Kinsler to DL; Which 2B to Pick up?

July 2, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, reports the Texas Rangers have placed second baseman Ian Kinsler (foot) on the 15-day disabled list. An MRI revealed that he has a stress fracture in his left foot. He is expected to miss at least three weeks.

Kinsler has been putting up strong numbers this season, equaling his home run total of last season before the All-Star break. Kinsler's 14 home runs, 35 RBI and 11 steals have made him one of the better second basemen in terms of fantasy value. However, his .241 batting average may have been becoming a problem.

Kinsler's immediately replacement will likely be utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. He is currently hitting .239 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Fantasy owners should look for other available second basemen on their waiver wires.

Two possible short-term replacements could be Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa and Washington Nationals second baseman Ronnie Belliard. DeRosa is having a nice season with the Cubs. He is currently hitting .284 with seven home runs and 43 RBI. He has 10 hits, including a home run and 10 RBI, in his last 22 at-bats. He will be playing the Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates this week. DeRosa is available in roughly 93 percent of fantasy leagues polled. Belliard is currently hitting .295 with three home runs and 18 RBI. In the past week he has collected six hits, including a home run, in 22 at-bats. In the next seven days, the Nationals are playing the Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. Belliard is available in nearly all fantasy leagues polled. Both should be playing every day. DeRosa, in particular, should have ample opportunities to contribute for fantasy owners while Kinsler is sidelined.

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Tim Piotrowski
Piotrowski has been a Hot Off the Wire analyst since 2007.

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