One of the most unfortunate aspects of Grady Sizemore's latest injury is he had started hitting again.

Since July 9, he was 8-for-20 (a .400 average for the mathematically challenged) with five runs scored, two home runs and four RBI. A sure sign he was going well: Sizemore struck out "only" four times in that span.

The latter number is a far cry from his outrageous season average of one K per 3.1 at-bats (75 strikeouts in 232 at-bats).

Yes, we know Sizemore strikes out too much, but it should never be this much. In 2008 -- when he batted .268 with 33 homers, 90 RBI and 38 steals -- he fanned 130 times in 634 at-bats, a much more manageable rate of one K per 4.9 at-bats.

In addition to the Ks, a sure sign Sizemore hasn't been right physically for a while is his stolen-base total.

This season, he has none, giving the Indians outfielder four in 94 games since 2010. In that span, he is a .228 hitter who has 110 Ks in 360 at-bats (one per 3.3 at-bats).

Now he's back in Cleveland for more tests on his injured right knee. He told reporters the ailment fees similar to the left knee injury he suffered in 2010 -- the one that led to microfracture surgery.

The former fantasy stud missed nine games total from 2005 to '08. Since 2009, he has played 200 games in three years, and we shouldn't be surprised if that total doesn't increase at all in 2011.

If you own Sizemore in fantasy, you'll be lucky if he helps you even a little the rest of the season.

At this point, we have to wonder if he'll ever be a quality fantasy starter again, even at 28.

Considering the Indians hold an $8.5 million option on Sizemore's contract in 2012, he also might have played his last game for the Tribe.

The easy thing to say after Grady Sizemore's sensational debut on Sunday is to start him and not think twice.

There are two dilemmas with Sizemore from a fantasy perspective, however.

1. Because of how far he fell on draft day, a decent amount of owners might have selected Sizemore as their fourth outfielder.

An example: In The News-Herald league, which includes at least a handful of Indians fans, I selected Sizemore as my No. 4 outfielder at the end of Round 13 (No. 156 overall). If that seems way too low, it probably was, but Sizemore went even later in a 14-team league in which I compete (another league dominated by Tribe fans).

Thus, my N-H team has Ryan Braun, Shin-Soo Choo and the Diamondbacks' Chris Young in the outfield. Sizemore isn't cracking that group. I could play him in the utility spot, but I also have David Ortiz, leaving me to play the matchup game each week between the two.

2. The Indians likely will give the three-time All-Star at least a day off per week to rest his surgically repaired left knee. If the Tribe plays six games in a week and you have, say, Ortiz or a pretty good third outfielder who is scheduled to play seven, you probably will be tempted to bench Sizemore.

All good feelings from Sunday aside, what should we expect from Sizemore?

In 2009 and '10, he batted a combined .239. In 564 at-bats in that span (roughly one full season), he had 88 runs, 18 homers, 77 RBI and 17 steals.

From 2005 to '08, he batted a combined .281 and averaged 116 runs, 27 homers, 81 RBI and 29 steals.

Sizemore seems to be healthy now, but we shouldn't anticipate a return to 2008, when he had 33 homers, 90 RBI, 38 steals and 101 runs. We also shouldn't expect him to hit .248, as he did in 2009, or .211, as he did in 128 at-bats last season.

The logical answer: Play the matchup game with Sizemore. If he's playing six games in a week and you have three quality outfielders and a productive DH, it's OK to sit him.

If he's playing seven games, as he is in Week 3, start him.

(Unless you are like me and you're deciding between Sizemore and Ortiz, whose Red Sox are also scheduled to play seven games. I think I'll flip a coin.)

If you're a Kendry Morales owner, all you can do is shake your head at your dumb luck. (When was the last time a walkoff grand slam was a bad thing?)

If you own both Morales and Grady Sizemore (like me), may I suggest eliminating one league from your daily to-do list? Some things just weren't meant to be.

Let's take a quick look at the two-start pitchers for Week 9, with the idea that you already know to start Tim Lincecum and not consider Rodrigo Lopez.

TWO-START PITCHERS TO START

1. Hisanori Takahasi, Mets (Monday at Padres; Saturday vs. Marlins): He has thrown 12 1/3 scoreless innings since getting moved into the starting rotation, and the appearances were against the Yankees and Phillies. The former reliever has 44 strikeouts in 38 innings, and he is scheduled to face San Diego's Kevin Correia (4-4, 4.03 ERA) and Florida's Nate Robertson (4-4, 4.05, 1.46 WHIP).

