Edison Volquez: Volquez tested positive for PED and was suspended for 50 games. He can only begin serving the suspension when he is eligible to come off of the 60-day-DL. Since he went on the DL before the season started, the Reds could activate him and have him begin serving his suspension while he is still recovering, which leaves open the possibility that he could still pitch this year. Chances are that he was using the PED to speed up the recovery from his elbow injury and was not using them during his breakout 2008 season, 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA. Even though his walks were high, 4.3 BB/9, any pitcher with a strikeout/ground ball package like he displayed in that year, 9.5 K/9 and a 46% GB%, is not worth giving up on. However, it is unlikely that he will even come close to recovering that form this year, which makes him someone to watch in 2011
Carlos Beltran: Beltran, who is recovering from a right knee injury, has yet to be cleared for baseball activities, which makes a May return look doubtful. After a big 2008 season, 27/112/.284 with 25 steals, Beltran was in the midst of another good season in 2009, 10/48/.325 with 11 steals in 308 AB before going down for the season. At 32 years of age and coming back from a serious knee injury, expect him to be a non-factor on the basepaths. However, once he shakes off the rust, his outstanding approach at the plate, 2008/2009 BB%’s 13%/13% and Ct%’s 84%/86%, combined with his pop, should net some good numbers over the second-half of the season.
J.A. Happ: Happ, who is dealing with a forearm problem, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow to see if he will require a DL stint. His 2009 season, 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA, looks better than his skills, 6.5 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 38% GB%, say it should, due to some good luck, .263 BHIP% and an 82% S%. His control has been shaky so far this year, 8 walks in 10.1 innings, and a high FB%, 45% last year, leaves him susceptible to gopheritis, especially when pitching at home.. Look for his ERA to head north this year.
Joe Blanton: Blanton tossed 2 scoreless innings in Single-A during a rehab assignment for his injured oblique last night. He in on pace for a return in May. Blanton’s improved command, 2008/2009 K/9’s 5.1/7.5 and BB/9’s 3.0/2.7, led to better numbers, 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA last year vs. 9-12 with a 4.69 ERA in 2008, which made him a factor in fantasy mixed leagues. With dominance much higher than his previous work, there is a chance that the 29-year-old, could revert back to his previous level, but consider that he was consistent throughout all of last year, 8.2 K/9 in 35.1 September innings, it was his first full season in the NL, and he is pitching for a very good team, so the better bet is that Blanton will have value in mixed leagues this year.
Ted Lilly: Lilly, who has been out with a shoulder injury, will be back in the Cubs rotation this weekend. In his last season in the American League, Lilly had good, but not great, numbers and skills, 15-13, with a 4.31 ERA, 7.9 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9, but since moving to the NL, his control has dramatically improved while he has maintained his dominance, 2007/2008/2009 K/9’s 7.6/8.1/7.7 and BB/9’s 2.4/2.8/1.8, which has lead to much better numbers, ERA’s 3.83/4.09/3.10. It is unrealistic to expect the same pinpoint control from last year and his high 51% FB from 2009, leaves him susceptible to gopheritis, but Lilly is still in the upper echelon of major league pitchers, just don’t expect that low of an ERA again.
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