KEY
Discard - Drop player (in most circumstances)
Stash - Hold player if roster space is available; consider dropping if trend continues
Hold - Do not drop player (in most circumstances)Outfielders
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay
After opting to undergo surgery to fix the subluxation of his right middle finger tendon Thursday, August 14, Crawford (finger) is expected to miss six to eight weeks. That puts his expected return near the end of September. Even if he does return then, he likely would be rusty after such a long layoff. Optimistic AL-only leaguers could stash him if they have the room.
Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Stash
Starting Pitchers
Justin Verlander, Detroit
Verlander is currently mired in the worst four-game stretch of his career. His ERA and WHIP are a hideous 9.97 and 1.66, respectively, over that stretch. However, this four-game streak follows a stretch that saw him win six consecutive decisions over an eight-start period, reducing his ERA to a season-low 3.95 as of July 20. He's still a good pitcher, but it might be best to bench him until he turns it around or has a favorable matchup.
Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
AL-only: Hold
Relief Pitchers
Joel Zumaya, Detroit
Zumaya (shoulder) blew his fourth save opportunity in the last month Tuesday, August 12, and followed that up with a trip to the DL on Wednesday. With manager Jim Leyland throwing out the quote "It's going to be next year until he gets back to 100 percent," Zumaya's fantasy status for the remainder of this year is likely nil. Those in deep AL-only formats can consider stashing him in case he overcomes his current bout of shoulder discomfort quickly.
Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Stash
Masahide Kobayashi, Cleveland
Kobayashi appears to have fallen down the pecking order for saves. Relief pitcher Jensen Lewis threw a perfect ninth inning Tuesday, August 12, notching his second save in the last week, while Kobayashi allowed a run and didn't record an out during a seventh-inning appearance that same game. AL-only owners could hold Kobayashi in case the relatively untested Lewis falters. However, they should remember manager Eric Wedge also has reliever Rafael Perez available to him.
Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Stash
