Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a mild oblique strain, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
Insight: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said he hopes Utley will be ready to return when he is eligible in 15 days. Freddy Galvis will serve as the starting second baseman, but he has no fantasy value.
Description: Philadelphia lefthander Cliff Lee threw a complete game shutout Wednesday against Miami.
Insight: Lee limited the Marlins to just three hits, which were all singles. He walked two and struck out five. Lee's 2.48 ERA is the ninth-lowest in the National League this season.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay's best-case scenario is a late-August return to the rotation, according to MLB.com.
Insight: Halladay, who had shoulder surgery last week, reported to Clearwater, Fla. Monday to to begin a rehab program. Everything will have to go well for Halladay to return this season.
Description: If Phillies second baseman Chase Utley's ribs put him on the sidelines, the organization has a young second baseman at Lehigh Valley who could add speed to the lineup in Cesar Hernandez.
Insight: Hernandez is batting .320 with an .842 OPS and 12 stolen bases for the Iron Pigs. He batted .313 in 16 spring training at-bats with the Phillies.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, who was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup due to discomfort in his right side, will have an MRI to the area on Thursday.
Insight: Utley has started 42 of Philadelphia's 45 games this season and is hitting .272 with seven homers and 25 RBI. Rib injuries take time to heal so be prepared for a trip to the disabled list.
Description: Phillies center fielder Ben Revere has picked up three hits in two of the last three games.
Insight: Revere is hitting .260 after going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs Tuesday against the Marlins. The outfielder's strikeout rate is up, and his line-drive rate is way down from last season, when he batted .294.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard drove in three runs as part of a three-hit game Tuesday against the Marlins.
Insight: Howard has been dealing with a knee injury and recently had a cortisone shot. The former 50-home-run hitter's power has been in decline for years, and he has hit just 20 homers in 113 games since returning last year from a torn Achilles. He's hitting .256 with six homers and 25 RBI this season.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup due to discomfort in his right side, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
Insight: Utley has started 42 of Philadelphia's 45 games this season and is hitting .272 with seven homers and 25 RBI. He'll be evaluated Wednesday.
Description: The Phillies have recalled right-hander Tyler Cloyd to start Tuesday against the Marlins.
Insight: The 26-year-old has posted a 3.46 ERA and a 544/156 K/BB across 671 career minor league innings. He limited Arizona to two hits and two earned over 6 1/3 innings in his 2013 debut on May 10. He'll need to remain in the rotation with Roy Halladay and John Lannan on the DL, and is a decent NL-only option.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard was given a cortisone shot in his left knee on Sunday and it's apparently done its job because Howard is in the Phillies starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Miami.
Insight: Howard's numbers, however, have not returned to the level we expect from this slugger. A .245 batting average, six home runs, 22 RBI and a .713 OPS are not fantasy worthy statistics from the first base position.
Description: Philadelphia lefthander John Lannan has been throwing bullpen sessions in Clearwater and should be ready to return to the big club some time in mid-June if all goes well.
Insight: Lannan struggled in two of his three starts this season, so fantasy owners were likely already jumping off the wagon. Wait until you see him perform well before getting excited about his return to the rotation.
Description: Orioles minor league outfielder Jason Pridie is off to a solid start at Triple-A Norfolk, batting .325 with eight homers, 27 RBI and a .971 OPS in 36 games.
Insight: Pridie has shown more power this season than at any time in his minor league career, however, Baltimore is solid in their outfield with Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Nate McLouth. He'll likely only get a callup before September if there is an injury.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz will be sidelined for the next 3-to-4 weeks because of a strained hamstring. SOURCE: Ryan Lawrence, Philadelphia Daily News
Insight: Erik Kratz (.202, 3 HR, 9 RBI) should see most of the action behind the plate while Ruiz is on the disabled list.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz strained his right hamstring while running the bases Sunday and will undergo an MRI on Monday.
Insight: Ruiz had a nine-game hitting streak snapped by the injury. He's hitting .235 in 51 at-bats this season, but is likely to be headed to the disabled list.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is doubtful for Monday's game against Miami with left knee soreness.
Insight: Howard will have an MRI on Monday to see if the problem is serious. He has just four hits in his last 29 at-bats and his season-long .713 OPS isn't of much value to fantasy owners.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley is a career .353 hitter with a pair of homers and a 1.095 OPS versus Cincinnati right-hander Bronson Arroyo.
Insight: Utley has played 41 of 42 games this season, batting .273 with seven homers and 24 RBI. He seems more healthy than in the past few seasons and his OPS is the highest it's been since 2010. Start him in this favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay had surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur and repair a torn rotator cuff and a frayed labrum in his right shoulder. He'll rest for 6-8 weeks, according to Philly.com.
Insight: However, there's no guarantee that he'll be ready to start a throwing program in 6-8 weeks, or that the surgery will reverse his declining performance.
Description: Phillies rookie Jonathan Pettibone moved to 3-0 with 6 2/3 strong innings Tuesday against the Indians.
Insight: The 22-year-old allowed four hits and two earned and walked two Tuesday night in the longest start of his career. The right-hander has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP and has thrown at least five innings while allowing three earned runs or less in all five of his starts.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley is not is Tuesday's lineup against Cleveland and left-hander Scott Kazmir.
Insight: Utley has already played 39 games this season, batting .289 with seven homers and 24 RBI. But he's been injury-prone over the past few seasons so giving him a rest day every now and then, particularly against a tough left-hander, is a good idea.
Description: Phillies setup man, Mike Adams is not expected to be available for Tuesday's game against Cleveland due to back spasms.
Insight: Adams hasn't pitched since Friday when he gave up a walk and a hit in Arizona. The team doesn't expect to have to put him on the disabled list, but he is likely to need a few more days off.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley went off for four hits Sunday against Arizona.
Insight: Utley (.289) is on pace for 29 homers and 100 RBI this season. He hasn't reached 20 HR and 100 RBI in the same season since 2008 (33 HR, 104 RBI).
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is hitless in nine at-bats against Arizona starter Ian Kennedy with three strikeouts.
Insight: Howard is hitting at a .270 clip with six home runs and 20 RBI, his highest average in a number of seasons, but he has trouble with Kennedy and you should sit him for this game.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the rotator cuff and a fraying of the labrum and will undergo surgery, according to a report from David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Insight: No timetable for his return was mentioned, but it could be as short as three months or as long as the rest of the season. The struggling veteran can be dropped from all fantasy rosters.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder John Mayberry is a career .667 hitter (4-for-6) versus Giants left-hander Barry Zito with three home runs and a 3.000 OPS.
Insight: Yes, I know it's a small sample size. But three homers is eight percent of Mayberry's career total (37). Despite his .218 batting average, you should start Mayberry if Charlie Manuel puts his name on the lineup card. Update - Mayberry is ine Wednesday's starting lineup.
Description: Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown is not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Insight: Brown has three home runs in his last six games, but will yield the start to John Mayberry Jr. who "owns" Giants starter Barry Zito (lifetime he's 4-for-6 with three home runs).
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts versus San Fransico starter Barry Zito.
Insight: Howard is hitting at a .282 clip, his highest average in three seasons, but he can't hit that slow breaking ball of Zito's and you should avoid this matchup. Update - Howard is not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts versus San Fransico starter Barry Zito.
Insight: Howard is hitting at a .282 clip, his highest average in three seasons, but he can't hit that slow breaking ball of Zito's and you should avoid this matchup.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is a career .412 hitter (7-for-17) versus Giants starter Barry Zito.
Insight: Utley finally looks healthy and four hits in his last nine at bats has raised his average to .276 with an .838 OPS. Despite a career batting average 29 points lower against southpaws, he obviously likes facing Zito and we like him in all fantasy lineups.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is a career .167 hitter (5-for-30) versus two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum with 12 strikeouts.
Insight: Utley finally looks healthy, but that hasn't translated to a return to his career batting level. A lifetime .287 hitter with an .874 OPS, he's batting .263 with a .798 OPS through 33 games and this unfavorable matchup isn't likely to help those numbers.
Description: Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay will be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum sometime this week.
Insight: After two brutal outings in a row the Phillies ace is searching for an explanation for shoulder discomfort he's felt since a late April outing. Don't be surprised if Halladay (2-4, 8.65) winds up on the DL as a result of this.
Description: The Marlins had their way with Roy Halladay on Sunday (2 1/3 IP, 4 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 4 K's).
Insight: That's two brutal outings in a row for the Phillies righthander (0-2, 25.50 ERA in his last two starts). He's been dealing with soreness in his shoulder and clearly it's beginning to affect his performance. Don't be surprised if Halladay (2-4, 8.65) winds up on the DL as a result of this.
Description: Philadelphia left-hander Cole Hamels held the Marlins to two runs on six hits in eight innings but took his fourth loss of the season.
Insight: Hamels (1-4) allowed 16 hits and 13 runs over his first 10 2/3 innings this season, but he has a 2.31 ERA over his last five starts. The Phillies have been shut out in two of his last three turns.
Description: After a slow beginning, Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels has a 2.57 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over his last three starts.
Insight: Hamels allowed 16 hits, 13 earned runs and four homers over his first two starts of the season, but he has given up just 14 hits and six earned over 21 innings in his last three outings with 22 strikeouts.
Description: Phillies beat writer David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote Friday that "the sense before last night's game was the center field will be a night-by-night proposition for the foreseeable future."
Insight: Ben Revere missed Thursday's game with a swollen finger, but Murphy thinks that Revere would have been in the lineup if he was hitting well. The center fielder is batting .204 with a .471 OPS and likely will split time with John Mayberry Jr. until he picks up his average.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has gone 1-for-12 with four strikeouts in three games since returning from his 25-game suspension, and he owns a .174 average in 23 at-bats against Friday's starter Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins.
Insight: Ruiz tested positive for amphetamines after a career-year at the plate, so he has a lot to prove to fantasy owners. Friday likely won't be the day that he starts doing that.
Description: In a rotation with three big stars, Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick doesn't get much publicity, but he is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP through six starts.
Insight: Kendrick has thrown six innings or more and allowed two runs or less in five straight starts after a lackluster first outing. He went 9-4 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP after the All-Star break last season, so he has been a capable pitcher over his last 100-plus innings.
Description: Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI Thursday against the Marlins.
Insight: After a slow start (13-for-63 in his first 20 games), Brown is 12-for-31 (.387) with two homers and seven RBI over his last eight contests. He has four blasts on the year.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is 0-for-10 over his last three games and has just one homer and three steals this season.
Insight: Rollins' .250 batting average last season was tolerable because he hit 23 homers, stole 30 bases and scored 102 runs. In 2013, he's batting .243 with none of those tasty numbers.
Description: Philadelphia center fielder Ben Revere will miss Thursday's game with a swollen ring finger on his right hand. SOURCE: Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com
Insight: Revere jammed his finger diving into second base Wednesday night. He's only hitting .204 this season and has just one extra-base hit.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay's comeback tour ran into the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night, who battered the veteran for nine hits (3 HR) and eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Insight: Halladay had great success over his last three starts by going back to his hard sinker and throwing his cutter less, but he went to the cutter 30 times in 76 pitches Tuesday, according to Pitchf/x.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Delmon Young has been activated and is on the way to join the team in Cleveland where he is a prime candidate for the DH role, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
Insight: Young's recovery from offseason ankle surgery took longer than expected and he's going to be a defensive liability, but he should be useful in the DH role and as a pinch hitter. At this point, however, we feel his fantasy value is limited.
Description: Philadelphia center fielder Ben Revere is questionable for Tuesday's game against Cleveland. He's been battling a quad injury.
Insight: No loss for fantasy owners. Aside from the occasional stolen base, Revere (.207, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5 SB) hasn't been very productive in his first year with the Phillies.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard had a pinch-hit double that drove in two runs Sunday against the Mets.
Insight: Howard didn't start the game with lefty Jon Niese on the hill, but he replaced Kevin Franden after the Mets brought Scott Atchison into the game. The first baseman got off to a slow start and has a 23/3 K/BB this season, but he has driven in 10 runs over his last five games.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels walked six batters in six innings Sunday against the Mets, but he limited New York to two hits and one run while striking out eight to pick up his first win of the season.
Insight: Hamels allowed 16 hits, 13 earned runs and four homers over his first two starts, but he has given up just 17 hits and seven earned over 27 innings in his last four starts.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is 1-for-15 against Mets scheduled starter Jonathan Niese with seven strikeouts and a .184 OPS. UPDATE: Howard will not start on Sunday.
Insight: Howard is batting a much-improved .281 this season and is on an nine-game hitting streak with seven RBI in his last three games, but this matchup was unfavorable and the left-handed slugger was a prime candidate for a day of rest.
Description: Phillies new setup man, Mike Adams, is questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Mets with a sore hip.
