Aside from untimely injuries (untimely like on a Monday evening after lineups have been submitted), the most frustrating circumstance for Fantasy owners is being unaware of starting players losing their jobs and not boasting a suitable replacement.
Poor production and impending returns from the disabled list always have pitchers and hitters on the verge of losing their jobs. Such is currently the case around both leagues. It's time to examine those who are not long for their spots. The following pitchers are on the endangered list (hitters will be featured Friday):
Pitchers
Aaron Harang/Gavin Floyd (Atlanta): One of these veterans appears destined to be replaced when Alex Wood is promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett. Wood is being stretched out is a move to return him to the starting rotation. Harang had pitched well until an epic pounding Wednesday. Floyd has been consistently effectively. A trade of one or the other could be also be in the offing.
Brandon Workman/Rubby De La Rosa (Boston): It's hard to imagine that Clay Buchholz won't be handed a spot in the rotation upon his return from the disabled list after recovering from a knee injury. His resume - particularly his brilliance in 2013 - warrants it despite his early-season struggles. De La Rosa has been a bit more inconsistent than Workman, but it remains to be seen which one loses his starting job.
Hector Santiago (Los Angeles Angels): The impending return of Tyler Skaggs to the rotation has the winless Santiago on the hot seat. Veteran pitchers with 0-7 records on winning teams are not long for their starting jobs no matter who is coming back. Santiago has been thoroughly outpitched by Matt Shoemaker, whose spot appears safe.
Jacob deGrom (New York Mets): Dillon Gee is nearing a rehab assignment, which means deGrom is likely nearing the end of his stint in the rotation. After a decent run, he has given up 16 runs on 29 hits in 21 1/3 innings covering four starts. Daisuke Matsuzaka has performed well in limited time as a starter, so deGrom would appear to be the odd man out.
Nick Martinez/Nick Tepesch (Texas): The battered Rangers will soon be getting Derek Holland back from the disabled list after he missed the entire season with a knee injury. He's closing in on a rehab assignment, which will result in the ouster of one of these two pitchers from the rotation. Both have been terribly inconsistent, so their performances leading up to the return of Holland should determine which one loses his job.
Erik Bedard (Tampa Bay): The bloom always seems to fall off the rose eventually for this left-hander. Strong starts are followed by bouts with control problems and mashings by opposing bats. He recorded a scintillating 0.96 ERA during one five-start stretch earlier in the season, but it has bloated to 7.15 n his last five outings. Jeremy Hellickson will be back from the disabled list shortly. The result should be that Bedard will be banished from the rotation.
There are others, of course. The return of Cliff Lee in Philadelphia will likely spell doom for David Buchanan. Top prospect Matt Wisler could upend Eric Stultz in San Diego. Talented Jimmy Nelson might oust struggling Marco Estrada in Milwaukee.
The key for Fantasy owners is awareness of players on their own rosters - as well as the possibility of waiver pickups - involved in such transitions.