NL FAAB Factor: Getting Healthy

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. We have two goals for this article:

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your free-agent budget you should bid on them.

One size does not fit all, and we could never hope to encompass all league structures, so bids are based on:

• 12-team league (either NL or Mixed, we'll specify)
• 5x5 categories
• $100 FAAB budget

Starting Pitching

Chad Bettis, Rockies – Bettis, a second-round pick in 2008, was promoted over the struggling Jon Gray to serve as the Rockies' fifth starter. He went five innings against the Dodgers on Thursday, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Bettis had a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB ratio in six starts with Triple-A Albuquerque this season after moving back to starting following his disastrous turn as a reliever last year. He is slated to start again Tuesday against the Phillies, but one should view his spot in the rotation as tenuous at best. Mixed: No; NL: $0.

Michael Bolsinger, Dodgers – Bolsinger, who was dominant in four starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.67 FIP, 13.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9, got the nod to start Tuesday for the Dodgers. He allowed just one run on five hits while walking two and striking out three in 5.2 innings against Miami, earning a second start Sunday versus the Rockies. Bolsinger profiles as a back-of-the-rotation starter and could get a chance to fill that role for a little while due to the injuries in Los Angeles. Mixed: $0; NL: $3.

A.J. Cole, Nationals – Cole was promoted to replace Doug Fister (forearm) in the Washington rotation. That injury could sideline Fister for a while, allowing Cole to see several starts. Cole was hit hard in his debut spot start a few weeks ago, but pitched well in the minors, earning a second chance, which he used to notch three scoreless innings and a save Friday. He uses a plus fastball that he can locate well along with a slider, curve and changeup, but he's not an overpowering pitcher, so he won't rack up strikeouts. Cole, who was a fourth-round pick in 2010, profiles as back-end starter. If Cole falters, Tanner Roark could be stretched out to start as he did last season. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Ryan Vogelsong, Giants – Vogelsong, who had a 10.45 ERA a month ago, has made three quality starts in his last four outings and came close to a fifth Saturday. His ERA is down to 5.31 on the season, but he still has work to do. Vogelsong should remain in the rotation until Jake Peavy and/or Matt Cain is ready to return, giving him a bit of a leash to work with. Mixed: $2; NL: $7.

Injury activation/updates:

Henderson Alvarez, Marlins – Alvarez, out since April 13 with right shoulder inflammation and tightness in his right elbow, tossed six scoreless innings Tuesday during a rehab appearance with High-A Jupiter. He allowed four hits with five strikeouts and no walks and induced eight groundball outs. Alvarez was activated off the disabled list to start Sunday against the Braves. Tom Koehler or David Phelps will be the odd man out, though Jarred Cosart may miss a start due to a hamstring injury. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Brandon Beachy, Dodgers – Beachy, recovering from his second Tommy John surgery in 21 months, signed a one-year deal with an option with the Dodgers this past offseason. He has changed his mechanics in order to lessen the stress he puts on his elbow and has progressed to throwing a simulated game. Beachy tossed two innings in that simulated game Saturday and may be fairly close to a rehab assignment, but the assignment is likely to last 30 days, so Beachy may not be ready until the end of June. He'll likely slot into the L.A. rotation when he returns. Mixed: $0; NL: $2 (very early spec return bid).

Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks – Bradley, who suffered a right sinus fracture when hit by a Carlos Gonzalez liner through the box on April 28, was activated and started May 16. During a simulated game, he was tested immediately, as Cliff Pennington hit a ball back up through the box and Nick Ahmed hit one that nearly clipped Bradley's feet. Bradley struggled in his start Saturday, but had allowed just four runs over 20 innings of work while striking out 14 his four MLB starts before the injury. Mixed: $3; NL: $12.

