Shea on Pat Hentgen: "Despite his status as "ace" of the staff, in reality Hentgen is the sixth-best starter on Toronto right now. "

Baseball's first week of the season is full of heavy activity for fantasy players who need to round out their rosters with replacements for bad draft picks or injured players. This week's Tip Sheet hopes to shed light on a few gems of the early season.

Sliding

Pat Hentgen -- Toronto Blue Jays
Despite his status as "ace" of the staff, in reality Hentgen is the sixth-best starter on Toronto right now. Hentgen rates behind David Wells, Joey Hamilton, Kelvim Escobar, Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay. Halladay is stuck in the bullpen while Toronto attempts to shop Hentgen. Hentgen has an ERA of 5.23 after two starts this season and has lost considerable velocity on his fastball.

Carlos Guillen -- Seattle Mariners
With Alex Rodriguez out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, Guillen moved over to shortstop. Then Guillen tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a rundown Saturday night and will be lost for the season. David Bell should continue to play second base in ARod's and Guillen's absence with Giomar Guevara potentially taking over shortstop until Rodriguez returns.

Mike Piazza -- New York Mets
Piazza will miss 2-3 weeks with a sprained knee. Todd Pratt will take over the everyday catching duties while Piazza is on the disabled list.

Eric Chavez -- Oakland A's
Chavez has sat against three left-handers this season. If this pattern continues, downgrade the Rookie of the Year candidate. Right-handed hitting Olmedo Saenz replaced Chavez against the lefties and is turning into a considerable sleeper this year. If the 21-year-old Chavez bombs this April and lands back in the minors, Saenz would be his replacement. The 28-year-old Saenz has spent his entire career stuck behind Robin Ventura in the White Sox organization. He had a great season in Triple-A last season, batting .313 in 124 games with 29 home runs, 102 RBI, three steals and a respectable on-base percentage of .394.

Rick Reed -- New York Mets
Reed strained his Achilles tendon rounding first base Sunday. He will have an MRI Monday to survey the damage.

Sammy Sosa -- Chicago Cubs
Most disturbing about Sosa's early-season slump is his strikeouts. Sosa has 10 strikeouts and only two hits in 21 at-bats this season.

Tom Glavine -- Atlanta Braves
Glavine has struggled early this season with a 7.11 ERA in two starts. As the reigning Cy Young award winner, it's hard to believe Glavine won't improve dramatically in his next start.

Shane Andrews -- Montreal Expos
Andrews has been replaced by rookie Michael Barrett at third base and has requested a trade. Andrews hit 25 home runs last season.

Quinton McCracken -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays
McCracken has a slightly sore right knee and has been struggling at the plate. Danny Clyburn has replaced him in a few games this season. McCracken should regain his starting job as soon as the knee shows improvement.

Mark Grudzielanek -- Los Angeles Dodgers
Grudzielanek will lose playing time to Jose Vizcaino on occasion. The Dodgers have an overload of shortstops and one of the two could be traded.

George Arias -- San Diego Padres
Arias strained his right thumb and will miss several weeks -- at least two, maybe many more -- with the injury. Dave Magadan, Carlos Garcia and possibly Jim Leyritz will split time at third in Arias' absence.

Climbing

Kevin Appier -- Kansas City Royals
Appier threw six innings and allowed only one run in a 3-1 victory over the White Sox Sunday. Appier is still on the trade block and this performance should improve his marketability to other teams. Cleveland, Anaheim and Texas are still the rumored teams in the hunt for his services.

Chris Stynes -- Cincinnati Reds
Stynes has always been a favorite of manager Jack McKeon. With third baseman Aaron Boone out with a viral infection, Stynes has played the last two games at third base. Stynes has decent speed with 15 steals in 123 games last year, but isn't enough of a threat offensively to unseat any regulars in Cincinnati. If Boone doesn't return for a few days, Stynes could be a decent pickup for one week or more. As a utility player, Stynes should see semi-regular time this year at a variety of positions. He could spell Pokey Reese at second base eventually, especially if Reese continues to struggle with the bat.

Chad Curtis -- New York Yankees
Curtis has won the left-field job in New York for the time being. Curtis' hot bat has moved him ahead of Shane Spencer and Ricky Ledee. If Curtis remains hot he could win the job for the season, but nothing is certain.

Jeffrey Hammonds -- Cincinnati Reds
In Cincinnati's crowded outfield, Hammonds is pushing center fielder Mike Cameron. Hammonds replaced Cameron for two straight games over the weekend and could split time with Cameron for much of the early part of the season.

Ramiro Mendoza -- New York Yankees
Mendoza threw eight shutout innings in his first start of the season and will stay in the rotation for now. If Mendoza continues to pitch well, it'll be nearly impossible to replace him in the rotation. Hideki Irabu could work as the fifth starter if Andy Pettitte can't return quickly from the disabled list. Currently, the Yankees are using a four-man rotation with Irabu in long relief.

Shawon Dunston -- St. Louis Cardinals
Dunston has spelled the injured Edgar Renteria at shortstop several times this season and could be a contributor at second base when Renteria returns soon from a bruised knee. Joe McEwing and Placido Polanco also could continue to receive playing time at second base.

Chris Brock -- San Francisco Giants
Brock won his first major league game with a sharp seven-inning outing to beat San Diego, 8-3. The 29-year-old Brock went 11-3 with a 3.29 ERA in Triple-A last year. He's worth a $1 risk.

