DODGERS - 6/28/02
1st Place in the NL West
49-29, 2.5 games ahead of the D’Backs


LATEST TEAM INFO:
Shawn Green continues to be the best hitter in baseball over the past 5 weeks of the season. Considering that Brian Jordan and Eric Karros aren’t a constant threat behind Green, it is a huge surprise that he continues to see good pitches to hit. Green has hit 22 homers in his last 34 games (second to him over that time period is 12 by Sosa). Green has erased any talk of him losing production without Sheffield in the lineup and Dodger fans are close to saying “Gary who?” In my mind, Green has been the NL MVP for the first half – take Green out of this LA lineup and it would be a disaster.

Omar Daal has bounced back from biceps tendonitis and 3 terrible starts since taking over for the injured Kevin Brown. He’s won two starts in a row going 6 innings in each start. While I’m still not a Daal fan, if you need a back end rotation guy, he should put up decent numbers. The only thing that worries me (besides his career numbers) is the fact that he’s given up 7 homers in his last 4 starts.

Hideo Nomo is on a roll winning his last 6 decisions. His win against Colorado was one of his best of the season. He struck out 8 and only walked 2 in 7 innings of work. He retired the first 12 batters of the game. Over his last 8 starts, he is 6-0 with a 1.43 WHIP, 3.22 ERA, 28 BB, 38 K in 50.2 IP.

Cesar Izturis should think about batting just from his natural side, the right side. He didn’t start switch-hitting until he signed with Toronto in 1996. From the right side, he’s batting .298 with a .341 OBP and .369 SLG. From the left side, he’s batting .211 with a .233 OBP and .286 SLG. Batting coach Jack Clark said that Izturis could be a very good major league hitter if he hit exclusively from the right side – they’ll try to make some adjustments first, but a .211 average just isn’t going to cut it.

Jim Tracy is downplaying talk of a platoon at second base between Alex Cora, who is having a solid year at the plate, and Mark Grudzielanek, who hasn’t hit a lick in June. Neither of these players should be on your roster period.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
Who has the best record in baseball? That’s right the Dodgers (if you guessed another team, maybe you clicked on the wrong team link). The boys in blue have been playing great baseball and after taking the series against Colorado, they’ve won 9 straight series. Helton and Walker went a combined 0 for 16. “That’s about the best pitching we’ve faced all season,” said Helton. “No wonder they’re in first place.”

While the phrase team chemistry thrown around a lot in today’s sports world, you really get the feeling that this Dodger team has it. Is it the departure of Sheffield? Perhaps. But overall, this team just finds ways to win with a balanced attack. With pitching leading the way as usual, Odalis Perez, Andy Ashby, Kaz Ishii and Hideo Nomo give this team a chance to win every night out. The offense has good balance – from Shawn Green’s power surge to Dave Roberts speed, this team manages to score just enough to win (as 40% of their games have been of the 1 or 2 run variety). Having Eric Gagne shut the door on games is the nail in the coffin for the opposition – he has been the most dominant closer all season (check out his player spotlight).

WHO’S HOT (last 7 days)
Paul Lo Duca (C): 7-21 (.333) with 1 HR, 5 RBI
Mark Grudzielanek (2B): 6-18 (.333) with 4 runs scored
Shawn Green (RF): 6-25 (.240) with 4 HR, 6 RBI
Odalis Perez (P): Complete game 1 hit shutout of the Rockies; 0.85 WHIP for the year
Hideo Nomo (P): 2-0, 1.92 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 12Ks in 14 IP

WHO’S NOT
Cesar Izturis (SS): 4-25 (.160)
Adrian Beltre (3B): 4-23 (.173 with 1 HR
Eric Karros (1B): 4-22 (.181) with 1 HR

RUMOR MILL:
With Bartolo Colon traded to the Expos and the season heading into July, the rumor mills around the league are heating up. However, it is very quiet here in Dodgertown. GM Dan Evans has little to no wiggle room budget wise and with the Dodgers playing as well as they are, there’s no rumors swirling.

INJURIES:
Kevin Brown (P) – Status: DL, no return date
Brown started his post-surgery, trunk-stabilization program on June 25th. There is still some fluid in the back of his right elbow, but it is expected to subside by the time he finishes his back rehab. The rehab can take anywhere from two weeks to two months. Brown’s doctor said there is a chance that he will return to pitch again this season. I wouldn’t get my hopes up as a fantasy manager.