Matt Cain, Giants – Cain, who had bone chips removed from his elbow last August and has been sidelined since April 3 with a strained flexor tendon, threw off a bullpen mound for the second time Friday. He ramped up his pitch count from 20 to 30, throwing all fastballs. He is slated to throw off a mound again Tuesday and then progress to breaking balls off flat ground. Cain hopes to be ready around the All-Star break, but given what we have seen from him the last two years, tread lightly. Mixed: $0; NL: $3 (early spec return bid).

Dillon Gee, Mets – Gee, sidelined with a groin strain and eligible to return Tuesday, tossed four innings in a rehab start for High-A St. Lucie on Saturday. He allowed one run on six hits and no walks while striking out seven. He'll likely will make one more rehab start and could rejoin the Mets after that. However, his role may depend on how well Noah Syndergaard pitches in his second start Sunday. Mixed: $0; NL: $3.

Charlie Morton, Pirates – Morton, who had offseason hip surgery and was shut down earlier this month, had a solid rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. He will make one more rehab start Tuesday with Indianapolis, and if all goes well, he should be activated and rejoin the parent club. Morton's fastball is close to last year's velocity, sitting between 88-92 mph. Morton will slide back into the Pittsburgh rotation when he returns, but it remains to be seen if Jeff Locke or Vance Worley, both of whom have struggled, is bounced. Mixed: $1; NL: $4 (upped early spec return bid).

Sean O'Sullivan, Phillies – O'Sullivan, who has been sidelined with left knee tendinitis, came off the disabled list to face the Pirates on Tuesday. He allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts over five innings. Those types of numbers are likely what you can expect out of O'Sullivan, who profiles as a true fifth starter. Mixed: No; NL: $0.

Relief Pitching

Randall Delgado and Brad Ziegler, Diamondbacks – Addison Reed's late-inning struggles has resulted in him getting moved to middle relief, opening the closer role in Arizona. Delgado, who struggled as a starter due to the lack of enough quality pitches, has adapted well to the bullpen and could be a closing option, but for now, Ziegler, who closed in 2008 for Oakland and in 2013 for the D-Backs, will get first shot at filling the role. He doesn't fit the bill as a typical closer, relying on an 83 mph fastball and ridiculously high GB/FB ratio to retire hitters. Reed may eventually get his job back, but for now, Ziegler will man the ninth inning in the desert. Delgado - Mixed: $0; NL: $3; Ziegler - Mixed: $4; NL: $11.

Juan Nicasio, Dodgers – Nicasio, a former starter, has found new life in the bullpen. He began that transition last year with Colorado and has carried that success over to LA. Nicasio, who notched a save Friday, has a 1.02 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 17.2 innings. With the back end of the Dodgers' bullpen a bit overworked right now, he should continue to see usage in high-leverage situations. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

A.J. Ramos, Marlins – Steve Cishek blew his fourth save Monday and sported a 10.32 ERA and 2.03 WHIP, forcing manager Mike Redmond to make a change at closer. Getting the first chance of filling that role is Ramos, who has been solid since getting promoted in 2012, improving annually. That is no different this year, as he allowed just two earned runs with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings after striking out 73 in 64 innings a year ago. Ramos easily converted his first save opportunity and will be set up by Mike Dunn and Bryan Morris. Cishek, who made a mechanical tweak to regain the lost two miles per hour on his fastball, tossed two scoreless innings Saturday and could get his job back, but for now, Ramos is the man to own in the Miami pen. Mixed: $9; NL: $25.

Wilfredo Boscan, Yohan Flande, Ryan Mattheus, Jack Leathersich, and Brian Schlitter - Mattheus was claimed off waivers by the Reds, while Boscan, Flande, Leathersich, and Schlitter were all called up by their MLB teams. None have any substantial fantasy value. All - Mixed: No; NL: $0.