2. Brett Myers, Astros (Tuesday vs. Nationals; Sunday vs. Cubs): In his last five starts, Myers is 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 34 innings. In five starts at home, he is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This week, he should be opposed by Washington's Craig Stammen (1-2, 5.60 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano, who makes his return to the rotation this week.

3. Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers (Tuesday vs. Indians; Sunday at Royals): In his last four starts, Bonderman has a 1.38 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 26 innings. His opposition isn't much, either -- the Tribe's Jake Westbrook (2-3, 4.78 ERA) and the Royals' Brian Bannister (4-3, 4.70).

Others to play: Doug Fister, Mariners (Monday vs. Twins; Saturday vs. Angels); John Ely, Dodgers (Tuesday vs. Diamondbacks; Sunday vs. Braves); Jason Vargas, Mariners (Tuesday vs. Twins; Sunday vs. Angels). And if you're desperate, the White Sox's Mark Buehrle has favorable home matchups against the Rangers on Tuesday and the Indians on Sunday. As long as you're not worried about playing a pitcher who is 3-5 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1-5 record in his last eight starts.

MIDDLE MEN

Starters with one favorable and unfavorable matchup: Bronson Arroyo, Reds; Joe Blanton, Phillies; Trevor Cahill, Athletics; Joel Pineiro, Angels; Ervin Santana, Angels; Javier Vazquez, Yankees; Carlos Zambrano, Cubs

TWO-START PITCHERS TO AVOID

Luis Atilano, Nationals; Brian Bannister, Royals; Nick Blackburn, Twins; Kevin Correia, Padres; Rich Harden, Rangers; Luke Hochevar, Royals; Brian Matusz, Orioles; Mitch Talbot, Indians

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How bad has it been for Grady Sizemore this season?

I'm guessing I wasn't the only owner who was relieved Sizemore entered Week 7 banged up. That gave me a reason to bench him and not worry about him possibly having his first big week of the season during a time in which he was on my list of reserves.

The Indians center fielder has a deep bone bruise in his left knee and will miss at least 15 days. Surgery hasn't been ruled out, however, and Sizemore's sudden lack of power should mean an extended stay on your bench.

Shortstop and teammate Asdrubal Cabrera, meanwhile, will miss at least 8 to 10 weeks with a broken forearm (thanks for your efforts, Jhonny Peralta) -- meaning you should prepare for the possibility of the 24-year-old not helping you the rest of the year.

If you need help in the outfield or at short because of the absence of Sizemore and/or Cabrera, here are a few options who are owned in fewer than 50 percent of the standard leagues on ESPN.com:

OUTFIELDERS

1. Corey Hart, Brewers (owned in 43.4 percent of the ESPN leagues): He has seven homers, 19 RBI and three steals, including four home runs and seven RBI in his last five games. After a miserable 2009 and poor beginning to this season, Hart is resembling the player who totaled 44 homers, 172 RBI and 46 steals from 2007-08.

2. Jonny Gomes, Reds (22.9 percent): A career .245 hitter, Gomes is batting .304 with five homers and 25 RBI. He has hit 20 or more homers three times since 2005.

3. Austin Kearns, Indians (25 percent): The veteran has been surprisingly effective in his first season with the Tribe, batting .302 with three homers and 20 RBI.

4. Nate McLouth, Braves (39.8 percent): Once an undervalued high-end starter, McLouth is now a bargain-basement pickup because of his poor play. He is batting only .208, but is 9-for-24 (.375) with a homer and six RBI in his last seven contests.

Others of note: Ryan Sweeney, Athletics (11.6 percent); Will Venable, Padres (10.3); Luke Scott, Orioles (17.1); Aaron Rowand, Giants (20.3); Fred Lewis, Blue Jays (13.8).

SHORTSTOPS

1. Mike Aviles, Royals (owned in 31.9 percent of the ESPN leagues): He is starting at second base for Kansas City, but is eligible at short in many leagues. Aviles is batting .381 in May and is capable of reaching double figures in both homers and steals.

2. Orlando Cabrera, Reds (45.5 percent): The 35-year-old is batting .271 with 20 runs scored, three homers, 19 RBI and four steals. In May, he's hitting .313.

