This article is part of our Transaction Analysis series.
Here's a look at the transactions this week that had the most significant fantasy impact.
Athletics
Bartolo Colon, RHP - activated from the 15-day DL
Brian Fuentes, LHP - designated for assignment
Impact: Colon missed just a couple of weeks with a strained right oblique. He returned Wednesday to a 4.22 ERA, a 6-7 record and a lousy strikeout rate of 5.52 K/9IP. He pitched effectively against the Red Sox in his first start off the DL, going six innings while giving up just one earned run on five hits and a walk. There are certainly worse starting pitchers, but Colon's inability to miss bats makes him a risky option for fantasy leagues with innings limits. Fuentes was cut loose after going 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA and five saves (in eight chances) over 26 appearances with the A's.
Dodgers
Andre Ethier, OF - placed on the 15-day DL (left oblique)
Mark Ellis, 2B - activated from the 15-day DL
Impact: Ethier was putting up his typical numbers before he strained his left oblique during a game against the Giants on June 27. In 75 games this season, Ethier is hitting .291 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI. He had hoped to avoid a DL stint, but the Dodgers decided to play it safe and officially shelved him Wednesday. He'll be eligible to be activated immediately following the All-Star break, and the team expects him to be fully recovered. With both Ethier and Matt Kemp
Here's a look at the transactions this week that had the most significant fantasy impact.
Athletics
Bartolo Colon, RHP - activated from the 15-day DL
Brian Fuentes, LHP - designated for assignment
Impact: Colon missed just a couple of weeks with a strained right oblique. He returned Wednesday to a 4.22 ERA, a 6-7 record and a lousy strikeout rate of 5.52 K/9IP. He pitched effectively against the Red Sox in his first start off the DL, going six innings while giving up just one earned run on five hits and a walk. There are certainly worse starting pitchers, but Colon's inability to miss bats makes him a risky option for fantasy leagues with innings limits. Fuentes was cut loose after going 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA and five saves (in eight chances) over 26 appearances with the A's.
Dodgers
Andre Ethier, OF - placed on the 15-day DL (left oblique)
Mark Ellis, 2B - activated from the 15-day DL
Impact: Ethier was putting up his typical numbers before he strained his left oblique during a game against the Giants on June 27. In 75 games this season, Ethier is hitting .291 with 10 home runs and 55 RBI. He had hoped to avoid a DL stint, but the Dodgers decided to play it safe and officially shelved him Wednesday. He'll be eligible to be activated immediately following the All-Star break, and the team expects him to be fully recovered. With both Ethier and Matt Kemp out of action, the Dodgers likely will use an outfield consisting of Bobby Abreu, Elian Herrera and Juan Rivera, with Tony Gwynn Jr. and Scott Van Slyke also in the mix. Ellis missed more than six weeks after undergoing emergency surgery to relieve pressure in his left leg. Adam Kennedy and Jerry Hairston Jr. had been sharing the second base duties in Ellis' absence and should return to backup roles.
Indians
Travis Hafner, DH - activated from the 15-day DL
Shelley Duncan, OF - placed on the paternity leave list
Impact: The Indians' 35-year-old DH missed a month and a half following surgery on his right knee. Hafner has not appeared in more than 118 games in a season since 2007, which has seriously hampered his fantasy value. Nevertheless, he owns a decent bat when healthy, and he returns to a .242 average, six home runs and 23 RBI. Duncan is hitting .221 with seven home runs and 19 RBI in 55 games and could be away from the club for anywhere from 24 to 72 hours while on the paternity list.
Marlins
Carlos Lee, 1B - acquired along with cash considerations from Houston for IF Matt Dominguez and LHP Rob Rasmussen
Gaby Sanchez, 1B - optioned to Triple-A New Orleans
Impact: Lee became the latest casualty of Houston's rebuilding efforts Wednesday as he was shipped to Miami. He hit .287 with five home runs and 29 RBI in 66 games for the Astros and should be an offensive upgrade over the struggling Gaby Sanchez. Sanchez was demoted in mid-May in an effort to rejuvenate his bat, but his numbers didn't improve much after he was recalled. He is hitting .202 with three home runs and 17 RBI in 55 games. Dominguez should back up Chris Johnson at third base, but could work his way into regular at-bats down the road. Rasmussen will provide organizational pitching depth in the Astros minor league system.
Orioles
Brian Roberts, 2B - placed on the 15-day DL (right groin)
Xavier Avery, OF - recalled from Triple-A Norfolk
Impact: Roberts managed to get into just 17 games before landing back on the DL. The once-durable second baseman hasn't played in more than 59 games in a season since 2009, and his 2012 season didn't start until mid-June due to concussion-related symptoms. The initial diagnosis for his latest injury was a groin strain, but there apparently may also be an issue with his right hip. Roberts has yet to get his bat going this year, as he's managed to hit just .182 (12-for-66) without an extra base hit. What makes matters worse is that he's only stolen one base, making him absolutely no help to a fantasy team. It is unclear at this point how long he'll be out, but it's probably safe to say that his chances of being a solid fantasy contributor this season are pretty slim. Light-hitting Robert Andino will get most of the playing time at second base but can be avoided in most fantasy leagues. Avery should get semi-regular at-bats out of the leadoff spot while playing left field. He's hitting just .222 with one home run, six RBI and 10 runs scored, but has five stolen bases in 18 games. Fantasy owners who are in need of steals might want to give him a look.
Pirates
Jose Tabata, OF - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis
Gorkys Hernandez, OF - recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis
Alex Presley, OF - placed on the 7-day DL (concussion)
Jordy Mercer, IF - recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis
Impact: The Pirates outfield was shaken up this week, starting with a trip to the minors for the 23-year-old Tabata. The Venezuelan right fielder has hit just .230 with three home runs in 72 games, while stealing just eight bases in 17 attempts. Alex Presley was pulled from Tuesday's game after he suffered a concussion while diving for a ball in the outfield. He's hitting .242 with six home runs, 13 RBI and eight stolen bases (in 12 attempts). As a result of Pittsburgh's outfield shakeup, Drew Sutton should continue to receive regular at-bats and should have value in most fantasy leagues. Neither Hernandez nor Mercer are likely to be of much help to a fantasy team.
Red Sox
Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP - placed on the 15-day DL (neck)
Mauro Gomez, IF - recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket
Impact: Matsuzaka is back on the shelf, this time due to stiffness in his neck. The Japanese right-hander has started just five games this year, after he began the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He had been dealing with the neck issue for a while, but it finally caught up to him during a disastrous start Monday when he was pulled after giving up five earned runs in an inning against Oakland. Although his 6.65 ERA and 0-3 record look pretty ugly, his strikeout rate (7.83 K/9) and WHIP (1.35) are actually respectable. With both Franklin Morales and Aaron Cook pitching effectively, the team will probably take its time with Dice-K, likely giving him the rest of the month to recover. Mauro Gomez could see a fair amount of time at third base depending on whether Will Middlebrooks' hamstring injury requires a DL stint. Gomez has hit .311 with 19 home runs and 55 RBI in 72 games for Triple-A Pawtucket and could have some fantasy value if he gets the playing time.
Twins
Chris Parmelee, 1B - optioned to Triple-A Rochester
Sam Deduno, RHP - contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester
Impact: Parmelee began the season as the Twins' regular first baseman, but has struggled to find playing time recently due to his offensive woes. In 38 games, he has hit just .194 with two home runs and five RBI. Deduno will be inserted into the Twins rotation after going 1-2 with an impressive 2.14 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 42 innings at Rochester. He could hold some fantasy value in deep AL-only leagues, but is probably best avoided otherwise.