Insight: Adams hasn't pitched since Wednesday, but has already appeared in 11 games this season and is a huge loss for the Phillies bullpen even though he hasn't pitched up to his capability (1-2, 4.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is 1-for-15 against Mets scheduled starter Jonathan Niese with seven strikeouts and a .184 OPS.
Insight: Howard is batting a much-improved .281 this season and is on an nine-game hitting streak with seven RBI in his last three games, but this matchup in unfavorable and the left-handed slugger should be a candidate for a day of rest.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz will rejoin the team Sunday and is a career .353 hitter (6-for-17) versus Mets hurler Jonathan Niese.
Insight: Ruiz had a career year at the plate, hitting .325 with 32 doubles, 16 homers, 68 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 114 games, but he tested positive for amphetamines and was suspended for 25 games to start this 2013 season. Ruiz was a solid average hitter prior to last season, but he'll have to prove, starting Sunday, that the power display wasn't artificially produced.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder John Mayberry is a career .321 hitter (9-for-28) versus Mets starter Jonathan Niese with three home runs, seven RBI and a 1.025 OPS.
Insight: Three homers is eight percent of Mayberry's career total (37). To put that in perspective, Barry Bonds would have had to hit 61 homers of his 762 homers against one pitcher and the most Bonds ever hit was eight versus five different guys. Despite his .237 batting average you should start Mayberry, who homered on Saturday afternoon.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is 4-for-8 against the Mets scheduled starter Shaun Marcum with three homers, seven RBI and a 2.261 OPS.
Insight: Howard is batting a much-improved .282 this season and is on an eight-game hitting streak after homering on Friday night. He's a must start in this favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick surrendered three hits over nine shutout innings Friday against the Mets.
Insight: Kendrick trimmed his ERA from 3.28 to 2.41 in the process. The 28-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA over his last four starts. He's recorded 21 strikeouts with just six walks over that span.
Description: Philadelphia center fielder Ben Revere won't be available for Friday's game versus the Mets. He's been battling a quad injury.
Insight: Aside from the occasional stolen base, Revere (.207, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5 SB) hasn't been very productive in his first year with the Phillies. John Mayberry (.255, 1 HR, 4 RBI) will grab the start in center field.
Description: Phillies center fielder Ben Revere was not in Thursday's lineup and is questionable for Friday's game against the New York Mets with a sore quad.
Insight: Revere is offering little to fantasy owners except stolen bases. He's batting just .207 with an ugly .472 OPS and no longer bats at the top of the Phillies lineup.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins has a career .636 batting average versus Mets starter Dillon Gee, though six of seven hits have been singles.
Insight: Rollins has been scuffling of late and his average is down to .258 after going 2-for-12 in the final three games of the Pirates' series.
Description: Phillies third baseman Michael Young is 4-for-5 with two home runs against Mets right-hander Dillon Gee.
Insight: Obviously an extremely small sample size, but just as obviously he sees the ball well out of Gee's hand. Add in a .312 batting average and you have a recipe for success.
Description: Phillies center fielder Ben Revere is not in Thursday's lineup. He's just getting a day off.
Insight: Revere's strikeout rate is up from 9.8 percent in 2012 to 15.1 percent in 2013, and his line-drive rate is down to a meager 11.4 percent, which is why he is only batting .207. He has hit 75.7 percent groundballs and is batting just .189 on grounders (10-for-53) after hitting .247 on grounders last year.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay continued his resurgence Wednesday against the Pirates. He limited Pittsburgh to one hit and one run, walked two and struck out eight in six innings.
Insight: Dealing with declining skills, Halladay had a terrible spring and was bombed his first two starts of the year, but he has given up just eight hits and four runs over his last 21 innings. According to PitchF/x, he began using his sinker more and his cutter less in his previous start against St. Louis, and that carried over to Wednesday's start.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley went 2-for-5 with a solo homer Wednesday against the Pirates.
Insight: Utley came in 2-for-16 with five strikeouts against left-handed pitchers this season after batting .215 against lefties last year, but he took lefty Wandy Rodriguez deep in the first inning. Utley is hitting .308 overall with four homers and 16 RBIs.
Description: Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will go back to rookie Jonathan Pettibone to start Saturday against the Mets. SOURCE: Philadelphia Inquirer
Insight: Pettibone, 22, held the Pirates to two runs in 5 1/3 innings in his major league debut Monday, but the team initially didn't commit to him as a member of the rotation. He should stick around until John Lannan returns and will make for an NL-only fantasy option.
Description: Don't be fooled by Philadelphia righthander Roy Halladay's high ERA and mediocre 2-2 record as his first two outings were horrible.
Insight: Halladay (2-2, 6.04 ERA) has a 1.80 ERA in his last two outings, which is a massive improvement considering how poorly he began the year (0-2, 14.73 in his first two starts). He's 4-1 in his career against the Pirates with a 0.98 ERA and 0.804 WHIP in six starts.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz will rejoin the team Sunday after playing Friday and Saturday at Double-A Reading. SOURCE: Jim Salisbury, CSNPhilly.com
Insight: Ruiz had a career year at the plate, hitting .325 with 32 doubles, 16 homers, 68 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 114 games but he tested positive for amphetamines and was suspended for 25 games to start this season. Ruiz was a solid average hitter prior to last season, but he'll have to prove the power display wasn't a fluke.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is not in Tuesday's lineup. Freddy Galvis will draw the start.
Insight: There's no word on an injury, so he's probably just getting the night off. Utley is hitting .306 with three homers, 15 RBIs, 10 runs and three steals in 20 games and appears to be back to his old self at the plate.
Description: The Phillies have called up right-hander Jonathan Pettibone to take injured starter John Lannan's spot in the rotation.
Insight: Pettibone has done nothing in his first couple of outings down at Lehigh Valley to make fantasy owners want to take a shot on him. He's 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in two starts. He was 13-8 last season with a 3.10 ERA, but he's not a strikeout guy and fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see attitude before putting him on a roster.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Delmon Young went 1-for-4 in his first rehab game on Sunday.
Insight: Young's recovery from offseason ankle surgery has taken longer than expected. Worse, he played poorly in the field and won't be able to help fantasy owners on a regular basis until/unless that improves.
Description: It's feast or famine when Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard faces off with Pittsburgh right-hander A.J. Burnett. In 14 at-bats, Howard has just three hits (.214) and six strikeouts against Burnett, but all three hits were of the home run variety.
Insight: Howard is batting a much-improved .277 this season, but without much power. He's hit just one home run with five extra base hits in 65 at-bats . Today we are expecting to see the power at least one time.
Description: Phillies third baseman Michael Young is 11-for-27 (.407) with two doubles, a homer and three walks in his career versus St. Louis starter Jake Westbrook.
Insight: Most of those at-bats likely came when Westbrook was a member of the Indians. Young is hitting .333 and has hit safely in 11 straight games, but has just one hit in each of his last nine, so he's not exactly tearing the cover off the ball. Still, Westbrook hasn't been able to contain Young, so the veteran infielder is a solid play Sunday.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (groin) is out of the lineup again Saturday versus St. Louis.
Insight: Howard also missed Friday's game. However, the injury isn't considered serious and Howard should be available to pinch hit, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Description: Philadelphia righthander Roy Halladay returned to ace status Friday night in a win over St. Louis (7 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 6 K's, 2 BB).
Insight: Halladay (2-2, 6.04 ERA) has a 1.80 ERA in his last two outings, which is a massive improvement considering how poorly he began the year (0-2, 14.73 in his first two starts). It's too early to tell if Halladay is all the way back but fantasy owners have to like what they're seeing from him right now.
Description: Right fielder Domonic Brown won't be in action Friday when the Phillies host St. Louis.
Insight: Brown, still ailing from a back injury, was limited to pinch-hitting duty Thursday against the Reds. It wouldn't be surprising to see him used in that capacity again on Friday.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is not in Friday's lineup against St. Louis.
Insight: Howard had a great spring, but it hasn't manifested itself into a good start. He's batting .274 but with one home run and five RBI while striking out 16 times in 62 at-bats. He's just 2-for-12 against Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia, so this could just be manager Charlie Manuel playing the numbers game and not an injury.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Domonic Brown left Wednesday's game with a mid-back injury and is questionable for Friday's game against St. Louis.
Insight: Brown pinch hit on Thursday so it can't be too bad an injury. After a hot spring, Brown has done little in the regular season batting .226 with a .626 OPS.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels has put together two straight quality starts, but he's still without a win.
Insight: Hamels (6.46 ERA) took a no decision Thursday after allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings against the Cardinals. He walked two and struck out eight.
Description: Philadelphia lefthander John Lannan has been placed on the DL.
Insight: Doctors have diagnosed him with a strained quad and it's unknown exactly how much time he will miss. He didn't pitch very well in his last start (1 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER Wednesday against Cincinnati) so fantasy owners probably won't miss Lannan while he's gone.
Description: Phillies starter John Lannan (knee) will see a team doctor on Thursday morning, according to Ryan Lawrence of philly.com. He's dealing with knee discomfort.
Insight: Lannan allowed just eight hits, one walk and four earned runs in his first two starts but he was tagged for eight hits and six runs in 1 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Reds.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Domonic Brown left Wednesday's game with a mid-back injury and will see a doctor on Thursday. SOURCE: Ryan Lawrence, philly.com
Insight: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said Brown is day-to-day. Brown hasn't carried his huge spring into the regular season and is hitting .231 with two homers in 52 at-bats.
Description: Phillies catcher Erik Kratz should be in the starting lineup against Red starter Mike Leake as he's faced him three times and produced two homers and a single.
Insight: Kratz was given Tuesday night off, so should be back in the starting lineup and he's worth a one-time shot in this favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is a career .500 hitter (6-for-12) versus Cincinnati right-hander Mike Leake with a pair of homers and a 1.600 OPS.
Insight: Howard had a great spring, but it hasn't manifested itself into a good start. He's batting just .241 with one home run and five RBI while striking out 15 times in 54 at-bats. Perhaps this matchup will get him going in the right direction again.
Description: Phillies starter Roy Halladay allowed one run on five hits, walked one and struck out two in eight innings Sunday versus Miami.
Insight: At least Halladay hasn't fallen so far that he can no longer beat the Marlins. The right-hander gave up 12 runs, 12 hits, six walks and three homers over 7 1/3 innings in his first two starts this season after getting battered this spring. He has been dealing with diminished stuff, but we think he'll eventually figure out how to get hitters out well enough to be a mid-level fantasy starter.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard picked up three hits, including a double, in four at-bats Sunday against the Marlins.
Insight: Howard is 9-for-20 with four doubles, one homer, one RBI, four runs and three strikeouts over his last five games. He struck out 10 times in his first seven games.
Description: Phillies center fielder Ben Revere went 2-for-5 with a stolen base Sunday against Miami.
Insight: Revere is just 12-for-50 (.240) this zero extra-base hits this season, and he has struck out nine times in 12 games after fanning 54 times in 124 games last year. He does have five steals, however.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Michael Young collected three hits, including a home run, and two RBIs in four at-bats Tuesday versus the Mets.
Insight: Prior to Tuesday, six of Young's seven hits this season were singles, but he tripled in addition to homering.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins has a career .667 batting average versus Mets starter Dillon Gee, though all six hits have been singles.
Insight: Rollins has gotten off to a fast start this season, batting .300 with an .844 OPS. He's scored four runs and stolen three bases without getting caught. A favorable matchup for the batter who should be in all lineups on Tuesday.
Description: Roy Halladay's struggles continued Monday in a loss to the Mets (4 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 3 Ks).
Insight: Halladay fell to 0-2 on the season while watching his ERA balloon to 14.73. We're not sure if Doc's in a slump or he's just getting older but whatever the issue is, he needs to figure it out quickly. The Phillies are 2-5 and have now lost four of Halladay's last five starts dating back to last season.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Michael Young went 4-for-5 Sunday in a loss to Kansas City.
Insight: Only one of Young's seven hits this season has gone for extra bases. He's a .300 lifetime hitter so at least fantasy owners have that to look forward to.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee did not pick up his first win until July 4 last season, in his 14th start. It took him one start in 2013, as he blanked the Braves over eight innings Thursday.
Insight: Lee held Atlanta to two hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out eight. With the bad luck of 2012 in the past, we expect a huge year from Lee.
Description: Philadelphia righthander Roy Halladay struggled Wednesday in his first start of the 2013 regular season.
Insight: Halladay was chased after just 3 1/3 innings. Over that span, he gave up six hits, five runs and three walks. Halladay did manage to rack up nine strikeouts, which is an encouraging sign. He'll try and do better next time out against the Mets.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley went deep in the season opener Monday against Atlanta.
Insight: Utley finished with three hits and three RBI. For the first time in several seasons, Utley is fully healthy to start the year. Fantasy owners can expect a bounce-back season from Utley in 2013.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has a career .338 batting average (22-for-65) off Braves' starter Tim Hudson with seven homers and a 1.144 OPS.
