Rickie Weeks, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers

June 6, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (wrist) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, May 31, retroactive to May 30. He has been bothered by soreness in his surgically repaired wrist for much of the season.

The biggest fear for owners of Weeks would be that his wrist has endured a setback in the healing process. Worst-case scenario would find Weeks having to undergo a second surgery to repair any potential damage, something that could, in theory, sideline him indefinitely. However, since this is more or less speculation at this point, let's focus on what we know.

Weeks missed a handful of games earlier in May but has still managed to hit .243 with five home runs, 16 RBI, eight steals and 34 runs scored in 169 at-bats over 44 games.

The team has recalled relief pitcher Jose Capellan from Triple-A Nashville to take Weeks' roster spot. Veteran infielders Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino have teamed up to cover second base during Weeks' absence. It's presumed that the duo will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Since Weeks was placed on the disabled list, Graffanino has batted 2-for-7 with two RBI. During the same duration, Counsell has also batted 2-for-7 but with zero RBI.

Fantasy Value

Weeks hasn't had the type of massive fantasy impact many thought he was capable of this year, and there should be little doubt that his injury woes have limited his overall productivity. Despite that, he was still tied for the third-most steals and tied for the fourth-most runs scored among all second basemen, so fantasy owners will definitely feel his loss. However keep him on your DL spot or your bench.

One potential replacement is Colorado Rockies second baseman Kazuo Matsui, who may not yet be high on fantasy radars but does have nine steals in just 22 games played. Matsui has been starting regularly since May 21 following his activation from the disabled list for a back injury.

Another possibility is Minnesota Twins second baseman Luis Castillo. The 31-year-old is hitting .337 with 32 runs scored and eight RBI in what is a solid Twins lineup. Castillo (legs) only has four steals, and he may not chip in with more than the occasional swiped bag at this stage of his career given his chronic leg issues. However, he was on fire in May, batting .368 with 24 runs scored.

Don't bother looking toward either Counsell or Graffanino to help your cause. Counsell is batting .234 with only eight RBI on the year, while Graffanino has fared worse in the batting average column with .203, barely hovering above the dreaded Mendoza Line of .200. He has knocked in 11 runs. Counsell has swiped three bags on the year, but Graffanino is without a steal

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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