Blog Manager's Note: Here is the second ProFSL contribution from Bleacher Report's Ely Sussman. Be sure to read the slideshow filled with pictures over at Bleacher Report.As the MLB regular season begins, it's easy to avoid players who are already injured. However, stashing disabled difference-makers on your fantasy baseball bench could be well worth it when they return to full strength. Never mind Ryan Madson or Joakim Soria. Those two will be hard-pressed to get ready by Opening Day 2013! Forget about anybody in that predicament. Rather, I urge you to keep tabs on these productive players as they progress through their recoveries.
Carlos QuentinOutfielder Carlos Quentin is now with the San Diego Padres after being traded from the Chicago White Sox on New Year's Eve 2011. He has battled various injuries throughout his baseball career. Quentin's elbow (2003), labrum (2007), wrist (2008) and foot (2009) have forced him to miss significant periods of time.
The would-be cleanup hitter is coming back from arthroscopic knee surgery. He will likely return in mid-April. A consistent source of power, Quentin has homered 20-plus times in four straight seasons despite never playing more than 131 games. He will struggle to score runs in a shallow Padres lineup, but his other power numbers are worth waiting for.
Salvador PerezCatcher is not a very deep position for the 2012 fantasy baseball season.
Even with only 148 at-bats of MLB experience, Salavador Perez will be a viable starting option after the All-Star break. That's a conservative estimate for when he'll be at 100 percent after
surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He proved to be a fairly good contact hitter throughout his minor league career and his 2011 stint with the Kansas City Royals was very impressive. Perez batted .331 with 21 RBI in 39 games. He will receive ample playing time ahead of Brayan Pena and Humberto Quintero whenever he is reinstated on the 25-man active roster.
Tim HudsonTim Hudson's rehabilitation from November back surgery might force him to miss all of April. When he mends, though, you'll have a pitcher who has averaged 15 wins per year during his 12 semi-full seasons. He is economical with his pitch count and could easily accumulate 170 innings in 2012 if the timetable for his return isn't pushed back any further. You can rely on Hudson for WHIP. He ranked in the National League's top 10 in the category in 2010 and 2011.
Chipper JonesFantasy general managers who participate in daily leagues should target Chipper Jones. Other injuries will inevitably keep him out of the lineup even when his torn meniscus is fixed. But he will have a lot of value on the days where he actually plays nine innings. He is a rare MLB hitter who totals more walks than strikeouts (2011 was a fluke). Jones' batting average and power numbers are respectable, and he'll hit in the middle of the order.
Dallas BradenOn Mother's Day 2010, Dallas Braden surprisingly hurled the 19th perfect game in MLB history. His 2012 debut could come around the second anniversary of that feat as he is currently on his way back from May shoulder surgery. His wins will be limited. The Oakland Athletics project to be a weak offensive team. Frequent matchups with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Texas Rangers won't end well. Luckily, the pitcher-friendly confines of O.co Coliseum should help his ERA and WHIP.
Chase UtleyFormer NL All-Star Chase Utley is dealing with chondromalacia, a chronic knee condition that will sideline him for an indefinite amount of time. Just remember what this guy brings to the table. Utley has stolen 110 bases in 123 career attempts for an outstanding 89.4 percent success rate. He possesses solid power for a second baseman and—with the exception of last season—a high batting average. You will have to be patient with Utley, but what is it that they say about those who wait? Oh yeah, good things come to them.
Chris CarpenterUnfortunately, Chris Carpenter is also facing a lengthy absence. His issue concerns the
nerves in his throwing shoulder. With the St. Louis Cardinals (since 2004), he has regularly lasted seven innings per start. So although the club doesn't have a dominant bullpen, Carpenter won't have trouble winning games. His National League ERA is 3.06. Only a handful of active players are as consistent when healthy.
Stephen DrewStephen Drew is aiming to be back with the Arizona Diamondbacks in late April or early May after suffering a
gruesome ankle injury last July. He is a shortstop in the prime of his career, capable of producing a dozen homers and nearly as many stolen bases in 2012 despite his DL stint. Batting in the No. 1 or No. 2 spot sets him up to score a ton of runs. Not everyone is protected by a quartet like Jason Kubel, Miguel Montero, Justin Upton and Chris Young. Generally, Drew is very durable. He played 150-plus games in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Carl CrawfordIan Browne of MLB.com says "it is inevitable that Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford (left wrist) will open the season on the disabled list." Any of your fantasy baseball rivals who weren't already skittish about acquiring Crawford are certainly steering clear of him now! Take advantage. Lately, he has been making progress with his hitting and throwing. At most, he will miss a couple weeks of action. His batting average will rise from last year's .255. Also recall that as awful as he was in 2011, he still managed double-digit home runs. His legs are in great condition, meaning he'll once again be an elite base-stealer. Hitting anywhere in the potent Boston Red Sox lineup will give Crawford opportunities to both score and bring his teammates home.
Ryan HowardPhiladelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard recently took another step in his recovery from offseason Achilles surgery. He has resumed workouts without a protective boot. The expectation is that he will be the everyday first baseman again by June 1. Howard hits extra-base hits to all fields, and that's reflected in his six-year streak of at least 30 HR and 100 RBI. He is especially valuable in NL-only leagues where only Lance Berkman and Joey Votto are similarly powerful. Pick him up while he's idle. If you forget about him now, you'll be regretting it later.
Ely Sussman is a sophomore at the University of Miami, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and Mathematics and minoring in Sports Administration. He is also a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Sussman is a big fan of the New York Yankees, Jets, and Knicks. You can follow him on Twitter @MrElyminator and read his Bleacher Report profile here.
