Carpenter Hurting, Lidge Loses Job

Chris Carpenter: Chris Carpenter went in for an MRI today, and while the doctors didn't see any ligament damage, he was diagnosed with an arthritic elbow and will miss some time. His estimated return is unknown at this time, and this appears to be cause for concern. Carpenter experienced swelling after his initial start, then completely a bullpen session only to have the swelling return. He'll try resting it for a while before throwing again, and this is undoubtedly a disappointment as he was likely the 2nd pitcher picked in most drafts. Carpenter has remained healthy and dominant since coming over from the AL to the Cardinals after battling various ailments and inconsistency in Toronto. However, the long season pitching through the World Series last year could be to blame.

Fantasy Impact: It's always a huge blow when you lose your staff ace, but there's some options out there. I'd suggest Daniel Cabrera, but I'd be shocked if he was unowned after his first two starts. He's always had the pure stuff, but now he seems to have found his control and a better knowledge of how to pitch. I expect some control inconsistency still and thus some ERA/WHIP concerns, but he has the talent to keep this up. He'll post a strong K rate, and the Baltimore offense is good enough to provide him with solid support. You could also look to Zack Greinke. Greinke was a highly touted pitching prospect with a solid 2004 debut before tanking in 2005 and battling unknown personal issues last season. He had a terrific opening start against the powerful Red Sox lineup, and he has the track record and home ballpark to post solid ratios and a solid K rate this year. Wins will be a problem backed by the mediocre KC offense, but wins are always more luck based than anything else and he'll contribute enough elsewhere to be a solid pickup. It'd be best to spot start him before he re-proves himself in rotisserie leagues.

Brad Lidge: Brad Lidge has been officially pulled from the closer's role and will be used earlier in games. After his disasterous 2006 compaign, brutal spring, and terrible 2007 start, this can't be of any surprise. He hasn't lost his stuff and he's not hurt, so it's obviously a mental breakdown. Odds are he'll need a fresh start with another team before possibly re-emerging, but he can't be completely ruled out if he can regain his control.

Fantasy Impact: Dan Wheeler owners rejoice! You now have an extra closer, and given his numbers the past two years (2.36 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 137 Ks in 144 2/3 IP), he'll likely be effective in the closer's role and could maintain the job all year long. He started off with a perfect inning today, and getting that first save down is a great start for his mental approach.

Other Notes:

- Jorge Julio has been brutal in the closer's role for the Marlins so far. It's time to start paying attention to who's favored in the 8th inning to set him up. The Marlins had so many young candidates vying for the closer's role prior to the Julio acquisition that it's hard to speculate on one, but they'd probably favor a healthy return by Taylor Tankersley and want him to become their closer of the future. He'd be the one to stash on your roster at this point if you feel the need to own one of them.

- A-Rod is making those who passed on him early in the first round regret it so far. A league leading 4 HRs and 11 RBIs is pacing MLB in the early going, and it's great to see as a fantasy owner after an offseason filled with trade rumors and turmoil. The game winning grand slam was the most encouraging of all as it'll hopefully snap A-Rod out of his recent clutch failures. He can opt out of his contract at year's end, so he'll be plenty motivated to keep this up all year long.

- Miguel Cabrera is off to a scorching start, but I have to believe the lack of lineup protection behind him will eventually catch up to him. By no means would I trade him unless I were getting a bonafide stud back in the deal, but he'd better hope Willingham and Jacobs continue maturing as hitters so pitchers don't stop pitching to Cabrera all together.

- David Ortiz smacked 2 HRs last night, helping erase memories of his terrible spring/start. He'll be fine for those worried about him.

- I hate Alfonso Soriano so far. 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, but he finally stole his first base today. My one team with him, Teixeira, Blalock, Rios, and Mauer is quite offensive so far, in the wrong sense of the word.