A strange thing happened during the final moments of the 1972 Olympic men's gold medal game, which pitted Cold War rivals USA and USSR against one another.

Team USA began celebrating a 50-49 victory upon hearing the final buzzer. But the game wasn't over. The horn sounded prematurely, the referees claimed, adding two more seconds to the clock and replaying the final possession. The Soviets wound up scoring an uncontested layup to win the gold.

It has to go down as one of the most memorable premature celebrations in sports history.

Over the past few days, we've seen some of the most premature celebrations in fantasy sports history. Across America, countless owners could be seen dancing around their computers singing sweet victory.

What most neglected to realize was this:

The regular season wasn't over.  

And until the American League Central tiebreaker between the Tigers and Twins is finished Tuesday, fantasy owners, whose fortunes seemed doomed on Sunday, still have a chance to pull off another 1972 Summer Olympics moment.

Mind you, this doesn't apply to leagues where the first-place team sits miles ahead of the second-place team.

This is solely for races that went down to the wire, where one win, one save, a couple of homers and a few RBIs and/or stolen bases can be the difference between winning and losing.  

Cory Schwartz, co-host of MLB.com's Fantasy 411, recounted how the 2007 tiebreaker between the Rockies and Padres left him heartbroken.

"I was leading the 411 listener league at the end of the regular season, but my prescient opponent picked up every Rockies and Padres scrubeenie as soon as Sunday's games started; he got an RBI triple from Seth Smith to catch me in that category, a run from some other benchie, and we ended up in a flat-footed tie for the league championship."

Which Twins and Tigers players will turn the tides this time around?

You have to start with Rick Porcello of Detroit and Scott Baker of Minnesota, each of whom take the mound in the highest-pressure outings of their careers.

That's especially true for Porcello. I don't know about you, but when I was 20 years old, the idea of starting a one-game playoff, in front of a combined audience that figures to top one-million people, would be enough to put me on the first plane to Mexico.

But Porcello isn't your average 20-year-old. He's coming off a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign in which he notched 14 wins and a 4.04 ERA, including six strong innings against the Twins last time out. Throw in the fact that he leaped from Single-A to Detroit, and it's tough to rule him out altogether.

Still, the odds favor Baker for a number of reasons. He has the luxury of pitching in front of a raucous home crowd after a smooth second half that included an 8-2 record and a 3.21 ERA. It can't hurt that he's pitching for a Twins club that staged in an improbable comeback without 2006 MVP Justin Morneau, winning 16 of their last 20 games to force a do-or-die matchup. Porcello lost his only two starts at the Metrodome, getting shelled for seven earned runs over 10 innings (6.30 ERA).

And if the Twins ride their momentum to victory, count on Joe Nathan contributing in some fashion, possibly even picking up his 48th save, which would tie him with Brian Fuentes for the Major League lead. The same goes for Tigers fireman Fernando Rodney, who showed a knack for bringing his "A" game during save chances.     

Other usual suspects include MVP candidates Joe Mauer and Miguel Cabrera.  It might be tempting to sit Cabrera amid an 0-for-14 funk and off-the-field troubles, but you don't sit a .323 hitter who's finishing his third straight 30-homer, 100-RBI campaign.

An even bigger mistake would be sitting Jason Kubel, who went 8-for-11 against Porcello (.727 AVG) and owned Tigers pitchers this season with a .383 average against them collectively. Oh, and Kubel is also in the midst of a career year and coming off a scorching stretch that earned him AL Co-Player of the Week honors Monday.

There's no shortage of Twins players riding a wave of momentum.     

Take Delmon Young, who shared AL Player of the Week with Kubel and went 4-for-9 (.444) vs. Porcello.

Fellow outfielder Denard Span struggled in limited time against Porcello (3-for-11), but he brings a ******** .432 average against Tigers pitchers into Tuesday's game, after quietly establishing himself as one of the more valuable five-category threats.

And how could anyone bench Michael Cuddyer after effectively channeling Morneau's power with 10 homers and 29 RBIs since the start of September, single-handedly ruining my chances of winning an office fantasy league?

Even Nick Punto contributed to the comeback run, posting seven stolen bases from September on.

