The Morning Offering - April 28, 2005

Written by The Fool on April 28, 2005

We’re not quite out of the first month of the major league baseball season, but the injury bug has buzzed into the dugout and bit the crap out of a number of high-profile players.

Today The Fool will check out the injuries and point out who will be filling in for the sidelined stars.

Curt Schilling, Red Sox ace
Injury: A bone bruise in his magic ankle that helped the Sox win a World Series last season has landed the motormouth on the DL
Replacement: John Halama, a former midlin’ pitcher who’s working in middle relief for the Sox this year. He’s only pitched in eight games this season, and isn’t worth your time unless you’re in an AL Only league.

Armando Benitez, San Francisco closer
Injury: A torn hamstring, which could sideline the flamethrower for anywhere from four months to a year.
Replacement: Closer by Committee time in San Francisco, as former closer Matt Herges and aging lefty Jeff Fassero will be called upon to finish games. Expect Herges, who last season had 23 saves, to get most of the work. He’s definitely worth picking up, but he’s nowhere near as effective as Benitez.

Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals closer
Injury: It’s a strained right abdominal muscle for this brittle Bob, which landed him on the DL. At least it’s not in his head. "The black cloud is starting to come over my head again," Isringhausen said on Wednesday. "I thought I had it away from me for a while. I was just starting to get to where I wanted to be and throwing the ball good, and then this happens." Um, just go get better, OK? Thanks, Izzy.
Replacement: Handsome Julian Tavarez will get a shot at some saves, as will big Ray King. Neither has proved too reliable over the last few years, especially in pressure situations. But, this is the best team in the NL, so see who gets the first save and jump on him.

David Wells, Red Sox fat drunk
Injury: A right foot sprain, which probably has nothing to do with him being fat. He’s 41, pitching poorly and headed to the DL.
Replacement: Lenny DiNardo, a tall lefty who opened the season in Class AAA Pawtucket. DiNardo should start on Tuesday at Detroit, a good spot for the 25-year-old former Rule 5 pick. He appears ready to contribute, too; DiNardo threw five scoreless innings in his last start and has limited batters in Class AAA to a .188 average. He had a 4.23 ERA last season with Boston in 22 relief appearances.

Frank Francisco, insane bullpen guy
Injury: Blown elbow
Replacement: A ligament in his elbow! Otherwise, this means nothing to you, the fantasy player, because he hasn’t played all season and “crazy chair throwing” isn’t a category in most leagues. If so, try and grab Bobby Knight.

Nomar Garciaparra
Injury: Torn groin, which necessitated surgery. Always good in a contract year.
Replacement: The Cubbies started the season with a decent middle infield of Todd Walker and Nomar; now, they have Jerry Hairston at second and Neifi Perez at shortstop. Neither are as good as the regular options, though Hairston brings speed and a little pop to the table. Perez is hot right now, and it looks like he’ll get a chance to keep the job, so he’s worth snagging in deep leagues.

Chicago White Sox
Injuries: The whole team is dinged up.
Replacement: Depending on the position qualifications in your league, last night’s game could have serious repercussions. Joe Crede played at shortstop, Jermaine Dye also got some time at short, and catcher Chris Widger played third. Don’t be surprised if Paul Konerko gets some time at third this week as well.

Good Read
If you’re still waiting on the "Moneyball" sequel from Michael Lewis, check out last weekend’s New York Times magazine. Lewis did a followup story on the steroid problem in baseball and the effect it has on prospects, specifically former Moneyball draftees Steve Stanley and Mark Teahan, now with the Royals (and also injured, for what it's worth).

-- Written by The Fool on April 28, 2005