Justin Upton (RF)
5/9: Justin Upton batted in the cleanup spot for the first time in his Major League career on Thursday, and registered a solo homer, according to the East Valley Tribune. Conor Jackson's absence from the lineup led to the move.

Our View: Upton now has six homers and 17 RBI for the season, with a strong .344 average. His fantasy stock remains on the rise.

Orlando Hudson (2B)
5/9: Orlando Hudson will be available to pinch-hit today if needed, according to the East Valley Tribune. Manager Bob Melvin also noted that Hudson could start on Saturday against the Cubs.

Our View: Hudson was nursing a hamstring ailment and a DL trip was an option, but now it looks like he will be able to remain active (barring a setback). He has been fairly productive with a .274 average over 31 games, with three homers, 17 RBI, 17 runs, and two stolen bases.

Conor Jackson (1B)
5/9: Conor Jackson is expected to return to the Diamondbacks' lineup today, following a brutal collision at first base with Shane Victorino in the eighth inning Wednesday, according to the East Valley Tribune. Jackson said, "I never lost consciousness, but I was definitely seeing stars."

Our View: Jackson should return to your fantasy lineups as well. He is enjoying a great campaign, as he holds a .339 average, with five homers, 28 RBI, and 27 runs scored over 32 games. He also stole two bases.

Andy Phillips (1B)
5/9: Andy Phillips hit a home run for the third straight day in Triple-A, according to RedReporter.com. Thursday's homer went for a grand slam, and he now has 11 RBI on the season.

Our View: Phillips was competing for a reserve spot as an infielder with the Reds during spring training, but didn't make the cut. He is benefitting from the practice in Triple-A, and is among the Reds' hottest performers in the system right now.

Chase Headley (3B)
5/9: Chase Headley went 5-for-5 on Thursday for Triple-A Portland against Omaha, according to Ducksnorts.com. He collected his 11th double of the season, and raised his batting average to .304.

Our View: Headley is a top prospect third baseman, who is making a solid transition to the outfield. If he continues to have days like this, he won't be kept at Portland for too long.

Omar Vizquel (SS)
5/9: Omar Vizquel could be activated from the DL as soon as today, according to the Mercury News. The team will have to make a cut to open up a roster spot, unless Ray Durham goes on the DL. Brian Bocock or Emmanuel Burriss probably will be sent to the minors if Durham remains active. Demoting Eugenio Velez is not an option, according to Manager Bruce Bochy.

Our View: Giants' shortstops have gravely struggled at the plate. Vizquel only hit .246 in 2007, but will be seen as an upgrade when he returns.

Daniel Moskos (P)
5/9: Daniel Moskos improved to 3-1 for High-A Lynchburg after throwing 6.2 scoreless innings on Thursday. He allowed six hits and struck out three batters.

Our View: The fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, Moskos has been a relative disappointment in the early going. While he has shown good control, most expected better than a 3.72 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 36.1 innings from a college pitcher of Moskos’ caliber. Still, a great groundball rate does add some optimism.

Kila Kaaihue (1B)
5/9: Kila Kaaihue went 2-for-4 with his 10th home run of the season for Double-A NW Arkansas on Thursday.

Our View: Kaaihue’s tools don’t jump off the page, but he has the skills to be a player for a stats-minded team. The 24-year-old is hitting .263-10-29 with an outstanding 23/13 BB/K ratio this season, resulting in a .408 OBP. He could be looking at a promotion to Triple-A soon.

Mat Gamel (3B)
5/9: Mat Gamel went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season for Double-A Huntsville on Friday.

Our View: Bill Hall, are you listening? Gamel was a .300 hitter with nine homers at High-A last season, but he is becoming the complete package offensively this season. He is now hitting .368-6-28 with a decent 15/23 BB/K ratio, nine doubles and five triples, resulting in a 1.074 OPS. If the Brewers fall out of the playoff race this season, don’t rule out a promotion to the majors for Gamel.

Fernando Martinez (OF)
5/9: Fernando Martinez went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.

Our View: The Mets’ top prospect has had some growing pains at Double-A this season, but a .264-3-14 line for a 19-year-old at Double-A isn’t too bad. If nothing else, the early results have exposed his sub-par strikezone judgment with a 7/38 BB/K ratio in 144 at-bats.

