Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 15 - 21

By Michael Salfino

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Melky Cabrera, OF, Yankees: Has some promise as a hitter (.385 this year in AAA) and gets full-time at bats with wrist injuries to Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, the later possibly season ending.

Brandon McCarthy, P, White Sox: We're not as bullish as some with that modest K-rate in relief no less. But he gets two starts this week (at Twins, Cubs), replacing Jose Contreras (pinched nerve), who is sidelined indefinitely.

Bench 'em

:Mark Kotsay (OF, A's): HIs chronic back woes may prevent him from ever expressing the power he's flashed in recent years.

Ian Kinsler (2B, Rangers): With Buck Showalter favorite Mark DeRosa tearing it up, the Rangers are in no rush to activate Kinsler and when they do, it may be in a backup role despite a blistering start before dislocating his thumb.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Dontrelle Willis, P, Marlins: With one homer allowed and twice as many strikeouts as walks in his first 46 innings, his ERA with average luck/defense on balls in play would be 3.23, not 6.22 (where it sits).

Dave Roberts, OF, Padres: He still sits against lefties, but that's okay if he keeps running wild (seven steals in his last seven games heading into the weekend).

Bench 'em

Brian Giles, 2B, Braves: The chipped bone and sprained ligament in his finger seem to be lingering. The safe play in mixed leagues is to reserve him until you know he proves he's healthy by stringing together some hits.

Aaron Rowand, OF, Phillies: It must be next to impossible to hit with a broken nose. Rowand's tough and will try to play through it. He doesn't command the strike zone well enough to keep hitting .300.