Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Brewers RP Seth McClung allowed three walks, two hits and two runs over 1 1/3 innings Sunday in his first action since being removed from the rotation. McClung was splitting starts with Dave Bush in the No. 5 spot in Milwaukee, but Bush was named the full-time guy on Saturday. With his move to the bullpen, McClung lost all of his Fantasy value outside of super-deep NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs was moving around for the first time in a week since being sidelined with a pulled muscle in his side. Spilborghs was getting everyday at-bats hitting at the top of the Rockies lineup before getting hurt. He doesn’t have a massive amount of power, but you can expect him to hit for a decent average and for him to score some runs and steal a handful of bases, when healthy. He’s a nice, low-end starting option for NL-only leagues when healthy, so stash him in those formats for the next couple of weeks. (CBS Sports)

We’re going to miss Spilborghs. A Roadrunner for each of the past three seasons, 2008 was the first time that he had broken with the squad from Spring Training, having been selected in the third round of the minor league draft. But with a $10 salary, he wasn’t going to be protected, and facing a lengthy rehab, he likely wouldn’t be able to play until September. And at that point, the Rockies are likely to be showcasing Willy Taveras and bringing up Dexter Fowler with a call-up, so he probably won’t contribute much for the remainder of 2008.

FAAB Acquisitions:

• OF Brandon Moss, Pirates [$3 bid, Add to Actives]
• P Matt Lindstrom, Marlins [$0 bid, Add to Actives]

Up:

• P Brett Myers
• P Carlos Villanueva

Down:

• OF Chase Headley
• P Jason Bergmann
• P Jason Marquis
• P John Maine

Cut:

• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• P Seth McClung

Notes:

• Lindstrom had been drafted originally by Get Off Kong! in the 4th Round of the Minor League Draft, thus his salary of $10
• Moss came to the NL in the Manny Ramirez - Jason Bay - Andy LaRoche 3-Way trade at the deadline last week.  He had been on Boston’s AAA squad in Pawtucket.

Ryan Spilborghs (oblique strain) played catch this week. It was the first time he’s played catch since going on the disabled list back on July 9, and he reported just normal soreness. He’s a couple weeks from returning. It still looks like late August is a reasonable estimate for his return. Spilborghs’ playing time could be slim down the stretch. The Rockies didn’t trade starting center fielder Willy Taveras and they may give Double-A prospect Dexter Fowler an extended look in September. Spilborghs will turn 29 on Sept. 5 and there’s an increasing chance that he will be a career backup. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Ryan Spilborghs (left oblique) began light exercises on Monday, the Rocky Mountain News reports. He isn’t expected back until late August at the earliest. (Rotowire)

Ryan Spilborghs (left oblique) remains a long way from returning, according to the Denver Post. He is halfway into a projected month-long absence. Spilborghs is limited to running in the treatment pool and will probably be out longer than the initial one-month projection. (Rotowire)

Ryan Spilborghs (left oblique), who officially went on the 15-Day DL Wednesday, is likely to miss a month, according to the Denver Post. He was on a hot streak and was playing frequently, but his season is now taking an unfortunate detour. Scott Podsednik takes over as Colorado’s fourth outfielder. (Rotowire)

BP’s Will Carroll has more:

Spilborghs has gone from taking the center field job outright to hitting the DL overnight, leaving the Rockies struggling to fill the position while Willy Taveras deals with a quad injury. Spilborghs’ oblique injury is just one of those things that happens, though this is the first oblique strain I can remember occurring on the basepaths. Watching the video, it does look like Spilborgh described it, that he “got shot” somewhere between first and second, which makes me think that this was the point in time where the muscle finally tore, rather than the cause itself. He’ll miss roughly a month, though with oblique strains it’s hard to tell exactly, and they do tend to recur if players aren’t careful. The timing is bad for Spilborghs, who may have lost his chance to lock down the job.

Colorado OF Ryan Spilborghs came up limping at third with a strained left oblique and was taken out of the game against the Brewers in the sixth inning Tuesday. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said Spilborghs would return to Colorado on Wednesday and would be placed on the disabled list. “I think it took the wind out of us a little bit, because you see the tying run look like he got stabbed,” Hurdle said. “He did everything he could just to get to third. So that was a little deflating.” Spilborghs said it felt like he was shot as he was rounding second. “That was miserable,” Spilborghs said. “I think it hurt more that I couldn’t score and tie the game than the actual pain in my side.”