Adam Carriker (DT)
5/9: Defensive tackle Adam Carriker is not participating in the Rams' OTA, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carriker sustained a torn labrum December 30 at Arizona in the final game of the season. But the Rams' first-round draft pick of 2006 has made quick progress, coach Scott Linehan stated. Linehan added, "He's probably coming along faster than anybody. I guess youth is an advantage. He's worked so hard to get himself back and could probably do a lot of things at minicamp. But it's too early to get him involved in anything other than the walk-throughs and individual work."

Our View: Carriker made 30 tackles and two sacks in 2007, and those numbers should improve with prized rookie defensive end Chris Long drawing more attention on the outside.

Rob Bironas (K)
5/9: Rob Bironas has signed a one-year tender with the Titans worth $1.47 million, according to the Tennessean.

Our View: Bironas made the Pro Bowl last season, as he made 35-of-39 field goal tries. He hit 4-of-5 attempts from 50+ yards.

Brian Calhoun (RB)
5/8: Brian Calhoun has missed much of the last two seasons with knee concerns, but he has looked very good at practice so far, according to the Detroit Free Press. “This system here now is what he’s used to in terms of the zone,” HC Rod Marinelli said. “He’s got really good vision as a zone runner. He is quick right now. He’s alive. He’s got really good third-down skills for us."

Our View: Calhoun could pick up some work on third downs this season given that Tatum Bell has never excelled in the passing game, so keep an eye on how the team decides that it wants to split the backfield workload.

Tatum Bell (RB)
5/8: Tatum Bell reported to camp overweight on Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press. “He might be up there a little bit more, yeah,” Marinelli said. Right now, it’s still the off-season. But I want to make sure we’re working toward the perfect weight to enter camp

Our View: Bell will battle with rookie Kevin Smith and Brian Calhoun for touches in Detroit, and while there is certainly a long way to go, this is not the first impression that Bell should be shooting for after last years struggles.

Shaun Alexander (RB)
5/8: Running back Shaun Alexander has returned home to Seattle following two free-agent visits this week, first to Cincinnati on Sunday and Monday and then New Orleans on Wednesday. Jim Steiner, Alexander’s agent, said he would be in contact with the Bengals, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We'll be talking to Shaun today and get in touch with Bengals today or tomorrow," Steiner said.

Our View: Reading between the lines it appears that there might be mutal interest brewing here. The Bengals are believed to be interested in Alexander as a possible backup to starter Rudi Johnson.

Logan Payne (WR)
5/8: Wide receiver Logan Payne made some nice receptions at the Seattle Seahawks mini-camp practice on Thursday, according to the Tacoma News Tribune.

Our View: Payne is competing with Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor for playing time in multiple receiver sets. This will be one of the more interesting training camp battles this summer, with plenty of dynasty ramifications. Bobby Engram isn’t getting any younger, and Deion Branch could start the season on the PUP list, which could provide the opportunity for one of these young receivers to step up and receive more playing time in 2008.

Roger Mcintosh (LB)
5/8: Linebacker Rocky McIntosh (major knee surgery) remains on pace to be ready for training camp, according to NFL.com. Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was the source for this information.

Our View: McIntosh underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee during December. Normal rehab for this type of injury is 9-12 months, making it likely that McIntosh will be limited in camp.

Cedric Benson (RB)
5/8: Cedric Benson continues to take an aggressive approach to defending himself against charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, by hiring a new lawyer, who is considered to be one of Austin's finest, according to the Chicago Tribune. Lawyer Sam Bassett has already interviewed 10 people who were on Benson's boat Saturday night when Benson was arrested on Lake Travis, outside Austin, and described, according to a Lower Colorado River Authority police report, as being cocky, combative and smelling of alcohol. Bassett has scheduled additional interviews. Bassett stated, "I do not believe that Cedric was intoxicated when his boat was boarded by the LCRA officers for a safety inspection. I also am concerned that the force used by the LCRA officers, particularly the use of pepper spray, was not necessary under the circumstances." Another eyewitness has emerged to support Benson's claim that he was mistreated. Toby Patch was at nearby Emerald Point Marina on Saturday night when he states he saw police "manhandling" Benson after taking the running back off the boat and heading to a squad car. Patch was not one of the 15 people on the boat, but commented, "As they were taking him up the dock, they stopped, he said, 'I am fine, I can continue walking,' and they put their legs behind his knees and knocked him over his knees and started hog-carrying him. They ended up, I don't know why, but laid him on his back, I heard him say, 'Please don't pepper spray me, please don't pepper spray me. It was uncalled for, it was ludicrous, no point for it."

