Description: Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is not in Saturday's lineup and likely will miss Sunday's game as well due to a bruised left knee, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Insight: Harper has been dealing with soreness all over since colliding with the outfield wall on Monday. He has gone 2-for-9 with a solo homer in his three appearances since the accident. However, he has passed concussion tests and the MRI on his bruised abdomen came back clean.
Description: Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is not in Saturday's starting lineup, according to Adam Kilgore.
Insight: Harper has been dealing with soreness all over since colliding with the outfield wall on Monday. He has gone 2-for-9 with a solo homer in his three appearances since the accident.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nolan Reimold has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.
Insight: Reimold is batting just .188 with four homers and 30 strikeouts in 101 at-bats this season. Steve Pearce and Chris Dickerson will get most of the at-bats at DH.
Description: Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin is expected to be activated from the paternity list for Saturday's game against Washington.
Insight: Quentin has yet to find his stride, batting just .181 with four homers and a .686 OPS. Perhaps his mind was elsewhere with the birth of his son.
Description: Arizona left fielder Jason Kubel missed Friday's against the Marlins and is questionable for Saturday's game against Miami with a strained left quad.
Insight: Kubel (.250, 3 HR, 9 RBI) hasn't played since Wednesday and possibly more importantly hasn't homered since April 29. After hitting 30 homers last season and knocking in 90 runs, a lot is expected of Kubel and to date we haven't seem much to be excited about.
Description: Braves outfielder Justin Upton is a career .357 hitter versus Dodgers left-hander Chris Capuano with three extra base hits and a 1.186 OPS.
Insight: Upton started the season with a bang, suffered through a two week lull, but has started to pound the ball again. He's posted a 1.200 OPS over the past five games including a grand slam last night. This is a favorable matchup.
Description: Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is a career .360 hitter with three home runs and a 1.269 OPS versus Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner.
Insight: CarGo went 5-for-5 on Tuesday, but is hitless in the two games since then. He struggles against most of the Giants pitching staff with a career average of .216 and a .681 OPS, well below his career numbers of .299 and .879, respectively.
Description: White Sox outfielder Casper Wells could get a rare start against Angels lefty C.J. Wilson. He's a career .417 hitter (5-for-12) with three doubles and a pair of home runs.
Insight: This would be a good opportunity for the White Sox to sit DH Adam Dunn who is batting .087 versus left-handers. If manager Robin Ventura makes the change, consider starting Wells.
Description: Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells is a .480 hitter (24-for-50) with three homers and a 1.289 OPS against Blue Jays starter Mark Buehrle.
Insight: Wells (.295, 10 HR, 23 RBI) is one of the biggest reasons the Yankees are playing over .500 baseball despite their numberous injuries. He'll likely continue to start even with the return of Curtis Granderson as long as he's hitting at this level. He's a must start on Friday in this favorable matchup.
Description: Nats outfielder Bryce Harper is back in the lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Padres.
Insight: Harper smacked into a wall and busted his chin earlier in the week. He went 0-for-1 in a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (nausea, shoulder, knee, rib cage) said after pinch-hitting in the ninth inning Wednesday that he was feeling "terrible," according to the Washington Post.
Insight: Harper collided with an outfield wall Monday against the Dodgers and suffered multiple injuries. His left side and abdomen are giving him the most issues, while his knee and shoulder soreness has subsided. He's questionable for Thursday's game, but it sounds like he needs another day off.
Description: St. Louis left fielder Matt Holliday is not in the starting lineup for Thursday afternoon's game against the Mets, according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
Insight: He's getting a routine day off, giving Ty Wigginton a chance to start. Wigginton is 4-for-10 with two doubles, three RBI and five walks against Mets starter Jon Niese. Jon Jay is also out of the lineup, while Yadier Molina and David Freese return to action after their day off Wednesday.
Description: Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been sent down often against Giants starter Matt Cain. He is 4-for-34 with 10 K versus San Francisco's scheduled starter Thursday.
Insight: CarGo went 5-for-5 with two homers Tuesday, but otherwise has been in a slump, going 2-for-24 with 11 strikeouts in his other at-bats since May 8.
Description: White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo has gone 8-for-18 since returning from the DL and homered in each of the last two games. Thursday could be another big day, as he'll face Jerome Williams of the Angels.