Insight: Howard had a huge spring (.322, 7 HR, 16 RBI) and fantasy owners are hoping it will continue into the regular season with this favorable matchup.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Delmon Young has officially been placed on the disabled list.
Insight: Young's recovery from offseason ankle surgery is taking longer than expected. Domonic Brown will be the Phillies' starting right fielder until Young is healthy.
Description: Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay allowed eight hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings in his final Grapefruit League start Thursday.
Insight: Halladay gave up 21 hits, nine walks, three homers and 11 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings this spring, and that doesn't include his disastrous minor league start last Saturday. His fastball was between 88-90 mph on Thursday, which is a good sign, but this last start doesn't exactly inspire confidence in fantasy owners.
Description: The Phillies have cut ties with second baseman Yuniesky Betancourt.
Insight: Betancourt has played well this spring (.447 with 14 RBI in 18 games) but he wasn't going to get much playing time with Chase Utley at second base. He should find a roster spot with another team fairly quickly. The Phillies releasing him is actually better for Betancourt's overall fantasy value.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf will open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Insight: Ruf is probably better suited for first base but that won't work unless Ryan Howard suffers another injury. Now that Ruf is out of the running, it looks like the Phils will go with an outfield of Domonic Brown, Ben Revere and Delmon Young to begin the season.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Domonic Brown ranks second in the majors with six homers this spring. He's batting .397 in 63 at-bats.
Insight: Brown's strong spring means he will likely be the starting left fielder, with Delmon Young starting in right when he returns from his injury. Brown is an intriguing player given his past status as a top prospect.
Description: Phillies outfielder Delmon Young, who is recovering from November microfracture surgery on his ankle is running, but still not doing any "baseball activities."
Insight: He's not likely to be ready for the opener meaning he could lose his spot in line if guys like Domonic Brown, John Mayberry or Darin Ruf get off to a hot start. Young hasn't been much of a fantasy value since 2010 (.298, 21 HR, 112 RBI).
Description: And the winner is ... Cole Hamels. Manager Charlie Manuel has announced that Hamels will be his Opening Day starter.
Insight: Believe it or not, this will be the first time Hamels has gotten the ball on Opening Day. It's well-deserved as Hamels (17) led the team in wins, strikeouts (216) and ERA (3.05) last season.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has four homers this spring and is batting .333, but in typical Howard fashion also has 12 strikeouts in 42 at-bats.
Insight: Howard says he essentially played on one leg last season because the muscles had not redeveloped in his left leg after a ruptured Achilles tendon. He still drove in 56 runs and blasted 14 homers in 71 games and should be a strong power producer this season. However, fantasy owners should consider sitting him against lefties -- he hit .173 with a .604 OPS and a 45/5 K/BB in 98 at-bats against lefties last season and has a career .227 average against them.
Description: Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee expressed concern about Roy Halladay after Halladay struggled in a Grapefruit League start on Tuesday. SOURCE: MLB.com
Insight: Halladay insisted that he is fine but he was throwing just 84-86 mph in the game and lacked command. He blamed his performance on lethargy caused by a new workout program. Doc carries major risk heading into this season after an injury-plagued 2012.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Domonic Brown has three homers this spring and a .348 batting average and indications are that he'll be the Phillies everyday left fielder with Delmon Young playing in right field when he returns from injury.
Insight: Brown hit .300 last spring, but didn't continue his hitting into the regular season (.235, 5 HR, 26 RBI in 187 at-bats), so keep expectations in check. However, he's worthy watching and if his hot bat continues he could be worthy a late-round flier.
Description: Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon has been scratched from his scheduled Tuesday appearance, but only because of illness, not any arm problems.
Insight: Papelbon hasn't pitched well in his first two spring appearances (43.20 ERA, 6.00 WHIP), but as long as he is physically fine fantasy owners shouldn't worry. He produced 38 saves and a 2.44 ERA and 1.06 WHIP last season and should see more save opportunities in 2013.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, looking to rebound from a horrible 2012 season (.219, 14 HR, 56 RBI), is hitting the ball all over the yard in early spring training action.
Insight: Howard is hitting .417 this spring with three homers and 10 RBI in nine games. If he is back, the threat of his bat in the Phillies lineup will likely help the production of the guys in front of him, particularly Chase Utley and Michael Young.
Description: Phillies outfielder Delmon Young, who is recovering from November microfracture surgery on his ankle is reportedly down to 225 pounds and could start running in a couple of days, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Insight: The outfielder has been mediocre in two seasons since a career year in 2010 (.298, 21 HR, 112 RBI), but the move to a smaller, more hitting-friendly ballpark could help him improve on his recent numbers. He's not likely to be ready for the opener meaning he could lose his spot in line if guys like Domonic Brown, John Mayberry or Darin Ruf get off to a hot start.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was scratched from Tuesday's game because the field was wet.
Insight: We have no problem with manager Charlie Manuel protecting his injury-prone second baseman in spring training when the games mean nothing, but we will be concerned if he does this during the regular season. It might be good for the Phillies in the long-term, but if it continues into the regular season it will cost fantasy owners valuable at-bats.
Description: Phillies OF/1B Darin Ruf will get a long look in spring training and if he hits as well as he did in September could win a corner outfield spot.
Insight: With Delmon Young (ankle surgery) not likely to be ready for Opening Day, Ruf should see plenty of at-bats in Florida. Ruf hit .317 with 38 homers and 104 RBI for Double-A Reading last season, then batted .333 with three homers and 10 RBI in 12 games with the big club. He might be worthy a late-round flier.
Description: The Phillies recently-acquired outfielder Delmon Young is behind schedule after microfracture surgery on his ankle in November and likely won't be ready to start the season, according to a philly.com report.
Insight: The outfielder has been mediocre in two seasons since a career year in 2010 (.298, 21 HR, 112 RBI), but the move to a smaller, more hitting-friendly ballpark could help him improve on his recent numbers. Fantasy owners will have to wait while Domonic Brown, Darin Ruf and John Mayberry Jr. get a chance to prove themselves, before Young is ready to get in a game, making Young a very risky selection on Draft Day.
Description: Phillies righthander Roy Halladay blames last season's shoulder problems on a back problem as the underlying injury and will change his training program to fix it, according to Philadelphia Inquirer writer Matt Gelb.
Insight: Last season was a disaster for fantasy owners as Halladay went 11-8 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.222 WHIP. He made just 25 starts, pitched 156.1 innings and struck out 132 batters, the fewest since 2005. Fantasy owners should expect him to return to his normal dominant self in 2013, though please remember he's 36-years-old.
Description: Philadelphia Phillies backup catcher Brian Schneider will retire from baseball.
Insight: Fantasy owners won't notice a thing as he was not on their radar screens. The Phillies will go with Erik Kratz and All-Star Carlos Ruiz (when he returns from a 25-game suspension).
Description: Former Royals and Brewers second baseman Yuniesky Betancourt has resurfaced with the Phillies.
Insight: Betancourt will need to have a good spring training if he wants to make the big league roster. Even if he does secure a roster spot, he's unlikely to see much playing time unless Chase Utley gets injured.
Description: The Phillies signed reliever Chad Durbin to a one-year deal.
Insight: Durbin spent three years with Philadelphia from 2008-2010, but has little fantasy value. He's a middle relief guy who had a 3.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 49 Ks in 61 IP and 15 holds last season for Atlanta. The back end of the Phillies bullpen will be Mike Adams in the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon to close.
Description: Phillies righthander Roy Halladay threw off a mound Tuesday, according to Jim Salisbury.
Insight: Halladay threw about 30 pitches while pitching coach Rich Dubee watched. Last season was a disaster for fantasy owners as Halladay went 11-8 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.222 WHIP. He made just 25 starts, pitched 156.1 innings and struck out 132 batters, the fewest since 2005. There should be no lingering effect from the injury, but he'll turn 36 this season, so every ache and pain is of concern.
Description: The Phillies have signed outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year contract.
Insight: Philadelphia will only pay Young $750,000 but the deal could be worth as much as $3.5 million if he reaches his incentives. The outfielder has been awful in two seasons since his career year in 2010 but a move to a favorable ballpark could help him improve his numbers.
Description: The Phillies have signed former Boston starter Aaron Cook to a minor league contract.
Insight: Cook struck out only 20 batters in 18 starts last season while allowing opponents to hit .304 against him. It will be a miracle if Cook cracks the Phillies' starting rotation in 2013.
Description: Phillies infielder Michael Young will not participate in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, neither for Team USA or Mexico. He wants to spend the entire spring in camp with his new team. SOURCE: Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com
Insight: Young played for Team USA in 2006 but he's also elgible to play for Mexico because his mother is of Mexican descent. At age 36 and coming off his worst season since 2002, Young really doesn't need any extra mileage on his odometer so it's good to hear he'll be focusing entirely on the Phillies this spring.
Description: Phillies new setup man, Mike Adams, had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome last season which explains his mediocre statistics.
Insight: Adams regressed last season to a 3.27 ERA and 1.39 WHIP after posting a 1.71 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 236 games over his previous four seasons. If 100 percent healthy he could bounce back, but unless your league uses a "holds" category, he'll have minimal fantasy value as the setup man to closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Description: The Phillies have agreed with starter John Lannan on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, pending a physical. SOURCE: CSNPhilly.com
Insight: Lannan will serve as Philadelphia's fifth starter. He posted a 42-52 record and 4.01 ERA in 134 starts with Washington the past six seasons but could struggle at Citizens Bank Park, where he owns a career ERA of 6.49 in eight starts.
Description: Reliever Mike Adams has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $12 million over two years, pending a physical. The deal includes a vesting option. SOURCE: Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports
Insight: Adams regressed last season to a 3.27 ERA and 1.39 WHIP after posting a 1.71 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 236 games over his previous four seasons. He'll have minimal fantasy appeal as the setup man to closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Description: Texas has traded infielder Michael Young to the Phillies in exchange for relievers Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla.
Insight: This fills the hole left by Placido Polanco at third base. He can also play first, second and shortstop if the Phillies need him to. Young's 2012 season was nothing to write home about (.277, 8 HR, 67 RBI) but a year earlier he hit .338 with a career-high 106 RBI.
Description: The Phillies have reportedly acquired outfielder Ben Revere from the Twins. SOURCE: Todd Zolecki, MLB.com
Insight: Revere hit .294 with 40 steals last season. He has no pop but makes a lot of contact. He's the second starting outfielder Minnesota has sent to the NL East in the past week, with Denard Span going to Washington.
Description: MLB has suspended Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz for 25 games after he tested positive for an amphetamine.
Insight: Ruiz had a career year at the plate, hitting .325 with 16 homers, 68 RBIs and a .935 OPS in 114 games while dealing with injuries later in the season. He'll serve his suspension at the start of the 2013 season.
Description: The Phillies have signed 3B Josh Fields to a minor league contract.
Insight: Fields last played in the majors back in 2010 when he got into 13 games with Kansas City. He's best known for his 2007 season in Chicago when he pounded out 23 homers for the White Sox. He's a longshot to get back to the big leagues and isn't the answer to the Phillies lack of power in their lineup.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee became the first pitcher in baseball's modern era to strikeout 200 batters in a season despite finishing the year with less than seven wins.
Insight: Lee broke through for five wins and a 2.45 ERA in the second half but was only able to win once in 14 starts before the All-Star break. Look for the 2008 AL Cy Young winner to have a better year in 2013.
Description: The Phillies will pick up catcher Carlos Ruiz's option for next season according to Comcast Sports Philadelphia.
Insight: Ruiz struggled with injuries for much of the second half but when he was healthy, he was very effective. This season he was able to reach new career highs in batting average (.325), home runs (16), RBI (68), slugging percentage (.539) and OPS (.934).
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins (calf) is not in Tuesday's lineup against Washington.
Insight: The injury doesn't sound serious and Rollins could be back for the season finale, or the team could simply shut him down. It's been another productive fantasy year for Rollins with 102 runs, 23 HR, 68 RBI and 30 steals.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins (calf) is not in Monday's lineup against Washington.
Insight: The injury doesn't sound serious and Rollins should be back on Tuesday. It's been another productive fantasy year for Rollins with 102 runs, 23 HR, 68 RBI and 30 steals.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is out for the season after dropping a lead bat on his foot and breaking his toe.
Insight: This injury will conclude a disappointing and injury-riddled season for Howard (.219, 14 HR, 56 RBI). Darin Ruf, a star for Philadelphia's Double-A club this year, will fill in at first base tonight versus the Marlins.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels set a new career high by winning his 16th game of the season Tuesday against Washington.
Insight: Hamels (16-6, 3.11 ERA) failed to throw six or more innings for the first time since July 27 but it didn't matter with Philadelphia scoring five runs off Nationals starter Ross Detwiler.
Description: Phillies minor leaguer Darin Ruf will make his first start in left field on Tuesday night. He's been a first baseman for most of his minor league career, but has played 39 minor league games in the outfield.
