Damage Control: Gro-in Pains for Troy Tulowitzki

Infielders/Outfielders

Troy Tulowitzki (SS, COL) - Tulowitzki was lifted from Sunday's contest after straining his groin. He was absent from Monday's lineup as well. He's day-to-day for now, and says the injury is mild, but keep in mind he missed three days earlier this season with a similar issue and, well, groin strains can be tricky (almost as tricky as rocking a mullet in the year 2010).

Temporary Savior: If Tulow misses more than just a few days or is forced to the DL with this latest ailment, there are several available options on the wire who can help keep you afloat. Ian Desmond is the first name that comes to mind, as his across-the-board production over the last month has been rivaled by few at the position (.360-2-9-12-5). Deep leaguers might want to take a flier on Jhonny Peralta, who's hit .298 with a couple of homers the last two weeks.

Jose Reyes (SS, NYM) - Reyes was forced to leave last Thursday's game after aggravating an old oblique strain. He's expected to miss at least the next three or four games after cutting short a BP session on Sunday.

Temporary Savior: If you're looking to replace Reyes' speed, Oakland's Cliff Pennington is a viable option. His eight stolen bases the last 30 days are tied with Reyes for tops among shortstops. L.A.'s Jamey Carroll is owned in just 3% of leagues at the moment, despite hitting .299 with five stolen bases and 11 runs scored over the last 30 days.

Michael Bourn (OF, HOU) - Bourn left Sunday night's contest early with a hamstring injury. Not the ideal injury for a guy who is pretty much worthless without his legs. The team isn't placing him on the DL, but prepare to be without him for the rest of the week.

Temporary Savior: I can't begin to understand why Coco Crisp is owned in only half as many leagues as Bourn, but if Crisp is out there for the taking in yours, make the add ASAP. He's been a top-10 outfielder over the last month. Those in deeper pools can add KC's Gregor Blanco, who's swiped nine bags in the last 30 days.

Dan Uggla (2B, FLA) - Uggla was held out of the lineup Monday with a groin strain (what's up with all these groin injuries?) The team is calling him day-to-day but we all know how these types of injuries can linger.

Temporary Savior: Obviously, you're not going to replace Uggla's power at second base. In the short-term, however, guys like Bill Hall (six homers in the last month) and Jayson Nix (.284 with four homers last 30 days) make for capable subs.

Ian Stewart (2B/3B, COL) - Stewart was placed on the 15-day DL with an oblique strain. He'd been out since Wednesday with the ailment and the team needed to make room for Clint Barmes, who was activated off the bereavement list on Monday.

Temporary Savior: Casey Blake has hit well over the last 30 days, batting .281 with four homers and 17 RBI. He's available in just over 60% of leagues right now.

Edwin Encarnacion (3B, TOR) - Encarnacion (wrist) was placed on the DL Sunday. He says this injury isn't in the same location as the same one that forced him to the DL earlier in the season, but the Jays have to be concerned that it's the same wrist. Or maybe they're not concerned. Who knows?

Temporary Savior: Wilson Betemit is hitting .293 with six homers over the last month. With the way he's been swinging the stick this season, he might even be a better option than a healthy Encarnacion.

Geovany Soto (C, CHC) - Soto had an MRI on his balky right knee on Monday. Thankfully, for his owners, the results turned up clean. He's day-to-day for now, but won't return to the lineup until the swelling subsides.

Temporary Savior: Over the last 30 days, the Rays' John Jaso is the seventh-ranked catcher in 5X5 formats (.333-1-9-13-1). Cincinnati's Ramon Hernandez is the fifth-ranked backstop over the same time period, batting .368 with 13 RBI.

Matt LaPorta (1B/OF, CLE) - A sore hip forced LaPorta to leave Sunday's game early. It's the same hip he had surgery on this past offseason but the team doesn't feel the injury is serious and expects him to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Temporary Savior: Just in case LaPorta doesn't return as expected, the Nationals' Mike Morse makes for a fine replacement. Morse is 9-for-19 with a homer this week and like LaPorta, is eligible at first base and the outfield.

Jerry Hairston Jr. (2B/3B/SS/OF, SD) - Hairston was placed on the 15-day DL with an elbow strain. He's expected to miss 2-to-3 weeks.

Temporary Savior: See Jose Reyes/Troy Tulowitzki fill-ins.

Gordon Beckham (2B/3B, CWS) - Beckham was hit on the hand with a pitch in the seventh inning of Monday night's contest.. X-rays were negative. We still don't know if he'll miss any time, but my guess is he'll carry the dreaded day-to-day tag until further notice.

Temporary Savior: See Dan Uggla/Ian Stewart recommendations.

