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 are again using 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.

Chris O'Grady, Marlins - O'Grady, a 10th-round pick in 2012, debuted Saturday against the Giants in his first major-league start. He earned the win, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings. O'Grady spent much of his career with the Angels, was a 2016 Rule 5 pick of the Reds before being returned to the Angels and joined the Marlins' organization this season. He posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB in 54.2 innings with Triple-A New Orleans this season. Miami has struggled to fill the fifth starter spot, so look for O'Grady to likely get at least one more turn in the rotation. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Sal Romano, Reds - Romano, one of the Reds' pitching prospects, was promoted earlier this season to make a spot start but lasted just three innings, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Shoulder inflammation sidelined him for a month, but he returned at the beginning of June and was coming one of his best starts of the year in the minors when he received a callup from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Romano, who mixes a mid-90s sinking fastball, developing curveball and changeup, held the Rockies to two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings for his first major league win Thursday and might stick as the fifth starter for now due to all the injuries in the Cincy rotation, despite getting sent down Saturday. He posted a 3.52 ERA with a 144:34 K:BB ratio in 156 innings pitched last season for Double-A Pensacola. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up more if you think he sticks).

Joe Ross, Nationals - Ross opened the year in the minors but was called up to start April 19 when Washington needed a fifth starter. He was solid in that first outing but struggled his next two and was demoted to the minors, as he had allowed 20 hits, including five homers, over 15.2 innings. Ross was an impressive 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 19 starts for the Nationals last season but shoulder issues cost him 10 weeks over the summer. He uses a 93-mph fastball, excellent slider and work-in-progress changeup to retire hitters, but it's lack of a good offspeed pitch that allows lefties to tattoo him, as they hit .356 against Ross. It's that issue and health concerns, which make Ross at times a risky bet. Ross was up-and-down after his promotion back to the majors May 23 but has righted the ship lately, making four straight quality starts. Ross is using his changeup more as a complement to his fastball and slider to keep hitters off balance. Home runs allowed are still an issue, the same with his struggles against lefties, so he is still not fully out of the woods yet. 12-team Mixed: $14; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL owned

Brent Suter, Brewers - Suter picked up the win after allowing one unearned run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over a six-inning spot start against the Orioles. That stellar outing earned Suter, who features a three-pitch arsenal, a second start Saturday for Milwaukee. Suter was excellent again in that outing, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings against the Yankees. He usually struggles his second and third time through a lineup due to somewhat pedestrian stuff. Suter profiles better as a reliever but will stick in rotation with Chase Anderson (oblique) sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Chad Bettis, Rockies – Bettis, who fortunately appears to have won his battle with testicular cancer, will kick off his rehab assignment Thursday for Double-A Hartford. He has advanced from bullpen session to simulated games and now to rehab starts. Bettis had hoped to return before the All-Star break but he may make it back before the end of July, though he is expected to need an extended rehab stint due to time missed. He led the Rockies in innings pitched last year with 186, going 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA. In the second half of the season, Bettis went 7-2 with a 3.17 ERA over 14 starts. Bettis would be the oldest member of a young Colorado rotation that started the season strong but has scuffled recently and will welcome a veteran arm, as Bettis will rejoin the rotation upon his return. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (same early spec return bid)

Trevor Cahill, Padres - Cahill, sidelined since May 14 with a strained right shoulder, made his second rehab appearance Wednesday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in 61 pitches, 36 strikes, over three innings for Triple-A El Paso. He returned to the Padres' rotation Tuesday against the Indians, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four over 85 pitches. Prior to being sidelined, Cahill made seven starts, posting an 11.1 K/9 and 29.5 strikeout percentage, which offer a sterling complement to his respectable 3.27 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Cahill has built off the success he had last year in the bullpen with Chicago. But, he has a 0.48 ERA at home and 5.48 ERA on the road, showing he may just be a product of Petco Park. Keep that in mind when using him, especially if he is dealt at the trade deadline. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (SAME bid as prior week)

