Yankees to Place Giambi on DL

May 31, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Andrew Stewart
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

The Associated Press reports New York Yankees designated hitter Jason Giambi (foot) will be out for at least three weeks because of torn tissue in the arch of his left foot. Giambi will have his foot placed in a walking boot, and he will be put on the disabled list before the Yankees' game Friday, June 1, against the Boston Red Sox.

His foot began troubling him at the end of April, but Giambi began wearing shoes with orthotics to relieve the pain. He was expecting to get a cortisone shot when a doctor informed Giambi that he instead had plantar fasciitis, a partially torn plantar fascia and inflamed tissue near the heal.

Giambi has historically been one of the better hitters in baseball but has seen his value slip in recent years. His main contributions for fantasy baseball teams are his home runs and RBI, but he currently is far behind the league leaders in both stats. So far this season, Giambi is batting .262 and has seven home runs and 23 RBI.

Any number of players could be taking over for Giambi as designated hitter. The Yankees are likely to spell outfielders Hideki Matsui, Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon (legs) by not playing them in the field. Outfielder Melky Cabrera would move into the vacant defensive position. Damon is recovering from leg cramps, so he could be making the most appearances at designated hitter. Cabrera is not immediately worth a roster spot, except in deep leagues; he will likely not remain in the starting lineup once Giambi is able to return. However, keep your eye on Cabrera, because he has filled in capably for the Yankees in the past.

Since Giambi is also eligible in many leagues as a first baseman, there are a few players that can provide numbers similar to Giambi's and that are likely on the waiver wire. Cleveland Indians first baseman Ryan Garko is a player that has come on strong as of late, hitting .333 with seven home runs with 20 RBI. In May he has hit .380 with five home runs and 15 RBI.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Casey Kotchman offers less power, with only five home runs on the year. However, he is hitting for a solid average at .309, and he has 26 RBI. In May he has hit .354. Atlanta Braves first baseman Scott Thorman has respectable power numbers, with six home runs and 25 RBI, but he is a liability for batting average, hitting just .232 on the season. He has only hit .200 in May.

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Andrew Stewart
Andrew Stewart has been a Hot off the Wire Analyst for KFFL since 2007.

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