Our View: Benson faces a May 19 court date, which is also is the first day of organized team activities at Halas Hall for the Bears.

Rabih Abdullah (RB)
5/8: Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ running back Rabih Abdullah was arrested late Wednesday for driving with a suspended license. It's the fourth time in two years Abdullah has been arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida, according to ABC Action News. Abdullah played in 43 games for the Bucs from 1998 to 2001, mostly on special teams.

Our View: Abdullah has had several run-ins with the law since he left football. In 2006, he was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed firearm. Later that year, he was charged with reckless driving. Last year Abdullah was arrested for trespassing and obstructing a police officer.

Clinton Portis (RB)
5/8: Running back Clinton Portis sat out of the Washington Redskins final mini-camp practice due to a strained hip flexor, according to the Washington Times.

Our View: Head coach Jim Zorn said the injury is “minor” and Portis would be ready for the Redskins’ next mini-camp practice on June 2.

Kevin Garnett (F)
5/9: Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double in Thursday's 89-73 win over Cleveland in Game 2. Garnett scored 13 points and 12 boards, with four assists, one steal, and one block.

Our View: That was his fifth double-double of the playoffs. He helped guide the Celtics to a 2-0 lead in the series against the Cavs.

David West (F)
5/8: David West scored 23 points and added 12 boards and three blocks but it wasn't enough as the Hornets fell to the Spurs 110-99 in Game 3.

Our View: This was West's second straight double-double against the Spurs and he has averaged 21 points a game over the three contests. He will likely continue to work against Tim Duncan at times, a tough matchup for the Hornets best inside presence.

Tim Duncan (C)
5/8: Tim Duncan took only 13 shots in Game 3 but he made six of them on his way to a 16 point, 13 rebound, four block shot night.

Our View: Duncan played a game-high 43 minutes in his second solid outing after possibly his worst playoff performance of his storied career. He will need to be even better in Game 4 if the Spurs hope to even up the series.

Manu Ginobili (G)
5/8: Manu Ginobili scored 31 points for the Spurs in their 110-99 victory over the Hornets in Game 3. Ginobili made three 3-pointers on the night and was 11-for-22 from the field.

Our View: This was only the second time in these playoffs that Ginobili went for 25 in a game and it was a welcomed change since he had been held to an average of 12.5 points per game over the last four.

Tony Parker (G)
5/8: Tony Parker may not have been able to stop Chris Paul from scoring but he did his best to keep up as he hit 12 of 24 shots on his way to 31 points (Paul had 35).

Our View: Parker did out assist the MVP candidate 11 to nine in over 40 minutes of action. Parker has now gone for 30 points in four of the last seven playoff games as he is once again proving why he is considered such a clutch performer.

Chris Paul (G)
5/8: Chris Paul had another MVP-type performance in Game 3 though the Hornets fell 110-99 to the Spurs to narrow their series lead to 2-1.

Our View: Paul went off for 35 points on 15-for-25 shooting, not to mention he dished out nine assists. Paul did his part on offense but he needs to be better on defense as Tony Parker poured in 31 points for the Spurs.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (C)
5/8: Zydrunas Ilgauskas was probably the best player on the Cavs in their Game 2 loss to the Celtics as he scored 19 points and pulled in five boards. Impressively, he was 9-for-12 from the field.

Our View: Zydrunas is averaging 20.5 points a game in two games with the Cavs, but both games have ended in loses negating the solid play of Illgauskas.

Ray Allen (G)
5/8: Ray Allen hit only four of 10 shots on the night, but he added seven free-throws to total 16 points in the Celtics 89-73 victory over the Cavs.