Insight: Ruf hit .317 with 38 homers and 104 RBI for Double-A Reading this season. The Phillies would like to find a spot in the major league lineup for him that doesn't include sitting Ryan Howard.
Description: Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. expects righthander Roy Halladay to make his next start. Halladay has been dealing with shoulder spasms.
Insight: The two-time Cy Young winner was brutal Saturday versus Atlanta (7 ER in 1 2/3 innings) but he's 2-1 against the Marlins, the team he'll face when he makes his next start on Friday. This will likely be Halladay's final start of the season as the Phillies will need a small miracle to overcome their five game deficit in the Wild Card standings.
Description: Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee lost his first game since Aug. 11 Sunday against the Braves, but it can't really be blamed on him after he fanned 11 and allowed one earned run on nine hits in eight innings.
Insight: Lee (6-8, 3.18) should be used to outcomes like this since they have been happening all season. The left-hander has been brilliant in his last eight starts, going 4-1 with a microscopic 1.56 ERA and a 65/4 K/BB ratio in 57 2/3 innings.
Description: Unlike his teammate Ryan Howard, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been pitiful against Braves starter Tim Hudson, going 13-for-61 (.213) with 10 strikeouts against the right-hander.
Insight: Utley is still a viable fantasy second baseman most days but Sunday is not one of them. Sit him down.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard has homered in each of his last four games and Sunday will provide him with a great chance to make it five. Howard gets Tim Hudson of the Braves, against whom he is 22-for-62 (.355) with seven homers and 17 RBIs.
Insight: Howard is hitting just .203 in September but he has 21 RBIs in 20 games during the month. With four homers in four games, he's locked in at the plate and should excel against Hudson.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard hit a solo shot Saturday for his fourth home run in his last four games.
Insight: Howard's power numbers are still solid (14 HR in 66 games) but his batting average has taken a huge hit this season. The .229 clip he's hitting at this season is the lowest of his career.
Description: Phillies ace Roy Halladay went to a doctor on Friday to have his right shoulder examined.
Insight: Halladay didn't look like himself on Saturday (1 2/3 IP, 5 H, 7 ER) and it's possible that the shoulder spasms he's been experiencing could have had something to do with that. For now, Halladay is still on schedule to start Friday's game against the Marlins.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is hitting .176 with a .596 OPS against left-handers this season but he's been able to crush Braves starter Mike Minor in his career, hitting .417 with two homers and seven RBIs in 12 at-bats.
Insight: Howard has homered in each of the last three games and he could make it four Saturday against Minor.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has homered in three straight games after not going deep from Sept. 1-17.
Insight: Howard has driven in 20 runs in 19 September games and 54 in 65 games this season to go along with 13 homers. In a full season, Howard's numbers project out to 32 homers and 135 RBIs.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz hit his first homer Friday since July 14.
Insight: Ruiz was hitting .335 when he went on the disabled list at the beginning of August with plantar fasciitis. Since returning on Sept. 9, Ruiz has gone 7-for-25 (.280) with a homer and four RBIs. The Phillies still aren't letting Ruiz start more than two days in a row, though he was able to start three straight games this week due to a rainout Tuesday.
Description: Despite not hitting for a high average, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has still been a big-time run producer since returning from the disabled list 64 games ago.
Insight: Howard drove in five Thursday against New York and now has 13 RBIs in his last seven games. On the season, he's hitting just .228 but he has 12 homers and 53 RBIs in 64 games. He's making his hits count.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley had his best game of the season Thursday against the Mets, picking up four hits and four RBIs in five at-bats.
Insight: Utley (.266, 10 HRs, 38 RBIs) has shown fantasy owners that he still has something left in the tank in 71 games this season.
Description: Philadelphia right fielder Domonic Brown went deep for his fourth home run of the season Monday night against the Mets.
Insight: Brown had been just 2-for-16 in his previous five contests before his strong showing Monday at Citi Field. Brown, who accounted for two of the Phillies' six hits in the game, also had a triple in the top of the fourth.
Description: Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee allowed just seven hits and one run over eight innings Monday night in a win over the Mets. Lee walked one and struck out 10.
Insight: Lee is 4-0 with a 1.02 ERA in his past five starts. His next start will come Sunday versus Atlanta.
Description: Philadelphia righthander Kyle Kendrick struck out eight Monday in a 3-1 win triumph over the Marlins.
Insight: Kendrick surrendered just one run on two hits over seven innings. Kendrick (3.83 ERA) has now won five out of his last six starts after beginning the season 4-9.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was activated from the 15-day DL on Friday. Ruiz has been out since early August because of plantar fascitiitis.
Insight: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says Ruiz (.335, 14 HR, 58 RBI) will only play once or twice a week the rest of the season so don't expect him to be much of a fantasy asset going forward.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus Colorado.
Insight: Howard hasn't been anything special since his return from injury (.239, 10 HR, 36 RBI in 51 games) and at age 32, it's doubtful he'll ever return to the form that made him a perennial MVP candidate earlier in his career.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a career .467 hitter in 15 at-bats against Colorado lefty Jeff Francis.
Insight: Rollins is still a solid shortstop option, though his average and OPS are slightly down from last season. Start him on Friday in this favorable matchup.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard is 5-for-10 against Reds starter Mike Leake with a pair of homers and a 1.715 OPS
Insight: Howard is batting just .239 in this injury-shortened season with 10 HR and 36 RBI in 50 games. He's no longer a must start, but Wednesday he should be in your lineup.
Description: Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick didn't pick up a victory Tuesday for the first time in five starts, but he did manage to throw his fifth straight quality start.
Insight: Kendrick has turned his season around, going 4-1 with a 1.45 ERA over his last five starts and dropping his ERA from 4.86 to 3.96 in the process.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard is hitless in eight official at-bats against Reds starter Mat Latos. He's struck out eight times, but he did walk one time.
Insight: Howard is batting just .237 in this abbreviated season with 10 HR and 36 RBI in 49 games. He's no longer a must start and he's a must sit on Tuesday.
Description: Tyler Cloyd's second major league start was a good one. The Phillies righthander let in just one run over seven innings of work in a 4-2 win over Cincinnati.
Insight: Since getting called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in late August, Cloyd has gone 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .224 against the 25-year-old in his two starts. He'll be on the mound again Sunday versus Colorado.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard is a career .308 hitter (4-for-13) versus Reds starter Johnny Cueto with all four hits being of the extra base variety.
Insight: Howard is batting just .243 in this abbreviated season with 10 HR and 36 RBI in 48 games. He's no longer a must start every day, but Monday is a favorable matchup.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 3-for-5 with a homer and a steal Saturday, but don't count on a repeat performance Sunday against Braves starter Paul Maholm. Rollins is a .190 hitter against Maholm.
Insight: Rollins is still a solid shortstop option most days but Sunday is not one of those days.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee has won two straight starts for the first time this season. Lee beat Atlanta with seven scoreless frames Saturday.
Insight: Lee (4-7, 3.52) has had a rocky season but he's pitching his best baseball going into the fantasy playoffs. The left-hander has allowed just one earned in his last 14 innings.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard is a career .344 hitter versus Atlanta starter Tim Hudson with seven home runs, 17 RBI and a 1.168 OPS.
Insight: Howard is batting just .241 in this abbreviated season with 10 HR and 34 RBI in 46 games. Fantasy owners should start him on Saturday.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is in the starting lineup Friday after getting benched Thursday.
Insight: Rollins was yanked from Thursday's game for not running out an infield pop-up that dropped in. Evidently, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel felt like that was a sufficient punishment.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard is a brutal 1-for-13 in his career against Mets lefthander Jonathon Niese.
Insight: Howard is in the midst of a 1-for-15 slump and hitting just .227 versus New York over the last two seasons. You're better off with Howard on the bench Thursday against Niese (10-7, 3.51 ERA).
Description: Philadelphia righthander Vance Worley is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow.
Insight: It was a disappointing year for Worley, who finishes the 2012 campaign with a record of just 6-9 in 23 starts. It looks like Tyler Cloyd (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is taking Worley's place in the Phillies' starting rotation.
Description: Phillies minor-leaguer Darin Ruf entered Wednesday night's game against Double-A Binghamton with 19 home runs in 107 at bats since the start of the month.
Insight: He now has 37 home runs for the year, by far the most in the Eastern League and tied for the most ever by a member of the Reading Phillies (he shares that honor with current Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard). With the Phillies in rebuilding mode, it's very possible that Ruf will be called up to Philadelphia on Saturday when rosters expand.
Description: Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown will be on the sidelines for Wednesday's contest against the Mets.
Insight: Brown (.258, 1 HR, 11 RBI) returned from a knee injury Tuesday night and went 0-for-4. It's possible his knee is still an issue as Laynce Nix is making the start in right field tonight for Philadelphia.
Description: Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco won't be on the field Wednesday night against New York.
Insight: The 36-year-old Polanco's days of being a fantasy asset appear to be over. Kevin Frandsen (.337, 1 HR, 7 RBI) has been getting most of the starts at third base since Polanco's return from the DL and that will be the case again tonight versus the Mets.
Description: Phillies ace Cole Hamels has come down with a stomach virus and Tyler Cloyd will make the start in his place.
Insight: Cloyd is 12-1 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.007 WHIP at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's not a high strikeout guy, 93 in 142 IP, but he could have low-end fantasy value.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels will miss Wednesday's scheduled start against New York due to a stomach virus.
Insight: Hamels is 14-6 with a 2.99 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He should be ready for his next start. The Phillies will start Tyler Cloyd (12-1, 2.35 ERA, 1.007 WHIP with Triple-A Lehigh Valley), in his place.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is just 2-for-16 (.125) in his career against Mets right-hander Chris Young.
Insight: Rollins had a good week, hitting .375 over his last five games, but this matchup should be avoided. The Phillies shortstop still offers fantasy owners speed, but the rest of his game has gone downhill from his MVP season in 2007.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is 5-for-16 (.313) in his career against Mets starter Chris Young with four extra base hits, including three homers, and a 1.290 OPS.
Insight: Ultey isn't hitting for much of an average (.249), but a second baseman with an .800 OPS is always a fantasy value worth having. He's a must-start on Tuesday.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco is on the sidelines again Sunday against Washington. He's still dealing with a sore back.
Insight: Polanco (.258, 2 HR, 19 RBI) hasn't played since Thursday and has only seen nine at bats since being activated from the disabled list earlier in the week. This isn't a very promising situation and we'd advise fantasy owners to look elsewhere for production at third base.
Description: You probably won't want Phillies outfielder Juan Pierre in your lineup Sunday against the Nationals. He's hitting a dreadful .182 in 11 lifetime at bats against Washington starter Jordan Zimmerman.
Insight: Pierre is 0-for-15 over his last five games. He could be in for another hitless outing Sunday against Zimmerman (9-7, 2.54 ERA).
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has never put the ball in play over six plate appearances against Nationals starter Edwin Jackson. He's walked twice and struck out four times.
Insight: After missing most of the season due to an Achilles injury, Howard started slowly, but has batted .319 over the past two weeks with a .918 OPS. This matchup, however, isn't a good one for the Phillies slugger.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco isn't in the lineup for Thursday night's game versus Cincinnati.
Insight: Polanco has gone 3-for-8 since his return from the disabled list Monday night. Kevin Frandsen (.358, 1 HR, 7 RBI) will draw the start at third tonight for the Phillies.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins won't be on hand for Thursday's series finale against the Reds.
Insight: Rollins hasn't had a day off since late May so it's probably a good time to rest the 33-year-old shortstop. Michael Martinez (.153, 2 HR, 6 RBI) will pick up the start in Rollins' place.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has not had a problem contributing when facing Reds ace Johnny Cueto. Howard is 4-for-12 (.333) against Cueto, with all four hits going for extra bases.
Insight: Cueto (16-6, 3.44 ERA) is deadly against right-handed batters (.199 BAA) but left-handed hitters have managed to hit .283 off him and Howard has had success against him in the past so don't hesitate to start him Thursday.
Description: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a career .400 hitter (6-for-15) with a pair of homers and a 1.304 OPS against Reds starter Bronson Arroyo.
Insight: Rollins has quietly posted a 14-homer, 20-steal, 71-run season, numbers that allow you to overlook his .238 batting average. Start him on Wednesday.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has raised his batting average from .213 to .254 in five games.
Insight: Having just 130 at-bats can do that. Howard is 10-for-22 in his last five games, including 2-for-4 with a homer Monday. The first baseman is still racking up the strikeouts but if he can stay hot he'll be a major power player down the stretch.
Description: Phillies outfielder Juan Pierre has not had a good August but a meeting with Brewers starter Randy Wolf Sunday may wake his bat up.
Insight: Pierre is batting .258 this month after hitting .293 or higher in the season's first four months, but he does have a .389 (14-for-36) career average against Wolf so get him in the lineup.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Miami.
