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News-Herald Assistant Sports Editor Kevin Kleps doesn’t just write headlines and stories. He also checks on his fantasy sports teams. A lot. See if the moves and news from the world of sports affect your fantasy teams.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Fantasy focus: Wilson Ramos catches on quickly

Maybe you were like me and Wilson Ramos' four-hit debut Sunday was all it took for you to acquire him on the waiver wire.

If you have Joe Mauer, it seems to be a wise move. With Mauer nursing a sore heel, Ramos was 7-for-9 with two runs scored, three doubles and one RBI in his first two major-league games.

As impressive as the rookie's start is, we need to keep something in mind: By the end of the week, he'll be a part-time player at best.

Unless Mauer's injury, which has been described as a deep bone bruise, is more serious than the Twins are letting on, he should return in the next few days.

In daily leagues, keep Ramos in your lineup until Mauer is ready to play. In weekly leagues, you should have an answer by Sunday night, since the early reports are Mauer could be back relatively soon.

Ramos has been touted as one of the Twins' top two prospects, and he was impressive in spring training with Minnesota in 2010, batting .400 with two homers, six RBI and only two strikeouts in 30 at-bats.

In the minor leagues from 2006-09, the 22-year-old batted .294 with 31 home runs, 181 RBI and 143 runs in 1,122 at-bats.

Ramos could be kept on the roster when Mauer returns, unless the Twins want him to play every day in Triple-A. There aren't many at-bats to be had at designated hitter, since Minnesota already has plodders Jason Kubel and Jim Thome.

If you own Mauer, the solution is simple. If you're depending on Ramos because your production at catcher has been subpar, another player to consider is the Mets' Rod Barajas, who has six home runs and 13 RBI in 74 at-bats.

Barajas, who had 19 homers and 71 RBI in 429 at-bats with Toronto last season, will bring down your batting average (he batted .226 last season and is a .238 career hitter), but he will give you a boost in the power department.

Barajas is available in almost 88 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com.

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