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New York Mets ace Johan Santana joins the long line of injured Mets players.  Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, David Wright, the list goes on.  It’s staggering.  Now their ace is gone for the year.  Where does that leave you as your fantasy team winds down?  In a big hole, that’s where.  If you are fantasy team is unlike the Mets and still in the chase, you’ve got to find a way to somehow replace the lost production.  Obviously, you aren’t getting someone to slide in without missing a beat.  Here are some options guys who have pitched well the past month:

Derek Holland, Texas Rangers – 4 Wins, 28 Ks, 1.85 ERA, 0.91 WHIP
Ownership:  63% Yahoo! Plus, 25% Yahoo! Public, 7.6% ESPN, 62% CBS

Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants – 2 Wins, 28 Ks, 2.08 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Ownership:  61% Yahoo! Plus, 26% Yahoo! Public, 12.2% ESPN, 67% CBS

Tommy Hunter, Texas Rangers – 4 Wins, 26 Ks, 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Ownership:  76% Yahoo! Plus, 37% Yahoo! Public, 11% ESPN, 69% CBS

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds – 1 Win, 21 Ks, 2.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
Ownership:  44% Yahoo! Plus, 24% Yahoo! Public, 23.2% ESPN, 71% CBS

Ross Ohlendorf, Pittsburgh Pirates – 3 Wins, 20 Ks, 2.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Ownership:  24% Yahoo! Plus, 10% Yahoo! Public, 3.9% ESPN, 39% CBS

San Francisco Second Baseman Freddy Sanchez also landed on the DL because of a strained shoulder that has kept him out of action for seven games.  The move was made retroactive to August 18th, meaning he’s eligible to come off the DL next Wednesday, September 2nd.  Sanchez isn’t nearly the loss that Johan is, but there are options (with 2B eligibility) to plug in while he’s out.  Past month’s stats listed.

Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels – .317, 12 Runs, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs, 1 SB
Ownership:  49% Yahoo! Plus, 48% Yahoo! Public, 69.7% ESPN, 42% CBS

Mark Ellis, Oakland A’s – .364, 18 Runs, 2 HRs, 22 RBIs, 2 SBs
Ownership:  25% Yahoo! Plus, 15% Yahoo! Public, 8.2% ESPN, 21% CBS

Eugenio Velez, San Francisco Giants – .300, 19 Runs, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs, 3 SBs
Ownership: 14% Yahoo! Plus, 4% Yahoo! Public, 2.9% ESPN, 8% CBS

Chris Coghlan, Florida Marlins – .366, 16 Runs, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs, 1 SB
Ownership:  57% Yahoo! Plus, 24% Yahoo! Public, 17.4% ESPN, 56% CBS

Ronnie Belliard, Washington Nationals – .387, 15 Runs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 2 SBs
Ownership:  3% Yahoo! Plus, 2% Yahoo! Public, 1.3% ESPN, 2% CBS

Luis Castillo, New York Mets – .365, 15 Runs, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 4 SBs
Ownership:  26% Yahoo! Plus, 11% Yahoo! Public, 11% ESPN, 27% CBS

Maicer Izturis, Los Angeles Angels – .286, 16 Runs, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs, 2 SBs
Ownership:  56% Yahoo! Plus, 28% Yahoo! Public, 5.6% ESPN, 28% CBS

Ryan Roberts, Arizona Diamondbacks – .341, 10 Runs, 4 HRs, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs
Ownership:  10% Yahoo! Plus, 2% Yahoo! Public, 1.3% ESPN, 6% CBS

Adam Kennedy, Oakland As – .276, 8 Runs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 5 SBs
Ownership:  46% Yahoo! Plus, 21% Yahoo! Public, 8.2% ESPN, 44% CBS

Alexi Casilla, Minnesota Twins – .340, 14 Runs, 9 RBIs, 4 SBs
Ownership: 2% Yahoo! Plus, 3% Yahoo! Public, 0.9% ESPN, 4% CBS

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

The Indians activated OF Grady Sizemore (elbow) from the DL.  He has been out since May 30th.  He has struggled this season hitting .223 with 29 Runs, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, and 7 SBs.  Despite his struggles, he should be inserted into fantasy lineups immediately.

The Reds activated 1B Joey Votto.  Votto is enjoying a fine season hitting .357 with 23 Runs, 8 HRs, and 33 RBIs.  I would hold off on putting him into your fantasy lineup until his role is defined since he was sidelined with a mysterious ailment.

The Mets placed Carlos Beltran on the 15-DL because of a knee bruise.  It has not slowed him at the plate though as he’s hitting .336 with 40 Runs, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, and 11 SBs.  Fernando Martinez is getting another stint with the Mets.  He hit just .194 in his first taste of the bigs.  Ryan Church (.277, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs) is the guy I’d add.

The Angels are returning Ervin Santana to the 15-Day DL because of sore triceps.  Santana has struggled in his six starts this year going 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP.  The move was made retroactive to June 12th, but it’s unclear when he’ll make his next start.  At this point he hasn’t shown he’s worth a roster spot on fantasy teams.

The Mets were forced to put John Maine on the 15-day DL because of shoulder soreness.  The Mets just can’t catch a break with the injuries.  Maine was 5-4 with a 4.52 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 42 Ks.  Fernando Nieve, who was called up when J.J. Putz went on the DL for the Mets, will get the start for Maine tomorrow.  In four starts for Triple-A Buffalo Nieve was 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 23 Ks in 24-1/3 Innings.

Jeremy Bonderman made just one poor start before his shoulder forced him back on the DL.  He gave up 6 Runs in 4 Innings.  Dontrelle Willis, who has looked shaky at best since his return, will hold down Bonderman’s spot in the rotation.  However, with a 6.60 ERA and 1.70 WHIP, his spot is exceedingly tenuous.

The Phillies lost Closer Brad Lidge to the 15-day DL because of a sprained knee.  After a perfect 2008 season, this year has been anything but for Lidge.  He is 0-3 with 13 Saves, 6 Blown Saves, a staggering 7.27 ERA and robust 1.81 WHIP.  Ryan Madson, who is 2-1 with 2 Saves, 13 Holds, a sparkling 2.22 ERA and solid 1.06 WHIP will likely handle Closer duties until Lidge can return. 

In other injury news, Texas lost Josh Hamilton for four-to-six weeks because of an abdomen injury and Brandon McCarthy because of a stress fracture in his shoulder.