3. Cristian Guzman, Nationals (19.8): He entered Thursday's game batting .328 overall and .426 this month.

4. Cliff Pennington, Athletics (19.8): He has three homers, 17 RBI and five steals, but is batting only .232 and is 5-for-36 since May 12 (.139).

5. Yunel Escobar, Braves (45.2): He followed his career year of 2009 by starting miserably, then getting hurt this season. Since returning from the DL, he is 3-for-21 (.143), and his season average is .200. If he turns it around, he's a waiver-wire bargain.

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If you are a disgruntled Grady Sizemore owner, here is one set of statistics that might make you feel a little better:

Since 2005, Sizemore's first full major-league season, his most productive April in terms of home runs and RBI occurred in 2009, when he tallied six homers and 18 RBI, while batting .239 with four stolen bases.

We all know how last season turned out -- Sizemore's worst with the Tribe, both on and off (think bathroom attire, or lack thereof) the field.

In fact, Sizemore hasn't produced much in the way of homers and RBI in the season's first month during his career. In 2005, he had two homers and seven RBI. In 2006, it was one and 10; in 2007, five and 11; and in 2008, three and 13. His batting averages in March/April from 2005-09: .223, .313, .253, .287 and .239.

So we have no reason to worry about Sizemore's abysmal 2010 start?

Your guess is as good as mine. (That's why they pay me the big bucks.)

In all seriousness, I wouldn't bench him yet, but he'd be on a shorter leash than Jesse James and Tiger Woods.

Sizemore is hitting .203, has yet to hit a home run, has stolen only one base and sports a .282 on-base percentage and .610 OPS. And how bad have the Indians been offensively? Sizemore entered Tuesday night's game at the Angels sixth on the team in hitting and third in RBI and runs scored.

Counting his injury-marred 2009, Sizemore has compiled 500 at-bats the last two seasons. In that span, he's batting .242 with 81 runs, 18 homers, 70 RBI and only 14 steals.

That's a far cry from 2008, when he had 33 homers, 38 steals and 90 RBI.

He's young (27) and he averaged 27 homers, 29 steals and 81 RBI from 2005-08.

That gives him some rope. Don't let it cloud your judgement of Sizemore from here on out, but allow him another week or two to reward your faith.

If he's still batting in the low .200s with no power by mid-May, he should join every Indians hitter not named Shin-Soo Choo as a fantasy reserve.

Grady Sizemore’s offseason began with elbow surgery on Sept. 9, when 24 games remained in the Indians’ 65-97 season.

Two months later, semi-nude photos of him were posted on the Internet — forcing Sizemore to apologize, Major League Baseball to investigate why the pictures allegedly were stolen from an e-mail account and causing females everywhere to say how much they liked them, but wonder why he decorated his bathroom in such a manner.

Now Sizemore, seemingly healthy and with the embarrassing incident behind him, is the best player on a team that seems to have a policy of trading its stars a year before free agency — which in Sizemore’s case would be next season, a year before the Tribe’s club option of $8.5 million for 2012.

From a fantasy perspective, he could be undervalued in many drafts following a 2009 season in which he posted five-year lows in games played, at-bats, runs, hits, extra-base hits, homers, RBI, stolen bases and batting average.

That likely won’t happen in Northeast Ohio, as Tribe fans might be overanxious to select the Tribe’s best player.

Don’t overpay for someone who has a career batting average of .275 and has struck out once per 4.5 at-bats in his six-year career. But aside from Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Matt Holliday and Carl Crawford, I’d be willing to take a chance that Sizemore will outproduce any other player at his position and would put his value in the late second-round range for 12-team leagues.

In 2007 and ’08, Sizemore averaged 29 home runs, 84 RBI, 36 steals, 110 runs and 70 extra-base hits.

Will he be a 30-30 player again, as he was in 2008? Will his elbow be a problem? Will the ladies swarm center field on opening day?

Those questions we can’t answer. What we can do is believe in a player who, prior to 2009, had a track record of hitting for power, scoring a lot of runs and stealing about 30 bases.