Insight: Howard is batting just .162 against left-handers, so this is not a big surprise. He has seven homers in 108 at-bats this season, but hasn't looked like the guy who hit 262 homers over the past six seasons. We still await that guy's return.
Description: Philadelphia righthander Roy Halladay may have a mediocre 6-6 record, but he's looked like the All-Star pitcher we have come to expect over the past two games, going 2-0 with a .060 ERA and a 0.400 WHIP.
Insight: Halladay hasn't been the dominating pitcher for most of the season, so now that he's got it back, you must put him in your lineup every time out.
Description: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins came into Tuesday's game hitting just .195 in August, but the veteran was able to go deep for the fourth time this month.
Insight: Rollins has quietly posted a 14-homer, 18-steal, 69-run season, numbers that allow you to overlook his .246 batting average.
Description: First baseman Ryan Howard is a career .303 hitter (10-for-33) versus Marlins starter Josh Johnson with three homers and a .970 OPS.
Insight: Howard (.221, 7 HR, 18 RBI) had a good week, batting .316 with a pair of homers and combined with a favorable matchup makes the Phillies first baseman a must start on Tuesday.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels threw his second straight complete game shutout Monday against the Marlins, firing a seven hitter and striking out five with one walk.
Insight: Hamels improved to 13-6 and lowered his ERA to 2.91 with the performance. The lefty struggled after signing a big-money contract at the end of July, but he has allowed just two earned runs in his last 25 innings. With 9-10 starts remaining this season, Hamels has a good shot at topping his career high of 15 wins.
Description: Phillies outfielder Nate Schierholtz was placed on the disabled list Monday. Schierholtz is expected to miss between three and four weeks with a fractured toe.
Insight: Schierholtz has struggled since being traded to Philadelphia at this year's trade deadline (.219 in 11 games). Infielder Hector Luna was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Schierholtz's spot on the roster.
Description: Outfielder John Mayberry is not in the lineup Saturday for the Phillies' game against St. Louis.
Insight: Mayberry has received regular playing time for the first time in his career this season, but lately he hasn't been able to do much with it. He's batting a mere .214 in August and since the All-Star break he's batting only .234.
Description: Philadelphia righthander Roy Halladay baffled the Cardinals Friday night en route to his sixth victory of the year. In eight innings, the Doc allowed just two hits and one earned run. He fanned eight St. Louis hitters and didn't allow a walk over the 99 pitches.
Insight: It took Halladay four months but now it appears the two-time Cy Young winner is finally rounding into form. Over his past two outings, he's 2-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 0.60 ERA.
Description: First baseman Ryan Howard is a career .328 hitter (19-for-58) versus Atlanta veteran Tim Hudson with six homers and a 1.110 OPS.
Insight: Howard (.200, 5 HR, 12 RBI) homered yesterday to help the Phillies and Cole Hamels to a victory, but he's done little this season as his .692 OPS will attest.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels put together his best outing since he signed a six-year contract extension on July 25, firing his fifth career complete game shutout Tuesday against the Braves.
Insight: Hamels scattered five hits, struck out six and walked none Tuesday to improve to 12-6. The left-hander came in having allowed eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits with seven walks in 12 innings since signing the big deal.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is just 2-for-16 (.125) in his career against Braves hurler Ben Sheets with four strikeouts.
Insight: After a slow start, Utley has bounced back to hit .404 over the past four weeks with a .960 OPS. Still, this is an unfavorable matchup to be avoided.
Description: First baseman Ryan Howard salvaged a terrible day Sunday by hitting a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Phillies to a 5-4 victory over Arizona.
Insight: Howard (.208, 4 HR, 10 RBI) had been 0-for-4 with three strikeouts prior to his game-winning single. He hasn't homered in a game since July 23 and has now struck out 20 times in his last 10 appearances, so don't expect this one clutch hit to propel Howard back into fantasy relevance.
Description: Phillies ace Roy Halladay was back in Cy Young form Saturday against Arizona. In his fourth start since returning from the disabled list, Halladay held the Diamondbacks scoreless on three hits over seven innings.
Insight: Halladay (5-6, 4.02) has recorded a 21/3 K/BB in his last four starts. There should be many more performances like Saturday's to come for the right-hander as long as he's healthy.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis in left foot.
Insight: Ruiz is having the best season of his career batting .335 with 14 HR and 58 RBI. Brian Schneider (.229, 2 HR, 5 RBI) will pick up the starts in Ruiz's place, but has little fantasy value.
Description: First baseman Ryan Howard is hitless in nine at-bats against Arizona lefty Joe Saunders with five strikeouts.
Insight: Howard (.191, 4 HR, 9 RBI) is giving almost nothing to fantasy owners who waited for his return from injury. He's batting .063 this week and is likely to be sitting on the bench for Saturday's game.
Description: According to the Phillies' official website, manager Charlie Manuel has told outfielder Juan Pierre that his playing time will be reduced now that Domonic Brown and Nate Schierholtz are on the team.
Insight: Pierre (.312, 1 HR, 19 RBI) is not in the lineup Friday night against Arizona. Though it doesn't look like he'll be an everyday player going forward, Pierre might still be worth keeping on your roster because of his dominance in the steals category (six thefts in his last six games).
Description: First baseman Ryan Howard is not in the Phillies starting lineup Thursday following an 0-for-3, three strikeout performance Wednesday night against the Nationals.
Insight: Howard (.206, 4 HR, 9 RBI) has now struck out in each of his last nine games and it's clear that 19 games into his season, he still hasn't found his groove offensively.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee was placed on waivers Thursday.
Insight: Once Lee (2-6, 3.73 ERA) clears waivers the Phillies can work out a trade for him, though it seems unlikely that they'd deal him at this point.
Description: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins probably can't wait to get in the batters box Thursday against Washington. He's a .400 career hitter versus today's starter, lefthander Ross Detwiler.
Insight: Rollins (.252, 12 HRs, 40 RBIs) went deep twice on Wednesday, giving him three home runs for the series. Don't be surprised if he adds to that total Thursday night against Detwiler (5-4, 3.24 ERA).
Description: The Phillies traded almost their entire outfield Tuesday, yet somehow left fielder Juan Pierre isn't in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Nationals.
Insight: Philadelphia's starting outfield Wednesday will feature Domonic Brown, John Mayberry and the newly acquired Nate Schierholtz.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz was not included in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Insight: Ruiz (.340, 14 HRs, 58 RBIs) has been battling plantar fiscitis recently so he could be getting the night off to rest his foot after catching Tuesday night's game.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is 5-for-6 in his career against Washington righthander Edwin Jackson.
Insight: Ruiz (.340, 14 HRs, 58 RBIs) is hitting .309 in his career against the Nationals and you can expect that number to rise after Wednesday's matchup versus Jackson (6-6, 3.52 ERA).
Description: With Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence traded to the NL West, Juan Pierre figures to see plenty of playing time in the outfield for the Phillies.
Insight: Pierre went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .312 and also stole two bags Tuesday. He's worth an add in deeper mixed leagues.
Description: Lefty Cliff Lee stayed with the Phillies Tuesday amid trade rumors and tossed seven shutout innings of five-hit ball against the Nationals.
Insight: Lee allowed 12 hits and six runs his last time out, but he was much sharper Tuesday in earning his second victory of the season. If you have managed to remain in the hunt despite Lee's shortcomings, the left-hander may still be able to play a major role down the stretch for your team if he can keep throwing like this.
Description: With starting outfielder Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino traded Tuesday, the Phillies have recalled top prospect Domonic Brown.
Insight: Brown has played 91 games at the big league level, hitting .236 with seven homers and five steals. Still, the outfielder has excellent minor league numbers and was ranked fourth on MLB.com's list of the top 100 prospects going into the 2011 season. Give Brown a shot in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues, as you can always cut him loose if he underwhelms again.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino has improved his performance lately while his name is mentioned in trade rumors.
Insight: Victorino (.261, 9 HR, 40 RBIs, 24 SB) is batting .385 (20-for-52) with four doubles, three triples, one homer and five stolen bases in his last 14 games. He should be owned in most formats as not many stolen base threats can also provide the power Victorino has.
Description: Phillies ace Roy Halladay tossed a quality start while throwing 94 pitches Sunday against Atlanta in his third start since he returned from the DL.
Insight: Halladay (4-6, 4.33 ERA) is still building his arm strength back up after missing nearly two months due to a lat injury.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz didn't start Saturday's game because of plantar fascitis but he's back in the lineup and hitting fifth on Sunday.
Insight: Ruiz (.343, 14 HR, 56 RBIs) continues to be a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners who took a chance on him in the late rounds of this year's fantasy draft.
Description: You're not going to want Jimmy Rollins in your lineup on Sunday. The Phillies shortstop is hitting just .194 in 66 at bats against Braves righty Tim Hudson.
Insight: If you have another shortstop option besides Rollins (.253, 9 HRs, 36 RBIs, 17 SBs) Sunday would be the day to utilize that player.
Description: Phillies infielder Ty Wigginton is a career .333 hitter (12-for-36) against Atlanta right-hander Ben Sheets with a pair of homers.
Insight: With Placido Polanco sidelined by injury, Wigginton figures to see plenty of time at third base and he starts the weekend series with a favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with back inflammation.
Insight: Polanco no longer carries any fantasy value, even in NL-only leagues. His replacement Ty Wigginton is not a good option either, but he does have more value than Polanco.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley had three hits and three RBIs Wednesday afternoon against the Brewers.
Insight: Utley is rounding into form as of late, batting .320 (8-for-25) with a triple, two homers, six RBIs and a 7/7 K/BB ratio in his last seven games.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels isn't going anywhere. The left-hander signed a six-year, $144 million contract extension to stay with the team.
Insight: The 28-year-old Hamels (11-4, 3.23 ERA) has been Philadelphia's best starter this season but the impending free agent has been the subject of trade rumors with the team stuck in last place in the NL East. Fantasy owners no longer have to worry about how Hamels would handle a change of scenery, because there won't be one.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Milwaukee. It's the normal day off after a night game for the Phillies catcher.
Insight: Ruiz (.345, 14 HR, 55 RBI) has been consistently good all season long, batting at least .300 in every month. He's been as good as any fantasy catcher this season.
Description: Cliff Lee was hit hard Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing 12 hits and six earned runs in seven innings in a no decision.
Insight: Lee (1-6, 3.95) has been pitching better as of late, but he is still allowing way more hits per nine innings than he did last season. He's still worth starting against all opponents, but don't expect many starts like his eight-inning, two-hit performance on July 18 at this point.
Description: Ignore Phillies starter Cliff Lee's ugly 1-6 record and start him on Tuesday.
Insight: Yes, we all know the statistics - 16 starts and one win for Lee in 2012, but he's pitching great baseball of late (1-1, 2.05 ERA, 0.954 WHIP in last three starts) and the Phillies are beginning to hit the ball now that some of their injured players are returning to the lineup.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley homered in the first inning Monday against Milwaukee left-hander Randy Wolf. Utley also walked three times.
Insight: Utley's previous three homers this season came against right-handers. The second baseman is working on a modest five-game hitting streak, including two homers in his last three games. His knee is clearly feeling better, as he also legged out a triple and stole a base yesterday.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard blasted a homer and drove in three runs as part of a three-hit game Monday against the Brewers.
Insight: Howard has four homers in 11 games since he returned from the DL. Monday's home run was his first hit in 13 at-bats against left-handed pitching this season.
Description: Phillies ace Roy Halladay has allowed eight runs in 11 innings since he returned from the disabled list.
Insight: Halladay has served up 14 hits in that span, including eight Monday night as part of a six-run performance. Obviously, fantasy owners are looking for much more from the right-hander. We still wouldn't bet against Halladay if he's fully healthy, but there's no way to know if he feels 100 percent.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino left Monday's game with a bruised right elbow after being hit by a pitch.
Insight: Victorino entered Monday batting .375 (12-for-32) in his past eight games. The soon-to-be free agent is a strong candidate to be traded before the trade deadline. The injury shouldn't be a concern after a day or two.
Description: Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco won't start Monday night's game against Milwaukee.
Insight: With Polanco getting the night off, Ty Wigginton (.238, 9 HRs, 35 RBIs) will make his 18th start of the season at third base for Philadelphia.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has struggled against Milwaukee left-hander Randy Wolf, accumulating just two hits in 17 career at-bats (.118).
Insight: In Howard's 11 games this season, he's batting .182 with three homers and five RBI. He has hit two homers in the last three games, but Monday's matchup is unfavorable.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is not listed in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Insight: Ruiz (.347, 14 HRs, 51 RBIs) reached 100 hits for the season Saturday in the Phillies' 6-5 loss to San Francisco. Today, he gives way to Erik Kratz (.286, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs), who is making just his second start of the season behind home plate.
Description: Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco has completely dominated Barry Zito throughout his career. In 16 at bats, he's recorded 12 hits (.750) against the San Francisco lefthander.