Jerad Eickhoff, Phillies - Eickhoff, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an upper back strain June 20, allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out five in 57 pitches over five innings in a rehab start at Double-A Reading on Tuesday. He could come off the disabled list on Sunday to start against the Padres but might make one more rehab start and return after the All-Star break. Prior to being sidelined, Eickhoff had posted a 4.81 ERA and 65:30 K:BB through 76.2 innings (14 starts) this season. He uses a low-90s with his fastball to set up an excellent curveball and started to incorporate a slider last season. Eickhoff has been hurt by a high BABIP and low strand rate, so there is clearly room for improvement the second half of this year. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Scott Kazmir, Dodgers - Kazmir, sidelined all season with the hip injury, is in the midst of rehab starts. He made a pair of three-inning rehab starts for High-A Rancho Cucamonga before pitching there Friday. The arm soreness he had during the rehab has dissipated and he has been flashing a 90-to-92 mph fastball. Kazmir likely will need 1-2 more outings before he is ready to rejoin L.A., likely as part of the rotation, and the hope has to be his regression last season was due to pitching through injury. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid)

Kris Medlen, Braves - Medlen, trying to make it back to the majors following a second Tommy John elbow surgery in 2014 and shoulder issues that hampered him while pitching for the Royals in 2016, had his best start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits with no walks allowed in six innings in a win against Norfolk. He has struggled in general since moving to Gwinnett after two effective outings for Double-A Mississippi and a pair of starts for High-A Florida. From 2012-13 with the Braves, Medlen posted a 2.47 ERA over 82 games, moving from relieving to starting (43 starts), but he didn't have the same success in Kansas City, compiling a 5.12 ERA in 21 games (14 starts). If Medlen can string together a few solid outings, he could be promoted at the end of July. I have a bit of a soft spot for Medlen, after owning him during his halcyon days, and hope he makes a full return, though it could be as a starter rather than a reliever. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4.

Vince Velasquez, Phillies - Velasquez, who was placed on the disabled list May 31 with a right flexor strain, made a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last Saturday, allowing a run on 33 pitches in two innings. He made a second start, this one for Double-A Reading on Thursday, allowing three runs - two earned - in three innings. Velasquez is scheduled to make his next rehab start Thursday for High-A Clearwater, which would put him on track to be activated and join the Phillies' rotation July 18. Velasquez, who was 2-5 with a 5.58 ERA and a 53:21 K:BB in 50 innings before hitting the disabled list, slowly progressed from throwing from 90 and 120 feet to bullpen sessions and now rehab starts. The set timeframe depends on him having no setbacks, which hasn't always been the case with Velasquez. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (increased early spec return bid).

RELIEF PITCHER
 
Jake Barrett/Michael Blazek/Dylan Floro/Ariel Hernandez/Akeel Morris/Kevin Quackenbush/A.J. Schugel/Drew Steckenrider/Ross Stripling/Luke Weaver/Asher Wojciechowski - This week's key middle reliever callups/activations, as well as expected callups, were/will be in Arizona, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, Atlanta, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Miami, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Cincinnati. None, save for Weaver, has substantial value. Weaver, who went 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP and 60 strikeouts in his 11 starts (56 innings) with Triple-A Memphis this season, is working out of the bullpen for St. Louis. He has two-plus pitches - a low-90s fastball and a filthy changeup that will work as an out pitch at the highest level - but the continued development of his curveball will determine if he remains as a starter or stays in the bullpen. Weaver is next in line to receive a spot start, if one is needed, and likely should be in the team's 2018 starting rotation. All, save for Weaver - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $0; Weaver - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

A.J. Minter, Braves - Minter, selected 75th overall in the 2015 first-year player draft, has had an injury-plagued career. He had Tommy John surgery his final season at Texas A&M, which caused him to drop in the draft and cost him part of the 2015 season. This year, he missed time with radial tunnel syndrome and then had an adductor groin strain way in mid-April. Minter, viewed as a future closer or setup man, is making up for lost time, as he has posted a 1.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 10 appearances this season with 14 strikeouts and three walks in 10 innings. He could be up before the end of the month or early August. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

