed Rivero in your league, do so now before it's too late. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

CATCHER
 
Tucker Barnhart, Reds - Devin Mesoraco is dealing with hamstring tightness and could land on the disabled list, despite playing Saturday. While Mesoraco was out, Barnhardt started and received most of the playing time behind the plate, just like he did earlier this season and last year, when Barnhart played 115 games. If Mesoraco is truly healthy, there is no need to bid on Barnhart. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Chris Herrmann/Jeff Mathis, Diamondbacks - Chris Iannetta landed on the 7-day concussion DL last Sunday, leaving the catching duties to Herrmann and Mathis. Herrmann is the more offensive-minded catcher while Mathis is better known for his defense, but each have hit well in Iannetta's absence. While Iannetta was activated Saturday, Herrmann started and hit a home run, but the belief is Mathis should be the main backup with Herrmann spotted into the lineup. Herrmann - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4; Mathis - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Tom Murphy, Rockies - Murphy, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled list after he fractured his right hand when it made contact with Kris Bryant's bat on March 11, threw Tuesday and is close to taking batting practice once again. That news comes on the heels of manager Bud Black saying Murphy's return was closer than assumed. Murphy took longer than expected to heal and start baseball activities. Now healthy, he will still require time to test out the hand in fielding and throwing drills, batting practice and rehab games before the Rockies would consider activating him from the 10-day disabled list. Once Murphy is back, he will at a minimum platoon with Tony Wolters, who just returned Tuesday from a concussion, and likely should end up garnering most of the playing time behind the plate, though hat might not be until sometime in June. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (slightly upped bid).

FIRST BASE
 
Matt Adams, Braves - Freddie Freeman will miss the next 8-10 weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist. To try to fill the major void left by his absence, the Braves acquired Adams and cash considerations for minor-league infielder Juan Yepez on Saturday. Adams, who is slashing .292/.340/.396 through 53 plate appearances this season, should play nearly every day at first base while batting in the middle of the order for Atlanta while Freeman is sidelined. His acquisition moves Jace Peterson back to a utility role. 12-team Mixed: $7; 15-team Mixed: $14; 12-team NL: $21.

Josh Bell, Pirates - Bell was profiled two weeks ago, but his continued hot stretch deserves another mention. He hit just .116/.229/.140 this spring but broke camp as the Pirates' starting first baseman. Bell carried that slow start into the spring but was up to nine home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs and a .256/.342/.527 slash line for the season through Friday's games. In addition, he hit four home runs during his seven-game hitting streak, which ended Saturday, and all nine home runs have come since April 18. Bell has hit at every level, including following his promotion to the majors last year, so take his spring and early season numbers with a grain of salt, especially since he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee in late February, slowing his settling in period for the year. Bell brings solid power and slash lines and is now ensconced at first base, save for certain games against southpaws, against whom he struggles. 12-team Mixed: $55; 15-team Mixed: $75, 12-team NL: owned.

Tommy Joseph, Phillies - Joseph was likely dropped in many leagues due to his poor April. Those who stayed with Joseph have been rewarded, as he has raked in May. Through Friday's games, Joseph has hit .383 with five home runs and 12 RBI in May. That hot streak lends additional credence to his 2015 campaign, in which he hit 21 home runs in just 347 plate appearances. Add in the fact that half his games are at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park and you have a likely somewhat undervalued first baseman. 12-team Mixed: $45; 15-team Mixed: $65, 12-team NL: owned

Injury activation/updates:

Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers - Gonzalez, who went on the disabled list for the first time in his 13-year career May 3 with right elbow soreness and a bad back, was activated Thursday. This is noteworthy because it moves Cody Bellinger back to left field. But Bellinger did get 10 games at first, giving him eligibility in most leagues at that spot. If A-Gone gets hot and shows he is healthy, Bellinger will see the occasional start at first and could get the 10 remaining games he will need to qualify at the position next year. Should still be owned in all leagues.

SECOND BASE
 
Ian Happ, Cubs - Happ, profiled last week, gets another mention this week due to his strong start to his major-league career. Originally, Happ was only expected to remain with Chicago until Kris Bryant (illness), Addison Russell (shoulder) and Jon Jay (back) all were healthy. Now, with all of them back, Happ's next challenge is to continue he deserves to remain in the show once Jason Heyward (finger) returned, which occurred Saturday. He looked to be off to a good start on that, as he was starting in center field with Heyward in right, evidencing that Happ may here to stay for at the short-term, which likely means less time for Jon Jay and Albert Almora. Happ has played all three-outfield spots but now also could see time at first and third base as well as at second, due to his versatility as a way to keep him and his bat in the majors. Happ had gotten off to a great start at Triple-A Iowa this season, hitting .298/.362/.615 with nine home runs in 26 games, including three long-balls in his last four games prior to the promotion. He is a switch-hitter with a quick bat, an advanced eye and a bit of both power and speed. 12-team Mixed: $45; 15-team Mixed: $55, 12-team NL: $75 (upped bid from prior week, increase even more if you think he will stick and in keeper leagues)