Insight: Polanco (.256, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs) is hoping to bust out of a 3-for-25 (.120) slump Sunday in Philadelphia's series finale.
Description: Look for Phillies second baseman Chase Utley to break out of his current 3-for-18 (.167) skid Sunday against San Francisco's Barry Zito. He's a .429 lifetime hitter in 14 matchups with the Giants lefthander.
Insight: Last-place Philadelphia will need a big effort from Utley (.233, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs) today if they hope to avoid dropping their fourth game in a row.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley came in 7-for-20 (.350) with three homers and a 1.231 OPS against San Francisco starter Matt Cain, and he clubbed a solo homer off the right-hander in the first inning Saturday.
Insight: Utley has three homers in 60 at-bats this season, and though he's hitting just .233 he should continue to get stronger at the plate as he builds up strength in his legs.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard crushed his third homer of the season Saturday against the Giants.
Insight: Howard had one hit but it was a big one, a three run blast in the sixth inning. The first baseman has just six hits in 29 at-bats this season, but three of those hits have left the park.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is the rare hitter with great success against San Francisco ace Matt Cain. He's 7-for-20 (.350) with three homers and a 1.231 OPS.
Insight: Utley's homer in his first at-bat this season is his only fantasy highlight to date. In 16 games he's batting just .228 with a .619 OPS and is not playing anywhere near expectations of fantasy owners. Hopefully the favorable matchup on Saturday will get him going in the right direction.
Description: First baseman/outfielder John Mayberry is not in the Philadelphia starting nine for Friday's tilt with San Francisco.
Insight: As expected, Mayberry (.233, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs) has seen less playing time since the return of Ryan Howard. He has started just three of Philadelphia's first seven games to begin the second half.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is questionable for Friday's game against San Francisco with a sore left foot.
Insight: Like teammate Chase Utley, Howard has done little after his first game. He's batting .182 with just two extra base in 22 at-bats. The Phillies and fantasy owners need much more.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has not had much success against San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum. He's just 4-for-27 (.148) with 10 strikeouts in their career matchups.
Insight: Utley's homer in his first at-bat this season is his only fantasy highlight. In 15 games he's batting just .226 with a .628 OPS and is not playing anywhere near expectations of fantasy owners. Sit him on Friday.
Description: Spotted a two-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon failed to convert the save Wednesday afternoon against the Dodgers. The blown save was Papelbon's third of the season.
Insight: Since beginning the year 17-for-17 in save opportunities, Papelbon has blown three out of his last seven save chances and has seen his ERA balloon from 2.28 to 3.41 during that span.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee produced another masterful performance Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles. In eight innings, Lee allowed two hits and one run while walking one and striking out four. Despite the strong effort, Lee was only able to earn a no-decision.
Insight: Lee's season ERA sits at a very respectable 3.72, yet he still has only one win in 16 starts this season. Go figure.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is a career .067 career hitter in 15 at-bats against Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw with four strikeouts.
Insight: Pence's numbers (.279, 17 HR, 55 RBI) are solid though unspectacular and he's done little since the return of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. We are expecting more, but won't likely see it on Wednesday in this unfavorable matchup.
Description: Phillies outfielder Juan Pierre will be on the bench Sunday when Philadelphia plays its series finale against the Rockies.
Insight: Pierre is coming off a 3-3 performance in Saturday's game. He remains a solid play for fantasy owners in need of an outfielder with good speed (21 stolen bases) and a high batting average (.316).
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is not in the starting lineup Sunday against Colorado.
Insight: Utley had arguably his best game of the season Saturday, finishing the night with three hits in five at bats. Since returning from the DL in late June, he's hitting .262 with two homers and six RBIs.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard will take the afternoon off Sunday against Colorado.
Insight: Since smashing two hits in his first game off the DL back on July 6, Howard is 0-11 with six strikeouts. Ty Wigginton (.247, 9 HRs, 35 RBIs) will draw the start at first base with Howard on the sidelines.
Description: Phillies ace Roy Halladay has finished his minor league rehab and will start Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers. He's been out since late May while dealing with a strained right lat muscle.
Insight: Halladay allowed one unearned run in three innings Thursday in a rehab start for Single-A Clearwater. In 11 starts at the major league level this season, Halladay is 4-5 with a 3.98 ERA.
Description: Philadelphia's John Mayberry will be on the sidelines for Saturday's game against Colorado.
Insight: Mayberry (.238, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs) had a decent game Friday (2-3) but he won't be seeing as much playing time in the second half now that Ryan Howard is back from his Achilles injury.
Description: Philadelphia outfielder Juan Pierre will get the night off Friday when the Phillies take on the Rockies.
Insight: Pierre is one of several Philadelphia players that could be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline. The 13-year veteran won't give fantasy owners much in the way of home runs (one so far this season) and RBIs (18) but Pierre has always been pretty swift on the basepaths (574 career steals) and this season he's batting .307 in 241 at bats.
Description: Phillies outfielder Jason Pridie's home run accounted for all three of Philadelphia's runs Sunday as the Braves were able to complete the three-game sweep.
Insight: Pridie (.600, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) only got the start on Sunday after manager Charlie Manuel scratched Shane Victorino (.245, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs) from the lineup at the last minute. Apparently Victorino wasn't thrilled with hitting seventh and Manuel responded by taking him out of the lineup altogether. If this tension between Victorino and Manuel continues, Pridie might start to see more playing time in center field.
Description: According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Phillies starter Roy Halladay (lat) will make a minor league rehab start Thursday if Tuesday's bullpen session goes well.
Insight: Halladay has progressed quickly and may be able to return to the big league club by the end of this month.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino was a late scratch from the lineup. According to Rob Parent of the Delaware County Daily Times, Victorino wasn't happy that manager Charlie Manuel had him batting seventh for the first time this season.
Insight: Victorino has started off 3-for-24 in July and he also came in with 6-for-31 against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens. We'll see if this situation turns into a rift between Manuel and Victorino in what may be the outfielder's final month with the team.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley has just five hits in 22 career at-bats against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, but three of those hits have left the park.
Insight: Utley has two homers and three RBIs in his first nine games back, but he has played back-to-back games so Phillies manager Charlie Manuel may choose to give him an off day Sunday. If he does play, fantasy owners can get him in the lineup against Jurrjens despite the .227 average, as Utley has been able to drive the ball against the Braves right-hander.
Description: Like his teammate Jimmy Rollins, Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino hasn't had much success in his career against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, going 6-for-31 (.194) with zero RBIs against the Atlanta right-hander.
Insight: Victorino has started off 3-for-24 in July as his average has fallen to .245. He shouldn't be started Sunday.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a .188 hitter in his career against Braves starter Jair Jurrjens.
Insight: Rollins has just six hits and one RBI in 32 at-bats against the Braves right-hander. Rollins is also 6-for-35 (.171) in his last nine games, so fantasy owners would be wise to remove him from the lineup Sunday.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard will not start Saturday after playing his first game of the season Friday.
Insight: Howard went 2-for-4 with a double in his return from a torn Achilles tendon. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Howard said he felt fine after playing back-to-back games (he played a minor league rehab game Thursday). He'll be back in the lineup Sunday.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is a career .154 career hitter in 13 at-bats against Braves starter Tommy Hanson with five strikeouts.
Insight: Pence's numbers (.284, 16 HR, 50 RBI) are running in line with last season and should pick up a notch with the return of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Saturday, however, is a tough matchup for him.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard, who had two hits in his 2012 debut on Friday night, has rarely been successful against Saturday's starter for Atlanta Tommy Hanson. He's just 2-for-15 against Hanson with eight strikeouts.
Insight: Howard's return excited the fans and fantasy owners, but it didn't help the Phillies offense which was non-existent again on Friday. The return of Howard and Chase Utley should help all the Phillies batters in the long run.
Description: Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard went 2-4 with a double Friday night in his 2012 season debut.
Insight: Despite Howard's strong performance, the Phillies were only able to manage five hits on the night and lost 5-0. It was the Phillies' eighth loss in their last nine games.
Description: The Phillies have officially activated Ryan Howard from the disabled list. He'll play first and bat cleanup Friday night against the Braves.
Insight: This will be Howard's first big league game since last October. He hit .253 with 33 HRs and 116 RBIs in 152 games for Philadelphia last season.
Description: If Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is activated and in the lineup on Friday night, you should install him in your lineup too. Howard has 52 at-bats against Braves starter Tim Hudson with a career .327 batting average and six home runs.
Insight: The slugger went 10-for-20 (.500) with a homer, a double and 10 RBI over seven rehab games. Howard isn't the same guy he was from 2006-09, but he's still got plenty of power and worthy of a spot in your fantasy team's starting lineup.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is expected to be activated from the DL on Friday. Howard tore his Achilles in the playoffs last season and hasn't appeared in a major league game since.
Insight: Howard has hit .471 with one homer and nine RBIs in six rehab appearances for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Low-A Lakewood BlueClaws over the last week. Howard enters his 2012 season debut with 286 homers in 3,794 career at bats.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins has struggled as of late, and his plight may continue Thursday against Mets starter R.A. Dickey. Rollins is 3-for-17 with zero RBIs in his career against the knuckleballer.
Insight: Rollins picked up one hit yesterday after going 0-for-15 in his previous four games. Remove him from the lineup until he heats up again.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco is 7-for-29 (.241) with a .508 OPS in his career against Mets starter R.A. Dickey.
Insight: Polanco hasn't provided much to fantasy owners in any category this season, batting .270 with two homers and 18 RBIs. He shouldn't be started Thursday against Dickey.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is a career .133 career hitter in 15 at-bats against Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
Insight: Pence (.288, 16 HR, 49 RBIs) has two hits in 15 at-bats against Dickey, though one of those hits was a homer. Though Pence has been hot as of late, Thursday does not present a favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies starter Cliff Lee finally recorded his first victory of 2012 Wednesday against the Mets. Lee came in 0-5 with a 4.13 ERA.
Insight: Lee held New York to two runs on seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in eight innings. He had thrown four straight non-quality starts.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley is a .308 hitter versus Mets starter Chris Young with a pair of homers and a 1.203 OPS.
Insight: After hitting a home run in his first at bat this season, Utley hasn't hit another extra base hit. Hopefully, the favorable matchup with Young will snap the streak.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is a career .111 batter versus Mets lefty Jonathan Niese with six strikeouts in 18 at-bats.
Insight: Pence (.285, 16 HR, 48 RBI) is posting decent, but unspectacular, numbers this season, however his fantasy owners are hoping that the return of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will help him bust out in the second half.
Description: Phillies outfielder/first baseman John Mayberry is a career .318 hitter versus Mets starter Jonathan Niese with three homers and seven RBI in 22 at-bats.
Insight: Mayberry has done nothing this year to excite fantasy owners and his .167 batting average over the past two weeks won't help either, but he does have a favorable matchup.
Description: Phillies outfielder/first baseman John Mayberry is not in the lineup Sunday against Miami.
Insight: Mayberry has encountered a bit of cold streak recently. In his last seven games, Mayberry has recorded just one hit in 22 at bats and has witnessed his batting average fall from .249 all the way down to .226. If he can break out of his slump, Mayberry should stand to benefit from increased playing time now that Jim Thome has been traded to the Orioles.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley will not start Sunday's series finale against the Marlins.
Insight: Utley got the afternoon off on Thursday as well so clearly the Phillies are being conservative with their All-Star second baseman, opting to give him more rest days than usual so he doesn't reinjure himself. Since returning from the DL on Wednesday, Utley is 5-13 (.385) with one homer and one RBI.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is heating up. He left the yard again on Saturday and now homered in each of his last three games.
Insight: Pence (.286, 16 HRs, 48 RBIs) is 11-25 (.444) with six RBIs in his last six games. Unfortunately for Philadelphia fans, the Phillies have won only twice during that span.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence homered for the second straight game Friday against Miami.
Insight: Pence (.280, 15 HR) is on pace for a career high in home runs, and his batting average has been creeping closer to his career .291. The outfielder's numbers should only increase once both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are back in the lineup.
Description: According to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet, Phillies starter Roy Halladay (lat) threw a 33-pitch bullpen session Friday.
Insight: Halladay utilized his full arsenal in his first bullpen session since he went on the disabled list. The right-hander will likely return in early August but late July remains a possibility.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco will draw a tough assignment Friday against Marlins righthander Josh Johnson. Polanco has only one hit in 10 career at bats against him.
Insight: Polanco has been pretty average at the dish this season, compiling a .278 batting average to go along with just two homers and 18 RBIs in 66 games. You'll probably be better off without him in your lineup on Friday.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz might struggle Friday night against Miami's Josh Johnson. He's just 2-11 (.182) lifetime against the Marlins righthander.
Insight: Ruiz (.362, 11 HRs, 43 RBIs) should be the National League's starting catcher in next month's All-Star Game but that doesn't mean he should be a lock for your fantasy lineup on Friday, especially against Johnson, who has held righthanded batters to just a .233 average this season.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (Achilles) had two hits in four at-bats as the designated hitter in his first minor league rehab game Thursday with Class A Lakewood.