Chad Kreuter (C) - Status: 15 day DL with hematoma on his left shin
Kreuter was injured sliding into second base last Sunday. He has no fantasy value. David Ross was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to serve as Lo Duca’s backup.

Darren Dreifort (P) – Status: DL, possible August return
Dreifort threw batting practice for the first time on June 25th – the first time that he’s faced live hitters since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. There have been no setbacks over the past month and he could return by August, most likely in a relief role.

QUICKVIEW:
ADD/ACQUIRE:
Shawn Green (RF): still remains the hottest hitter in baseball; you can acquire him if the other owner is in a coma
Hideo Nomo (P): he’s starting to pitch better of late; his WHIP is never great but he’ll give you good strikeouts
Odalis Perez (P): I still think he can be acquired from unknowing managers
Paul Lo Duca (C): #4 ranked catcher fantasy wise; his homer total will rise
Andy Ashby (P): has pitched well but hasn’t had good run support – they’ve scored 3 runs in his last 3 losses

DROP/TRADE:
Kaz Ishii (P): 1.51 WHIP and his ERA is climbing; still has control problems early in games
Brian Jordan (LF): still an injury risk but otherwise having a solid year

Report News
The Dodger team report will be published every Friday afternoon, so check back every Friday for the latest on the first place Dodgers.

Next week will be the mid-season review. In depth position by position analysis and what to look for in the second half.

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at Dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com

ERIC GAGNE - SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT PLAYER

ERIC GAGNE – LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Age: 26 (January 26, 1976)
Height: 6-2 Weight: 200
Throws: Right Bats: Right

History

Eric Gagne was born in Montreal, Canada. Like most Canadians, hockey is his favorite sport. At the age of 18, he had to choose between his love and his hobby, baseball. “I either had to go baseball or hockey, since both were year-round and I couldn’t do both,” he said. “I like hockey better, like the contact and all, but I was better at baseball.” The Dodgers signed him as a non-drafted free agent in July of 1995 – a Canadian scout, Claude Pelletier has watched him develop from the age of 15. In his first year of pro ball (1997) for Class-A Savannah, Gagne had a 7-6 record with a 3.28 ERA and 131 Ks in 115.1 IP. He sat out all of the 1997 season after going through “Tommy John” surgery and worrying that his career may be over. However, he bounced back strong and in his second year back, he was named Texas League Pitcher of the Year in 1999 where he led the league in ERA and strikeouts. He had his first taste of the big show that year and impressed the team with his ability. The Dodgers handed him a spot in the rotation in 2000 but his control was erratic and he was sent back to the minors to polish his stuff. 2001 was much the same. He once again was a member of the starting 5 but was roughed up in his first 12 starts posting a 6.05 ERA. After a couple of trips back to AAA, Gagne came back as a spot starter and long reliever.

Spring Training 2002

Coming into the spring, Gagne was once again expected to challenge for a spot in the starting rotation. But things in camp weren’t so clear as the Dodgers effectively had 8 pitchers trying to fill out a starting 5. In the bullpen, Jim Tracey originally looked at Matt Herges to fill the closer’s role, which was left vacant when the Dodgers declined the option year on Jeff Shaw, the closer for the past four years. However, Herges pitched tight for day one and it was clear that he wasn’t the answer. With the rotation overflowing with starters, whispers started to come out that Gagne might get a chance to close with his nasty stuff – though his only experience in closing games was for the Canadian National Team. Once Herges was traded to the Expos, it was clear that the Dodgers would give Gagne a shot. But still, coming out of spring training, Tracey said that he had a closer by committee approach to ease Gagne in and would give chances to Paul Quantrill and Giovanni Carrara as well.

The Turning Point

Gagne closed his first two games with ease. But it was on April 11th when Gagne showed the Dodgers they didn’t need a committee. Gagne was pitching in the 9th against the Giants in Pac Bell Park. He had a runner on third with one out and Barry Bonds stepping to the plate. Tracy popped from the dugout, aware that veteran left-hander Jesse Orosco, who has great success against Barry, was ready in the bullpen. Tracy got about halfway to the mound, and Gagne's facial expression dictated the decision. "The look on his face was more or less suggesting, 'You better not take me out,'" Tracy says. "The first words out of my mouth were, 'I'm not taking you out,' and his eyes kind of lit up like that's what he was hoping to hear." After walking Bonds, Gagne struck out Jeff Kent and retired Reggie Sanders on a routine pop up for the save. Gagne credits that day with boosting his confidence to an all-time high.