It would be foolish to talk about the Tigers lineup without mentioning Magglio Ordonez, who has regained credibility in the average department after nearly being released/traded in July. The sweet-swinging righty heads into Tuesday sporting a .441 average since the start of September.

Also riding his hottest stretch into Tuesday is Placido Polanco, who found his rhythm in September with a .361 average.

As far as sleepers go, Ryan Raburn stands out after hammering two homers on Sunday and putting up a .321 average and four homers as a part-timer in September. Tigers outfielder (also qualifies at third base) Carlos Guillen and Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera could also emerge as unlikely heroes, given their years of seasoning and big-game know-how.  

The only players truly worth benching are Gerald Laird, among the least valuable fantasy catchers around, and Brandon Inge, who has seemingly vanished after appearing in his first All-Star game (.216 AVG).

Otherwise, Tuesday is the day that every Twins and Tigers player merits starting status.   

Beggars can't be choosers when opportunity knocks this loudly with game No. 163.  

What's most memorable -- the last impression or the first impression?

It took Matt Wieters months before he truly arrived in September, clawing his way to the third spot in Baltimore's lineup thanks to a .362 average. After 95 games and 350 at-bats in the bigs, he's batting .291 with nine homers and 93 RBIs -- a fairly strong showing for a June callup. Still, it's hard to erase that disappointing memory, those first several weeks of coming up short, of, well, rookie mistakes.

Just as one heroic moment can overshadow every other meaningful moment of a game  -- a poised Derek Jeter lacing a walk-off hit into left-center field, Jonathan Papelbon jumping for joy after a game-ending strikeout  -- the first few months often skew the perception of one player's season-long performance. If, say, a blue-chip prospect, franchise bat or any player coming off his career year doesn't produce by Labor Day, they're disappointments.

Take Carlos Quentin. On Saturday, the guy homered for the fourth time in his last five games while producing 10 RBIs. It's his hottest stretch of the season, but will it matter six months from now? No -- the verdict has already been cast. Quentin's 2009 season will be looked back on as a vanishing act, a huge disappointment after taking the American League by storm one year earlier. Why? Because of an injury-riddled first half that ended with him hitting just .229 and eight homers.

His teammate, Jake Peavy, will be remembered more for the early rough patch and injuries struggled with San Diego than for persevering through trade rumors, a midseason move to the White Sox and several setbacks en route to a dominant finish that included three straight wins and 15 scoreless innings.

Still, just because the first couple of months are easier to remember than the last few weeks hardly makes it right.

In fact, there's plenty of good value to be had among this group of late awakenings. Even if Wieters and Quentin are dubbed as 2010 sleepers, chances are strong that you'll still be able to draft them considerably later than they'll fall in 2011.

You could also say the same for outfielders Jay Bruce and Cameron Maybin, corner infielders Chris Davis and Andy LaRoche and lefty Brett Anderson.

In one way or another, all these players showed they could get back up again after getting knocked down. .

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

For most, this time of year is seen as the end of the road. 

Veteran players can finally take a load off, either in preparation for the postseason or simply to get a head start on offseason vacation.

But for those lesser-known characters filling their shoes, these final few games are rife with new beginnings.  

Take Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, who wasted no time carving out regular playing time when he arrived from Triple-A Syracuse some three weeks ago. After making headlines with a homer in his four-RBI big league debut, Desmond added to it by going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles one day later. Before you knew it, the Nationals were holding meetings with Cristian Guzman, with the idea of politely nudging the veteran shortstop over to second base permanently next year, clearing the way for the new guy. Never mind what happens next year. What's important now is that Desmond is in audition mode after turning in his best professional season to date.

When it comes to late auditions, Desmond is hardly alone. There's Randy Ruiz, who is hoping to ride his Jack Cust impersonation into the 2010 season while holding onto a full-time spot, be it as designated hitter or first baseman. And when you look closely at his 2009 production (32 HR, 120 RBIs between Minors, Majors), chalking up his 31 years and big league freshness to lack of opportunity, it's not hard to imagine Ruiz following in the footsteps of Russell Branyan as the next late-blooming basher.