Insight: We saw what Viciedo can do when he heats up when he hit .351 and eight homers last May. Williams has never retired Viciedo in five career at-bats (5-5, 1 HR).
Description: Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells went yard for the 10th time this season Wednesday against the Mariners.
Insight: With Curtis Granderson back in action, it's unclear if Wells will have an everyday spot in the lineup since the Yankees also need to get Ichiro at-bats in right field and Travis Hafner at-bats at DH, but Wells certainly has earned it over the other two.
Description: Mariners OF/DH Raul Ibanez went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a two-run homer Wednesday against the Yankees, his former team.
Insight: Ibanez hit 19 homers in 384 at-bats with the Yankees last season, and he has returned to Yankee Stadium with three homers over the last two games. Overall, he has four homers and 11 RBI over his last four games.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (nausea, shoulder, knee, rib cage) will probably need one more day before he returns to action, manager Davey Johnson said. SOURCE: Amanda Comak, Washington Times
Insight: Harper collided with an outfield wall Monday against the Dodgers and suffered multiple injuries. He took batting practice and did some running Wednesday and should be ready to go Friday after sitting out Thursday.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is expected to miss Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Insight: Harper is dealing with nausea related to his collision with an outfield wall Monday night, but GM Mike Rizzo said that he will not need to undergo further testing.
Description: Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is 16-for-42 (.381) against Pittsburgh left-hander Wandy Rodriguez with four homers and a 1.268 OPS.
Insight: Braun is doing what we expect from a top draft pick - batting .315 with eight homers, 26 RBI and a .991 OPS. Braun was 2-for-3 is their meetings on April 29.
Description: Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez went 5-for-5 with two homers, three RBI and three runs Tuesday against the Cubs.
Insight: CarGo came in hitting just .095 (2-for-21) with 10 K over his last six games. CarGo actually has done more damage on the road this season, hitting six of his nine homers away from Coors Field after putting up a 1.046/.706 home/road OPS split last year.
Description: White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo has gone 6-for-14 (.429) with a homer, four RBI and five walks in five games since returning from the DL.
Insight: Viciedo was out a few weeks with an oblique strain. He homered for the third time this season Tuesday against the Twins. We saw what he can do when he heats up when he hit .351 and eight homers last May.
Description: Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (illness) is in the lineup Tuesday against Texas according to Jane Lee of MLB.com.
Insight: Cespedes left Monday's game with a stomach illness. The outfielder is hitting .212 with seven homers this season and has two homers in six at-bats against Tuesday's starter Derek Holland.
Description: Reds outfielder Chris Heisey (hamstring) aggravated his right hamstring strain Monday and the team has stopped his rehab assignment, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Heisey traveled back to Cincinnati for evaluation.
Insight: The outfielder suffered the injury while making a shoestring catch in the first inning Monday night. He's been on the DL since April 27.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is not in the starting lineup Tuesday, as expected. SOURCE: Amanda Comak, Washington Times
Insight: Harper suffered a bruised shoulder and knee and a cut under his chin after a collision with the right field wall at Dodger Stadium Monday night. He avoided major injury, but he'll sit out a game or two.
Description: Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings is in Tuesday's starting lineup against Boston. He's been with a groin injury which had kept him out of the lineup since Friday
Insight: Jennings is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak to raise his average to .244. If he can stay healthy the rest of the way he could end up being a 20-20 guy.
Description: Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh after missing one game due to a sore neck
Insight: He's been dealing off and on with a neck injury, but it's not expected to be a long-term problem. Braun (.306, 8 HR, 26 RBI) is a must start for every fantasy lineup.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, who left Monday's game with the Dodgers after running into the fence in right field, is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the LA Dodgers.
Insight: X-rays were negative on his left shoulder and left knee, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. He also suffered a cut, but long-term there should be no problems from this collision with the wall. Consider him day-to-day.
Description: Reds outfielder Chris Heisey (hamstring) made a rehab start Monday, but left the game early, and his return to the Cincinnati lineup is likely delayed.
Insight: Heisey made a shoestring catch and Pensacola manager Delino DeShields didn't like the way he was moving afterwards. He hasn't played since April 27 due to the injury.
Description: Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who homered last night before leaving with a stomach illness, has a favorable matchup on Tuesday against Texas starter Derek Holland.
Insight: Cespedes has taken the left-hander deep two times in six at-bats for a 1.762 OPS.
