Transaction Analysis: Grand Return

It was another eventful week for transactions, as several big names returned from injury or landed on the disabled list. Here's a look at some of the biggest moves of the week, and their fantasy impact.

SUNDAY

Rockies

Michael Cuddyer, OF - placed on the 15-day DL (neck)
Charlie Blackmon, OF - recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs

Impact: Cuddyer has been one of Colorado's most productive hitters this year, but he'll have to miss some time due a bulging disc in his neck. The neck injury is nothing new for Cuddyer, as he's dealt with the same injury in the past. He leaves behind a .319 average, seven home runs and 23 RBI in 31 games, and it's uncertain at this point how long he'll be out. Blackmon likely will serve in a backup capacity with Eric Young Jr. getting the majority of the starts in right field. Young has great speed, so fantasy owners in need of steals could do worse than to give Young a shot.

MONDAY

Indians

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B - optioned to Triple-A Columbus
David Huff, LHP - contract purchased from Triple-A Columbus

Impact: Chisenhall couldn't seem to get things going with the bat, so the Indians opted to give him some time in the minors. He has a career .692 OPS over 135 games and leaves behind a .213 average, three home runs and 11 RBI through 26 games this year. Hot-hitting Mark Reynolds will man third base for the time being. Huff has been a starter for most of his major league career, but will pitch in long relief for now. He shouldn't be fantasy relevant.

Pirates

Neil Walker, 2B - activated from the 15-day DL
Jordy Mercer, 2B - optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis

Impact: Walker missed a couple weeks after he injured his right hand April 26. The second baseman has provided fantasy owners with a solid batting average the last few years, though his power and stolen base numbers have been unremarkable. Mercer provided some power during his stint with the Bucs, hitting three home runs in just nine games while serving as Walker's replacement. He has since been recalled due to John McDonald going on the DL with a strained lower back Wednesday. Mercer should still see a fair amount of action at second base and shortstop.

Tigers

Austin Jackson, OF - placed on the 15-day DL (left hamstring)
Avisail Garcia, OF - recalled from Triple-A Toledo

Impact: The Tigers will have to make do without their center fielder and leadoff hitter for at least a couple weeks. Jackson was hitting .272 with a couple of homers, 11 RBI, 33 runs scored and five steals in 34 games and is nursing a strained left hamstring. His injury gives the Tigers a chance to get another look at 21-year-old Avisail Garcia. Garcia appeared in 23 games with Detroit last year and hit .319. He should get regular at-bats, but has only modest power and stolen base potential. He may still be worth a shot in AL-only leagues.

TUESDAY

Orioles

Wei-Yin Chen, LHP - placed on the 15-day DL (right oblique)
Alex Burnett, RHP - recalled from Triple-A Norfolk

Impact: The left-hander from Taiwan will miss three to four weeks with a strained right oblique. Chen has pitched relatively well over his young major league career, owning a career 3.83 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Jair Jurrjens will get the call Saturday to fill the vacant rotation spot. Jurrjens had an awful 2012 season, going 3-4 with a 6.89 ERA over 11 appearances, though he has fared pretty well at Triple-A this year. Fantasy owners may want to wait and see which version of Jurrjens shows up. Burnett will work in relief.

Yankees

Curtis Granderson, OF - activated from the 15-day DL
Vidal Nuno, LHP - optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Impact: One of the Yankees' most powerful hitters returned to the lineup Tuesday night as Granderson was activated from the DL. Granderson has hit more than 40 home runs each of the last two seasons, while also both scoring and driving in more than 100 runs each year as well. He served as the Yankees center fielder the last few seasons but will move to left field now. While he's not likely to hit for a good average, his other numbers should more than compensate for it. Vernon Wells filled in while Granderson was sidelined and got off to a good start with the bat. He may lose some playing time but should still get his fair share of opportunities as long as he keeps hitting, rotating between outfield and designated hitter. Nuno was 1-0 with eight shutout innings over two appearances with the Yankees.

WEDNESDAY

Athletics

Coco Crisp, OF - activated from the 15-day DL
Michael Taylor, OF - optioned to Triple-A Sacramento

Impact: Oakland's speedy center fielder and leadoff hitter returned to action Wednesday night, just two weeks after landing on the DL with a strained left hamstring. Crisp was off to a great start with the bat before the injury, as he returns to a .283 average, five home runs, 24 runs, 12 RBI and eight stolen bases in 24 games. Fantasy owners will want to make sure to activate him immediately if they have not already done so. Taylor saw time in both left field and right field and hit for a terrible .043 average (1-for-23).

Dodgers

Josh Beckett, RHP - placed on the 15-day DL (left groin)
Zack Greinke, RHP - activated from the 15-day DL

Impact: The Dodgers rotation has been a revolving door this year, as several of starters have spent time on the DL. Beckett becomes the latest to be shelved after he was removed from his start Monday due to a strained left groin. He leaves behind a woeful 0-5 record and a 5.19 ERA. The good news for the Dodgers is that Zack Greinke has returned from his broken collarbone about three weeks ahead of schedule. Greinke sustained the injury during an altercation with Carlos Quentin on April 11 and was originally expected to be out eight weeks. He should be on a limited pitch count until he can rebuild his stamina, but he should be safe to activate in all fantasy league formats.

THURSDAY

Rangers

Alexi Ogando, RHP - placed on the 15-day DL (right biceps)
Cory Burns, RHP - recalled from Triple-A Round Rock

Impact: Ogando's return to the rotation was going quite smoothly before he landed on the DL with tendinitis in his right biceps. The Dominican right-hander owns a 3.08 ERA with a 4-2 record over nine starts. The team is hoping that his injury is minor and that he'll miss only the minimum 15 days. Josh Lindblom will be called up Monday to start in Ogando's place. Lindblom pitched in relief last year and went 3-5 with a 3.55 ERA in 74 games between the Dodgers and Phillies. He has fared well as a starter in the minors this year (4-0, 2.08 ERA) and could be worth a look in deeper leagues. Burns will pitch in middle relief.

Rays

David Price, LHP - placed on the 15-day DL (left triceps)
Alex Torres, LHP - recalled from Triple-A Durham

Impact: The 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner is expected to miss only a couple weeks as he rests his strained left triceps. Price has gotten off to a rough start this year, going 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA over nine starts. Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer appear to be the most likely candidates to replace Price in the rotation. The two young starters have a combined total of six major league starts between them and would have to be considered risky options in most fantasy leagues at this point. Torres has also been used primarily as a starter throughout his career, though he appears headed for the bullpen for now.