Another potential late-bloomer worth targeting is 33-year-old lefty reliever Matt Thornton, who fanned two Indians en route to a perfect inning and his fourth save. It just so happens that three came in the past week, without much of a peep. Injuries to Bobby Jenks and Octavio Dotel -- the club's most experienced finishers -- have left openings for Thornton to fill in as closer, and for good reason. The veteran reliever has not only proven himself capable of filling in the gap, he's excelled against righty hitters this year by compiling a career-high 86 strikeouts, 24 holds and 19 over 71 1/3 innings. If he continues to thrive, Thornton could find himself on the hot chair before long.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

Remember when every ballplayer stuck to one position, when first basemen played first base exclusively, and the only time people mentioned the word, "utilityman," was in reference to someone working at the local hardware store?

Those were the days.

Now, the world's gone mad with everyone playing everywhere. Even the line between rotation and bullpen has been blurred.

Some of today's most prominent relievers came up as starters, from Jonathan Papelbon to Jonathan Broxton to Kerry Wood.

Except now, the opposite trend seems to be gaining steam, with teams growing increasingly comfortable testing out relievers in the rotation.   

Last season, Justin Duchscherer emerged as Oakland's unlikely ace and one of the top surprise starters.

This past July, Jonathan Sanchez earned acclaim for his no-hit bid against the Padres, years after trying to bust onto the Giants' 25-man roster as a reliever.

Some will remember Adam Wainwright's promising run as fill-in closer during the Cardinals' 2006 World Series run, before a rash of injuries and offseason losses forced him back to the rotation for good. Now, he's tied for the Major League lead in wins with 18 (although much of his Minor League career was spent starting).

Does the same bright future await the most recent pair of converts, Robinson Tejeda and Brandon Morrow?

Morrow thrived as Seattle's part-time closer last season, but translating those skills to the rotation hasn't been easy. Coming off an '08 campaign in which he posted sterling 3.34 ERA while snagging 10 saves, the power righty heads down the final stretch looking for his second win, sitting at 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA.

Tejeda, meanwhile, has become impossible to ignore after winning his third straight start Sunday, an outing in which he held the White Sox to three hits and one earned run over six innings. The Royals righty carries a staggering 0.81 ERA over four big league starts this season. What began as a move of necessity for Kansas City is turning into the opportunity of a lifetime for the well-traveled 27-year-old.

The truth is that both Tejeda and Morrow served as Minor League starters at one point or another, so their conversions could probably be best described as "re-conversions." Most relievers have started at one point or another in the Minors, including Wainwright and Sanchez.

The main difference is this: Morrow arrived in the Majors with far more expected of him than Tejeda, and rightly so. While Morrow was selected fifth overall in the 2005 Draft, Tejeda first signed with the Phillies. Morrow has spent his entire professional career with the Mariners, while Tejeda has been on three big league clubs. Morrow starred as the California Golden Bears ace before zooming through the Mariners farm system in three Minor League seasons, while it took Tejeda parts of 11 Minor League seasons before making a name for himself.

That doesn't necessarily guarantee Morrow having a better Major League career than Tejeda.

But it doesn't hurt his chances.

Morrow already features four pitches, including a fastball that routinely hits the mid-90s along with a sharp mid-80s slider.

Tejeda also throws a mid-90s heater, and his tally of 79 strikeouts over 64 2/3 innings only adds to his appeal.

Still, while his recent success renders him the flavor of the month, the bottom line is that Tejeda only throws three pitches. It's hard to see how he sustains this run, much less secures a spot in the Royals rotation, without adding another.

However, the main hurdle preventing Morrow from taking off is time. Once he gets stretched out as a starter, success is there waiting for him, flaws and all.

Conversion or no conversion, Morrow is bound for rebirth.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

When the Rays traded Scott Kazmir to the Angels last month, I couldn't help but scratch my head in puzzlement.

Here was this rare commodity -- a hard-throwing 25-year-old lefty with well over 800 big league innings under his belt -- being shipped to another American League contender for Alex Torres and Mike  Sweeney, a couple of relatively unknown Minor Leaguers (fellow prospect Sean Rodriguez wasn't included until later).

