Rising

Curtis Granderson (OF, Det) – Typically, a player comes off the disabled list and struggles to find his timing. Not Granderson. He’s hitting .317 with five home runs and eight RBIs in 41 at-bats. Considering Granderson had 23 home runs last year, this is out of the ordinary power. He hit a home run every 26.6 at-bats last year, but is hitting one every 8.1 this year. He can’t keep up this pace, but it sure is fun while it lasts.

Mike Cameron (OF, Mil) – Cameron is also hot out of the gates. He homered twice Sunday and now has three home runs in six games.

Erik Bedard (SP, Sea) – It seems like only yesterday when this article featured Bedard in the “trade for” area due to his poor spring. But once the season started, Bedard has been an ace. Bedard is 4-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings (10.1 K/9). He’s also walked only 15 hitters for a 3.3 K/BB ratio. He’s truly been one of the elite pitchers so far this year.

Greg Smith (SP, Oak) – Smith struck out 10 in six innings Sunday. He’s come out of nowhere to be mixed league worthy. He has 31 strikeouts in 39 innings and only 13 walks. Everything about this guy screams sleeper. Billy Beane has found another gem.

Roy Halladay (SP, Tor) – Halladay improved to 3-4 with a 3.00 ERA after his victory over the White Sox on Sunday. He has completed at least seven innings in each game this season, making him one of the most dependable starters in the majors.

Ray Durham (2B, SF) – Durham has quietly returned and is staking his claim to the second base job. He’s hitting .252 with a home run, seven RBIs and four steals. He is looking like a sleeper in NL-only leagues.

Falling

Rich Hill (SP, ChiC) – The Cubs sent Hill to Triple-A Sunday and brought up Sean Gallagher. Hill will probably tweak his mechanics in the minors and be back up in a month. Don’t give up on him quite yet, unless you need his spot and can easily get him back off the waiver wire later. The big winner of Hill’s demotion is the often-overlooked Jon Lieber. Lieber’s a 38-year-old control guy. I expect this to be a short-term move until Hill can right himself, and I do not recommend Lieber. He has a 5.8 K/9 ratio since the beginning of 2007, which is borderline fantasy-worthy in NL-only leagues.

Scott Baker (SP, Min) – Baker will have an MRI on the strained groin that forced him to leave Saturday’s game after three innings. The Twins are expected to start the returning Kevin Slowey in his place this week. Baker has been outstanding in his last four starts, with a 3.51 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings (7.0 K/9). He’s worth a pickup after his groin injury heals, which could mean a trip to the disabled list.

Bronson Arroyo (SP, Cin) – Arroyo was rocked again Sunday, giving up seven runs in 1 1/3 innings, and manager Dusty Baker said he should be examined for an injury. His ERA is now up to 8.63. Cut him from your team if you haven’t already. The Reds may need to send him to the bullpen in order to make room for Homer Bailey.

Prospecting

Jo-Jo Reyes (SP, Atl) – Reyes had a solid outing in his first start for the Braves Saturday, giving up a run and striking out five in 5 1/3 innings. Reyes was recalled to replace John Smoltz. In Triple-A this year, Reyes seems to have found himself, fanning 25 in 23 innings to go with a 1.13 ERA. Most importantly, he walked only eight. Last year in the majors, Reyes walked more batters (30) than he struck out (27). He’s a definite NL-only pickup, but wait at least a couple starts in mixed leagues.

Kei Igawa (SP, NYY) – Igawa could take Ian Kennedy’s place in the Yankee rotation. See if you can grab him today before his official call-up in a few days. Igawa has 40 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. If he gets a few starts to prove himself, he could be a very productive starter. If he sticks in the rotation, he has the talent to win 10 games the rest of the season.

Cameron Maybin (OF, Fla) – Forget about Maybin for a couple months, at least. He’s hitting .235 at Double-A, not even Triple-A. He has three home runs, eight RBIs and six steals. At this point, it does not look like he will make it to the majors this  year.

Dallas McPherson (3B, Fla) – McPherson is hitting .286 with 10 home runs,18 RBI and a .655 slugging percentage at Triple-A. He was a top prospect 4-5 years ago, but has had chronic injuries in his back and hip. Now, he is healthy and crushing the ball in the minors. Jorge Cantu stands in McPherson’s way in the majors, but if given the chance, he could produce. If McPherson can’t replace Cantu, is it too far-fetched for the Marlins to give McPherson a chance in left field and replace Luis Gonzalez? He is definitely a guy to watch over the summer.

Keep an eye on …

Rich Harden (SP, Oak) – Harden should return to the A’s from his rehab assignment in the next week to 10 days. He has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but has had trouble staying healthy. See how the final rehab starts go and target him in AL-only leagues or deep mixed leagues.

Greg Shea has been playing fantasy baseball since his high school years in the late-80s. A previous FantasyGuru.com contributor earlier this decade, Shea was one of the first fantasy baseball columnists on ESPN.com. His column "Tip Sheet" debuted on that site, and now continues here at FantasyGuru.com. Shea pitched for St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY. He had a good curveball, but couldn't hit one to save his life, which is just one of the reasons he appreciates the game.