Jace Peterson, Braves - With Freddie Freeman out 8-10 weeks with a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist after getting hit by a pitch, the Braves were originally expected to use a cast of thousands to fill the huge hole created by his absence. Peterson appeared to be first in line, though Johan Camargo, Nick Markakis and Rio Ruiz all were expected to see time, at least until James Loney possibly showed he was ready. That all changed Saturday with the acquisition of Matt Adams, moving Peterson back to a utility role, which is likely how he is best deployed. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2.

Eric Sogard, Brewers - Sogard was profiled last week when he promoted to serve as depth while Ryan Braun (calf) is on the 10-day disabled list. He homered while starting at shortstop Friday and that looked like it would be the highlight of his call-up. But all Sogard has done is hit, forcing manager Craig Counsell to put his name in the lineup daily, including Friday in left field, where Sogard had never played. The hot run will end soon, but ride it for as long as it does. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1, 12-team NL: $4.

Injury activation/updates:

Logan Forsythe, Dodgers - Forsythe landed on the disabled list with a fractured toe after getting hit-by-a-pitch April 18. Original speculation was that Forsythe could miss up to six weeks but that timeframe was dialed back. The fracture has healed and Forsythe had resumed baseball activities but was shut down May 3 with hamstring tightness. He resumed game action last week and will come off the DL on Tuesday if his rehab games Friday and Saturday occur without incident. Chase Utley and Chris Taylor manned second base with Forsythe out and each will remain there, as Forsythe will play third with Justin Turner out with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: likely still owned

SHORTSTOP

Christian Colon, Marlins - Colon was claimed off waivers from the Royals by the Marlins on Tuesday. After getting designated for assignment due by Kansas City, Miami grabbed Colon due several injuries to its infielders. Colon, a first-round pick in 2010 is platooning at third with Derek Dietrich while Martin Prado (hamstring) is on the DL. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4

Dansby Swanson, Braves - Swanson, who took the league by storm after his surprising promotion mid-August last year from Double-A Mobile, got off to a horrific start this season. After beginning the year, 15-for-100, Swanson is 14-for-41 with two home runs and nine runs batted in over his last 12 games to get over the Mendoza line. Swanson is still adapting to the majors and raised expectations with his strong start, but we shouldn't forget he had just 84 games above High-A before he was promoted. Therefore, while we all expect Swanson to shine, realize it may take a bit longer than first thought. 12-team Mixed: $45 (in case he was waived during his slow start); 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Injury activation/updates:

Trevor Story, Rockies - Story, his strained left shoulder fully healed, started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday and may be activated Monday. After a brilliant start to 2016 and excellent overall numbers before missing the last two months with a thumb injury, Story struggled mightily this year before he was sidelined. Story was slashing just .180/.289/.396 with six home runs and a dismal 37.5 percent K-rate with 48 strikeouts in 111 at-bats. Despite poor start, he should still be owned in all formats.

THIRD BASE

Johan Camargo/Rio Ruiz, Braves - With Adonis Garcia (Achilles) landing on the disabled list Tuesday, Camargo was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to offer the Braves some infield depth. Camargo's .307/.340/.466 slash line in the minors this season was far from the norm for him but might earn him some at-bats. Ruiz was summoned when Freddie Freeman landed on the disabled list with a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist. Ruiz was slashing .262/.305/.447 across 37 games with Gwinnett before being promoted after hitting 10 home runs, 62 RBI with a .755 OPS over 133 games there in 2016. With Freeman and Garcia out, Ruiz, who homered off Max Scherzer on Saturday, could see time at both corner infield positions, though most of his time will come at third with newly-acquired Matt Adams manning first base. Camargo - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2; Ruiz - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $7

Chris Taylor, Dodgers - Taylor and Chase Utley have been filling in for Logan Forsythe (toe) at second base. Forsythe is due back Sunday or Tuesday but Justin Turner landed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Forysthe is to fill in at third, leaving second to Taylor and Utley. Taylor has exploded in May, slashing .373/.500/.608 over 64 plate appearances with three homers and 11 RBI, resulting in him seeing most of the time at the position, which should continue for as long as Turner is sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9, 12-team NL: $14.