Mark Wohlers -- Atlanta Braves
Wohlers precipitous fall last week actually has put him in the "Climbing" section. After all, his stock can't drop any further. Wohlers refused a minor league demotion and has to be traded or released by the Braves in the next 10 days. Wohlers makes $5.2 million this year, making him nearly impossible to trade. A release is expected with Arizona, Pittsburgh and Seattle among the rumored teams interested. He's worth a shot by those teams since Atlanta will be picking up his salary. He's still a pitcher to watch, just not one you want to waste a roster spot on quite yet.

Closing time

John Rocker -- Atlanta Braves
My, what a difference a week makes. Rocker has struck out the last six batters he's faced. Mark Wohlers had a few bad outings and refused an assignment to the minors. The Braves have 10 days to trade him or waive him. Rocker has the closer role completely in hand and should be a good bet for 30 or more saves. He has yet to allow a run this year. Rumors have circulated that the Braves may look to trade for a veteran closer to solidify their bullpen at some time this year. Minnesota closer Rick Aguilera's name is always mentioned and Montreal's Ugueth Urbina name often comes up. Last year, though, Atlanta went with unproven Kerry Ligtenberg as its top reliever with solid results. If Rocker proves capable, the Braves may elect to stand pat.

Gregg Olson -- Arizona Diamondbacks
Olson blew his third save of the young season Sunday. Needless to say, his days are numbered as the Diamondbacks closer. Arizona is considering using former Yankee Darren Holmes for save opportunities. Brian Anderson, Greg Swindell and Amaury Telemaco could also figure in the mix for save chances if the Diamondbacks decide to replace Olson.

Dave Veres -- Colorado Rockies
Veres is manager Jim Leyland's choice as Rockies' closer for the time being. Veres is a shaky bet to remain the closer all year long. Expect Colorado to switch to the hot hand with Jerry DiPoto, Curt Leskanic and Mike Dejean also receiving their time in the sun.

Robert Person -- Toronto Blue Jays
Person is expected to be activated April 11. The Jays have not established another top fireman in his absence and he could again claim his role as closer. However, it would appear that Dan Plesac would head up a bullpen by committee. Graeme Lloyd could also receive a few save opportunities. Rookie Roy Halladay had a three-inning save in the first week, but is a long reliever. Halladay could make his way into the rotation by the end of the season.

Jeff Brantley -- Philadelphia Phillies
Quickly, Brantley has four saves this season to settle all worries about lingering arm problems.

Danny Graves, Gabe White -- Cincinnati Reds
Neither Graves nor White have been impressive thus far this season. Rookie Scott Williamson could overtake both for the closer role by mid-season.

Rich Loiselle -- Pittsburgh Pirates
Loiselle has been replaced by Mike Williams and Jason Christiansen as Pirates' closer. Pittsburgh manager made the move, stating that Loiselle needs to work out some problems before possibly returning as the closer this year.

Bob Howry -- Chicago White Sox
Howry will receive the majority of save opportunities, but Bill Simas should still see a few chances when Howry has pitched the night before.

Watch closely

Francisco Cordova -- Pittsburgh Pirates
Cordova had tightness in his elbow in his last start. Cordova pitched two innings and gave up three runs Saturday before leaving the game because of the elbow. He is not expected to miss his next start, but elbow tightness is usually a bad sign for a starter counted on to pitch more than 200 innings this year.

Ron Gant -- Philadelphia Phillies
Gant's awful 1998 has continued into 1999. Gant is hitting a miserable .087 with eight strikeouts.

David Justice -- Cleveland Indians
Justice has missed five straight games with a strained calf. A trip to the disabled list is not out of the question. Wil Cordero has replaced him in left field with Richie Sexson moving to DH.

Rumor Mill

Milwaukee's Fernando Vina to Toronto
Expect the Vina to Toronto rumors to escalate again with the injury to Blue Jays' second baseman Homer Bush. Bush will miss four weeks with strained ligaments in his right index finger. In the interim, the Jays will likely use Tony Fernandez or Noberto Martin at second base. Craig Grebeck is also battling an injury to his foot. The Brewers would love pitcher Roy Halladay from the Jays, but Toronto would love to trade the aging Pat Hentgen. Milwaukee has hot prospect Ron Belliard ready to replace Vina at second base.

Toronto's Pat Hentgen to Anaheim
The Angels have scouted Hentgen lately.

Los Angeles' Dave Mlicki to Anaheim
Mlicki is on the block and will be moved to another team in the next two weeks. Anaheim would appear to be an ideal spot for Mlicki, who can be a solid third or fourth starter. Texas would also be a logical destination for Mlicki.

Comeback trail

Mike Lowell -- Florida Marlins
Lowell could return this week from minor-league rehabilitation and replace Kevin Orie at third base for the Marlins.

Denny Neagle -- Cincinnati Reds
Neagle has looked outstanding in rehab starts and should return next week after one more minor-league start this week.

Nomar Garciaparra -- Boston Red Sox
Garciaparra pinch-hit Sunday and should return Monday or Tuesday to full-time duty. He was out with a hamstring injury.

Delino DeShields -- Baltimore Orioles
DeShields was activated from the disabled list Sunday. He will return as the Orioles' everyday second baseman.

Ray Lankford -- St. Louis Cardinals
Lankford remains several weeks away from returning from offseason knee surgery.

Prospects

Kris Benson -- Pittsburgh Pirates
Benson followed up his spectacular spring (0.50 ERA) with a win in his first start. Benson pitched six innings and allowed only one run on two hits in a 2-1 win over the Cubs.

Last week's Tip Sheet.

(Greg Shea writes a weekly fantasy baseball column for ESPN Fantasy Games. He can be reached at gshea@mindspring.com. Not all e-mails can be answered.)

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