Lights Out

If you don’t know what Gagne’s done as closer, take a look at his stats above. He has been by far the most devastating closer in the majors this year. Gagne has converted 27 of 28 save opportunities. He hasn’t walked a batter in his last 25.1 IP, a span of 86 batters. On the season, batters are batting an measly .148 (20 for 135). He has struck out 56 while only walking 4, one intentionally, in 39.1 IP. So why is he so successful? Gagne believes that his new role suits him. “I’m real aggressive, like to challenge people,” said Gagne, who looks the part with his goatee and goggle-like glasses. “It’s different from starting. I don’t have to worry about conserving energy. I can just go out there and not think, just relax and really go after people.” Well it has certainly worked. A winter strengthening program also added a few mph to his fastball. He’s been spotting his 95-98-mph fastball on both sides of the plate. But the key to Gagne’s success has been his 88-mph changeup, very similar to the repertoire of closer Trevor Hoffman. His changeup moves so much that Jim Tracey says that other teams think it’s a split-fingered fastball.

Going Forward

If Gagne isn’t an All-Star, then I don’t know who is. I have to think that Gagne will come to earth a little bit as he’s been so dominant in the first half of the year, but not by much. He’s had 6 saves that have been more than one inning, so he has certainly pitched a lot. He even recorded saves in 4 straight games. However, Gagne has good arm strength from being a starter and Jim Tracey monitors his pitch counts more than innings pitched. A 40-50 save season will come easily for Gagne this year as the Dodgers figure to give him plenty of chances with a scrappy offense and quality starting pitching – 32 of their 76 games (42%) have been settled by 1 or 2 runs. If you have Gagne, keep on riding his amazing numbers. If you don’t have him, I doubt you’ll be able to get him. In the end, keep this in mind… “I want to throw more strikes. I want to be perfect. I’d like to throw nine strikes every inning and get three strikeouts and not have anyone hit the ball.” I think he has a pretty good mentality for a closer. What do you think?

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent

DODGERS - 6/21/02
2nd place in the NL West
43-28, 1 game back of the D’Backs

PITCHING PROBABLES
6/21	Nomo	vs	Bos	Burkett
6/22	Daal	vs	Bos	Lowe
6/23	Ashby	vs	Bos	Arrojo
6/24	Ishii	vs	Col	Jennings
6/25	Perez	vs	Col	Hampton
6/26	Nomo	vs	Col	Thomson
6/27	Daal	vs	Col	Chacon

LATEST TEAM INFO:
The Dodgers continue to simply win. They have won their last seven series after taking the rubber game against Toronto last night behind another strong performance by Odalis Perez. If you haven’t taken notice of this kid, you better because he should be an All-Star this year (and he’s pitching better than Kaz Ishii). His 2.52 ERA and 0.91 WHIP ranks third in the majors behind only Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe. He carries an 8-3 record with 73 strikeouts over 107 IP, including two complete games and one shutout (in Coors!!!). Since this is his second season in the majors, many fantasy players will just believe that this is a fluke but a closer look behind his numbers tells otherwise. First of all, you don’t have to worry about high pitch counts with this kid because he doesn’t walk many, only 14 on the season. He’s only topped 100 pitches 3 times this year. He’s only allowed more than 3 runs in 2 of his 15 starts (he allowed 5 to Arizona (#1 in NL in runs scored) and 4 in his second Coors start). He’s pitched at least 6 innings in 13 of 15 starts. This kid is a crafty lefthander that has great control and does a great job changing speeds. If you’re in a keeper league, I strongly recommend trying to pick this kid up.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
The Lakers spanked New Jersey in the NBA Finals and luckily there was very controlled mayhem throughout LA; I’m glad the finals are done with. Now I’m waiting for my fellow Chinaman, Yao Ming, to be drafted number one.
Shawn Green is still smoking hot. There’s no one in the league hotter than Green over the last month. Green added his name to another record as he hit homers in four consecutive at bats against the Angels in the Freeway series. Since May 19th, Green is batting .379 with a 1.209 OPS. In a 28 game span, Green has hit 18 homers with 35 RBI and 37 runs scored. I think it is safe to say that Green isn’t missing Sheffield dearly, in fact they are playing better as a team this year as they nip at the heals of the first place D’Backs. So far the Dodgers haven’t been able to get over the hump to get a piece of first, but I feel that the Dodgers will overtake first very shortly.