Injury activation/update:

Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – Jansen, who missed the first month and a half after undergoing surgery to remove a growth in a bone of his foot, was activated off the disabled list Friday. He struggled a bit in his rehab outings and as such, is not expected to return to the closer role immediately. However, given the issues at the back end of the L.A. bullpen lately, it shouldn't be long before Jansen, who struck out four batters in his inning of work Friday, replaces Yimi Garcia as the Dodgers' closer. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Catcher

Wilin Rosario, Rockies – Rosario, profiled last week after he was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs, gets another mention this week due to his increased role. Justin Morneau landed on the 7-day DL with a suspected concussion and cervical strain in his neck, opening up playing time for Rosario, who was originally supposed to just see some spot starts against lefties at first base. Rosario could post big numbers as he can focus on hitting without worrying about defense behind the plate. Mixed: $7; NL: $18.

Injury activation/updates:

Travid d'Arnaud – D'Arnaud, out since April 19 with a broken hand, is slated to have an X-ray on his hand Monday, and if all goes well, he'll be cleared to swing a bat. D'Arnaud could progress fairly rapidly, from hitting off a tee to batting practice to a rehab stint. He could be back with the Mets in early June, replacing Kevin Plawecki behind the plate for the Mets. Mixed: $10; NL: Likely owned.

Jonathan Lucroy – Lucroy, who fractured his left pinkie toe on a foul tip April 20 against the Reds, was recently cleared to catch bullpen sessions. He has not yet been cleared to run, but he should received that clearance soon. Lucroy is wearing newly modified cleats which have toe caps made from carbon fiber covered in rubber. The hope is that the modifications will prevent a reinjuring of the toe. Lucroy could be cleared to start a rehab stint a week from Monday and be back within two weeks from then. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

First Base

Alberto Callaspo, Braves – Callaspo, who qualifies at first, second and third base, will receive increased playing time while Kelly Johnson (right oblique) and Chris Johnson (fractured hand) are sidelined. However, Callaspo's struggles at the plate, which are not surprising given his career numbers, could allow Phil Gosselin to see most of the action at the hot corner while Special Agents Johnson and Johnson are sidelined. Mixed: No; NL: $0.

Second Base

Daniel Descalso, Rockies – Descalso started Saturday's game in place of Troy Tulowitzki (quad) and went 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season, That solid performance comes on the heels of him going 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and a stolen base after replacing Tulo in the lineup Friday. If Tulo lands on the DL, which is not expected right now but happens every year, Descalso or Rafael Ynoa, who was called back up Saturday after two days in the minors, would see most of the time at short. Descalso is a career .239 hitter with only 10 home runs in 1,422 plate appearances, so don't expect much. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Phil Gosselin, Braves – The injuries to Kelly (right oblique) and Chris Johnson (fractured hand) as well as plate struggles for Alberto Callaspo could allow Gosselin to see most of the action at the hot corner. Gosselin is a contact hitter with a modicum of speed who also will see time at second and short. Mixed: No; NL: $3.

Shortstop

Hector Gomez and Luis Sardinas, Brewers – Jean Segura landed on the disabled list last week with a fractured right pinkie. Stepping in to fill his shoes at shortstop are Gomez and Sardinas. Gomez hit .282/.325/.483 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI last year at Triple-A and earned a spot on the Brewers in spring training. Sardinas, known more for his glove but who is also a decent contact hitter, hit .288 with 18 RBI and six stolen bases in 32 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs prior to his promotion. Look for Gomez to see most of the time initially, spelled by Sardinas, but he will need to hit to keep the job while Segura is out. Gomez - Mixed: $2; NL: $7; Sardinas - Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Third Base

Eric Campbell, Mets – Campbell was recalled to take the place of Dilson Herrera, who fractured his finger in fielding drills before Friday's game. Campbell, who struggled in his stint in the majors this year, was 10-for-24 with two home runs, three doubles, five RBI, six walks and three stolen bases over the past week with Triple-A Las Vegas. Manager Terry Collins confirmed that Campbell would be starting at third, which means Daniel Murphy, who had been starting at the hot corner with David Wright (hamstring/back), will slide back over to second base. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Maikel Franco, Phillies – The Franco era has begun in Philly. That era was expected to start last season, but he hit just .257/.299/.428 with 16 home runs in 133 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and then disappointed in his first cup of coffee in the majors. However, he posted a .355/.384/.539 slash line in 33 Triple-A games this year, though his numbers have been augmented by a .411 BABIP. Other cautionary numbers are a 5.3-percent walk rate and 16.6-percent strikeout rate. That said, he should be in the lineup close to daily at third base while batting in the middle of a Phillies lineup desperate for offense. Mixed: $5; NL: $14.