Our View: Allen, who was skunked last time out as he was held to zero points, had a much better outing though he was still far from operating at his best in almost 37 minutes of action.

Paul Pierce (F)
5/8: Paul Pierce rebounded from a 2-for-14 effort in Game 1 to score 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting in Game 2.

Our View: Pirece has been dealing with back and hip issues, but he overcame all of that tonight in a solid effort that included six rebounds against the Cavs.

LeBron James (F)
5/8: LeBron James had another awful shooting game as the Cavs lost 89-73 to the Celtics to fall behind 2-0. James, who was 2-for-18 in Game 1, and he barely improved tonight as he went 6-for-24 from the field and 9-for-13 from the line on his way to 21 points.

Our View: This is nowhere near the type of effort that the Cavs will require to beat the favored Celtics. You can't figure on him having three straight games like this, though we would have bet you he wouldn't have had two straight like this.

Olaf Kolzig (G)
5/9: Olaf Kolzig has confirmed that he has played his last game for the Capitals, according to FanNation. He also said he would like to return for a 17th NHL campaign.

Our View: The franchise drafted him back in 1989. Kolzig went 25-21-6 in 2007, with a .892 save percentage. He only had one shutout, but can still hold his own between the pipes.

Valtteri Filppula (C)
5/9: Valtteri Filppula battled his leg injury and contributed a goal in Thursday's 4-1 win over Dallas in Game 1.

Our View: He has racked up five points over his last five playoff games, and has emerged as an unlikely source of production in the playoffs for Detroit, as he only scored 36 points over 78 games in the regular season.

Johan Franzen (C)
5/9: Johan Franzen blasted his 12th goal of the playoffs in Thursday's 4-1 win over Dallas in Game 1. He also has three assists in the playoffs.

Our View: He has scored a goal in five straight games, notching 10 over the span.

Steve Ott (C)
5/9: Steve Ott got his series off to a good start as he notched an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to Detroit.

Our View: That was his third point of the playoffs.

Nicklas Lidstrom (D)
5/8: Nicklas Lidstrom was the second star of the Red Wings 4-1 victory over the Stars on Thursday thanks to two assists.

Our View: This is his second straight two assist game, and he now has assists in 4-straight games leading the way from the blueline like he always does.

Brenden Morrow (W)
5/8: Brenden Morrow scored his eighth goal of the playoffs on Thursday night but it was the only puck the Stars could get past Chris Osgood in a 4-1 loss.

Our View: Can't blame this loss on the Stars captain as Morrow did his thing on this night, but not enough of his teammates joined him.

Marty Turco (G)
5/8: Marty Turco had his worst game of these playoffs in Game 1 of the third round as he allowed the Red Wings to score four times on 31 shots to lose the game.

Our View: To be fair to Turco, three of the goals were scored on the power-play, and on at least two of the goals there is no way he even saw the shot. The Stars will need a much better effort than this if they want to move on.

Tomas Holmstrom (W)
5/8: Tomas Holmstrom created trouble all night screening Marty Turco on his way to a power-play goal and a power-play assist in Game 1 of the third round against the Stars.

Our View: This game turned out just as we had predicted. Holmstrom screened Turco all night, he may have interfered with him on one goal, but that's the Swedes game and he did it to perfection tonight.

Chris Osgood (G)
5/8: Chris Osgood improved to 7-0 in these playoffs by stopping 20 of 21 shots that he faced against the Stars in Game 1 of the third round.

Our View: Amazing. Osgood continues to give the Wings just what they need each night rendering all-time talent Dominik Hasek as nothing more than a towel boy.

Kimmo Timonen (D)
5/8: The Flyers received some terrible news with the report that offensive defensmen Kimmo Timonen will likely miss the entire Eastern Conference Finals series with the Penguins because of a blood clot in his ankle, according to NHL.com. Jaroslav Modry or Ryan Parent will likely fill in.

Our View: More than missing his offense, the Flyers will miss Timonen's defensive ability as he helped to hold Alexander Ovechkin and Alexei Kovalev down in the first two rounds. Look for Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby to have even more room to work their magic.