Sure, Kazmir's stock plummeted in '09 while his ERA and WHIP skyrocketed. But what's a few months compared to years of fond memories? After all, Kazmir landed in Tampa Bay when the team was still known as the Devil Rays and struggling to stay out of the AL East cellar, and he immediately took to the role of ace. At this time last season, it seemed as though Kazmir would never leave Florida.

So what gives?

Given the high regard with which most baseball insiders view the Rays front office, there had to be something I wasn't considering.

On Thursday, that something hit me:

Wade Davis.

That doesn't mean Davis flew under my radar all these years; as far back as I remember, he's been touted as the crown jewel of a pitching-stocked Rays system. What did fly under my radar was his readiness to fill Kazmir's shoes. It didn't occur to me that Davis might already be further along than Kazmir.

OK, maybe that's taking it one step too far. Or is it?

Watching Davis wheel and deal his way to a four-hit, 10-strikeout shutout against the Orioles on Thursday, I couldn't help but see that this kid has something.

Maybe that something was his mid-90s heat with movement, or his knee-quivering curve.

Or maybe it was his beastly appearance -- at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Davis looks the part of a power-pitching ace.

Or maybe that something had something to do with his toughness -- Thursday's start was the third of his career, and the Red Sox roughed him up for eight runs in start No. 2. 

A closer look at Thursday's box score didn't curb my enthusiasm, either. As if it wasn't impressive enough that he fanned 10 and walked two, how about 12 groundouts against five flyouts?

It's possible Thursday's performance represented the best Davis has to offer. Maybe he'll go back and forth between getting lit up by the Red Sox and dominating the Orioles for the next year and change, resulting in an ERA above 4.50, a few Minor League layovers and legions of disappointed fantasy managers who, like me, need to stop drinking so much coffee and reading the box scores only for strikeouts and walks.

But I doubt it.

Sure, there are the usual command issues to iron out for a young, hard-throwing pitcher.  And while his numbers at Triple-A Durham this year were solid (3.40 ERA, 140/60 K/BB, 158 2/3 IP), they weren't exactly indicative of a guy who could dominate the AL East.

Similar doubts were raised back when Kazmir arrived on the scene. One major difference is that while Kazmir arrived in Tampa Bay without much Minor League seasoning, the Rays could afford to bring Davis slowly.

Kazmir has far more big league experience under his belt than Davis.

Still, Davis is the one on the rise, while Kazmir looks to prove that his best seasons aren't already behind him.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

Some check in to rehab. Some spend time with family. Some escape to a tropical island, sit back and listen to self-improvement audio books.

Even if you're not one of those people who follows celebrity gossip, chances are you can still name a few recent examples (I'll refrain to avoid a controversy of my own).

Whatever the method, the fundamental goals are the same; to repair public image by creating the impression of humility and -- most of all -- set the stage for a future comeback.

The Red Sox hope time off works the same magic for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who made his long-awaited return to the mound Tuesday after taking an 87-day sabbatical to recover from arm fatigue.  

More on Tuesday's outing later.

First, the full scope of the damage Dice-K incurred this season.

It all went down downhill after the World Baseball Classic, for which he took home Most Valuable Player.

The added workload disrupted his Spring Training routine and may have caused the ineffectiveness and two stints on the disabled list that followed.

Fast forward several weeks into the season, and the guy who combined for 30 wins over his first two big league seasons was no longer recognizable.  On June 19, he was booed off the field after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits over four innings against the Braves.  That appearance was his last, leaving his fantasy owners scratching their heads wondering how Dice-K -- one of the game's top starters -- had unraveled and gone 1-5 with a 8.23 ERA.

Thinking long term, the Red Sox chose to sacrifice most of his 2009 season, both to avoid any additional injuries and to reprise his rookie form.  

The decision gave Matsuzaka countless hours in near-solitude at the club's facility in Fort Myers, Fla. There, he not only had time to collect his thoughts, air a few grievances and build back the confidence that had been shattered by American League hitters, but he also underwent a physical makeover that vastly improved his conditioning.

Four rehab starts for Triple-A Pawtucket yielded positive results, a 2.25 ERA and a 17/6 K/BB ratio.