CATCHER
 
Tucker Barnhart/Stuart Turner, Reds - Stop me if you have heard this before, Devin Mesoraco is dealing with an injury. It's to his shoulder again, though unrelated to the prior surgery. In his stead, Barnhardt, who is having a solid season, will continue to start and receive most of the playing time behind the plate, just like he did last year, when he played 115 games. Turner, a Rule 5 pick from Minnesota, has stuck around all year due to Mesoraco's injuries. Barnhart - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4; Turner - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Francisco Cervelli, Pirates - Cervelli, out since June 19 with concussion-like symptoms, was activated Monday. He returns having not received a short rehab stint, instead participating in batting practice and infield drills. Cervelli might see some time at first base, due to the injuries he has suffered behind the plate, but still will see most of his action at catcher. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

FIRST BASE
 
Luke Voit, Cardinals - Voit, profiled last week, gets another mention, as he has seen fairly regular playing time at first base recently. He has raked at every level of the minors, slowly working his way up the ladder. Voit was batting .322/.406/.561 with 12 HR and 48 RBI over 255 at-bats at Triple-A Memphis when he was promoted this week. He is spelling Matt Carpenter at first base and has been the beneficiary of some injuries and days off, so watch St. Louis injury news closely before deploying him. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11.

Injury activation/updates:

Freddie Freeman, Braves - Freeman, off to a monster start before breaking his left wrist on a hit-by-pitch May 17, moved from first base to third base to keep Matt Adams' bat in the Atlanta lineup. Adams has been a godsend since coming over from St. Louis, more than ably filling in for Freeman. Prior to getting sidelined, Freeman was batting .341/.461/.748 with a league-leading 14 homers through 37 games (135 at-bats). He played two games of what was to be a three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett before returning a few days earlier than expected Tuesday. Freeman acknowledged that it would likely be another couple weeks before his wrist feels 100 percent healthy when he swings a bat, but believes he is healthy enough to play now. 12-team Mixed: $75; 15-team Mixed: $85, 12-team NL: $95, if for some reason he was waived

SECOND BASE
 
Phil Gosselin/Jace Peterson - This week's back-up middle infielder call ups/activations, as well as expected callups, or those potentially to see a slight uptick in playing time was in Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Neither have much value. Both - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2.

T.J. Rivera, Mets - Rivera, called back up to the majors due to Neil Walker's injury, has taken advantage of the additional playing time he has received. The Mets have used him at first, second and third base, as well as in left field. Rivera is 26-for-72 with a pair of home runs and 12 runs batted in over 24 games, albeit with a 11:1 K:BB ratio. He will continue to see playing time all over until at least Walker returns, and if the Mets are sellers, he should be close to a staple in the lineup. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $18.

Injury activation/updates:

Neil Walker, Mets - Walker, out since June 15 with a partially torn hamstring, took ground balls at second base. He is still weeks away from a return but this is a good sign in his recovery. Walker, a free agent after the season, had a PRP injection after the injury to stimulate healing and it's possible he is back at the end of the month or in early-August. With the Mets fading from contention, Walker could be moved at the non-waiver trade deadline July 31 or during the waiver trade deadline in August, though the Mets may still try to sign him to a long-term deal. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (early spec return bid, to be upped as he gets closer)

Kolten Wong, Cardinals - Wong, on the disabled list with a right triceps strain since June 15, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday. His recovery had a setback due to some pain in his arm, but he is now playing. That pain delayed Wong's return until sometime after the All-Star break. Wong was first sidelined with left elbow soreness May 27, but returned to action June 9, lasting six games before he suffered the strained triceps. Paul DeJong has done a solid job filling in for Wong, but Wong, who was hitting 301/.393/.444 when he was injured again, should regain his starting second base job when he returns. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: owned

SHORTSTOP

Injury activation/updates:

