Mariners ace joins closer on DL

April 15, 2008 @ 06:35:30

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Tim Heaney

Darrin Beene, of the Tacoma News Tribune, reports the Seattle Mariners have placed starting pitcher Erik Bedard (hip) on the 15-day disabled list with a hip injury.

The move was made retroactive to April 9, but the team is not sure when the southpaw will take the hill again. He will be eligible to come off the disabled list April 24. Bedard played catch Tuesday, April 15, and he said his hip didn't bother him.

Bedard has made two starts and was scratched from his third scheduled outing because of inflammation in his left hip. He currently has a 1-0 record with 3.27 ERA. He has struck out 10 batters and walked eight, which is not a good ratio for a top pitcher. In another alarming trend, three of the eight hits he has given up this season have gone over the fence. 

Bedard was one of the prize acquisitions during the offseason, and several teams were interested in his services. The Mariners had to give up five players but believed he could be the ace of their staff like he was when he was with the Baltimore Orioles.

The reason he was a hot commodity over the offseason was because of the numbers he put up in 2007. He went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 28 games started. He finished fourth in the league with 221 K's in only 182 innings while holding opposing batters to a paltry .212 batting average last season. However, his year was cut short because of an oblique strain he suffered in late August.

From a fantasy perspective, it is not known if this will be a long-term injury, but losing what was likely your team's top pitcher in your draft is a cause for concern. Owners should stash him on their disabled list because he is still one of the better fantasy pitchers in the major leagues. The team will find out more about the injury as Bedard will try to participate in more throwing sessions later this week.

Pitcher R.A. Dickey will likely take his spot in the rotation. Dickey did not pitch in the major leagues last season and has not pitched in more than one game since 2005. Dickey should not be picked up in any leagues because he would just be a spot starter and would likely move to the bullpen after the start. Fantasy owners likely will have to cycle in Bedard's innings with waiver wire starters.

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

Tim Piotrowski
Piotrowski has been a Hot Off the Wire analyst 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 Baseball Diamond Market: John Danks placed on DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: The substandard Roy Halladay (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball 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)
I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)