All the extra time off seemed to pay off Tuesday, as Dice-K held a scrappy Angels lineup hitless over his first four frames. Matsuzaka would eventually let up six hits over six scoreless innings, outdueling Halos ace John Lackey in the process.  

It's too soon to say whether Dice-K is the ace of yesteryear, but things are heading in the right direction.

At the very least, aspiring fantasy champs can feel confident in Dice-K contributing down the stretch, instead of occupying a celebrity spot on your bench.

Hall of Fame shortstop-turned-third baseman Cal Ripken is revered for his consecutive games played streak.

Pitchers, on the other hand, could learn from Matsuzaka, who is back atop the Red Sox rotation after taking the slow road back in recovery.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

While much of the northeast had its eyes peeled on the masterful debut of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, another young arm was busy making his presence felt on the diamond Sunday.

Clay Buchholz kept a dangerous Rays offense to one earned run over seven innings -- his fourth straight quality start. Nailing down a spot in the Red Sox rotation hasn't been easy ever since his no-hit effort two years ago. A rocky rookie season damaged expectations enough that the Red Sox kept him down at Triple-A Pawtucket for half of 2009. And even when he was finally recalled on July 17, it was déjà vu all over again, with his ERA ballooning to 6.05 after four outings.  

Since then, however, Buchholz has rebounded convincingly. Holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight outings has dropped his overall ERA to 3.66. Boston's decision to cut ties with Brad Penny last month all but guaranteed Buchholz a rotation, and the decision is paying off.  With a 22/7 K/BB ratio over his last four starts, the 25-year-old righty has not only rewarded Boston brass for sticking by him through thick and thin, he also appears to be turning a corner.

Others surging their way onto mixed-league lineups include:

As if landing a starting role at age 20 wasn't enough, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is making a strong bid for AL Rookie of the Year consideration, thanks to a 15-game hit streak.

A torrid nine-game hit streak from Billy Butler gives owners another exciting Royals player not named Zack Greinke or Joakim Soria. The 23-year-old first baseman has matured into the club's top hitter since the All-Star break and sports a shimmering .400 average with eight extra-base hits this month.

Batting ahead of Hanley Ramirez has given Nick Johnson plenty of pitches to hit in Florida. In fact, the oft-injured yet talented first baseman hasn't had this kind of protection since his Yankees years, which ended in 2003. He's hitting .355 with nine doubles during September, a trend that figures to continue as the season winds down.

New surroundings also appear to be bringing out the best in Vicente Padilla, who's gone 3-0 with a  2.01 ERA and a 17/7 K/BB ratio over four starts since landing in the Dodgers rotation. After blanking the Giants over the weekend, he faces them again on Friday, Sept. 18.

Johnson's former teammate, Elijah Dukes, appears going through something of a rebirth. Having reached base safely in his last 17 games, the bulky outfielder could wrap up an otherwise disappointing season with a bang.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

September can be a trying time for pitchers.

Five months of wear and tear can cause even the most durable arms to break down, slow down and ultimately, crash.

Not this year, it seems.

There are a surprising number of waiver-wire options for owners in need of a pitching facelift.   

In leagues where there's bumper-to-bumper traffic within pitching categories, shoring up your rotation could wind up pushing you over the hump.

As the workload takes its toll on most starters, here are a few overlooked starters who are just hitting their stride:

Ross, Ohlendorf, Pirates: Having already established himself as a mainstay on the developing Bucs rotation, Ohlendorf has assumed the role of de facto ace down the stretch. A dazzling 11-strikeout gem last time out vs. the bruising Cardinals offense has made him all but impossible to ignore. He's only gaining steam down the stretch, as seen by his 2.70 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since the All-Star break. Ohlendorf's next outing comes against the beatable Astros.

Jon Garland, Dodgers: Garland was already gaining on the comeback trail before being shipped out of Arizona at the end of August. Pitching for the Dodgers only improves his chances of cashing in a rock-solid second half (3.72 ERA, 45/13 K/BB ratio).