Description: Twins outfielder Josh Willingham is an ugly 1-for-18 (.056) with five strikeouts versus White Sox starter Jake Peavy.
Insight: Willingham is just 1-for-22 over his last six games and dealing with a sore wrist. This bad matchup isn't likely to help any of those numbers. Avoid.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper left Monday's game with the Dodgers after running into the fence in right field while trying to chasing down a ball hit by A.J. Ellis.
Insight: He lay on the ground for a few minutes before walking off the field under his own power. He'll likely need a concussion test and could miss some time. His status should be updated on Tuesday.
Description: Detroit left fielder Andy Dirks slugged a grand slam Monday against Houston.
Insight: Dirks has swatted three homers in his last seven contests after hitting just one in his first 23 games. His batting average has jumped from .200 to .260 over that stretch.
Description: Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings is questionable for Tuesday's game against Boston with a groin injury which has kept him out of the lineup since Friday
Insight: Jennings is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak. Sam Fuld and Matt Joyce have covered the outfield spot for him in his absence.
Description: Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks is questionable for Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox with a sore right wrist.
Insight: The Twins have been very patient with Hicks even though the rookie is batting .137 with 325strikeouts in 102 at-bats. He is batting .231 over the past seven days.
Description: Reds outfielder Chris Heisey (hamstring) is expected to start his rehab assignment Monday and be activated by Friday, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report.
Insight: Heisey hasn't played since April 27 due to a strained right hamstring. He took over as the starting left fielder after Ryan Ludwick went down, but is batting just .173 with 20 K in 75 at-bats this season. Xavier Paul (.276, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 10 runs) has done a decent job in a relief role.
Description: Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is hitless in seven at-bats versus Chicago Cubs left-hander Travis Wood with three strikeouts.
Insight: After a hot start (he was batting .371 on April 20), Cargo has struggled to produce of late and his average has fallen to .296, This matchup won't help. Gonzalez has a career .946 OPS in May, his best month statistically of the season, so we expect him to rebound quickly.
Description: Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells is a career .111 hitter in 18 at-bats against Cleveland starter Justin Masterson..
Insight: Wells has been one of the guys carrying the Yankees offense while New York waits until the return of the injured starters. He's batting .295 with 9 HR and 20 RBI, but this matchup isn't a good one.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is back in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Chicago after having a minor procedure to remove an ingrown toenail on Friday.
Insight: He missed two games. He's batting .302 this season with 10 HR, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored and is a must start whenever he's on the field.
Description: Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is 4-for-9 (.444) against Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia with a home run among three extra base hits.
Insight: Gonzalez normally hits right-handers better than lefties, but has a nice record versus Garcia. Unfortunately, the Rockies bats have been silent in this series with a total of three hits and zero runs in two games.
Description: Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin is 3-for-9 against Tampa Bay starter Roberto Hernandez with a pair of home runs and a 1.500 OPS.
Insight: Quentin homered in the first game of the series, but that's his only hit in his last 24 at-bats. Perhaps this matchup will get him going in the right direction.
Description: Twins outfielder Josh Willingham has missed the past two games with a sore wrist and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Insight: He was hitless in his last four games, so perhaps we now know the reason for his recent slump. Willingham is hitting .208 with 34 K, but he has five homers, 24 walks and a .830 OPS.
Description: Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings will miss another day with his groin injury.
Insight: Jennings is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak. Sam Fuld will start in the outfield and Matt Joyce will take the leadoff spot in the batting order.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is not in Saturday's starting lineup against Chicago after having a minor procedure to remove an ingrown toenail on Friday.
Insight: In the long run, one more game isn't a big price to pay to make sure the star returns at full strength. He's batting .302 this season with 10 HR, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is probable for Saturday's game against Chicago after having a minor procedure to remove an ingrown toenail on Friday.
Insight: Manager Davey Johnson said he's likely to miss just one game which was Friday, so we expect him back in the lineup for Saturday's contest.
Description: Indians left fielder Michael Brantley is the rare hitter who has success against Detroit ace Justin Verlander (10-for-23).
Insight: Brantley has provided exactly what we've come to expect from him -- a solid batting average (.301) with some runs (19) and RBIs (11), but little power or speed (1 HR, 2 SB).
Description: Reds outfielder Chris Heisey (hamstring) is expected to start his rehab assignment Monday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
Insight: Heisey hasn't played since April 27 due to a strained right hamstring. He took over as the starting left fielder after Ryan Ludwick went down, but is batting just .173 with 20 K in 75 at-bats this season.