DOGHOUSE:
Adrian Beltre has been struggling terribly at the plate and in the field for most of the year. Mired in a 2 for 28 slump, Jim Tracey gave Beltre his first day off on Wednesday. He committed his league leading 12th error at third base last night and right now he appears to really be struggling mentally. I’d bench Beltre until his bat starts to wake up, which I fully expect it to.

After a strong start, Giovanni Carrara has been getting torched especially by lefties. Through May 21st, Carrara has a solid 2.17 ERA. In the next ten games he had a 14.09 ERA. Not a pretty picture.

Mark Grudzielanek got a day off on Thursday. He’s been barely serviceable as a fantasy option. He’s batting .236 with 4 homers and 24 RBI – his OPS of .617 is awful. In June, he has about as many hits as the new Mariah Carey - he’s batting a miserable .183 with a .197 OBP. Don’t let him anywhere near your fantasy squad, I beg of you.

WHO'S HOT (last 7 days)
Odalis Perez: 2-0, 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 9Ks in 14.1 IP
Eric Gagne: 3 saves, 6Ks in 3.2 IP
Shawn Green: .450 avg, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 1.350 SLG
Eric Karros: .434 avg, 2 HR, 3 RBI

WHO'S NOT (last 7 days)
Adrian Beltre: 2-16 (.125)
Dave Roberts: 2-18 (.111), 2 R
Mark Grudzielanek: 1-18 (.055), 6 Ks
Brian Jordan: 4-21 (.190), 1 HR, 7 Ks

RUMOR MILL:
GM Dan Evans says that the Dodgers are not interesting in trading Beltre in any package for Phils 3B Scott Rolen.

INJURIES:
Kevin Brown (P) – Status: DL, no return date
Brown had surgery on his herniated disk (from wrestling with his son) but his doctor was “guarded” about his chances of pitching again this season. On a positive note, this should allow his elbow to rest and recover. He will begin rehabbing his back in the next week or two. It’s looking like a lost season for Brown, but if anyone will come back from this early, it will be him.

Omar Daal (P) – Status: ready to pitch (kind of)
After replacing Brown in the rotation, Daal was promptly torched in three starts for a Chan Ho like 11.57 ERA. Daal then told the Dodgers that his arm had been bothering him. Diagnosed with elbow tendonitis, his last start was skipped. Don’t be fooled by his hot start, Daal has a career 4.48 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. I don’t think he’s a good option period.

Darren Dreifort (P) – Status: throwing the ball
Dreifort threw 60 pitches in the bullpen on June 18th. He may face live batters within the week. While there is no timetable for his return, with Brown injured and Daal perhaps injured and just plain mediocre, Dreifort could provide needed depth for the staff in the second half. If he’ll be a starter or reliever has yet to be decided.

Mark Grudzielandek (2B) – Status: Playing, but poorly
Mark says that his stiff back has improved and he had bumps drained on his left hand again last week. He expects to have the bumps drained once a month until the season ends, and then team officials can explore the cause of the fluid accumulation. You think they might want to know that now… but he’s a gamer, that doesn’t mean you should play him.

ON THE FARM:
Chin-Feng Chen (1B) is having a decent AAA campaign. He’s batting .265 with 12 HR and 44 RBI. However his 81 Ks in 72 games is not a good sign. His plate discipline has eroded as he moved up in the minor league ranks. With Karros actually playing decent ball, Chen will remain in the minors.

QUICK VIEW:
Bench:
Adrian Beltre

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at Dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com

Check out my article on Adrian Beltre in this weeks spotlight player under the third baseman rankings.