Spilborghs was getting everyday at-bats and was hitting at the top of the Rockies lineup. He doesn’t have a massive amount of power, but you can expect him to hit for a decent average and for him to score some runs and steal a handful of bases, when healthy. He’s a nice, low-end starting option for NL-only leagues so this comes as a disappointment for many. Check back to see just how much time he will miss, but a DL trip seems imminent. Tough break for Spilborghs, who was 11-for-25 in July and was getting frequent starts. Oblique injuries can be slow to heal, so he might miss longer than 15 days. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Ryan Spilborghs’ teammate Willy Taveras returned to the starting lineup on Monday after missing five straight starts. Spilborghs went 10-for-22 (.455) with two homers and seven RBI in Taveras’ absence. However, he should be limited to occasional starts now that the Rockies’ outfield is apparently back to full strength. (Rotowire)

Ryan Spilborghs went 4-for-5 with two homers, a double, a walk and four runs scored as the Rockies’ leadoff hitter on Friday. Spilborghs got the start in center tonight, as the Rockies are still hesitant to sit Brad Hawpe versus lefties. Hawpe ended up 0-for-5. Spilborghs should be playing against every southpaw, but it doesn’t need to happen at Willy Taveras’ expense. Taveras is at least as good of a hitter as Hawpe versus lefties, and Colorado’s defense is a whole lot better with him in center. (Rotoworld)

Ryan Spilborghs’ teammate Willy Taveras (quadriceps) missed Wednesday’s game and might not play on Thursday, according to the Rockies’ official site. Spilborghs started in center field on Wednesday and went 1-for-4; he is 3-for-16 since June 24. Taveras wants to return on Thursday or Friday, so it looks like Spilborghs will be limited to spot starts moving forward. He benefited from the DH last week and from injuries before that. (Rotowire)

Ryan Spilborghs started his second straight game on Wednesday and is 6-for-14 in his last six games. He has pushed his average back over .300. Spilborghs got a spot start in center field on Tuesday and was the Rockies’ DH on Wednesday. Despite his improved stats, he isn’t likely to receive much playing time in the foreseeable future, although he could pick up a start or two at DH this weekend. (Rotowire)

Additionally, every game Spilborghs starts is a game that Willy Taveras doesn’t, and Taveras is the leading steals machine for Get Off Kong! - currently second behind the Roadrunners in the steals category.

Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs had two singles and one RBI in four at-bats Sunday against the Royals. He started for the first time since June 18. It was his first multi-hit game since June 6. Spilborghs received plenty of starts in late May when Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe were on the DL. Both players have since returned, and Spilborghs is back to his role as a pinch hitter and reserve outfielder. He remains just a NL-only Fantasy flier at this time. (CBS Sports)

Ryan Spilborghs started on Wednesday for the first time since last Saturday. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI as Colorado’s right fielder. Spilborghs gave Brad Hawpe a break against a left-handed starter. Spilborghs has not asserted himself as expected in center field; Willy Taveras has started 11 of the Rockies’ last 13 games at that position. Taveras has regained a significant edge over Spilborghs, who is hitting .212 in June. The Rockies will gain the DH for six games next week, which could help Spilborghs’ chances for playing time, but right now he is clearly the Rockies’ fourth outfielder. (Rotowire)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Charlie Morton, Braves [$9 bid, add to actives]
• P Seth McClung, Brewers [$6 bid, add to actives]
• P Josh Johnson, Marlins [$0 bid]

Up:

• 3B/OF Chase Headley (to Utility)
• OF John Bowker
• P Jorge Campillo
• P Mike Gonzalez

Down:

• P Jason Marquis
• P Carlos Villanueva
• P Todd Wellemeyer
• P Jason Bergmann
• OF Ryan Spilborghs
• 3B Blake DeWitt

Cut:

• P Manny Acosta
• P Greg Reynolds
• P Doug Brocail

Ryan Spilborghs served as the Rockies’ DH on Friday and Saturday. He went 0-for-8 and is 6-for-30 (.200) in June. He has a golden opportunity to supplant Willy Taveras in center field, but isn’t taking advantage yet. The Rockies have six more games in AL parks this season, but other than those contests, Spilborghs and Taveras will battle for playing time in center field. (Rotowire)