Wade Davis, Rays: Long regarded as one of Tampa Bay's untouchable prospects, Davis showed everyone why in his big league debut Saturday, going toe to toe with Cy Young candidate Edwin Jackson as he held the Tigers to three hits and one run over seven innings of nine-strikeout ball. It's not exactly shocking, considering how well he fared at Triple-A Durham (3.40 ERA, 140/60 K/BB ratio, 158 2/3 IP). One poor outing could end his tenure in the Rays rotation, but that's a risk worth taking if you're looking to catch lightning in a bottle from a flamethrower who just turned 23. Davis' next test comes against the fading Orioles.

Brad Penny, Giants: If you missed the recommendation weeks ago, you may have missed the boat on Penny altogether. But if your league happens to be out to lunch, it's worth checking on the big righty's availability. Coming off a rocky ride with the Red Sox, Penny couldn't have asked for a better start in San Francisco, winning his first two outings convincingly while boasting a 1.20 ERA.

Homer Bailey, Reds: Another tease, or a true breakthrough? Command problems and inconsistency have dogged Bailey, but it might be time for second chances. He's in the midst of his finest big league stretch, ringing up a 1.67 ERA over his last four outings.

Freddy Garcia, White Sox: It's only natural that Garcia embark on a comeback campaign on the South Side of Chicago, where his career first took off.  He overcame three potentially disastrous matchups against the Red Sox (twice) and Yankees by throwing three straight quality starts. And his next two outings come against far weaker offenses in the A's and Mariners.

Doug Fister, Mariners: Unless you're Felix Hernandez, relying on any Mariners pitcher for wins is all but impossible. Still, lack of run support shouldn't stop you from adding the unheralded Fister, who's shown quality command while ringing up a 2.79 ERA in his first six big league starts.

Carlos Torres, White Sox: There are safer choices out there, but if safe just doesn't cut it, then Torres deserves a shot. After turning heads at Triple-A Charlotte (2.39 ERA, 130 Ks, 128 IP), Torres opened eyes by shutting down the Cubs over seven innings on Sept. 3.  That'll at least buy him a couple of more starts.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

For better or for worse, there are some who dismiss fantasy sports as a fringe game played by pimple-faced, backward-hat-wearing, comic-book-reading, bazooka-chewing dorks.

And that is totally offensive because I quit chewing bazooka years ago.

The truth of the matter is that fantasy and reality often converge.

I was reminded of this while watching Rockies highlights during Labor Day weekend.

As Colorado emerges as the National League Wild Card favorite with four consecutive wins to improve to 18 games above .500, more of its players have emerged as viable fantasy options. Or maybe it's vice versa.

Two years ago, Matt Holliday led the Rockies to their surprising postseason berth.

Now, the team is flooded with options, starting with Holliday's replacement in left field, Seth Smith. Despite prolonged slumps from Brad Hawpe and Clint Barmes, the Rockies have soared thanks largely to a little-known surge from Smith, who sports a scorching-hot .519 average with four homers and 10 RBIs in seven September contests, leaving him with strong overall numbers (.318 AVG, 15 HR, .573 SLG).  Yet he remains available for the taking in many leagues, probably even yours.

The same can be said for utilityman turned starting third baseman Ian Stewart. Remember when Garrett Atkins carried Colorado's offense? Neither does Stewart, who unseated Atkins at the hot corner earlier this season and has only gained steam since, connecting for four homers in six September games. He's also not getting nearly enough attention as he should, taking his eligibility at second base into consideration.

NL Rookie of the Year candidate Dexter Fowler goes on the 15-day disabled list? No problem, just plug second-half surger Carlos Gonzalez into center field. The reinvigorated Huston Street goes down? Don't worry, go ahead and replace him with former top prospect Franklin Morales, who's converted four saves in as many tries this month. Rotation anchor Aaron Cook needs time off? There still might be room on the Jorge De La Rosa bandwagon.

Meanwhile, Ubaldo Jimenez has established himself as one of the NL's top starters, while rotation mates Jason Marquis and Jason Hammel appear on their way to career years. And that's not even mentioning comeback campaigns from Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton, the heart and soul of Colorado's offense.

If you asked savvy fantasy owners months ago about the Rockies, most would have given you a dose of reality: There's no shortage of young talent out in the Mile High City.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

Hanley Ramirez was a no-show in Thursday's lineup for the second straight game due to his strained hamstring, one day after double-play partner Dan Uggla questioned the legitimacy of his injury and his desire to win, saying in front of reporters, "If you really wanted to win, you would have never come out of the game," referring to Hanley's early departure Tuesday.

