Monday night fantasy baseball notes

This is a bit overdue from last Friday, so I shouldn’t waste your time. For your viewing pleasure, here’s a quick-hit list of some Hot off the Wire notes and Monday night happenings.

The Associated Press reports Chicago Cubs CL Kevin Gregg struck out one over one inning Monday, June 29, to earn his 13th save of the year.

He’s making me look good after I “valiantly” came to his defense last week. He’s about the only stable entity on this team right now; he has really stepped things up in June. Manager Lou Piniella needs some sort of rock right now; sticking with his hottest reliever would help.

At least I have one loyal reader....

Susan Slusser, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports Oakland Athletics SS Orlando Cabrera is batting second Monday, June 29. Cabrera has an 11-game hitting streak entering the team’s game Monday.

There’s the value middle infielder everyone was looking for! A 12-game hitting streak will get you noticed again. Unfortunately, steals and run-plating haven’t arrived with his knocks. The A’s philosophy has really stifled O-Cab’s baserunning ability, and it shows no sign of turning around. If he’s offering just an empty average, you may be able to find something better once this streak dies down.

Chris Perez hit the first two batters he faced in his Cleveland Indians debut.

No HOTW post about that yet, but wow. After I plugged him as next in line, he goes and pulls a C-P. Oh, and four earned runs accompanied his target practice on Alexei Ramirez (head) and Jermaine Dye (wrist). Are they ready to bring back Jensen Lewis yet?

Yikes, CP. Not the best starting point.

The speedster was brought up to try to spark the slumping bats. He was hitting .298 with 19 swipes at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He’ll get a chance to play, but beware of how soon he’ll be sent down after Josh Hamilton (groin) returns. Steals upside is what you should count on if you want to drink some Borbon.

Updating a previous report, The Associated Press reports Boston Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell (hip) is unlikely to join the team for their series against the Baltimore Orioles this week, according to manager Terry Francona. Lowell had fluid drained from his right hip and received an anti-inflammatory injection Monday, June 29. “(Lowell) had 15 CCs of fluid taken out, which for a hip, I think, is pretty extensive. I think that’s going to really help,” Francona said.

I smell a Nick Johnson acquisition.

Todd Zolecki, of MLB.com, reports Philadelphia Phillies OF Raul Ibanez (groin) is unlikely to return from the disabled list when he is eligible Friday, July 3, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Ibanez will visit with a team physician this week to be re-evaluated.

In KFFL’s outside-of-work league, I swapped Ibanez from my first-place squad for Grady Sizemore days before it was reported the latter was to hit the DL. Argh. However, they both have hit the DL since, and Sizemore has come back with a vengeance. As most fantasy baseball players know by now, this schadenfreude thing is addictive.

Hang tight here, kids, but remember that he was already dropping a bit before the injury. Maybe the increasing strikeouts were a result of the groin ailment?

More Phils:

Jeff Schuler, of The Morning Call, reports Philadelphia Phillies SP Carlos Carrasco is working on adding a slider to his repertoire. He has started to use his new pitch in his last two outings in the minors and has given up just two runs in 13 1/3 innings pitched. “It’s a pitch that will help him against right-handed hitters,” Class AAA manager Rod Nichols said. “If you look at his numbers, he struggles against right-handed hitters. That’s something that hopefully will keep them off his fastball a little more.”

For me, mechanics tidbits rival Billy Mays commercials. I think in tribute, I’ll borrow his voice for a bit:

“Billy Mays here. Does your deep mixed fantasy rotation look ratty, tired out, boring? Bring it back to life with the new CC Slider! It buckles. It slices. It freezes hitters. Look at that finish. Unbelievable!”

Here’s hoping they give Carrasco a shot. Avoiding a trade for an arm will preserve their farm; bringing him up would almost be like a trade, anyway.

Final thought: When scouring for news, commenting on my blog or following me on Twitter, always remember: Don’t stop ’til you get enough.