FAAB Factor-AL: Uehara Down

Starting Pitchers:

Chris Bassitt, White Sox - After making his first MLB start, then being used in relief, Bassitt is set to make his second start this week against the A's at home. This season at Double-A Birmingham he had a 1.56 ERA (3.26 FIP) with 36 strikeouts and 14 walks over 34.2 IP. So far in the majors things have not gone nearly as well with six earned runs given up over 7.1 IP. If he pitches well in this game, the team might go to a modified six-man rotation. He's worth a flyer in AL only formats if you're hurting for starters. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Derek Holland, Rangers - In his return from off-season knee surgery, Holland pitched seven innings with one earned run allowed on six hits, six strikeouts and no walks against the Royals on the road. All things considered, this was a fantastic performance. Last season he had a 3.42 ERA (3.44 FIP) with 189 strikeouts and 64 walks over 213 IP. This coming week he gets the Braves at home. Until further notice, Holland needs to be owned in all leagues. Mixed: $8; AL: $20… Bid all you have, if you really need SP help.

Kyle Lobstein, Tigers - In the second start of his career, Lobstein allowed two earned runs over 5.1 innings against the Indians on the road with 10 strikeouts and three walks. This is a stark improvement from the zero strikeouts he had against the Yankees in his first start. At Triple-A Toledo this season he had a 4.07 ERA (3.30 FIP) with 127 strikeouts and 42 walks over 146 IP. He's filling in for an injured Anibal Sanchez (pectoral strain), who doesn't figure to be back any time soon. This week Lobstein gets the Indians at home. Mixed: $3; AL: $10.

Anthony Ranaudo, Red Sox - Ranaudo has two starts this week, one against the Orioles at home and the other against the Royals on the road. In his first four starts this season, he's had a 4.63 ERA (6.59 FIP) with eight strikeouts and 10 walks over 23.1 IP. It's pretty tough to trust him, when he's showing such poor command and it shows in his FIP. At Triple-A Pawtucket this season he had a 2.61 ERA (3.70 FIP) with 111 strikeouts and 54 walks over 138 IP. He's a low-end starter this week in AL only formats, even with his two starts. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Cory Rasmus, Angels - Rasmus is penciled in to make his third start of the season this week against the Rangers on the road. I say pencil because he allowed two earned runs over just 1.2 innings against the Twins on Saturday with three walks and no strikeouts. Not being able to get out of the second inning with a team in the thick of a division title race is not conducive to getting future starts. At Triple-A Salt Lake this season he had a 4.18 ERA (4.13 FIP) with 24 strikeouts and 16 walks over 28 innings. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Taijuan Walker, Mariners - Walker was recalled when rosters were expanded and has since pitched out of the bullpen, but could start for the Mariners if needed. In his first appearance he went six innings with one earned run allowed, two walks and five strikeouts against the A's on the road. If you're in a keeper league, he's a must own. In redraft leagues, you should probably wait until he starts another game to pick him up. In AL only formats, he's worth adding just for the strikeouts, as he's likely to be more productive than most low-end starters that are available on the waiver wire. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Relief Pitchers:

Edward Mujica, Red Sox - Mujica is the new Red Sox closer, now that Koji Uehara has been taken out of that role due to ineffectiveness and general fatigue. Mujica has a 4.00 ERA (3.92 FIP) with 39 strikeouts and 13 walks over 54 innings this season. He earned a save on Saturday night and had 37 saves for the Cardinals last season, so he knows this role well. It's possible we see Uehara back as the closer later this season, but not likely. Pick Mujica up in all leagues, if you need saves help or want to prevent others from getting saves. Mixed: $10; AL: $30… Bid all that you can, if you really need the saves.

Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays - Sanchez might be the Blue Jays new closer, as Casey Janssen continues to implode down the stretch with seven earned runs given up in his last six games, resulting in two loses. He does have two saves over that time span too, but it's looking more and more doubtful he holds onto the job, when the team has Sanchez to turn to. Sanchez was a starter in the minors, but since coming up has been used out of the bullpen and has turned in a 1.46 ERA (2.35 FIP) with 23 strikeouts and four walks over 24.2 IP. He has nailed down two saves in his last four appearances, though one was a multi-inning save. If you're looking for saves get Edward Mujica, but if he's gone, get Sanchez, as he figures to at least get some of the save opportunities in these finals weeks. Mixed: $8; AL: $24.