Insight: Howard will likely be ready to return at the end of his 20-day rehab window.
Description: The Phillies have made Jim Thome available to American League teams, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.
Insight: Stark said via Twitter that two AL clubs told him that Thome is available. He would be someone to add in mixed leagues if he could lock down a starting DH job with an AL team. The future Hall of Famer hit four homers and drove in 14 runs in a nine-game stint as Philadelphia's designated hitter in AL parks earlier this month.
Description: Despite his success against Pirates starter A.J. Burnett, Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh. Simply a matter of too little rest after catching the night before this afternoon's getaway game.
Insight: Ruiz blasted a solo homer last night, his second in two nights. He leads the NL in batting (.364) as he makes his case for a spot on the All-Star team.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will sit out Thursday afternoon's game after a success return to the field on Wednesday night.
Insight: It was classic movie-of-the-week stuff in which the fans gave Utley a standing ovation and he returned their love by slamming a home run to right center field in his first at-bat. He hit the ball hard in all five at bats. He'll get more days off than normal, but fantasy owners will want Utley in the lineup whenever he's playing.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz has only faced Pitssburgh starter A.J. Burnett three times, but he owns three hits including a homer in those matchups.
Insight: Ruiz blasted a solo homer last night, his second in two nights. He leads the NL in batting (.364) as he makes his case for a spot on the All-Star team.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) returned to Philadelphia's lineup with a bang Wednesday, picking up three hits in five at-bats, including a homer in the first inning.
Insight: Perhaps the most important thing to take away from this game is that Utley was able to leg out an infield single in the sixth inning. He won't play everyday initially but he's a must-own player in all formats based on his history of success.
Description: According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Phillies starter Roy Halladay could begin throwing off a mound next week.
Insight: Halladay will likely continue to throw from 60 feet, 6 inches on flat ground, as he's been symptom free thus far. He's on track to return in early August.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) has been activated from the 15-day disabled list for Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Phillies fans and fantasy owners pray that he's ready to produce as he has in the past. Expect him to take more days off and run far less than in the past as he tried to avoid more lost time. In his prime he was the No. 1 second baseman in fantasy, now we're just hoping for a low-end starter.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is a .538 hitter (7-for-13) against Pittsburgh's ace James McDonald.
Insight: Pence has struggled this season without the power of Ryan Howard protecting him in the batting order. But he only has to wait a little while longer as Chase Utley is expected back today and Howard should be heading out on a rehab assignment shortly.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz isn't slowing down. He raised his average to .361 with a 3-for-4 performance Tuesday against Pittsburgh, his second consecutive three-hit game.
Insight: Ruiz blasted a solo homer and also had an RBI single. The only concern is how his body will hold up in the second half after catching nearly everyday in the first half.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (Achilles) could begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Insight: Howard will be examined by team doctors in Philadelphia Wednesday. If he's cleared, he'll play for Single-A Lakewood Thursday. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he expected Howard back shortly following the All-Star break.
Description: Don't be fooled by Phillies starter Vance Worley's lack of wins in his last three starts. Yes, he's 0-2, but he's pitched very well, with a 1.35 ERA and 0.900 WHIP.
Insight: Worley, who is pitching with a bone chip in his throwing elbow, pitched well in his only 2012 appearance against Pittsburgh (6.0 IP, 5H, 1ER, 1BB, 5 SO). The Phillies have averaged five runs-per-game this past week so a win for Worley might actually be possible on Tuesday.
Description: Barring a setback, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list for Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Utley will play a game at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and should be with the big club on Wednesday. If he's been dropped in your league, now is the time to claim him, not on Wednesday when he's in the lineup against Pittsburgh.
Description: Phillies starter Cole Hamels tossed seven shutout innings in a no decision against the Rays Sunday. Hamels held Tampa Bay to three hits while walking three and striking out seven.
Insight: Hamels (10-3, 3.03 ERA) went 2-2 with a 6.07 ERA in four starts from May 28 to June 13, but he's strung together two excellent outings in a row.
Description: Saturday was a special day for Phillies first baseman Jim Thome even though he didn't start. Thome pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning and hit an opposite-field, walk-off homer after Jonathan Papelbon blew his first save with the team. The home run tied Thome with Sammy Sosa for seventh place on the all-time home run list with 609 and gave him the lead for most game-winning homers in major league history with 13.
Insight: It also earned him $5,000 from Papelbon, who said he promised Thome the money while he was in the on deck circle if he could hit one out. Thome doesn't have any fantasy value right now because he can't play the field, but if an American League team acquires him to be its everyday DH, he'll be someone to grab. He hit four home runs last week when Philadelphia was playing in American League parks.
Description: Phillies outfielder Juan Pierre went 2-for-3 with his first homer of the season and two steals Saturday against Tampa Bay.
Insight: Pierre connects for one or two round-trippers per season, but his game is speed. The outfielder has 16 steals to go along with a .328 average in 61 games this year, making him a solid add in NL-only leagues and even deeper mixed formats.
Description: Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon blew his first save as a member of Philadelphia Saturday against the Rays.
Insight: Papelbon allowed two runs on three hits and one walk in an inning of work Saturday. He was able to get a win for the second straight appearance due to Jim Thome's walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth. Papelbon has allowed a run in each of his last two appearances, but he's been one of the most reliable closers in baseball this season so he should be fine.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer Saturday against Tampa Bay.
Insight: Rollins has hit one out in each of the last two games. He's batting .318 with four blasts and 12 RBIs this month. He'll never get back to his 2007 MVP totals, but at least he's not useless like he was in the first two months this sesaon.
Description: According to MLB.com, Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee was irked that he had to throw 30-40 warm-up pitches in the bullpen before the game was postponed. Lee (0-3, 3.48) didn't warm up prior to the initial start time because it was raining, but the rain stopped falling for a brief period and a new start time was set for 8:45 p.m. ET. Lee went to the bullpen and threw warm-up pitches before the rain started coming down again.
Insight: The left-hander, who is still without a win this season, will start the second game of the doubleheader Sunday. Hopefully his routine didn't get altered too much, though it sounds like Lee is just frustrated about his season as a whole.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.
Insight: Victorino has a disappointing .252 average this season, but not many players offer the type of power-speed combo Victorino possesses. In fact, among players with at least 15 steals, only Cleveland's Jason Kipnis has more homers than Victorino's eight.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco is a career .471 hitter (8-for-17) versus Tampa Bay starter James Shields including a pair of homers.
Insight: Polanco has done very little over the past few weeks, batting just .172 while dealing with a finger injury.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino is getting a night off Friday against the Rays.
Insight: Victorino has a disappointing .252 average this season, but not many players offer the type of power-speed combo Victorino possesses. In fact, among players with at least 15 steals, only Cleveland's Jason Kipnis has more homers than Victorino's eight. Andrew McCutchen has 12 homers, but needs one more steal to get to 15.
Description: Phillies starter Vance Worley held Colorado to two runs on four hits in seven innings Thursday. He walked two and struck out two, but he took the loss as Philadelphia could only muster one run against Jeff Francis.
Insight: Worley, who is pitching with a bone chip in his throwing elbow, has put together three straight solid performances, but he has zero wins in four starts since he came off the DL.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Thursday against Colorado.
Insight: Rollins came in hitting .500 in 12 at-bats against Rockies starter Jeff Francis, and the shortstop greeted Francis with a leadoff homer in the first inning. June has been a fantastic month for Rollins, as he's batted .309 with three homers and 10 RBIs after hitting under .250 in each of the first two months. Perhaps there is something left in the 33-year-old's bat, but you can still likely find a better option in mixed leagues.
Description: According to Philles beat reporter Pat Gallen of 97.5 The Fantatic, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) could come off the disabled list next week barring any setbacks, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said.
Insight: Utley has gone 5-for-23 so far with High-A Clearwater, though the results are less important than how his knee feels. The rehab has gone well to this point, and Utley even started playing second base in minor league games earlier this week.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins is a .500 hitter in his career against Rockies lefthander Jeff Francis.
Insight: Thursday would be a great day to plug the veteran shortstop into your starting lineup. Rollins (.260, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs, 11 SBs) is in the midst of his best month of the season so far. He is hitting .313 in 80 June at bats after batting just .241 in May and .235 in April.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ty Wigginton won't start Wednesday night against the Rockies.
Insight: John Mayberry (.241, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs) is slowly beginning to steal playing time from Wigginton, who is just 2-26 (.077) at the plate over his last seven outings.
Description: Phillies outfielder John Mayberry went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and two RBIs Tuesday against Colorado.
Insight: Mayberry has four homers and 10 RBIs in his last five games. He's worth adding in NL-only leagues, but see if he can keep this going for more than a few days before you consider adding him in mixed leagues.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored Tuesday against the Rockies.
Insight: Rollins has turned around his season this month, batting .320 with two homers in 17 games. The shortstop has been especially hot as of late, following up a 1-for-15 slump with a 13-for-30 stretch.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs Tuesday against the Rockies.
Insight: Ruiz has been dealing with a minor oblique injury that caused him to miss Saturday's game. He returned Sunday but went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Description: Cole Hamels bounced back from a subpar four-start stretch to win his 10th game of the season. Hamels allowed two runs on six hits in eight innings while walking three and striking out seven Tuesday against Colorado.
Insight: Hamels (10-3, 3.25 ERA) went 2-2 with a 6.07 ERA in the four starts prior to Tuesday, but he seems to have figured out what was wrong.
Description: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said that starter Roy Halladay (strained lat) "is symptom-free in his throwing program," according to the Phillies official website.
Insight: Halladay played catch Friday, throwing 20-25 tosses to Philadelphia pitching coach Rich Dubee. He's still not expected to return until after the All-Star break, but at least he hasn't suffered any setbacks yet.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (Achilles) is playing the field during simulated games, and was able to make a diving catch Monday. He's also started running the bases.
Insight: Philles GM Ruben Amaro said he hopes to have Howard in a rehab game in the next couple of weeks.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) played second base Monday for the first time during his rehab assignment. Utley could return before the 20 days of his rehab assignment are up.
Insight: Utley had been playing second base here and there during intrasquad games, but he was able to get into a minor league game at the position Monday and had no issues afterward. If he uses the full 20 days, he would be back no later than July 2, but he may be able to come back in late June.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Freddy Galvis has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Insight: The drug Galvis (.226, 3 HRs, 24 RBIs) tested positive for was Clostebol. Galvis has denied ever using the drug. Even if this suspension gets overturned, it's unlikely that we'll see Galvis playing for the Phillies again anytime soon. Galvis is out indefinitely with a fractured bone in his back.
Description: Phillies outfielder John Mayberry went 3-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against Toronto.
Insight: Mayberry has hit three homers with eight RBIs in his last four games. However, he really shouldn't be considered outside of deep NL-only formats.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is back in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. He missed Saturday's game after tweaking his oblique in the series opener Friday night.
Insight: Even if he's not 100 percent, Ruiz (.362, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs) has been swinging the bat way too well lately for you to not have him in your lineup. He's 8-16 over his last five games.
Description: Philadelphia starter Cliff Lee was again unable to claim his first win of the season Saturday afternoon in Toronto. He allowed five runs on 12 hits in seven innings. Lee received a no-decision.
Insight: The bullpen failed to preserve the 5-4 lead Lee left them with and eventually the Blue Jays were able to win in extra innings. Lee is now winless in his last 12 starts (including the playoffs) dating back to last September. He has an 0-4 record with a 3.55 ERA in that span.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz left Friday's game with a left oblique strain, according to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet.
Insight: Ruiz dealt with a hamstring strain last week, but he appeared over that when he went 7-for-14 with four doubles in his last four games. Ruiz came into Friday hitting .361 with eight homers, so hopefully this injury isn't too serious, though oblique injuries usually tend to knock players out for an extended period of time.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley played four innings at second base Friday in an intrasquad game.
Insight: Slowly but surely, Utley is making his way back. He still has a lot of work to do, but playing the field is a big step. The next step will be playing the field in an actual minor league game.
Description: Phillies starter Joe Blanton allowed one run on seven hits in a complete game effort Thursday at Minnesota. Blanton walked none and struck out seven.
Insight: Blanton (6-6, 4.93 ERA) had allowed five earned runs or more in five straight starts and came in with a 6.38 ERA in seven road appearances this season, so this really speaks more about Minnesota's offensive issues than it does about Blanton's ability to dominate.
Description: Phillies first baseman Jim Thome went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer Thursday against Minnesota, No. 607 of his career.
Insight: Thome has enjoyed Interleague Play, as it's allowed him to DH for Philadelphia. He clearly can still put a charge into the ball, as indicated by his .458 batting average, three homers and 11 RBIs in the last six games, all at American League ballparks. However, he'll go back to pinch-hitting and starting occasionally once the Phillies go back home.
