And I’m only doing this because the fantasy gods have sent me another injury in the form of Atlanta SP John Smoltz. He’s expected to miss his next start with a sore shoulder and could wind up on the DL. Keep an eye on him.

In my big league, I drafted Smoltz as my No. 3 starter in round 8 (really round five as the first three made up our keepers). I wanted a strong staff (Peavy and Zambrano are my top two) and felt I could go with Smoltz, who made 32 starts last year. But some of the names I passed on were Jamie Shields, John Maine and Fausto Carmona.

In my NL-only league, I decided on NY Mets SP Pedro Martinez rather than Milwaukee SP Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo started the season on the DL but came back on April 20 and has been lights out in two starts. Pedro could be cleared to throw off a mound as early as this weekend and then he’s got another two-three weeks of rehab before he’s back with the Mets. Pitching is really hurting me in this league, and my top two starters are Peavy and Hamels.  

Thanks for reading to my little rant … now for other injury updates …

Texas 3B Hank Blalock was placed on the DL and will miss at least three weeks with a torn hamstring. Replacing him is Ramon Vazquez — look elsewhere.  

NY Yankees C Jorge Posada was placed on the DL with a sore shoulder. Be careful here because he’s headed to Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews. That name alone should strike fear in most fantasy GMs. Jose Molina, or any other FA catchers, can’t replace a player like Posada. Cross your fingers and hope Posada’s injury isn’t the out-for-the-year type.

LA Dodgers 3B Nomar Garciaparra lasted just nine games before finding his way back to the DL, this time with a strained left calf. Blake DeWitt again gets the call with  

Philadelphia SP Brett Myers has lost some velocity in his fastball (He can fire it up to 95 mph, but it’s currently down to 88). Watch him closely.

Some prospect news …

Arizona called up SP Max Scherzer. It’s been reported he’ll start out of the bullpen, but Micah Owings could miss a start and Edgar Gonzalez should miss any future starts. Scherzer’s being touted as this year’s Joba Chamberlain, so snatch him if you can.

Cleveland SP Jeremy Sowers was sent back down after a spot start against the NY Yankees. Up comes Aaron Laffey to pitch tonight, also against the Yankees, and is still my favorite to stick around until Jake Westbrook returns.

And some bad news …

San Francisco SP Barry Zito, one of my favorite players, is on the verge of being demoted to the bullpen. A definite fall from grace by the ’02 Cy Young winner, though he’ll always be part of the big three for me.