On to the rankings:

Rank, player: R-HR-RBI-SB-Avg.
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers: 113-32-114-20-.320
2. Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 97-26-101-34-.297
3. Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 94-24-109-14-.313
4. Carl Crawford, Rays: 96-15-68-60-.305
5. Grady Sizemore, Indians: 73-18-64-13-.248
6. Jacob Ellsbury, Red Sox: 94-8-60-70-.301
7. Justin Upton, Diamondbacks: 84-26-86-20-.300
8. Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 91-30-71-20-.249
9. Jason Bay, Mets: 103-36-119-13-.267
10. Manny Ramirez, Dodgers: 62-19-63-0-.290
11. Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 92-31-106-6-.272
12. Nick Markakis, Orioles: 94-18-101-6-.293
13. Jayson Werth, Phillies: 98-36-99-20-.268
14. Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 87-20-86-21-.300
15. Bobby Abreu, Angels: 96-15-103-30-.293
16. Carlos Lee, Astros: 65-26-102-5-.300
17. Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 43-10-54-8-.268
18. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 88-11-46-26-.352
19. B.J. Upton, Rays: 79-11-55-42-.241
20. Shane Victorino, Phillies: 102-10-62-25-.292
21. Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 75-33-76-20-.260
22. Torii Hunter, Angels: 74-22-90-18-.299
23. Hunter Pence, Astros: 76-25-72-14-.282
24. Carlos Quentin, White Sox: 47-21-56-3-.236
25. Nate McLouth, Braves: 86-20-70-19-.256
26. Raul Ibanez, Phillies: 93-34-93-4-.272
27. Johnny Damon, Tigers: 107-24-82-12-.282
28. Andre McCutchen, Pirates: 74-12-54-22-.286
29. Alex Rios, White Sox: 63-17-71-24-.247
30. Denard Span, Twins: 97-8-68-23-.311
31. Michael Bourn, Astros: 97-3-35-61-.285
32. Adam Jones, Orioles: 83-19-70-10-.277
33. Michael Cuddyer, Twins: 93-32-94-6-.276
34. Brad Hawpe, Rockies: 82-23-86-1-.285
35. Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: 64-20-55-9-.241
36. Carlos Beltran, Mets: 50-10-48-11-.325
37. Nyjer Morgan, Nationals: 74-3-39-42-.307
38. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 47-22-58-3-.223
39. Ryan Ludwick, Cardinals: 63-22-97-4-.265
40. Juan Pierre, White Sox: 57-0-31-30-.308
41. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays: 84-15-66-17-.260
42. Juan Rivera, Angels: 72-25-88-0-.287
43. Jay Bruce, Reds: 47-22-58-3-.223
44. Rajai Davis, Athletics: 65-3-48-41-.305
45. Mark DeRosa, Giants: 78-23-78-3-.250
46. Delmon Young, Twins: 50-12-60-2-.284
47. Garrett Jones, Pirates: 45-21-44-10-.293
48. Nolan Reimold, Orioles: 49-15-45-8-.279
49. Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners: 85-18-70-16-.283
50. Julio Borbon, Rangers: 30-4-20-19-.312
51. Corey Hart, Brewers: 64-12-48-11-.260
52. Chris Coghan, Marlins: 84-9-47-8-.321
53. Cody Ross, Marlins: 73-24-90-5-.270
54. Marlon Byrd, Cubs: 66-20-89-8-.283
55. Mike Cameron, Red Sox: 78-24-70-7-.250
56. Nick Swisher, Yankees: 84-29-82-0-.249
57. Dexter Fowler, Rockies: 73-4-34-27-.266
58. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers: 54-9-50-3-.310
59. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals: 72-16-52-3-.251
60. J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 84-24-68-2-.279

Preseason top 100 players (26): Braun (3), Kemp (6), Holliday (13), Crawford (20), Sizemore (21), Ellsbury (27), Justin Upton (28), Granderson (33), Bay (34), Ramirez (51), Ethier (53), Markakis (55), Werth (58), Choo (63), Abreu (65), Lee (66), Hamilton (69), Ichiro (70), B.J. Upton (75), Victorino (79), Cruz (80), Hunter (87), Pence (88), Quentin (89), McLouth (92), Ibanez (94)

