This article is part of our Transaction Analysis series.
Here's a look at the transactions this week that had the most important fantasy impact.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Angels
Tyler Chatwood, RHP - recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake
Hank Conger, C - optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake
Impact: The 21-year-old Chatwood has managed to maintain a decent ERA, despite walking as many hitters as he's struck out. In 99.1 innings before his demotion a couple of weeks ago, he struck out and walked 52 batters, while posting a 3.62 ERA. He's still young, so there's a chance that he'll be able to put his control issues behind him some day, but it won't happen overnight. Conger hit just .214 with five home runs in 50 games as a backup catcher for the Angels.
Indians
Grady Sizemore, CF - placed on the 15-day DL (knee)
David Huff, LHP - recalled from Triple-A Columbus
Impact: Sizemore has landed on the DL for the third time this season with a bone bruise in his right knee. His overall numbers this season look decent at first glance, as he's crushed 10 long balls in 61 games. However, his batting average has plummeted from .282 to .233 since he returned from his last trip to the DL on May 27. There is no timetable for Sizemore's return as of yet. His injury allows the Indians to get a good look at 24-year-old rookie Ezequiel Carrera, a speedy outfielder who lacks power. Huff was called up to start the first game of
Here's a look at the transactions this week that had the most important fantasy impact.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Angels
Tyler Chatwood, RHP - recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake
Hank Conger, C - optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake
Impact: The 21-year-old Chatwood has managed to maintain a decent ERA, despite walking as many hitters as he's struck out. In 99.1 innings before his demotion a couple of weeks ago, he struck out and walked 52 batters, while posting a 3.62 ERA. He's still young, so there's a chance that he'll be able to put his control issues behind him some day, but it won't happen overnight. Conger hit just .214 with five home runs in 50 games as a backup catcher for the Angels.
Indians
Grady Sizemore, CF - placed on the 15-day DL (knee)
David Huff, LHP - recalled from Triple-A Columbus
Impact: Sizemore has landed on the DL for the third time this season with a bone bruise in his right knee. His overall numbers this season look decent at first glance, as he's crushed 10 long balls in 61 games. However, his batting average has plummeted from .282 to .233 since he returned from his last trip to the DL on May 27. There is no timetable for Sizemore's return as of yet. His injury allows the Indians to get a good look at 24-year-old rookie Ezequiel Carrera, a speedy outfielder who lacks power. Huff was called up to start the first game of a doubleheader Monday. Although the results were encouraging, his major league track record has not been good.
Orioles
Vladimir Guerrero, DH - placed on the 15-day DL (hand)
Matt Angle, OF - called up from Triple-A Norfolk
Impact: The Orioles placed their 36-year-old designated hitter on the DL on Monday with a broken bone in his right hand. He is expected to miss the minimum 15 days, and since the move was made retroactive to July 11 he could be back as early as July 26. Vlad's power has all but disappeared this season, as he's hit just seven home runs in 83 games, while scoring just 28 runs and driving in 31. Nolan Reimold has some power and should benefit from additional playing time as long as Vlad and Luke Scott are injured. Angle is a speedy outfielder who likely will not hit enough to be of much use in most fantasy leagues.
Red Sox
Carl Crawford, LF - activated from the 15-day DL
Drew Sutton, IF - optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket
Impact: After missing a month due to a hamstring injury, Crawford finally returned to action Monday. He was struggling to hit for average and had only eight stolen bases prior to the injury, but he should be a real fantasy asset once he gets going again (which history shows he will). Josh Reddick impressed while filling in for Crawford and should continue to get plenty of at-bats, most likely at the expense of right-fielder J.D. Drew. Sutton hit .298 in 26 games with the BoSox.