When you're a 25-year-old superstar shortstop who leads the National League with a .355 average and who finds himself one homer shy of three straight 20-20 campaigns, hearing your integrity questioned must be a tough pill to swallow.

Marlins management and the players say the issue has been resolved, but with rainy conditions wiping away the possibility of batting practice Thursday, the story probably won't disappear until he returns, likely over the weekend.  

Regardless, you'd be hard-pressed finding a fantasy owner question the importance of Hanley Ramirez, whose five-category contributions at a thin position render him invaluable.

Other worthwhile injuries...

Beware that last year's breakthrough can all too often turn into this year's bust.

Josh Hamilton, who exited Wednesday's game in the fourth inning, was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his back Thursday.

An anti-inflammatory injection was provided to reduce the swelling, and more will be known Friday when he's scheduled to be reevaluated. Still, given the growing number of health setbacks Hamilton has dealt with already this season, expecting him to return anytime before next week may be wishful thinking.

One player whose reputation has never come under question is Mariano Rivera, who ranks second only to Trevor Hoffman on the all-time saves leaderboard. So when you hear Mo may be sidelined through the weekend with groin stiffness, it's worth a second look. With the Yankees enjoying a commanding 7 1/2-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East, they can afford to bring him back slowly. That frees up save opportunities for Phil Hughes, who converted his second save Wednesday, further establishing himself as one of the American League's top relievers with a 3.16 ERA and an 82/25 K/BB ratio over 74 innings.  He becomes a must-grab in Rivera's absence.

Huston Street also joined the growing number of injured closers on Wednesday, when biceps tendinitis kept him from picking up his 34th save. Franklin Morales recorded a 1-2-3 inning against the Mets in his place, and is expected to hold the closer role until Street returns, likely not until next week.

Stock Surge

It's too early to say whether Homer Bailey's command problems are behind him, but Wednesday's outing was certainly another step in the right direction. The former top prospect fanned eight, walked three and held the Pirates to three runs over 6 1/3 innings. It was his third straight win, during which time he owns a 1.69 ERA and a 19/8 K/BB ratio. If he can keep things moving next time out, a tough matchup against the Rockies at Coors Field, you can expect his stock to skyrocket.

Fresh Face

The Giants weren't expected to promote super-prospect Buster Posey until 2010, but concerns surrounding catcher Bengie Molina's tight quad prompted the decision. The fifth overall pick of the '08 Draft, Posey has lived up to the hype in his first full season, combining for a .325 average, 18 homers, 80 RBIs and a .531 slugging percentage across two Minor League levels. Still, don't expect much right away. As promising as Posey appears, the Giants can ill-afford to give the 22-year-old too much playing time in the midst of a deeply competitive postseason bid. The only way Posey gets off bench patrol is if Molina's health deteriorates.   Otherwise, he's just a talented prospect on the outside looking in at a list that includes Buster Olney, James Buster-Douglas, Buster Keaton, Dave & Buster's, Buster Brown, Buster Williams, Buster Lloyd Jones, Buster Bunny, Buster -- the Crash Test Dummy and Busta Rhymes -- history's favorite Busters.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

September can be a tough time of year for baseball buffs.

Those of you without TiVo are forced to sit through 23 minutes of football coverage before catching any Major League updates.

And if your favorite team has little hope of playing deep into October, forget about it. You're better off checking online or reading the box scores.

It's as if the only 10 contending teams exist, and the rest are just for show.

But September offers another advantage to the other 20 clubs: Callups.

Although every roster expands to 40 players, only the teams with nothing left to lose have the liberty of sitting back and letting the kids play.

A few Sept. 1 promotions worth watching:

Carlos Carrasco, SP, Indians: One of four prospects included in the Cliff Lee trade last month, Carrasco got his first taste of big league hitting Tuesday, and the results weren't pretty. Some might even say ugly. The 22-year-old righty lost his debut after lasting only three innings and surrendering six earned runs on nine hits and three walks. Still, that's no reason to give up on Carrasco, who's looked sharp since coming over from Philadelphia, ringing up a 3.19 ERA and a 36/7 K/BB ratio for Triple-A Columbus. Growing pains lie ahead, but good control and quality stuff could yield surprising results from Carrasco. The Indians have every intention of leaving him in the rotation down the final stretch.