Short hops
In his three-year career, Braun has batted .308 and averaged 34 homers, 106 RBI and 16 steals. ... In 235 at-bats after being traded to St. Louis last season, Holliday batted .353 and had 13 homers, 55 RBI and a 1.023 OPS. ... Ellsbury will steal a ton of bases (120 the last two seasons), but he doesn’t score as many runs as you might think (96 per season in the last two) and he has no power. ... Crawford has batted .305 or better with 50-plus steals in three of the last four years. ... Bay, who has 67 homers the last two seasons, likely will suffer a dip in power playing half his games at spacious Citi Field. ... In 900 at-bats the last two seasons, Choo has 34 homers and 152 RBI. ... The underrated Carlos Lee has batted .300 or better and averaged 31 homers and 109 RBI the last four years. ... Ichiro posted career lows in steals and runs, and had his second-worst RBI total last season. ... The enigmatic B.J. Upton was great in 2007 (24 homers, 82 RBI, .300, 22 steals), but he’s averaged 10 home runs, 61 RBI and 82 runs while batting .257 the last two seasons. If you draft him in the first few rounds, you better be a huge fan of stolen bases.

NOTE: Statistics are from the 2009 season. ... Positions listed are according to the depth charts at mlb.com.

THIS WEEK: Outfielders, today; relief pitchers, Thursday; starting pitchers, Friday

LAST WEEK: Third baseman, March 8; designated hitters, March 9; shortstops, March 11

TWO WEEKS AGO: Catchers, March 2; first baseman, March 4; second baseman, March 5

We're really digging with this week's edition of Pick Three -- the three players who follow are owned in 11.2 percent or fewer of the leagues on ESPN.com. Each could be an asset in deeper leagues.

Scott Hairston, OF, Padres (owned in 11.2 percent of the ESPN leagues): Entering Tuesday, he had homered in three consecutive games, and half of his home runs this season have come at spacious Petco Park (four in 72 at-bats). Hairston, once a highly rated Diamondbacks prospect, has a less-than-impressive .257 career batting average. But he hits for power (25 homers in 471 at-bats with the Padres since the start of last season), he's batting .331 this season, has an OPS of .969 and he's even stolen six bases. I wouldn't expect him to continue to hit .330, but he has very productive in the minor leagues (.322 with 93 homers and 352 RBI in 1,806 at-bats) and is playing too well to ignore. He's worth starting in NL-only leagues and is a decent No. 3 outfielder in deeper mixed leagues.

Matt Palmer, SP, Angels (4.7 percent): The ownership percentage is surprisingly low for a pitcher who won his first five starts. Palmer is winless in his last three appearances (one of which was a relief outing that occurred between May 24 and May 30 starts). He's 30 years old and a career minor-leaguer, but his last start was impressive (seven shutout innings in a no-decision May 30 against the Mariners) and he's pitching for a team that should win more than it loses. Palmer won't help much in the strikeout department (27 in 44 1/3 innings), but I would consider him in deeper leagues when he's starting twice in a week.

Scott Feldman, SP, Rangers (1.9 percent): As I said, we're really trying to find guys who are available in most leagues. This 26-year-old has been a reliever for the majority of his major- and minor-league career. That should change with his seven-start tenure in 2009: 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA in 41 2/3 innings since April 25. Feldman's strikeout-to-walk ratio in that span (20-to-13) is a cause for concern, but he is backed by an offense that leads all of baseball in home runs and is ranked sixth in runs scored, which should help him reach double figures in wins. Like Palmer, he's not going to rack up a lot of strikeouts (Feldman had 153 in 289 1/3 innings in the minors). And Like Palmer, he's not a bad option in weeks in which he is scheduled for a couple of starts.

Sizing up Sizemore's chances: Owners who spent a first- or second-round selection on Grady Sizemore should begin to consider what their outfield is going to look like without the Tribe center fielder for the next eight weeks. As you know by now, Sizemore has an inflamed left elbow. If two weeks of rest don't help, Sizemore might need surgery, which would keep him on the DL for another four to six weeks. All of which means he might not return until late July.

The only good news here is Sizemore's position does at least afford the deepest pool of talent while searching for possible replacements. The aforementioned Hairston would be an ideal sub in mixed leagues. In AL-only leagues and mixed leagues of at least 12 teams, the player who is manning center in Sizemore's absence -- Ben Francisco -- is another option if you really need help. Francisco has stolen a career-high nine bases and had a good May: .295, three homers, 13 RBI and six steals. He's owned in only 4 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com (although all of that 4 percent might be because of leagues in Northeast Ohio).

The Indians are off to another awful April start. Their starting pitching has been dreadful, and their bullpen is a Kane Davis or Jorge Julio sighting from being even worse.