Sean Rodriguez, Braves - Rodriguez, who originally was expected to miss the entire season after undergoing surgery on his left rotator cuff in mid-February following a car accident, could return by the end of July. He has progressed quicker than expected, after being a rehab assignment last week, and is spent a couple games rehabbing his shoulder this weekend at Triple-A Gwinnett. If all goes well, Rodriguez could see some games in Double-A Mississippi before joining the Braves' lineup within the next three weeks. When S-Rod returns, looks for him to see time all over the field, especially vs. LHP. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (same early spec return bid)

THIRD BASE

Conor Gillaspie/Miguel Gomez, Giants - Gillaspie, sidelined with a back injury, was activated from the disabled list while Gomez received his first promotion to the big leagues Friday. Both are the beneficiary of Ryder Jones' wrist injury, which landed the young third baseman on the disabled. Gillaspie, batting. 137/.224/.176 line in 2017, may be in SF until Jones is healthy enough to return while Gomez, batting .305/.330/.458 with Triple-A Richmond, could stick after Jones returns. Gillaspie/Gomez - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Yadiel Rivera, Brewers - Rivera, batting .238/.296/.337 in 71 games this year for Triple-A Albuquerque, was promoted Thursday with Eric Sogard (ankle) landing on the disabled list. He provides Milwaukee a backup infielder who can play second, third and shortstop. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No, 12-team NL: $2.

OUTFIELD

Brian Goodwin, Nationals - Goodwin, who has seen substantial action due to the absences of Adam Eaton (ACL) and Jayson Werth (toe), now will probably play daily with Michael Taylor landing on the 10-day disabled list due to a mild right oblique strain. He has taken over the leadoff role due to Trea Turner's wrist injury with his solid walk rate and four 15-plus steal campaigns in the minors. Goodwin has shown a bit more power than expected as well. Chris Heisey or Wilmer Difo might spell him against lefties, but Goodwin should play almost daily in center field. 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $16

Chris Heisey/Ryan Raburn/Jesse Winker - This week's fourth and fifth outfielder callups/activations, as well as expected callups, or those potentially to see a slight uptick in playing time was in Washington and Cincinnati. Heisey will back up Brian Goodwin with Michael Taylor landing on the 10-day disabled list due to a mild right oblique strain, while both, but especially Raburn, will see an uptick in playing time in left field with Goodwin. Winker has long-term value, but for now, he is a bench option and a pinch-hitting threat from the left side. Heisey/Winker - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2; Raburn - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Jon Jay, Cubs - Jay has taken advantage of Jason Heyward's injury and Kyle Schwarber's slump and demotion to carve out more playing time. With Heyward's return Tuesday, the Cubs' outfield has gotten a bit more crowded. However, Jay could continue to be a useful leadoff hitter, at least against right-handed starters, which is the role he has more than ably filled lately. Jay has upped his OBA to .378 and blasted a key pinch-hit HR on Tuesday to help the Cubs win. With Kyle Schwarber back up, Jay has seen his PT decline, but if Schwarber doesn't turn it around soon, Jay could see a spike in action again. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7.

Starling Marte, Pirates - Marte began a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Bradenton last Sunday and has already moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis. He is eligible to return from an 80-game suspension July 18 and should be firmly on your radar if he is somehow still available. Marte is coming off of a season in which he hit .311 with 47 steals, and has four straight seasons of hitting at least .280 and stealing 30-plus bags. Prior to the suspension, Marte had gotten off to a slow start, batting just .241 with a .658 OPS, as he struggled in his transition to center field. With Marte out, Andrew McCutchen shifted back to CF, filling up the stat sheet lately. Marte, whose power numbers dropped last year, likely will play left field when he comes back, which should help in his transition, though he will have to deal with the PED stigma and McCutchen could be moved before the deadline. 12-team Mixed: $33; 15-team Mixed: $44; 12-team NL: $66/owned (increased bid; increase more as he gets closer to activation)

Tommy Pham, Cardinals - Pham, profiled two weeks ago, gets another mention, as he has been red-hot at the plate. He was promoted in early May when Stephen Piscotty landed on the disabled list Friday and Dexter Fowler was dealing with a shoulder issue. Since then, Pham already has hit 10 home runs and stolen nine bases while playing nearly every day. That fine play coupled with other injuries and slumps has enabled him to keep his spot in the lineup.  With Fowler now back, Pham should see reps at all three outfield spots, spelling Fowler, Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty, but his playing time will decline slightly. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (likely owned)

