Roto Rush: Rays Get an Injury Makeover

Evan Longoria may still be stuck at 15 homers, but hey, at least Matt Joyce is slugging. Meet the Rays' new reality, where players like Joyce and recent call-up Dan Johnson have been doing their best to keep the team winning in trying times.

Joyce led Tampa Bay to victory Monday against the Tigers with a homer and two RBI. The outfielder is coming off a July in which he collected 18 RBI. Johnson didn't get a hit, but his four-RBI showing on Aug. 7 did open some eyes. The first baseman slugged 30 homers and 95 RBI at Triple-A Durham before he got the call to fill in for injured Carlos Pena.

Guys like Joyce and Johnson may not seem too appealing on the surface, but the opportunity is knocking and they're in the heart of the Rays' order. You could do worse if you're really in a bind. The injury bug has been rampant as of late.

The pitching staff also took a couple of big blows Monday when starters Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann were placed on the DL. While they're both out with sore shoulders, it'll be Andy Sonnanstine and top prospect Jeremy Hellickson who enter the rotation. Hellickson, who will step into action Tuesday night against Detroit, is still widely available in standard mixed leagues. The talented righty impressed in his first major-league start versus Minnesota, allowing only two runs over seven innings while picking up the win and six strikeouts. He's definitely worth a pickup in deeper leagues. The up-and-down Sonnanstine can be ignored unless you're in an AL-only league.

Bits From the Box Scores:

• I guess Jacoby Ellsbury is feeling OK again. He got dropped to ninth in the batting order, but stole four bases unfazed in a 2-1 victory over the Yankees. His average is suffering but he's going to be pretty valuable with a green light like that.

• Surprising outfielder Brennan Boesch could be finding his power stroke again after a miserable July in which he hit .209 and drove in just six. As a pinch hitter against the Rays, Boesch knocked his second homer over his past four games.

• Jonathan Papelbon kept rolling with his fourth straight save in August. His blown chance on Aug. 1 now looks like nothing more than a blip on the radar

• Two starts into his White Sox career, Edwin Jackson is proving skeptics wrong. He's got a 1.38 ERA with a 13:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Remember it's the Orioles and the Tigers, though. His ERA won't stay that low for very long.

• Brutal outing for Reds rookie Mike Leake: 6 ER and 9 hits in 3 2/3 IP. On the optimistic side, he was doomed by one bad inning as all six were charged in the fourth frame. Also, four runs scored after Leake hit Andrew McCutchen with a pitch, so it could have affected his composure.

• Welcome back to the 20-20 club, Chris Young. You've been missed. The Diamondbacks center fielder hit his 20th HR of the season against Milwaukee to go along with his 22 steals. Young had a very disappointing 2009 but now he's back to his 2008 level of play.

• Keep a close eye on Peter Bourjos if you need some really cheap speed. You know the Angels like to run and there should be no holding back the rookie out of the ninth spot. He picked up his second steal of the season and two runs against Kansas City.

• Carlos Zambrano walked seven batters in his return to the rotation Monday. On the upside, at least Gatorade coolers weren't dented and nobody got yelled at in the dugout.

Always Be Closing: Head to your wire and pick up Michael Gonzalez if you're in need of saves. Do not pass 'Go,' do not look Alfredo Simon in the eyes. Simon blew his fourth save of the year against the White Sox and has now allowed four home runs over his last eight appearances. Gonzalez pitched a scoreless inning after Simon was pulled and the O's escaped with a win.

Gonzalez has pitched well since his return from the DL, albeit the sample size is small. Stats aside, here's another number to consider: 12. That's how many millions Gonzalez is making over his two-year contract. Closer money. The time to snag him is now.

Locking Your Lineup: It's night games galore on Tuesday. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.