Tigers
Wilson Betemit, 3B - acquired from the Royals for LHP Antonio Cruz and C Julio Rodriguez
Brandon Inge, 3B - designated for assignment
Impact: The Tigers finally grew tired of Inge's struggles at the plate, dropping him in favor of newly-acquired Wilson Betemit. The 34-year-old Inge hit just .177 with one home run in 70 games. Betemit has been solid offensively since joining the Royals in 2010 and should give Detroit an offensive boost. The Royals recalled infielder Mike Aviles to fill the vacant spot on their roster, and he will likely be used in a utility role. Mike Moustakas will be the team's regular third baseman, but he's been unimpressive thus far.
Twins
Scott Baker, RHP - placed on the 15-day DL (elbow)
Chuck James, LHP - recalled from Triple-A Rochester
Impact: Baker experienced soreness in his elbow over the weekend, so the Twins opted to give him some rest and place him on the DL, retroactive to July 7. He is not expected to be out long, and Anthony Swarzak is expected to take over Baker's next scheduled start Saturday. Swarzak has done a nice job working as both a starter and a reliever for Minnesota this year. James gives the Twins bullpen an extra left-handed arm.
White Sox
John Danks, LHP - activated from the 15-day DL
Hector Santiago, LHP - optioned to Double-A Birmingham
Impact: The return of John Danks means the White Sox will once again return to a six-man rotation. Danks has performed adequately, despite a 3-8 record, and he pitched seven scoreless innings in his return against the Royals on Wednesday. Santiago made two relief appearances with Chicago.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Diamondbacks
Stephen Drew, SS - placed on the 15-day DL (ankle)
Cody Ransom, IF - contract purchased from Triple-A Reno
Impact: The D-Backs have lost their shortstop for the remainder of the 2011 season after Drew broke his right ankle while sliding into home plate Wednesday night. He finishes the season with a .252 average and five home runs. Arizona will look to Willie Bloomquist and Geoff Blum to handle the shortstop duties, or until it finds a better option. Bloomquist can hit for a decent average while stealing a few bases, while Blum is below average in pretty much all of the standard fantasy categories. Ransom is a 35-year-old journeyman with all of 304 major league at-bats on his resume. He'll provide some infield depth off the bench.
Giants
Miguel Tejada, IF - placed on the 15-day DL (abdomen)
Brandon Belt, 1B - recalled from Triple-A Fresno
Jeff Keppinger, IF - acquired from Houston for RHPs Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel
Hector Sanchez, C - optioned to Triple-A Fresno
Impact: Tejada's best years are clearly behind him, as the 37-year-old infielder has failed to produce offensively this season after a disappointing 2010. He'll miss some time with a lower abdominal strain as the Giants look to Brandon Crawford and Mike Fontenot to fill the void at shortstop. Neither player is known for his offensive abilities. Keppinger takes over the second-base duties from Fontenot and Emmanuel Burriss, giving the Giants a consistent hitter who has produced an overall batting average of .292 since the start of the 2010 season. Belt began the season as the Giants' regular first baseman but was demoted after a disappointing start. He was recalled in late May and then missed a month and a half with a broken wrist. He's just 23 and could turn into a serious offensive threat. Sanchez appeared in three games while serving as the team's third catcher.
Mets
Jose Reyes, SS - activated from the 15-day DL
Ruben Tejeda, IF - optioned to Triple-A Buffalo
Impact: Reyes was one of the top fantasy performers in baseball before he was placed on the DL at the beginning of July with a hamstring injury. The Mets shortstop was hitting .354 with 30 stolen bases, 65 runs scored and a whopping 15 triples in just 80 games before the injury. He returns to his place atop the Mets batting order and should continue to be a force. Light-hitting Ruben Tejada played shortstop while Reyes was shelved and will likely be back with the club later this season.
Phillies
Shane Victorino, CF - activated from the 15-day DL
Pete Orr, IF - optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley
Impact: Victorino has been one of the Phillies' top offensive performers this season, hitting .303 with nine home runs before his most recent trip to the DL. His speed and run-scoring ability have made him a valuable fantasy performer when he's been healthy, though his two trips to the DL this year have to be cause for concern. John Mayberry Jr. and Michael Martinez will see a reduction in playing time due to Victorino's return. Orr hit .238 with no home runs in 29 games for the Phillies.