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs - Schwarber, who was sent to Triple-A Iowa to work on his swing after batting .171/.295/.378 through 64 games with the Cubs, got back on track down in the minors. In 11 games with the Iowa Cubs, he slashed .343/.477/.714 with four home runs and nine RBI. Schwarber was called back up with John Lackey (foot) landing in the disabled list. Manager Joe Maddon may place Schwarber back in the leadoff spot he filled prior to his demotion and look for Schwarber to play close to daily in left field, making Ian Happ a super-utility player again. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33/owned (increase bid if you believe he remedied all his ills in the minors)

Denard Span, Giants - Span continued his hot streak at the plate, homering Saturday. He has batted .351 with three homers, four steals and 17 runs over his last 20 games. Span has one more year on the three-year deal he signed with Giants in January 2016, but with the team out of the race, there is an outside shot he is moved to a contender. 12-team Mixed: $13; 15-team Mixed: $25; 12-team NL: owned

Raimel Tapia, Rockies - Tapia was called up for the third time this season June 6 when Alexi Amarista was placed on the paternity list. He remained on the 25-man roster when Amarista returned and saw an uptick in playing time with Carlos Gonzalez out of the lineup. Myriad injuries have allowed Tapia to remain in the majors and he has more than made the most of that chance. Gerardo Parra is now back, but Ian Desmond replaced him on the DL, joining David Dahl. As we wrote in our preseason outlook, Tapia's ability to make contact paired with his speed, despite the lack of power, makes him an intriguing option, as he'll likely be given a chance to strut his stuff at the big league level again at some point during the 2017 season. That chance occurred and Tapia has run with it, so look for him to play almost daily in left field over Amarista and Parra. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14.

Injury activation/updates:

David Dahl, Rockies - Dahl, sidelined with a stress reaction in his sixth rib, has begun hitting off a tee and is feeling no discomfort after getting shut down again almost a month ago. He will need to progress to batting practice and not suffer a setback before he starts rehab games. Dahl likely will need a few weeks of games to find his batting eye and stroke due to the time he has missed, though there is no timetable for his return. Even if he returns in the next few weeks, Dahl is not a lock to get more than a handful of starts per week as when everyone is healthy, Ian Desmond is in left, Charlie Blackmon in center and Carlos Gonzalez in right field. In addition, there is also a possibility Dahl could be optioned to the minors, but that seems remote. (Just an FYI as likely still owned in most leagues, but if not, the bids should be $4/9/14)

Gerardo Parra, Rockies - Parra, sidelined since June 6 with a strained right quad, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. He played full games Wednesday and Thursday before rejoining the Rockies on Friday for their weekend series against the White Sox. Parra should see some time backing up Mark Reynolds at first base as well as time at all three outfield spots with Ian Desmond (calf) and David Dahl (ribs) out. He was hitting .318 with six home runs, six doubles, 28 RBIs and a .348 OBA at the time of his injury, and it's possible he displaces Raimel Tapia in left, though Tapia has earned the right to play almost daily. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks - Pollock, out since May 14 with a Grade 1 strain of his right groin, completed a six-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno and rejoined the Diamondbacks lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers. After a hiccup during the kick off of his rehab assignment, he was able to pick it back up without incident and make it back this week. Pollock, who batted .299/.337/.395 with 11 stolen bases before he was sidelined after playing in just 12 games last year due to elbow and groin injuries, should play just about daily in center field. 12-team Mixed: $55 (in case he was waived); 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned.

Jayson Werth, Nationals - Werth, sidelined since June 3 after fouling a ball off his left foot, is working out with the Nationals' Gulf Coast League affiliate in West Palm Beach. The hope is that Werth will be cleared to start a rehab assignment soon, working his way up the levels in the minors. Werth will be the starting left fielder again once healthy, lengthening an already deep Natonals' lineup. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (early spec return bid)