None of that will stop us from our best Eric Wedge impersonation today. We're going to keep our eyes on the prize, stay focused, continue to grind it out and look at the positives. OK, we're just going to look at the positives -- the Tribe's surprising offensive numbers (stats that are skewed by their 22-4 win over the Yankees on Saturday in The House That George Built and Hitters Love).

Through Sunday, the Indians rank seventh in the major leagues in batting average (.280), are second in runs scored (83), home runs (22), on-base percentage (.380) and OPS (.875). The Indians lead the big leagues in doubles (33), are tied for third in RBI (79) and, here's a shocker, have rung up the most strikeouts (115 in 13 games).

All of which means the following from a fantasy perspective:

-- Every-week starters: Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, Mark DeRosa, Travis Hafner and Jhonny Peralta. Sizemore is striking out as much as ever (17 in 54 at-bats) and is batting only .259, but you can't sit that combination of speed and power. ... Martinez's power has returned (he has four homers, which is double his 2008 total), and his .466 OBP doesn't hurt. ... Don't bench DeRosa strictly because of his batting average (.236). The versatile infielder has three homers and 15 RBI in his last eight games. ... Hafner has four homers and eight RBI, but isn't as much of an asset in points leagues that penalize for strikeouts (14 in 42 at-bats). ... Peralta has yet to hit a homer, but he's batting .333 and has an OBP of .404.

-- Backups: Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera. Choo has three homers and eight RBI in 43 at-bats, and he's a rare member of the Tribe who has more walks (nine) than strikeouts (eight). ... Cabrera has been surprisingly effective (.333, 10 runs scored, one homer, seven RBI and two steals), but should only be started in deeper leagues in which you need infield help.

-- Not much help: Ryan Garko, Kelly Shoppach and Ben Francisco. Garko is batting .300 with a .447 on-base percentage, but he doesn't play every day and has just one homer. That's not enough power at a position as loaded as first base. ... Shoppach, who hit 21 homers last season, doesn't play enough (24 at-bats in 13 games) and has already struck out nine times. ... Even Wedge couldn't find something to like in Francisco's stats (.211, one homer, four RBI).

That sound you just heard was Nick Swisher coming back to earth. The Yankees outfielder, after starting the season 11-for-24 (.458) with four homers and 11 RBI, is 3-for-18 with one run, zero RBI and six strikeouts in his last four games.

Tick, tick, tick ... Fantasy owners who took a chance on Alex Rodriguez in the second, third or fourth rounds might be rewarded sooner than originally thought. A-Rod is already taking batting practice and fielding ground balls, making the original May 15 timetable for his return from hip surgery seem pessimistic. I'm no doctor, and I don't play one on the Internet, but here's a guess: A-Rod will be in all fantasy lineups by the start of Week 6 on Monday, May 11 -- at the latest.

You don't need me to tell you to bench Chien-Ming Wang. But I wouldn't drop him, as is happening in many leagues, even with that slow-pitch softball ERA (34.50).

Pick three

In the fantasy baseball column that was published in Saturday's editions, I wrote about three free agents who were worth picking up in deeper leagues (Kyle Davies, Chris Duncan and Randy Winn), with the rule of thumb that each player must be available in more than half of the leagues on ESPN.com.

Let's look at three more:

Denard Span, OF, Twins -- He's young (25), fast (three stolen bases this year, and 18 in 347 at-bats last season) and drives in a decent amount of runs (nine this season, 47 in a little more than half a season in 2008). He's also batting .300 and has been so effective that the playing time of Carlos Gomez (.200) and Delmon Young (.212) has suffered.

Jason Kubel, DH, Twins -- He hit for the cycle on Friday, which only jumped his ownership percentage to 7.4 entering Sunday night on ESPN.com. The fact Kubel is only a DH limits you, but he'll hit for power (a combined 33 homers in 881 at-bats in 2007 and '08) and his batting average (.333) and OPS (.939) are too good to pass up as a low-end starter in 12-team leagues.

Zach Duke, SP, Pirates -- His poor outing Sunday notwithstanding, Duke has resembled his 2005 rookie self (8-2, 1.81 ERA), not the 18-37 train wreck from 2006-08. The lefty is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA. The negative: He won't help you much in the strikeout department (11 in 20 2/3 innings this season, and 314 in 613 career innings).

That does it for this week. Good luck, keep your head up and (channeling my inner Eric Wedge) remember there's a lot of baseball left to be played.