Fantasy Baseball Tonight 9/5

Alfonso Soriano is going to be out indefinitely with his chronically sore knee. The Cubs said that they will keep Soriano out of the lineup going forward with no timetable for his return. He has been a colossal disappointment this season, and this is just another dagger in the hearts of his owners. Lou Pinella would not say that he will miss the rest of the season, so I suppose that if you have him you should put him on the bench and not let him go, but I can't blame you if you have finally lost your patience.

Speaking of colossal disappointments, Josh Hamilton is still out of the lineup with his sore back on Saturday, and it doesn't appear he will be playing on Sunday either. Apparently he had a bad reaction to the shot he took to ease his pain, so this absence might go on longer than expected. He was a first round pick in most drafts, but has played like a guy you might have picked in the last round.

Carlos Beltran hasn't played since June 21st, but he is expected back for the Mets on Tuesday. I wouldn't expect him to play everyday for the first week or so, and he might not be a good play next week if you have to set your lineups. If he was dropped he might be able to help you down the stretch, and if you have stashed him in daily lineups, I would anticipate him playing on Tuesday.

Eric Byrnes was activated from the DL on Saturday, but I don't see him getting enough playing time to warrant picking him up on your fantasy team. Unless you see him get very, very hot, I would leave him in free agency.

Gordon Beckham left the game on Saturday with a sore back, but it came out later he hurt his right side in batting practice. He didn't think it would be more than a day or two, but if it is oblique injury that could keep him out much longer. Keep it here for the official word when the news arrives.

Edwin Encarnacion was activated from the Disabled List on Saturday and returned to the Blue Jays lineup. He is another guy who has not lived up to his expectations this season, and I am not expecting much from him in the last month of the year. He should play most every day for the Jays though, so there is at least a chance that he could have a small impact at least in the power department. He is hitting under .200 for the year, so don't expect much from him there.

Mariano Rivera threw 20 pitches on Saturday and there is a chance that he could be back closing games for the Yankees on Sunday. Phil Hughes has filled in admirably, so if there is any chance you would think the Yankees would give him another day or two, but it seems that if it isn't tomorrow, Rivera will be back at the beginning of the week at some point.

After a short comeback, Jose Guillen's season is over. He had a ligament tear in his knee, and after trying to come back for a couple of days, the Royals have decided to shut him down. This shouldn't really kill anyone's team as Guillen hasn't brought much of anything to the table this year. He will be back next year, and could bring in 20 homers and might be a decent flier at the end of the drafts.

Roy Oswalt left his start with some lower back tightness even though he was pitching a great game. As long as he is able to make his next start you have to keep throwing him out there, but I am starting to getting concerned. This is not the first time that Oswalt left a start recently.

I am still taking fantasy baseball questions at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. Keepers, playoff rosters, etc. I still guarantee a response in 18 hours.