ADRIAN BELTRE

SPOTLIGHT PLAYER

ADRIAN BELTRE - LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Age: 23 (April 7, 1979)
Height: 5-11 Weight: 170
Throws: Right Bats: Right


History
Adrian Beltre was signed by Scott Boras at the illegal age of 16 (which was discovered several years later). He tore up the minor leagues and was named the Florida State League (A) MVP in 1997. He hit .317 with 26 HR and 104 RBI. His development continued in 98 and the Dodgers called him up midseason to try and help out the major league squad. He struggled in his rookie season with the bat as well as in the field. But the Dodgers knew they had something special in Beltre and they handed him the starting 3B job in the spring of '99 at the ripe age of 20. Considered a five tool player, Beltre showed off his potential and didn't disappoint hitting 15 HR, 67 RBI and 12 SB. 2000 was an even more electric year for Beltre as he crushed the ball after the All-Star break, hitting .331 with 12 HR, 47 RBI. While Beltre's stock rose with the stock market, it crashed at about the same time. During the offseason, Beltre underwent emergency appendectomy surgery in the Dominican Republic. An infection (rumored to be a Junior Mint) caused him to lose 30 pounds and led to a second surgery. The Dodgers rushed him back with the dismal performance of his replacements. He tried to regain his playing weight and conditioning in 2 weeks, but he struggled to a .226 average in his first 69 games of 2001. He rebounded the rest of the way and hit a respectable .265 with 13 HR and 60 RBI.

Spring Expectations
Before the start of the 2002, virtually every baseball analyst and writer that you could find was picking Adrian Beltre to have a huge year. In the offseason, Beltre worked hard to improve his strength and his conditioning. ESPN even predicted a Albert Pujols type explosion for Beltre. So what has happened?

Disappointment
The entire Dodgers offense got off to a sputtering start so it was no surprise to see Beltre hobble along with his mates. In late April, he put together an 11-game hitting streak that elevated his average to .312 on May 4th. But since then Beltre's average has been crashing to a weak .241. His current streak is a 3 for 27 skid in his last 9 games. He's been moved all over the lineup from 6th to begin the year, to 2nd about a month ago, down to 8th. To make matters worse, his defense has also been less than stellar as he's committed 11 errors which ties him for the league lead.

Support and Belief
But the Dodgers haven't lost any faith in this kid who's only 23 despite being in his 4th major league season. With Scott Rolen's name being floated around, the Dodgers have said that they have no interest in trading Beltre. Paul Lo Duca calls his talent "ungodly" and believes that he's trying too hard to reach his potential instead of just letting it happen. Teammates believe Beltre will develop into a 40 homer, 30 SB type of player with great defense as he has a great throwing arm - it is perhaps this belief that put pressure on the kid to begin with. With Dave Hansen the only other option at third for the Dodgers, Beltre will get the chance to play through this rough stretch. Manager Jim Tracey says, "I just want to give him an opportunity to get himself going again offensively."

Patience, kid, Patience
I think it is obvious that Beltre has tried to rip his way out of this funk and its just not working. He has yet to find any comfort zone at the plate. But the key difference between his 99-00 seasons and the past two years are apparent in his numbers... patience and plate discipline. His walk rate in those seasons was roughly 1 per 10 AB. Last year that ratio slid to 1 per 18 and this year it is 1 per 15.5. To me that would suggest that he's pressing; and when he is able to relax and get his pitch, he'll start to crush the ball again. To me it is only a matter of time before Beltre is a 40 homer, 30 SB player... the Dodgers hope it happens soon, as his potential bat added to Shawn Greens could propel the Dodgers to a division pennant.

Fantasy Decisions
If you're in a keeper league and own Beltre, definitely stay patient and you'll be rewarded. If you don't own him, see if you can pick him up cheaply and put him on your bench for the time being. He has the potential to be a top 5 player at the hot corner.
If you're in a one season league, I'd stash him on your bench until he starts to heat up which I think is still just a matter of time. He hasn't hit this poorly since his rookie stint with the club at 19 years old. His best month historically has been August. I expect a much better second half from Beltre.

