Crooked Pitch

In each of the last two seasons, Erik Bedard has made only 15 starts. In 2009, Bedard’s season was cut short by a torn labrum and inflamed bursa which required surgery. Prior to hitting the disabled list, the Mariners pitcher was 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA. Bedard still has talent, which is why they Mariners have signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with incentives, says The Seattle Post Intelligencer.

Bedard’s numbers are not in question. He won 15 games in 2006, 13 in 2007 and hasn’t let his ERA rise above four since 2004. If he can with the battle this season against injury, he might surprise some people.

Bedard has an average draft position of 233.77, which places him in the 20th round of fantasy baseball drafts. If you’re a high risk/high reward fantasy GM, you might take a flier on him. But watch him closely in Spring Training.

I’ve spent a good portion of the day thinking about the corner infield situation in Atlanta, now that the Braves have picked up Troy Glaus and announced that he would occupy first base — leaving Chipper Jones to play third base.

My first inclination was to scoff at this move by the Braves, hoping that the two aging infielders could combine to play 162 games in 2010. Once I’ve looked a little bit at their three-year trends, I’m not as worried now as I was at the beginning of the day.

It’s true that Glaus played in only 14 games last season. But, the two years prior he played in 115 games and 151 games, respectively. He also belted 20 home runs in 2007 and 27 in 2008. That’s power that the Braves could sorely use in 2010. All Glaus has to do is prove he can bounce back and play in 120-plus games.

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I wanted to share a few links with all of you. Enjoy!

• Damage Control is an article I write every Monday morning over at FanHouse. It takes a look at injuries from the previous weekend that could have fantasy football impact.
• I also write a daily column at FanHouse called Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go. It’s a link dump as well and today I spoke about the rash of quarterback injuries, Alex Smith wanting to kill Michael Crabtree’s fantasy value, Bruce Gradkowski’s ability to gel with his receivers like JaMarcus Russell couldn’t and a few others. Check it out.
• According to the Associated Press, Calvin Johnson is doubtful for Thursday’s game as is tough-man Matthew Stafford.
• ESPN debunks the theory that  Reggie Bush should be moved to wide receiver.

Reggie Bush has seen his role increase over the past week, but that extra work may have taken a toll on his surgically repaired knee. According to Brett Martel of the Associated Press, the running back will not join the team in Tampa — increasing the fantasy value of Pierre Thomas this Sunday.

Running back Reggie Bush and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis are not traveling with the New Orleans Saints for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Bush missed practice this week with swelling in his left knee, the same knee on which he had surgery last December to repair cartilage. Bush is coming off one of his best games of the season in St. Louis last Sunday, when he gained 98 yards and scored two touchdowns on six rushes and a pair of receptions.

Tony Grossi of The Plain Dealer says that Jerome Harrison and Jamal Lewis may start losing carries to Chris Jennings in the Cleveland Browns’ backfield.

Next step in the de-evolution of the Browns’ offense: More Chris Jennings at running back and less Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison.

We saw Jennings, an undrafted free agent signed in August from the CFL Montreal Alouettes, take precious carries away from Lewis on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

“We wanted to take a look at Chris because I think he’s earned a look based on the things that he’s done and that was something that we did this past week,” coach Eric Mangini said. “If he continues to progress in practice, I think that will continue to be the case.”

If you play in a fantasy football league that rewards return yardage, Jerricho Cotchery just got a little more valuable. Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News says that Cotchery will return punts this Sunday when the Jets play New England.

They’ll go with Cotchery because he’s the most sure-handed. As far as kickoff returns, it looks like it’ll be Dwight Lowery and Brad Smith again. Recently-signed Justin Miller, benched last week, probably won’t be active. But the coaches raved about his performance at cornerback in today’s practice.

Just wanted to share a few links and such to some FanHouse articles that will help you set your lineups for fantasy football Week 10.

Rankings (Week 10)

• QB
• RB
• WR
• TE
• Defense
• K

Also, here are some injuries to keep an eye on.