Catchers:

Josmil Pinto, Twins - Pinto was recalled when rosters expanded this week and despite starting only two games so far, has already managed to show his offensive skills with four hits, all doubles, and three runs scored in nine at-bats. He's still behind Kurt Suzuki for playing time, but at least he's doing what he can at the plate to earn more at-bats. This season at Triple-A Rochester he hit .279/.378/.456 with six home runs over 238 PA. His power is real, as he hit seven home runs earlier this season over 158 PA, when he was up to start the season. As far as second catchers go in AL only formats, Pinto has upside. Mixed: $No; AL: $4.

Tomas Telis, Rangers - With Robinson Chirinos dealing with a neck injury, Telis, who was just called up late last month when Geovany Soto was traded, now finds himself as the team's starting catcher. Between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock this season, he hit .318/.352/.431 with five home runs and eight stolen bases over 442 PA. In his nine games since coming up he has one extra base hit and six runs scored. Expect him to continue to get solid playing time the rest of the month, as the Rangers continue to evaluate their roster for next season. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Corner Infielders:

Eric Hosmer, Royals - After missing a month with a hand injury, there's a chance that Hosmer is available in your league on the waiver wire. Since coming this week from the DL, he's gone 3-for-18 with two doubles and while the doubles are encouraging, he's going to need to seriously pick up the pace here down the stretch if he's to be of any use to fantasy owners, who have already had to sit through his offensive woes before his injury. On the season he's hit .262/.307/.372 with six home runs and four stolen bases over 463 PA. In mixed leagues he's worth a shot as a corner infielder. Mixed: $8; AL: Owned.

Ryan Rua, Rangers - Since coming up late last month, Rua has been getting pretty consistent playing time for the Rangers, starting all nine games at first base, left field or DH. His bat is still warming up, as he's 9-for-35 right now with one double and two runs scored. Between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, he hit .306/.378/.488 with 18 home runs and six stolen bases over 529 PA. He's got power, he just needs to adjust to the majors and start putting it to use. Mixed: $4; AL: $15.

Marcus Semien, White Sox - Since coming up when rosters expanded, Semien has started in three of the White Sox last four games at either third or second base. So far he's 3-for-14 with two runs scored. At Triple-A Charlotte he hit .267/.380/.502 with 15 home runs and seven stolen bases over 366 PA. He's got a little bit of power and speed, he just needs some playing time to continue his development and adjust to the speed of the major league game. He's a decent flyer in keeper leagues as a middle or corner infielder. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Andy Wilkins, White Sox - When Adam Dunn was traded to the A's, Wilkins was brought up to get some at-bats as the team's first baseman, as Jose Abreu shifts over to the DH role. Unfortunately Wilkins has gotten off to a slow start as he's hitless in his first 12 at-bats, but it's just three games and he'll get that first hit soon enough. This season at Triple-A Charlotte, he hit .293/.338/.558 with 30 home runs over 529 PA, so he's got some legit power, but he needs to start making some contact. At 25-years old he's not considered an elite prospect in the White Sox system. If you're desperate for a power bat give Wilkins a look, it just might not come with a pretty batting average. Mixed: No; AL: $3.

Middle Infielders:

Ryan Goins, Blue Jays - Recalled when rosters expanded, Goins has started three of the last four games for the Blue Jays at second base. So far so good, as he's gone 3-for-10 with a double, triple and run scored in his return. On the season his numbers are less than impressive, as he's hit .205/.228/.288 with one home run over 142 PA. Still, if he's going to get playing time he's worth a look for the counting stats, though he won't hit for power or steal many bases. This season at Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .284/.337/.353 with no home runs and four stolen bases over 402 PA. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Brad Miller, Mariners - Miller's bat has really started to warm up over the last two weeks, as he's gone 10-for-23 with three doubles, two home runs and one stolen base. Just Saturday night he went 4-for-4 with a double and stolen base, so he's trending in the right direction. On the season, his numbers look bad and they are bad, as he's hit just .215/.287/.360 with 10 home runs and four stolen bases over 372 PA. If he's available as a middle infield bat in AL only formats or as a bench bat in mixed leagues he's worth a shot, so long as he stays hot. Mixed: $1; AL: $6.

