Back a day late, this week’s fantasy dish offers more tips on what to do in your fantasy league. Whether you’re in dead last trying to knock off a playoff team, or in first place, coasting to a 1st round bye, this week’s advice can help you achieve those goals.

Key Injury Updates

Mike Gonzalez/ Rafael Soriano RP ATL- Gonzalez just came off the DL this past week and is expected to be in the hunt to steal some saves away from Soriano. Soriano comes off the DL within the week. Whoever pitches better will probably get the bulk of the saves, but both of these pitchers are very talented, so don’t be surprised if they split save opportunities for the rest of the season.

Carlos Zambrano SP CHC- Zambrano was just placed on the DL this week for having a strain in his right shoulder. While it’s not deemed as serious, he will still miss 3-4 starts. “Forgetting” Sean Marshall is going to be called up in his place and will start this week against Baltimore. For Zambrano owners, its not the worst idea to start any pitcher against the Orioles, who are ranked 21st in runs scored in Major League Baseball.

Gary Sheffield OF/DH DET- Sheffield is easily having one of the worst, if not the worst, seasons of his major league career. He is still rehabbing and expects to be back on the Tigers roster by the end of the week. Is it possible that we can be seeing the decomposition of the great Sheff? Sheffield is like Jar-Jar Binks from the new Star Wars movies. Once you think he’s gone and out of frame, he’ll just pop back in and say something that just doesn’t need to be said. Sheffield normally as the game to back up his smack talk, but not this year, and i don’t see that changing any time soon.

Players You Want

Kelly Shoppach C CLE- With Victor Martinez sidelined until late August, Shoppach will be getting all of the work behind home plate. In his last 6 games, Shoppach has homered 3 times and appears to be getting into a groove with the more at bats he gets. A former Johnny Bench award winner in college, Shoppach has shown flashes throughout his career as being capable of starting everyday. He now gets his chance in Cleveland and I am sure he will make the most of it.

Ricky Nolasco SP FLA- 12 strikeouts, that is the only thing you need to no about this man. That is how many K’s Nolasco had in his last start and has an ERA of 3.96 in his last 50 innings pitched. In addition, his walks are down with only 17 in that same span. Nolasco is a young pitcher with very good stuff and when healthy, Nolasco has had much success. Before he starts striking out 7-8 hitters a night, it would be wise to trade for him, especially if strikeouts are what you need. 

Mike Aviles SS KC- I can’t remember the last time a Royal’s Shortstop has ever been seen a valuable fantasy player. Angel Berroa is the last name that comes to mind. Aviles has been on a tear since starting everyday and i can’t see Tony Pena Jr. pushing him for too much playing time. He is hitting at a .333 clip along with 3 HR, 6 RBI, and 12 runs scored. Watching him against the Yankees last weekend, it was hard not to notice how hard he consistently hit the ball. Watch out for Mr. Aviles down the stretch, especially if you are a Troy Tulowitzki owner and he doesn’t perform like last years post All-Star break Tully. 

Players You Don’t Want

Michael Young SS TEX- One of baseball’s good guys, Young has really struggled lately, perhaps because he is playing through injury. Since suffering a hairline fracture in his left hand, Young is 3 for his last 32, an embarrassing statistic for an owner of a batting crown. It may be best to trade him for some power or a a number 2 starting pitcher. Perhaps find an owner that is weak at Shortstop. (I am beating up on Troy Tulowitzki today) 

Jose Contreras SP CHW- After an appalling outing this past Saturday against the cross-town Cubbies, (3.1innings pitched, 9 earned runs) it appears Contreras is on his way to becoming himself from last year. His last 3 starts haven’t been close to how he has pitched most of the year, partly because he has been leaving his forkball down the middle of the plate, a problem that plagued him last year. It may be time to trade him for some value before he throws out a 5 plus ERA after July 1st.

Michael Bourn OF HOU- What has happened to Speedy Gonzalez? Every Bourn owner knew that he would have trouble getting on base, but no one would think that he would stop stealing bases anytime soon. n his first 19 games, Bourn already compiled 13 SB. Since then he has gotten on base 45 times, and only has 14 SB. If he continues to struggle to get on base, it may be time to trade him and look for a lesser amount of steals somewhere, but perhaps raising your average and power hitting statistics in the mean time. 

Minor League Player To Watch

David Price SP TB- I know he was here two weeks ago but its hard not to notice when a guy of Price’s ability and potential gets promoted to Double-A ball. This is a sign that the Rays want price to be ready for either an August or a September call up so that they can compete with the other American League teams. Starting in 2 weeks, I advise that you check daily on his progress and pray that you have the number 1 waiver wire for his call up.