Transaction Analysis: Tribe's Top Prospect Arrives

Here's a look at the transactions this week that had the most important fantasy impact.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Blue Jays

Brett Cecil, LHP – recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas
Zach Stewart, RHP – optioned to Double-A New Hampshire

Impact: Cecil began the season as Toronto's number three starter and found himself shipped back to the minors after pitching poorly through four starts. He's still young and has some upside, but his minor league numbers this season have not been encouraging. It would probably be wise to avoid him until he gets back on track. Stewart was ineffective in his three starts with the Jays, but is considered one of the organization's top pitching prospects. Expect him back sooner rather than later.

Indians

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B – contract purchased from Triple-A Columbus
Adam Everett, IF – designated for assignment

Impact: Chisenhall is one of the Tribe's top prospects, so they wasted little time in giving him a taste of the big leagues. The 22-year-old third baseman has shown an ability to hit for power in the minors, and with Jack Hannahan struggling with the bat this move was a no-brainer. Chisenhall will now be the regular at the hot corner, with Hannahan moving into a backup role. Expect some growing pains at first, but Chisenhall could prove to be a valuable fantasy asset down the road.

Mariners

Erik Bedard, LHP – placed on the 15-day DL (knee)
Jose Yepez, C – contract purchased from Triple-A Tacoma
Chris Gimenez, C - placed on the 15-day DL (oblique)
Josh Bard, C - recalled from Triple-A Tacoma

Impact: Bedard was quite a pleasant surprise this season after missing parts of the 2008 and 2009 seasons and all of 2010 with elbow and shoulder injuries. He always seems to perform well when he's healthy, but his health has been a big concern. If there is a bright spot in Bedard returning to the DL, it's that his latest injury isn't considered serious, and has nothing to do with his shoulder or elbow. His sprained left knee should keep him out no longer than the minimum 15 days, and he's likely to miss only a start or two. The M's have yet to announce who will take Bedard's turn in the rotation on Sunday. Yepez provides the team with some catching depth, as Miguel Olivo has been suffering from a hamstring issue and backup Gimenez was placed on the DL. Newly recalled Bard will also see some time behind the dish.

Twins

Delmon Young, LF – placed on the 15-day DL (ankle)
Rene Tosoni, OF – recalled from Triple-A Rochester

Impact: The Twins' offence has struggled to score runs this season, largely due to injuries and inconsistency with some of their star players. After driving in 112 runs last season, Young has managed just 20 RBI in 55 games this year, while hitting just two home runs. With Justin Morneau expected to be out until August and Joe Mauer not hitting anywhere close to his previous levels, things don't look like they'll be improving any time soon in the Twin Cities. Jason Repko appears to be the favorite in left field for the time being, with Tosoni serving a backup role. Neither player is likely to offer much in terms of fantasy value.

White Sox

John Danks, LHP – placed on the 15-day DL (oblique)
Hector Santiago, LHP – called up from Double-A Birmingham

Impact: Danks has been a steady lefty over the last few years, eating innings while producing solid results. This trip to the DL is the first of his professional career, and no timetable has been set for his return as of yet. His oblique injury allows the White Sox to once again return to a standard five-man rotation. Santiago gives Chicago a fourth lefty in the pen, joining Matt Thornton, Chris Sale and Will Ohman.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves

Tommy Hanson, RHP – activated from the 15-day DL
Jairo Asencio, RHP – optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett

Impact: Hanson has emerged as one of the best starters in baseball, posting great ratios and striking out over a batter per inning. He missed a couple of weeks due to tendinitis in his right shoulder, but looked strong in his return on Tuesday. With both Hanson and Brandon Beachy now healthy, the Braves' rotation is looking quite formidable. Asencio was ineffective in six relief appearances.

Cardinals

David Freese, 3B – activated from the 15-day DL
Nick Punto, IF – activated from the 15-day DL
Pete Kozma, IF – optioned to Triple-A Memphis
Andrew Brown, OF – optioned to Triple-A Memphis

Impact: Freese returned to action on Tuesday after missing almost two months with a broken left hand. The Cards' third baseman got off to a red-hot start this year, as he hit .356 before the injury at the beginning of May. He's not likely to help out a fantasy team much in any category other than batting average, but considering his career average sits well above .300, that alone could be worth something. Daniel Descalso provided very little in terms of offence while filling in for Freese and will return to a backup role. Kozma and Brown combined to hit just .179 (7-for-39), making it easy for the Cards to send them back to the minors. Punto's fantasy value should be minimal, as his offensive abilities are severely lacking.

Cubs

Darwin Barney, 2B – activated from the 15-day DL
Doug Davis, LHP – released

Impact: Barney was hitting for a healthy .294 average before being sidelined for two weeks with a knee injury. He lacks the big power or stolen base numbers that would make him a fantasy phenom, but his solid average should provide some value at the weak middle infield positions. Doug Davis was terrible in his nine starts with the Cubs this year and also in his eight starts with the Brewers in 2010. At 35 years of age, it would seem unlikely that another team would hand him a starting gig.

Phillies

Ryan Madson, RHP – placed on the 15-day DL (hand)
Andrew Carpenter, RHP – contract purchased from Triple-A Lehigh Valley

Impact: Madson has pitched well in the closer's role for Philadelphia, converting 15 of 16 save opportunities while posting an ERA of just 2.03. He was hit in the hand on a comebacker on May 20, but continued to pitch through the injury. He received a cortisone shot to relieve the inflammation, but it didn't work as expected and was forced to shut it down for a couple of weeks. The DL assignment was made retroactive to May 19, meaning he'd be eligible to be activated on Monday. However, the Phillies are unsure that he'll be able to return to action that soon. Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes will share the closing duties for now, and Bastardo is worth adding in almost any league format. He's pitched remarkably well thus far and will likely receive the most opportunities of the two. The latest word on Brad Lidge is that he's expected back shortly after the All Star Break. Carpenter gives the Phillies some bullpen depth.

Reds

Homer Bailey, RHP – activated from the 15-day DL
Carlos Fisher, RHP – optioned to Triple-A Louisville

Impact: All of the pieces finally seemed to be starting to come together for Bailey this year before he missed a month with a sprained right shoulder. He logged four consecutive quality starts to begin his season, going 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA over those starts. He was then roughed up in his last start before hitting the DL, and also in his first start back, bringing his ERA up to a less impressive 3.86. However, he's a pitcher who can strike out a lot of hitters and should be worth taking a chance on in most fantasy leagues. Travis Wood was optioned to Triple-A about a week ago to make room in the rotation for Bailey's return. Wood was unimpressive in 16 starts. Fisher has made ten relief appearances for the Reds, with mixed results.