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent

DODGERS - 6/9/02

2nd place in the NL West
37-25, 2 games back of the D’Backs

LATEST TEAM INFO:
Well a lot has changed since my last report, which focused on the lack of Dodger offense and the hope of a return to form by Shawn Green and Adrian Beltre. Well one of two isn’t bad. After entering the Milwaukee series batting .231 with 3 HR and 21 RBI, Green exploded in Milwaukee for a historical individual performance. In the first game of the series, Green went deep twice. The third game of the series was the historical one, arguably the best individual hitting performance ever. Green went 6 for 6 with 6 runs scored (tied record), 4 homers (tied record), 7 RBI and 19 total bases (new record). His 19 total bases broke the record held by Joe Adcock since 1954 of 18 total bases. He followed up this incredible performance with a homer off of Curt Schilling the following night and 2 more on the eve after. He set a new record of 7 homers in 3 games. While he’s cooled off since that incredible stretch, he is now hitting .277 with 14 homers and 43 RBI (his SLG went from .346 to .532). I know that patient Green owners surely moved up a few places in the standings after that week.
Now to the bad news… on May 27th, Kevin Brown was placed on the DL once again with soreness in his pitching elbow. While an MRI showed no new tears in his surgically repaired elbow, the Dodgers will hopefully take it slow with the 37 year old right-hander who is making his 5th stay on the DL in the past two years. To make things worse on June 4th, Brown was admitted to the hospital with acute back pains where he was bedridden for five days. It turns out that Brown has a herniated disk in his lower back which he injured playing with his son. Brown will have surgery on Tuesday June 11th and 3 to 4 days after, the Dodgers will access his playing status. Whatever the case this doesn’t look good for Brown who is in the 4th year of a sevnr year, $106mn contact. If you can’t put Brown on the DL in your league, it is probably wise to drop him at this point and seek a better alternative. One positive here is that the Dodgers are 19-7 with Brown on the DL and only 18-18 with him on the roster.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
The focus in Los Angeles has been the Lakers, Lakers and the Lakers. Fans breathed a sigh of relief when the Kings choked away game 7 by shooting like the Shaq of old, 53.3% from the free throw line. Now fans are watching the Lakers make the Nets look like a college team as Shaq slams on their heads at will.
Meanwhile the Dodgers continue to play solid baseball. In their first interleague series, they took 2 of 3 from the Orioles. Kaz Ishii won his 10th of the year, throwing 6 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs, 5 hits and striking out 4. He commented, “I think this game was the first time I really felt like my pitching back in Japan, when I was pitching well. I felt like I had returned to form.” If this is the case, his WHIP may come down from its current levels. Odalis Perez followed up with an 8 inning, 4 hit, 10 strikeout gem. Looking at Perez’s performances so far, I’d suggest trying to acquire him from an owner who doesn’t believe that he can keep up his success. While I wouldn’t expect his WHIP to stay as low as .92, he is showing no signs of slowing down.
Jim Tracey continues to tinker with the Dodgers lineup, so far with pretty good success. Marquis Grissom has seen duty do to a string of lefties pitching against the Dodgers. He’s responded nicely and even hit two dingers against Randy Johnson. He’s been slightly more patient at the plate this year, but will start mainly against left-handers. Adrian Beltre is still struggling at the plate and has been moved from sixth to second to seventh in the order recently. Tracey is hoping that his 7 for 15 with 2 homers in Colorado will keep him hot. The team offense is now about middle of the pack in most offensive categories except in walks where they are dead last.
Next up for the Dodgers are the lowly Devil Rays.

RUMOR MILL:
The rumor of Juan Encarnacion for Omar Daal can be put to rest with Daal now in the starting rotation for the injured Brown.
Rumors of Shaq joining the Dodgers to help them win a World Series are unfounded.

INJURIES:
Kevin Brown (P) - Status: DL with sore elbow and herniated disc in back
See above for commentary. There is no timetable for Brown's return. I'd expect him to be out until at least after the All-Star Break.

Brian Jordan (LF) – Status: In lineup
Jordan has been surprisingly effective despite playing with a sore left knee, which will require surgery at the end of the year. He will likely miss a game from time to time to rest the knee and in interleague play will get some time at DH. Recently Jordan has been hitting cleanup and his numbers have been solid (.301 with 10 HR and 35 RBI).

Terry Mulholland (RP) – Status: Activated from DL
Bryan Corey was put on the DL with a sprained ankle to make room for Mulholland. Both have absolutely no business on your fantasy squad.

Jesse Orosco (RP) – Status: Activated from DL
The all-time leader in games pitched will get to add to his record. He’s only worth a look if your league includes holds. I will always remember him for his strikeout of Marty Barrett to win the ’86 World Series.

Quick View:
Add:
Odalis Perez: 6-3 despite a .92 WHIP, 2.62 ERA; has been most effective starters thus far
Eric Karros: .303 avg, 5 homers, 32 RBI; incredibly he’s only had two ABs with a runner on third and less than two outs (while mostly batting 5th or 6th all season)
Dave Roberts: he’s exceeded all expectations so far; 401 OBP, 14 SB
Adrian Beltre: he’s better than what he’s shown so far

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions feel free to email me at dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com