Description: Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford (hamstring) is back in the lineup Friday after sitting out Wednesday.
Insight: Crawford has been dealing with a hamstring strain, and manager Don Mattingly said it the hamstring was "a little bit tight" Wednesday. The Dodgers had Thursday off, so Crawford had plenty of time to rest up for Friday.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is not in the lineup Friday after having a minor procedure to remove an ingrown toenail that had been bothering him. SOURCE: James Wagner, Washington Post
Insight: Harper blasted his 10th homer of the season Thursday against the Tigers. Manager Davey Johnson said he's likely to miss just one game.
Description: Although in the middle of a seven-game hitting streak, Rays center fielder Desmond Jennings is getting Friday night off.
Insight: He has raised his average from .218 to .244 during the streak. Sam Fuld (.184, no homers, 1 RBI 3 runs) should get the start, but he's done nothing to make fantasy owners put him in their starting lineup.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, who slammed his tenth home run of the season Wednesday in a win against the Tigers, is not in Friday's starting lineup.
Insight: No injury that we are aware of, just a day of rest. It took Harper 85 games to reach double-digit homers in 2012. This season, it only took him 32 games. Harper (.302) looks like a lock for the NL All-Star team, but you will have to live without him on Friday.
Description: White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo (oblique) has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Insight: Viciedo strained his oblique on a hard swing on April 18. He's hitting .229 with two homers in 48 at-bats this season. It was last May that Viciedo exploded onto the fantasy scene batting .351 with eight homers and 24 RBI for the month.
Description: Cubs outfielder Scott Hairston doesn't play every day, but if he's in Friday's lineup he's worth a flier as he is 5-for-9 with four extra base hits versus Washington left-hander Ross Detwiler.
Insight: Hairston has has done very little this season with his .132 batting average, but he has shown some power with three homers in 38 at-bats.
Description: Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has blasted a pair of home runs and a double in six at-bats versus Seattle right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma.
Insight: Cespedes is batting just .244 in the 11 games since his return from a hand injury, but is still hitting for power and knocking in runs (3 HR, 11 RBI). This is a favorable matchup.
Description: Braves outfielder Justin Upton is a career .571 hitter versus Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner with a 1.524 OPS.
Insight: Upton started the season with a bang, but hasn't hit a home run in two weeks. Despite that, he still leads the NL in homers, total bases and runs scored. This is a favorable matchup.
Description: Astros outfielder Chris Carter is hitless in 10 previous at bats against Angels lefty Jason Vargas.
Insight: Carter leads Houston with eight homers and 18 RBI this season. Unfortunately, his batting average is hovering right around the Mendoza line (.212 in 33 games). Thursday would be a good day to leave Carter on the bench.
Description: Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper slammed his tenth home run of the season Wednesday in a win against the Tigers.
Insight: It took Harper 85 games to reach double-digit homers in 2012. This season, it only took him 32 games. Harper (.313) looks like a lock for the NL All-Star team.
Description: Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford (hamstring) is out of the lineup Wednesday.
Insight: Crawford has been dealing with a hamstring strain, and manager Don Mattingly said it the hamstring was "a little bit tight" Wednesday. The Dodgers have an off day Thursday.
Description: Chicago left fielder Alfonso Soriano is a prime candidate for the afternoon off as he's a career .100 hitter (3-for-30) against Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook. Update - Soriano is not in Wednesday's starting lineup. Update - Soriano is not in Wednesday's starting lineup
Insight: Soriano has rebounded from a slow start and is hitting .333 over the past six games, so you might try to resist this numbers, but don't. Soriano had 32 homers and 108 RBI last season, but other than a two-homer day last Saturday hasn't put on much of a power display this year. Wednesday is an unfavorable matchup to avoid.
Description: Braves outfielder Justin Upton was given his first day off this season after playing in Atlanta's first 32 games.
Insight: Upton has been a fantasy stud, batting .278 with a league-leading 12 homers, 21 RBI and a 1.019 OPS. Brother B.J. Upton also has the afternoon off.
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: Seattle outfielder Jason Bay has a career .364 batting average (8-for-22) against Pittsburgh right-hander A.J. Burnett.
