Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

June 19, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Caleb Benoit
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The third injury to force Arizona Diamondbacks starter Randy Johnson to miss a start this season is tightness in his glute, which landed the 43-year-old on the 15-day DL over the weekend.

However, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back June 19. There is no word on how long he will be out.

Back surgery for a herniated disc caused Johnson to start the season on the DL, and forearm tightness caused him to miss a start in May. Johnson said he felt some tightness in his glute while playing catch last week, according to MLB.com, and Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes and manager Bob Melvin have been extra conservative with the fragile future Hall of Famer.

Johnson saw a doctor in Los Angeles on Monday, and Melvin said he hopes for Johnson to return to pitch in the series with the Los Angeles Dodgers starting June 26. He could pitch a simulated game by the end of the week.

Johnson has pitched well while active this season, striking out 70 and walking 11 in 53 2/3 innings.

Edgar Gonzalez, a 24-year-old right-hander, who has worked both out of the rotation and bullpen this year, started in Johnson's place over the weekend, allowing just one run on two hits in five innings while on a strict pitch count. With a permanent role Gonzalez might be worth a look for the back end of your fantasy rotation.

A couple potentially valuable starting pitchers who might be on your league's waiver wire: Toronto Blue Jays starter Dustin McGowan (3-0 and three earned runs or less in last five starts), Baltimore Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie (0.92 WHIP in 73 2/3 innings) and Chicago Cubs starter Sean Marshall (2.12 ERA and 27 K in five starts).

Also, strongly consider Milwaukee Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo, even in non-keeper leagues. The 21-year-old prospect was lights out in Triple-A before winning his big league debut Monday. He should be able to keep his rotation spot even after the return of Chris Capuano. Los Angeles Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley is another option if he's the one to replace Jason Schmidt in the rotation.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Caleb Benoit
Caleb has been with KFFL since 2007.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
Fantasy baseball players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy football players in the news (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Dee Gordon's problems at bat (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Will Smith, Yordano Ventura, Wil Myers, more (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Roundtable: How trade talks develop (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Tyler Clippard, J.J. Putz (05/23)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Mark Teixeira's ill beginnings (05/23)