On the Mend

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There’s an interesting group of fantasy sleepers that are due to come off the D.L. in the next few weeks. Injured players can often be overlooked when we’re searching for ways to improve our team, but buying low on a player while the stink of injury is still fresh can often pay big dividends when that player regains regular playing time.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at this list is that all of these players come with a great deal of uncertainty at this point. If that weren’t the case, they wouldn’t be so readily available. Take a low-risk plunge on these players in your deep keeper/dynasty league, and you may be reaping the rewards the last five months of the season. Now to the bullets:

• Dan Johnson 1B Oak: Should start on minor league rehab assignment next week. He’s mashing in extended spring training, and could hit 15-20HR the rest of the way if the A’s give him enough ABs. Johnson’s been out of the limelight for a while, so he could be a great under-the-radar pick.

• Hong-Chih Kuo RHP LAD: Kuo’s scheduled to pitch in a simulated game today, and could bring his wicked strikeout potential (10.71K/9 in ‘06) back to the majors in May. Watch to see how his rehab starts go, because if the Dodgers think he could move back into the rotation, he’ll be a huge sleeper. Even as a RP, he’ll help your team.

• Josh Bard C SD: Bard may have been dropped by an impatient owner, as he really has only had one partial season of success in the majors. In any case his trade value must have dropped. He’s a great option at C in deeper leagues if you can get him, and could hit .300 with 10HR the rest of the way.

• Matt Kemp OF LAD: Begins his AAA rehab assignment on Wednesday. Kemp is a favorite of mine, and is projected to hit .290 with 20HR/20SB by both Zips and PECOTA. He’ll come a whole lot cheaper than Chris Young, and could match his fantasy potential. Get him and hope that LA clears out their outfield mess.

• Kaz Matsui 2B Col: Eligible to be activated off the D.L. on April 29th, and should step back in to regular time at 2B. A good low-risk/high-reward pick in Coors, as he quietly put up great numbers there (.345/.392/.504 with 8SB in 126PAs) for the Rockies last year. He probably won’t cost you much, as his time in NY soured most fantasy players against him.

• Alejandro De Aza OF Fla: Another low-risk guy you can probably grab off of waivers, De Aza never really got a chance to get started in Florida. He’s still got the same 25-steal potential he had earlier, but he’s no longer the flavor of the week. Take a look before he returns at the beginning of May.

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