Insight: Bay is coming off a dismal season, but has actually looked pretty good over the past two weeks, batting .345 with a 1.049 OPS and a pair of home runs in nine games.
Description: Chicago left fielder Alfonso Soriano is a prime candidate for the afternoon off as he's a career .100 hitter (3-for-30) against Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook. Update - Soriano is not in Wednesday's starting lineup.
Insight: Soriano has rebounded from a slow start and is hitting .333 over the past six games, so you might try to resist this numbers, but don't. Soriano had 32 homers and 108 RBI last season, but other than a two-homer day last Saturday hasn't put on much of a power display this year. Wednesday is an unfavorable matchup to avoid.
Description: Royals left fielder Alex Gordon homered for the fourth time this season Tuesday against the Orioles.
Insight: It was a two-run shot off Orioles left-handed reliever Brian Matusz. Gordon is 21-for-48 (.438) with three homers and 14 RBI against lefties this season after hitting just .248 with three home runs in 230 at-bats against them last season.
Description: Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks is sitting out Tuesday, according to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune.
Insight: Neal called it a "manager's decision." The Twins have been very patient with Hicks even though the rookie is batting .124 with 32 strikeouts in 89 at-bats.
Description: Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday is 6-for-18 (.333) against Chicago Cubs starter Travis Wood with a pair of home runs and a 1.111 OPS.
Insight: In fact, against the left-hander Wood, St. Louis has nine players with an OPS of 1.000 or better. This could be the day to load your fantasy lineup with Cardinals, starting with Holliday.
Description: Tigers left fielder Andy Dirks smashed his second home run of the season Sunday in a 9-0 victory over Houston.
Insight: Dirks finished the afternoon 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBI. A breakout star last season (.322 AVG in 88 games), Dirks has struggled to regain form in 2013 (.243, 2 HR, 7 RBI). Perhaps Sunday is a sign that Dirks is ready to get back on track.
Description: Washington left fielder Bryce Harper got tossed Sunday for arguing a check swing in the first inning.
Insight: Harper (.312, 9 HR, 18 RBI) is an emotional player with a tendency to lose his temper every now and then. Roger Bernadina is filling in for him in left field right now. We'd expect Harper to be back in the lineup Tuesday versus Detroit.
Description: Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks went 1-for-3 with a solo homer Saturday against the Indians.
Insight: It was the first homer of his major league career. The rookie won the center field job after a strong spring, but he started off 2-for-48 (.042) with 20 strikeouts and was bumped out of the leadoff spot. He's still looking for his first multi-hit game.
Description: Chicago left fielder Alfonso Soriano hit a pair of two-run homers Saturday against the Reds.
Insight: Soriano had 32 homers and 108 RBI last season, but came into Saturday's game with just one home run and three RBI in 28 games this season due to a 4-for-27 performance with RISP.
Description: Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford (hamstring) is leading off Saturday in his first start since Monday, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times.
Insight: Crawford (.315, 4 HR, 6 RBI) has been dealing with a hamstring strain. We're assuming he's fully healthy, since we wouldn't expect the Dodgers to rush him following Hanley Ramirez' serious hamstring injury Friday night and Matt Kemp's hamstring injury last season.
Description: White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo (oblique) could begin his minor league rehab assignment Monday, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
Insight: Viciedo strained his oblique on a hard swing on April 18. He's hitting .229 with two homers in 48 at-bats this season after bopping 25 homers last year.
Description: Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford won't be in the lineup Saturday at San Francisco, but could be available for pinch hit duty if needed. He's still dealing with a strained hamstring.
Insight: Crawford (.315, 4 HR, 6 RBI) and the disabled list could be on a collision course if he doesn't improve soon.
Description: Chicago center fielder Dewayne Wise is questionable for Saturday's game against Kansas City with a stiff neck.
Insight: Wise hasn't started much this season, batting .207 with a .552 OPS in 29 at-bats over 16 games. this injury shouldn't change any fantasy lineups.
Description: Mariners OF/DH Raul Ibanez has had some success against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and should find his way into the lineup on Saturday.
Insight: Ibanez has struggled early on but his short swing works well in this situation and he's 10-for-28 (.357) with three homers in his matchups with Dickey.
Description: Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin was scratched from Friday night's starting lineup.
Insight: According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, he's dealing with a "balky" knee. Jesus Guzman (.239, 0 HR, 2 RBI) will take over for Quentin in left field.