Jim Thome (UTIL, MIN) - Thome was scratched on Saturday with a stiff back. For now, it doesn't appear it'll require a trip to the DL, although he could sit more down the stretch if it becomes a nagging issue (likely considering his age).

Dustin Pedroia (2B, BOS) - It won't be official until Pedroia (broken foot) has his next CT scan on Friday, but all signs point to season-ending surgery for the Red Sox second baseman. Hold if you can until then, but don't expect any miracles.

Alex Rodriguez (3B, NYY) - A-Rod (calf strain) hasn't participated in any baseball-related activities since going on the DL on August 21, but insists he'll be ready to return when eligible on Sunday. We shall see.

Lance Berkman (1B, NYY) - Berkman says his ankle is completely healed. He started a rehab assignment on Monday and should be back with the Yanks in a couple days.

Rafael Furcal (SS, LAD) - Furcal's still feeling pain in his back but the Dodgers are pushing him to head out on a rehab assignment this week. We'll believe it when we see it.

Ian Kinsler (2B, TEX) - Kinsler (groin) played in rehab games over the weekend and is on track to return Friday. Allow me to speak for all Kinsler owners when I say it's about time.

Colby Rasmus (OF, STL) - Rasmus has been dealing with a calf injury on and off for a while now, and hasn't played much the past week or so, but he did return to the lineup on Monday so hopefully the injury (and Tony LaRussa's hate) is a thing of the past.

Chris Denorfia (OF, SD) - Denorfia missed Sunday's game with a back issue but returned to the lineup on Monday.

Yunel Escobar (SS, TOR) - Escobar's missed two straight games with a stiff back. He hopes to return on Tuesday.

Lyle Overbay (1B, TOR) - Overbay's been out with the flu since Friday. He should be able to return to the lineup on Tuesday (if he's not traded first).

Jeff Keppinger (2B/SS/3B, HOU) - Keppinger (toe) started a rehab assignment on Sunday and should return when eligible on Wednesday.


Starting Pitchers

Kevin Slowey (SP, MIN) - Slowey's been on the DL since August 22 with a strained right triceps. An MRI revealed no structural damage but the Twins may be uber-cautious with him to make sure he's ready for the playoffs (assuming they maintain their lead over the White Sox, of course). A mid-September return sounds likely.

Temporary Savior: Toronto's Brett Cecil is on quite the roll (despite his defense handing him a loss on Monday night). He's allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts and sports a 3.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP on the season. He remains available in just a shade under 70% of leagues.

Brett Anderson (SP, OAK) - Anderson lasted just two innings after hyper-extending his right knee on Friday, but he isn't expected to miss his next turn in the rotation. He threw a bullpen session on Monday and reportedly felt well, and he's penciled in to start against the Yankees on Wednesday. .

Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP, BOS) - Dice-K was scratched from his last start with back soreness but is tentatively slated to return to the hill against the Orioles on Thursday.

Vicente Padilla (SP, LAD) - Vicente Padilla's been on the DL with a bulging disc in his back but threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Friday and is expected to start a rehab assignment in a few days. Assuming all goes well, he should rejoin the Dodgers rotation in about a week.

Andy Pettitte (SP, NYY) - Pettitte (groin) came away feeling good after a bullpen session on Sunday and is scheduled to throw another bullpen on Wednesday. He estimates he's about two weeks from returning, which means he'd make about 2-3 starts before the end of the season.

Carlos Silva (SP, CHC) - Carlos Silva (heart) will make his second rehab appearance on Wednesday. If he can make it through without any issues, he'll be activated shortly afterward.

Chris Young (SP, SD) - Chris Young has thrown five bullpen sessions with no shoulder pain and is scheduled to start a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday. The team expects him to rejoin the big league club some time in September but no word on whether he'll return as a starter or reliever. Like the Padres need pitching.


Relief Pitchers

Ryan Franklin (RP, STL) - Franklin hasn't pitched since Friday due to a stiff neck. No word on whether the injury is still bothering him or if he's available to pitch.

Temporary Savior: If you're forced to go without Franklin the next few days, Baltimore's Koji Uehara has saved four straight games and looks locked in as the O's closer.

Matt Lindstrom (RP, HOU) - Lindstrom (back spasms) threw a bullpen session Sunday and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. With the way Brandon Lyon's been tossing the pill, I'm not sure a healthy Lindstrom gets his job back.

Matt Thornton (RP, CWS) - Thornton (forearm/elbow) threw a pain-free bullpen session on Monday. He's scheduled for a simulated game on Wednesday. If all goes well, he should return by the weekend.

Evan Meek (RP, PIT) - Meek got hit with a Ryan Braun comebacker on his pitching hand Sunday but x-rays were negative and he hopes to resume throwing in a couple of days. He should return by the end of the week.