Adam Rosales, Rangers - Because of injuries, Rosales has started the last six games for the Rangers between first and third base and DH. Over the last 30 days his playing time has been sporadic, but at least he's hit three home runs. As long as he's going to continue to see playing time, which seems reasonable considering the injuries and rookies the Rangers have, he'll have value in AL only formats. On the season, he's hit .293/.364/.475 with four home runs and two stolen bases over 110 PA. It's a small sample size that I wouldn't trust, but that's usually the case for Rosales, who is more of a backup infielder than anything on a normally healthy team, which the Rangers are not. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Carlos Sanchez, White Sox - In his 15 games since coming up from Triple-A Charlotte, Sanchez has been playing well while taking over at second base for the recently departed Gordon Beckham, who is now with the Angels. He's hit .340/.352/.377 with two doubles and a stolen base. He had a three hit game this week as he continues to make good contact while he works on his eye at the plate, with 11 strikeouts and just one walk so far. As long as he continues to get playing time, and he's started every game minus one at second base since getting the job, he should have value in AL only formats. At Charlotte this season, he hit .293/.349/.412 with seven home runs and 16 stolen bases over 494 PA. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Luis Sardinas, Rangers - Between second base and shortstop, Sardinas has started three of the last four games for the Rangers since coming up when rosters expanded. He only has two hits in his 12 at-bats with one run scored. Still, he's getting playing time and that has value. Earlier this season he battled Rougned Odor for the starting second base job, but lost out and went back to the minors. On the season he's hit .269/.313/.295 with one stolen base over 86 PA. At Triple-A Round Rock this season, he hit .290/.310/.374 with one home run and nine stolen bases over 273 PA. He doesn't have any power, but he does have speed, he's just still learning how to use it at the MLB level. Mixed: No; AL: $2.

Jonathan Villar, Astros - Villar has only gotten six plate appearances since coming back up when rosters expanded, but he already has two walks and a stolen base. The stolen base is key here, as he has 17 on the season over 253 plate appearances and had 24 steals last season over 241 plate appearances. The only question is how much playing time will he see, which should be semi-regularly as Marwin Gonzalez continues to deal with a hamstring injury that he's almost over. If every stolen base matters to you, you could do worse than Villar in an AL only format. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Outfielders:

Anthony Gose & Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays - Colby Rasmus has effectively been benched by the Blue Jays as they attempt to get a better look at players like Gose and Pillar in their outfield as the season comes to a close. Gose has started three of the last four games in center field and has gone 3-of-12 with a double and two runs scored. He struggles to hit for average and has no power, but the speed is definitely there, as he has 15 stolen bases over 217 PA this season in the majors and 21 stolen bases over 224 PA at Triple-A Buffalo. As for Pillar, he has started the last two games and played some centerfield too. At Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .323/.359/.509 with 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases over 434 PA. He presents more upside offensively than does Gose, but he may not be the defender that Gose is. Expect both to continue to see playing time over Rasmus as the finals games are played out. Both Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Aaron Hicks, Twins - Since coming back up when rosters expanded, Hicks has gone 6-for-16 with a stolen base and run scored. He's been sharing time in center field with Danny Santana, who is a superior batter, but likely not the defender that Hicks is. Hicks has speed but he has never really shown it on the basepaths in the majors, though he did have a stolen base Saturday night, though even then it came with a caught stealing. As long as he's getting playing time he has value, but it's still tough to trust Hicks, as he has a .218 batting average this season over 174 PA. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

Tyler Holt, Indians - Holt was recalled, when rosters expanded this month and has since started four of the last five games for the Indians in the outfield. He's 3-for-14 so far and with David Murphy back now, he'll need to pick it up or he'll find himself losing at-bats. At Triple-A Columbus this season, he hit .308/.416/.401 with two home runs and 20 stolen bases over 272 PA. If he can get the playing time or even be used as a pinch runner, his speed may be helpful down the stretch. Mixed: $1; AL: $4.

David Murphy, Indians - Murphy was activated from the DL on Friday after dealing with an oblique injury. In his first game back he pinch-hit and knocked in the game-winning run, which is nice for the Indians. As for fantasy owners, Murphy has some power, but it's not anything special. This season he has seven home runs over 406 PA, which is low by his standards. Expect him to start playing more regularly as the season winds down. Mixed: $3; AL: $10.

Note: If you have anyone else you'd like me to discuss, just drop a line in the comments section.