Smoltz to DL; Short-term Replacement Needed

July 6, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Atlanta Braves starter John Smoltz (shoulder) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Smoltz has had a good season so far in 2007. Smoltz has won nine games so far while only losing five in 17 appearances. Smoltz's 3.07 earned run average ranks 12th in Major League Baseball. He has pitched 105 2/3 innings, striking out 96 batters and allowing only 108 hits. He was considered one of the top fantasy pitchers in the league. Smoltz can come off the DL July 18. 

Starting in his place Saturday, July 7, will be P Jo-Jo Reyes who was recently called up from Triple-A Richmond. Reyes has put up good numbers in the minors this season. He was 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA at Richmond and went 8-1 with a 3.56 ERA at Double-A Mississippi. Reyes will be pitching against the San Diego Padres Saturday.

In terms of fantasy value, two hurlers that may be short term surprises would be Los Angeles Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley and Milwaukee Brewers starter Chris Capuano.

Billingsley has gone 5-0 in 26 appearances so far this season. He has a 3.44 ERA with 53 strikeouts in only 49 2/3 innings. In his last outing, Billingsley pitched seven innings, giving up no runs and striking out nine batters. He's available in 93 percent of leagues polled.

Capuano recently came off the disabled list and should be snatched in most leagues. However, he is only owned in 39 percent of leagues. Capuano has had a decent year so far this season going 5-5 with a 4.28 ERA. He has struck out 63 batters in 73 2/3 innings. In his last outing, the first after coming off the DL, Capuano pitched 3 1/3 innings, giving up one earned run and striking out three. His next start will be Sunday, July 8, against the Washington Nationals.

Bench Smoltz and ride out his two-week stint as he should be back soon after that.

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

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