Description: Phillies starter Joe Blanton has allowed at least five earned runs in each of his last five starts. He'll start tomorrow at Minnesota, a weak hitting club, but those thinking of streaming Blanton expecting him to reverse the trend should think again.
Insight: Blanton's ERA has skyrocketed from 2.96 to 5.40 over his last five outings. On the road, Blanton is 2-4 with a 6.38 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in seven appearances (six starts). At home, he's 3-2 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, so he really shouldn't be started anywhere, but especially not away from home.
Description: Philadelphia second baseman Freddy Galvis will be out indefinitely with a fractured bone in his back. He's been on the DL since June 6th.
Insight: This could be a season-ending injury. Mike Fontentot (.341, 1 HR, 5 RBIs) should get most of the reps at second base until Chase Utley is ready to play again. Utley has missed the entire season so far because of a knee injury.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco, out since last Tuesday because of an injured finger, will start Wednesday night in Minnesota.
Insight: He had been 8-19 (.421) in the five games before his injury so it looks like Polanco is on the right track offensively. Look for him to be a decent high-average, low-power third base option going forward.
Description: There is a good chance Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco will return to action Tuesday against Minnesota.
Insight: Ty Wigginton (.262, 6 HRs, 27 RBIs) will probably move back to first base if Polanco is able to play on Tuesday with Jim Thome (.242, 1 HR, 4 RBIs) serving as the DH.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will begin a rehab assignment with the High-A Clearwater Threshers on Tuesday. Utley's been out all season because of knee issues.
Insight: The Phillies had feared they wouldn't have Utley back until after the All-Star break but now it appears he'll be back in the majors much sooner than that.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco is expected to miss Tuesday's game against Minnesota with a partially torn tendon in left wrist.
Insight: Polanco can no longer be counted on as an everyday player. When he was with Detroit he scored enough runs and hit for a high enough average to be fantasy-worthy, but in his two and a half seasons with Philadelphia he's not reached expectations. At this point its time to drastically lower those expectations.
Description: Cliff Lee allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings Sunday against Baltimore. Lee walked two and struck out eight.
Insight: Ten starts into the 2012 season, Lee is still winless. The lefty has a pedestrian 4.54 ERA over his last five starts after posting a 1.95 over his first five.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence could struggle Sunday in the series finale versus Baltimore. He's hitting only .182 in 11 career at bats against Jason Hammel.
Insight: Pence collected four hits on Saturday but we're not expecting him to have as much success Sunday against Hammel.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino looks primed for a big day Sunday against Baltimore starter Jason Hammel. He's hitting .500 in 10 career at bats against Hammel.
Insight: Victorino has been inconsistent in 2012 but he has had a good series against the Orioles (4-9, 1 HR, 5 RBIs) and will probably be looking to take out some pent-up frustration at the plate after losing in extra innings to Baltimore on Saturday.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence went 4-5 Saturday in an extra innings loss to Baltimore.
Insight: His .277 batting average is still a little below what he's hit for his career (.290) but the 35 HRs Pence is on pace for would dwarf his previous career high of 25 established back when he was a member of the Houston Astros in 2008.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore. Day game after a night game means rest for Ruiz. Brian Schneider will start against the right-handed Tommy Hunter.
Insight: The hamstring issue which kept him off the field for a few days has cooled his bat. he's just 3-for-his-last-20 (.150) without an extra base hit. It's a good time for a day of rest.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino went 3-for-4 with a homer and five RBIs Friday against Baltimore.
Insight: Victorino started off June 5-for-21 with just one RBI. He's still batting just .258, but he remains a valuable mixed league outfielder due to his pop (8 HR), run production (33 RBI) and speed (13 SB).
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco won't start Thursday against the Dodgers. Polanco left Tuesday night's game with a cut on his finger and hasn't played since.
Insight: He'll give way to Ty Wigginton, who is making his 14th start of the season at third base.
Description: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (Achilles) played in his first extended spring training game on Wednesday.
Insight: Howard is still not ready to run or play the field, but its a step in the right direction. Still no timetable, but I wouldn't expect to see him in a Phillies uniform before the All-Star break.
Description: Phillies first baseman Jim Thome has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Insight: Thome was batting just .111 before the April injury. Don't expect him to be an everyday player, he's proven he can't hold up health-wise. He should return to the pinch hit role and DH during interleague play that was originally expected of him.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco is questionable for Wednesday's game against Los Angeles with a lacerated left index finger. He left Tuesday's game after getting spiked.
Insight: Polanco doesn't provide much fantasy value these days, batting .289 with just 22 runs scored, 2 HR and 11 RBI. When the Phillies were a high-scoring team he could produce enough points to be a low-end fantasy starter, but not in 2012.
Description: Cliff Lee looked like he was heading for his first win of the season Tuesday against the Dodgers, but the lefty gave up two runs in the eighth to blow a 1-0 lead. Lee struck out 12 batters and held the Dodgers to six hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Insight: It seems impossible that Lee (0-3) doesn't have a win yet despite a 2.92 ERA, but the lefty is one of the worst supported pitchers in baseball. One run was looking like it was going to be enough until rookie Elian Herrera hit a two-out, two-run double off the left field wall, just out of the reach of Juan Pierre. With a K/9 of 9.2 and a WHIP of 1.01 to go along with his low ERA, Lee remains a valuable fantasy commodity despite the lack of victories.
Description: Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (knee) won't begin a rehab assignment until June 15 at the earliest.
Insight: Utley played in his first extended spring training game Monday, appearing as the designated hitter. Utley will play in simulated games and continue rehabbing after playing another extended spring game Wednesday. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro didn't say whether Utley would return prior to the All-Star break.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is 5-for-10 (.500) with four extra base hits against Los Angeles Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley.
Insight: Pence is hitless in his last two games (0-for-8), so this could be just the matchup to get him rolling again. Overall, Pence has provided the Phillies with power (13 HR), something they need with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard still missing in action.
Description: Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco's two-run homer off of Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw in the third inning accounted for two thirds of the Phillies' offense on Monday night.
Insight: It was just Polanco's second home run of the season. Monday proved to be a pretty eventful night for the veteran third baseman as Polanco (.294) also collected a single and made an error (his first of the 2012 season) for the Phillies.
Description: Vance Worley allowed five hits and three runs over four innings of work Monday in his return to the Phillies' starting rotation. Worley, who was on a pitch count of 75 pitches, ended up throwing 80 pitches.
Insight: It definitely wasn't one of Worley's stronger performances of the year but it wasn't bad considering he didn't have any rehab starts. Worley, who took the no-decision on Monday, should fare better in his next outing Saturday against the Orioles.
Description: Vance Worley will be limited to about 75 pitches Monday night against the Dodgers. It's Worley's first start since going on the disabled list with a bone chip in his elbow.
Insight: Worley (3-2, 3.07 ERA) didn't make any rehab starts so don't be surprised if he's on a pitch count for at least his next couple of starts.
Description: Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence is just 1-for-11 (.091) against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw with four strikeouts.
Insight: Pence is batting .316 this week with a couple of long balls, but Monday's game is an unfavorable matchup against a tough pitcher. Give him the night off.
Description: Jose Contreras, who is out for the year after tearing his UCL pitching Friday night against the Marlins, says that he'll undergo rehab and try to pitch in the majors again rather than simply retiring.
Insight: Who knows what the market will be for the 40-year-old reliever who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. In 17 appearances in 2012, Contreras went 1-0 with a 5.27 ERA.
Description: After missing a few starts because of a bone chip in his right elbow, Vance Worley will start in Philadelphia's series opener Monday night at home against the Dodgers.
Insight: Worley has compiled a 3.07 ERA through seven starts this season and has been pretty darn good for the Phillies when he's been healthy. The question is, how healthy is Worley? He opted not to have surgery so there's no guarantee that he'll be 100 percent going forward. We'll see how effective Worley is on Monday against Los Angeles.
Description: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins hasn't had much luck against Carlos Zambrano in the past. He's 3-22 (.136) with four strikeouts against the Marlins righthander.
Insight: It's been a tough season for Rollins (.242, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs, 10 SBs) and if history is any indicator, things are about to get even tougher for the 33-year-old on Sunday.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino is a beast against Miami starter Carlos Zambrano. Victorino is 7-13 (.538) in his career against the former Cubs ace.
Insight: Victorino has been bothered by a hand injury recently but he did play Saturday and Charlie Manuel would have to be crazy not to start him Sunday given his success against Zambrano.
Description: Hunter Pence went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly against the Marlins on Saturday.
Insight: Pence has homered in each of the last two games and 13 times this season. He is currently working on an eight game hitting streak. While his .274 batting average is nearly 20 points below his career average, Pence has been an excellent run producer this season, driving in 34 and scoring 40 in 53 games.
Description: Cole Hamels dropped his first start since April 9 on Saturday against Miami. Hamels allowed five runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out eight.
Insight: Hamels had won eight straight decisions after losing his first start of the season. He was due for a poor outing, so keep starting him with confidence.
Description: Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino is questionable for Saturday's game against Miami with a sore right index finger
Insight: Victorino did pinch hit on Friday night, so it can't be too serious. Victorino is batting .250 this season with six homers, 27 RBi and 13 steals. He's a solid fantasy value who contributes across the board.
Description: Phillies Ty Wigginton does not have a good matchup on Saturday facing Miami's Ricky Nolasco. He's just 1-for-10 against the Marlins righty.
Insight: Take away his big game last Monday (double, homer, six RBI) and Wigginton simply isn't giving you enough fantasy value to start him. Combined with a bad matchup should have you avoiding Wigginton on Saturday.
Description: Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is questionable for Friday's game against Miami with tightness in the right hamstring.
Insight: The hamstring issue has kept him off the field for a few days, but after pinch hitting on Wednesday he should be close to a return. The Phillies and fantasy owners need his hot bat (.371, 8 HR, 31 RBI).
Description: Carlos Ruiz will not start Wednesday against the Mets. He's dealing with a sore hamstring.
Insight: The hamstring ailment kept him out of Tuesday's contest as well. Ruiz (.366, 7 HRs, 29 RBIs) has been extremely productive at the plate this season and is currently on a four-game hitting streak.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is questionable for Wednesday's game against New York with tightness in right hamstring.
Insight: Ruiz, who has been the Phillies best hitter (.366, 7 HR, 29 RBI) hasn't played since Sunday. Brian Schneider (.280, 2 HR, 5 RBI) or the recently called up Erik Kratz (.259, 5 HR, 16 RBI at Lehigh Valley) would get the start.
Description: Phillies starter Joe Blanton allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings against the Mets on Tuesday to fall to 4-5.
Insight: Blanton has allowed six earned runs or more in three straight starts. The Phillies have to rely on Blanton now that Roy Halladay, but fortunately fantasy owners don't have that issue. It's time to drop the right-hander.
Description: Updating an earlier report, Phillies starter Roy Halladay will miss 6-8 weeks with a strained right lat muscle.
Insight: Looks like there was indeed something behind Halladay's decreased velocity and poor performances this season. The ace was still able to put together eight starts in which he threw seven innings or more while giving up three runs or less, but he was also shelled more often than usual.
Description: Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz is doubtful for Tuesday's game against New York with tightness in right hamstring.
Insight: Ruiz, who has been the Phillies best hitter, was a late scratch in Monday's game. Brian Schneider (.283, 1 HR, 4 RBI) gets the start if Ruiz is out.
Description: Ty Wigginton had a huge game Monday against the Mets. He finished the afternoon 3-3 with a home run, a double, 6 RBIs and two walks.
Insight: As a fantasy owner, you can't ask for a better day than the one Wigginton had on Monday. The 3-3 performance raised his average from .238 to .256 while also extending his season RBI total from 16 to 22.
Description: Cole Hamels wasn't as sharp as he usually is, but he was still able to earn his eighth win of the season Monday against the Mets.
Insight: Hamels surrendered seven hits and four earned runs over eight innings. All four of those runs came on home runs including a two-run blast by Vinny Rottino in the fifth inning and then a Scott Hairston two-run shot in the sixth. Hamels is now 8-1 on the season with a 2.43 ERA.
Description: Utility infielder Ty Wigginton is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against St. Louis.
Insight: Wigginton is 0-for-8 over the weekend against Cardinals pitching, so this might be a smart move by manager Charlie Manuel. Wigginton's .651 OPS is more than 100 points below his career average.
Description: Placido Polanco is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against St. Louis. No new injury, just a day of rest for his 36-year-old knees.
Insight: Polanco is just a .250 hitter against Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (3-for-12, all singles) so manager Charlie Manuel likely saw a good chance to give him the day off.
Description: Kyle Kendrick recorded his first career shutout Saturday in Philadelphia's 4-0 win over St. Louis.
Insight: Kendrick has actually fared pretty well since moving back into the Phillies' starting rotation (1-1, 1.23 ERA in three starts). His next outing won't be until Friday when Philadelphia hosts the Marlins.
