Weekly Fantasy Touts: May 8 - May 14

Forgot to post this when I wrote it on Friday:

By Michael Salfino

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Julio Lugo, SS, Devil Rays: Finally back from a strained rib cage, Lugo offers top speed and runs scored batting lead-off for Tampa Bay. Start him in all formats.

Paul Byrd, P, Indians: When you can find a pitcher on the waiver wire who gets two weekly starts with one against the weakling Royals, get him active. Byrd is a control artist who should rebound from April woes.


Bench 'em

Brad Wilkerson, OF, Rangers: After striking out 41 times in his first 102 at bats, Wilkerson re-injured his shoulder on Thursday crashing into an OF wall.

Justin Huber, 1B, Royals: Only in the bizarro Royals' world does it make sense to call up on of your handful of top prospects (led the Texas League in hitting in '05) and bench him in favor of 38-year-old journeyman Matt Stairs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Put 'em in

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies: Back from his intestinal distress, which rumors of a lengthy stay on the DL created for all of his owners. The Rockies are mashing the ball in the early going.

Jeff Kent, 2B, Dodgers: Yes, he entered the weekend hitting .180. But the due theory does have some merit in baseball. Even at 38, Kent is too good to keep struggling.

Bench 'em

Jeremy Hermida, OF, Marlins: While his owners looked forward to a return from the DL this week, a setback in rehabbing his hip flexor pushed Hermida's timetable back slightly .

Oliver Perez, P, Pirates: The Pirates announced this week they're at a loss and are going to let Perez do whatever he wants to try to recapture his 2004 form. Make sure the experiment does not continue on your dime.