Today's Fantasy Rx

Anaheim: Brendan Donnelly, RH Reliever
4-2 on a 38:10 K:BB in 27.2 IP over 27 G
with 24 H, 4 HR, a .71 G-F, and a 3.25 ERA.

A batting practice fly ball broke his nose early in spring training, leading to severe complications that kept him out until May. Elbow tendonitis then delayed his return until mid-June, but instead of displaying any obvious rust, he now arguably owns the best skills of his career. His 12.4 K/9 appears over 2.5 K/9 better than his previous high mark, and other than an expected jump in his homer rate due to a consistently unimpressive ground-fly rate, I see nothing here to indicate he missed any time. Although his absence allowed Francisco Rodriguez to emerge as Troy Percival's clear heir at closer, the 33-year-old Donnelly should hold double-digit fantasy value for another couple years as a top set-up man, making him a great target in almost any league.

We'll continue tomorrow with National League overachieving pitchers.

Today's Fantasy Rx: Although a few dozen players will join big league rosters over the next couple weeks, only a small percentage of those players should contribute to fantasy teams over the balance of the season. No recalled relievers should emerge as closers either this season or next spring, but a few AL starters merit roto consideration, including Cleveland's Kyle Denney, Minnesota's J.D. Durbin and Dave Gassner, New York's Brad Halsey, and Oakland's Joe Blanton, although the Athletics may let his arm rest rather than promoting him. Of course, only contenders with secure qualitative foundations should risk running rookie pitchers, but since they own good shots at earning starting rotation slots next spring, rebuilding teams should look to add them as potential keepers.