You need to know this

For those of you who haven't drafted yet (and even those who have):

Chris Perez has been sent to the minors, meaning Jason Motte is now the frontrunner to earn the bulk of the saves in St. Louis. Ryan Franklin is still lurking, and I think Perez will ultimately end up handling ninth-inning duties, but for now Motte's the man, and a must-add.

Lance Berkman has a sore shoulder and has been diagnosed with biceps tendinitis. Doesn't seem to be a huge deal though, as he hopes to return to the Astros' lineup this week. I wouldn't panic.

B.J. Ryan hasn't looked too hot this spring, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston is concerned, and there's some discussion about Scott Downs and Ryan sharing closer duties. Handcuff alert! Drop Ryan down a peg in your closer rankings.


Brett Gardner has won the Yankees' starting CF job over Melky Cabrera. Why should you care? Because Gardner swiped 37 bags last year in 94 games in Triple-A and 13 more in 42 games in the bigs. Are you familiar with the term "cheap steals?"

The Cubs' closer (for now): Kevin Gregg. He's officially beaten out Carlos Marmol for the job entering the season. Gregg may not be the greatest, but he's coming off seasons of 29 and 32 saves - nothing to sniff at, and the Cubbies should win a bunch of ballgames. Marmol's got some value as a setup guy and might eventually win the job, but for now it's Gregg's to lose.

Ouch

How's this for a horror story:

So I'm watching the Red Sox-Angels Patriots' Day game today (MLB package free preview, score!) and my guy, Vlad Guerrero is up to bat. Whack! Josh Beckett plunks him on the wrist. My season flashes before my eyes. I sweat out the next couple hours, only to find out X-rays are negative. Crisis averted.

Then a little while later, more bad news. Alfonso Soriano left the Cubs' game with what turned out to be a hamstring injury. Sori was my No. 1 overall, and although he wasn't really doing squat so far, this is still going to hurt. We'll find out later today if the DL is in Soriano's future.

So overall, not a great day for my boys. But it could have been worse. At least I don't own B.J. Ryan ...

A day after blowing his second save, we find out Ryan's out 4-6 weeks with an elbow issue. Whenever the illustrious Dr. James Andrews' name comes up, it's never a good sign - Doc James is the man, but, like the great Tommy John, he's usually attached to the words "season-ending surgery." Right now it looks like Ryan won't be going under the knife, however - just rest, relaxation and rehab - but still, he's one of those cornerstone-type closers you count on, and he won't be easily replaced. Jason Frasor is the obvious replacement, for both the Blue Jays and for your fantasy team. He's saved games before in a pinch, so he'll help (just not to the extent Ryan did the past few years) ... get him now, if he's not already spoken for.

More injury problems for the Jays: Troy Glaus is on the DL too with a bum heel and hamstring, and Reed Johnson needs back surgery and will be sidelined until July. The good news is Johnson's absence opens up a sport for the Jays' top prospect, Adam Lind, a kid with a big-time bat. He's worth looking into.