Injury activation/updates:

Aaron Hill, Giants - Hill, sidelined since April 24 with a strained right forearm, kicked off his rehab assignment with High-A San Jose on Tuesday. Once he is activated, Hill will resume his role as a backup at second and third base as well as in the outfield. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals - Peralta, sidelined since April 20 with an upper respiratory infection, was activated off the 10-day disabled list Friday. He completed a six-game rehab stint at High-A Palm Beach and Triple-A Memphis to better test his recovery and energy. Prior to being sidelined, Peralta had slipped to fourth in the hot corner pecking order behind Jedd Gyorko, Greg Garcia and Matt Carpenter due to a .120 average with zero extra-base hits and a 9:2 K:BB in 27 plate appearances. Peralta missed almost half the year last year due to injuries and ceded the starting job to Gyorko and shouldn't see lots of at-bats now that he is back. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1, 12-team NL: $4 (same as prior)

OUTFIELD

Gregor Blanco/Reymond Fuentes, Diamondbacks - A.J. Pollock suffered a Grade 1 right groin strain May 14 will be sidelined for at least several weeks. Attempting to fill the void in center field in Pollock's absence is Blanco and Fuentes. Blanco is a better defender while Fuentes has the better bat, leaving manager Torey Lovullo a decision on whom to play daily. Blanco has stronger numbers in his major-league career but Fuentes earned the call-up after slashing .376/.403/.481 over 144 plate appearances with Triple-A Reno. For now, go with the player with the higher upside potential at the plate. Blanco - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4, 12-team NL: $7; Fuentes - 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7, 12-team NL: $11

Brett Eibner/Danny Ortiz - This week's fourth and fifth outfielder call ups/activations, as well as expected call-ups, or those potentially to see a slight uptick in playing time were/will be in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. Neither has any substantial value. Eibner/Ortiz - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0.

Injury activation/updates:

Yoenis Cespedes, Mets - Cespedes missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury. Rather than shutting him down completely and placing him on the 10-day DL, Cespedes returned after missing just a few days but then strained his left hamstring landing him on the DL on April 27. Cespedes began a five-day running program Tuesday and took at-bats during extended spring training over the prior few days. The hope is that Yo will be activated this Tuesday, May 23, providing a major boost to the Mets' lineup. Just an FYI as should still be owned in all leagues.

David Dahl, Rockies - Dahl, sidelined with a stress reaction in his sixth rib, took batting practice with the Rockies on Wednesday with the hope of kicking off a rehab assignment this week. That will depend on how he fared the remainder of this past week. Even if he is able to return in the next few weeks, Dahl is not a lock to get more than a handful of starts per week as long as Mark Reynolds remains hot at the plate and continues to earn starts at first base, which has been pushing Ian Desmond to left field lately. In addition, there is also a possibility Dahl could be optioned to the minors, but that seems remote at this time. (Just an FYI as should be owned in all leagues, but if not, the bids should be $4/9/14, drop from prior with Desmond in outfield.)

Alex Dickerson, Padres - Dickerson, on the 60-day DL with a herniated disc in his back, could return by mid-June so long as he avoids any setbacks in his rehab. Late last month, Dickerson progressed to cardio work, light weight lifting and some baseball activities. Friday, he was cleared to begin running. Matt Szczur is filling in for Dickerson while Travis Jankowski (foot), who's on the 10-day DL, is sidelined. If Dickerson has no setbacks and can be back in mid-June, he could take over the left field job building off last year's strong performance following his promotion. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec bid)

Jose Martinez, Cardinals - Martinez, sidelined with a Grade 2 groin strain, is scheduled to begin a six-day stint at extended spring training Monday. Prior to being sidelined on May 5, Martinez looked to be in position to play almost every day with Stephen Piscotty landing on the disabled list. But with Piscotty active Saturday and Tommy Pham filling in nicely in the outfield, it remains unclear if Martinez will have a reserve role in the Cardinals outfield upon his activation. However, given his .313/.353/.458 slash line through his first 52 plate appearances this season, Martinez will get some serious consideration to see time again at both corner outfield spots. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7.

Stephen Piscotty, Cardinals - Piscotty, sidelined with a strained hamstring and knee injury, returned to rehab action Friday after getting lifted from a rehab game Thursday and was activated Saturday. Prior to be sidelined with his injury, Piscotty was slashing .241/.378/.380 with 16 walks and 18 strikeouts, continuing his second half slump from last season. When he is activated, Piscotty should regain his starting right field start, but if he struggles, manager Mike Matheny can turn to Tommy Pham, who has nicely stood in for Piscotty. (Just an FYI as should be owned in all leagues.)

Mac Williamson, Giants - Williamson, sidelined since spring training with a strained quadriceps, was activated this week, replacing Hunter Pence, who landed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. He was slashing .274/.338/.452 with three homers on a rehab assignment at Triple-A before being recalled and Williamson has seen most of the action in right field with Pence sidelined. Williamson has power but that is offset by his propensity for striking out. But if Williamson can get hot, he could see time in left and right field. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7.