Injury activation/update:

Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks – Lamb, who has been on the disabled list since April 21 with a stress reaction in his left foot, is expected to ramp up his baseball activities next week. He likely will need a week or so to get back into game form, which will include swinging a bat and maybe some rehab games. Lamb was one of the Diamondbacks' better hitters before he went down, hitting .414 with three doubles, one triple and one home run in 29 at-bats. While Lamb has been sidelined, Yasmany Tomas has stepped in at third and been up and down at the plate. Mixed: $4; NL: $11 (in case he was dumped when Tomas was promoted).

Outfield

Peter Bourjos, Cardinals – Bourjos had started to take some time away from Jon Jay, but Jay's wrist tendinitis now opens center field almost full time for Bourjos. Since the start of May, Bourjos is hitting .324 with nine runs scored, a home run and four RBI, setting the table for the St. Louis offense. Bourjos could grab a hold of the role and not give it back, but injuries and ineffectiveness have set him back since his breakout 2011 season with the Angels. Mixed: $4; NL: $11.

Todd Cunningham, Braves – Cunningham was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace the injured Kelly Johnson (oblique) on the Braves' roster. At a minimum, Cunningham, who is a switch-hitter, will serve as the platoon option with Jonny Gomes in left field. He could also see some time in center field on days when Cameron Maybin sits against a tough right-handed pitcher. Cunningham had been red-hot in the minors before his promotion and continued his streak into the majors, going 6-for-8 his first two games. Mixed: $1; NL: $7.

Andre Ethier and Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers – Yasiel Puig suffered a setback with his hamstring injury, sidelining him for several weeks longer. Ethier is the main beneficiary of that setback, starting nearly every day and raking at the plate. Ethier had a horrible season last year and still has three years remaining on the five-year, $85 million extension he received in June 2012, but his recent hot streak has him back in good graces and he should continue to start while Puig is out. When Puig returns, Ethier could see time in left field. Hernandez, who was called up April 28 to provide outfield depth with both Carl Crawford (oblique) and Puig on the disabled list, started for the fifth time in seven games Saturday. He has hit the well in the minors but struggled in his previous stints in the majors. Hernandez likely won't see this much action for the long-term but take advantage of the time he is getting now. Ethier: Mixed: $8; NL: $22. Hernandez: Mixed: $0; NL: $2.

Will Venable, Padres – Yonder Alonzo's injury has resulted in Wil Myers moving to first base, opening up center field for Venable. He has some power and speed, making him a nice option in most leagues, but his inability to make consistent contact and a weak BABIP resulted in a major drop in his production. Venable should be a nice short-term option and is in a good lineup, which should help his counting numbers. Mixed: $4; NL: $11.

Injury activation/updates:

Randal Grichuk, Cardinals – Grichuk, on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain since April 17, was activated Saturday. He should see semi-regular starts, including in center field while Jon Jay is out. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Hunter Pence, Giants – Pence, who fractured his left forearm in late March, was surprisingly activated for Saturday's game. He had just 17 at-bats during his rehab assignment, about half of what was expected, but the team decided to get him back to boost a struggling lineup. Pence is back in his usual spot as the starting right fielder and mainstay in the middle of the lineup for the Giants. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Melvin Upton Jr., Padres – Upton, recovering from sesamoiditis in his left foot, will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Monday. He will likely get 40-50 minor league at-bats before joining the Padres, where he will serve as outfield depth. Maybe the move to San Diego will revive his moribund bat, but don't count on it. Mixed: No; NL: $2 (upped early return bid).