Neil Walker, 3B, Pirates: Once highly regarded, Walker's stock has fallen in recent years as it does for so many high schools Draft picks. But five years after the Pirates selected him 11th overall, he's up, without a starting job and without much expected of him. Plate discipline has always prevented Walker from taking the next step. Then again, good plate discipline hasn't exactly helped Andy LaRoche make a strong case as the Bucs third baseman of the future, has it? The mere presence of Walker -- an imposing switch-hitter in the batters' box with plenty of pop -- gives LaRoche reason to worry about his job security.

Tyler Flowers, C/1B, White Sox: The centerpiece of the Javier Vazquez trade last offseason, Flowers joins the White Sox after an impressive run across two Minor League levels in which he combined for a .297 average and a .516 slugging percentage. The major selling point is that his primary position is catcher. Now, he'll have a hard time unseating A.J. Pierzynski, who's enjoying another rock-solid campaign behind the dish, especially during a postseason run. That said, the departure of Jim Thome freed up playing time on the South Side, and Flowers could factor into the mix at DH as the end draws near.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

Monday brought good news on multiple fronts for Brad Penny.

Not only did his rocky relationship with the Red Sox end, he also returned to the more pitcher-favorable National League by signing with the Giants.

The NL West is nothing new to Penny, who spent 4 1/2 seasons pitching for the Dodgers, including a career year in 2007, when he went 16-4 with a career-best 3.03 ERA and 208 innings. Oh, and there was that World Series championship he helped the Marlins win in '03.

He also can't be unhappy about starting home games at the vast confines of AT&T Park, where he boasts a respectable career ERA of 3.88 ERA. Penny joins an already formidable rotation that includes Cy Young contenders Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, a resurgent Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.

While many owners will undoubtedly be scared off by the 5.61 ERA Penny compiled with the Red Sox, or the 8.31 ERA in August, a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered. 

A closer look shows that his strikeout rate actually rebounded from a woeful 4.80 K/9 to 6.08, thanks in no small part to higher velocity. Look no further than his fastball, which increased from an  average of 92.4 mph last year to 94 mph this season, according to fangraphs.com.

Given the mediocrity floating around on the waiver wire this time of year, why not give Penny a second chance?

San Francisco only figures to improve his marketability heading into free agency.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com

This is the time of year when owners become acquainted with a slew of young callups making their entrances onto the Major League stage.

With rosters expanding Sept. 1 and a slew of non-contending teams looking to focus on developing their young pups, fantasy owners will get a close look at the prospects they've been following throughout the season.

Here's a pair of recent callups who can make an impact during the campaign's final month:

Eric Young, OF, Rockies

You might already be familiar with the name although this isn't the same EY who racked up 465 steals over 15 seasons -- this is his son. The younger E.Y., who spent the majority of his Minor League career at second base, was called up Aug. 25 to replace fellow rookie Dexter Fowler in center field.

With Fowler nursing a bruised knee, Young gets a chance to show off the wheels that made him a constant irritant to pitchers in the Minors. He averaged 66 swipes on four different levels from 2006-09, and he's already shown an urge to run in the Majors by attempting a stolen base in each of his first two contests.

Lest you think he's a reincarnation of Carlos Gomez -- a world-class speedster whose undisciplined hitting style results in precious few on-base opportunities -- Young held a lifetime .293 batting average with a .385 on-base percentage on the farm. He's already shown the ability to hit big league pitching, cracking three base hits in his first eight at-bats.

Owners who missed out on Julio Borbon have been given a chance to redeem themselves in the form of E.Y., Jr.

Brandon Allen, 1B, D-backs

Between Conor Jackson's valley fever and Chad Tracy's inability to hit for power, first base has been a sore spot for the D-backs all season long.

However, Allen's promotion from Triple-A Reno on Aug. 22 signals that hope still exists - and it's in the form of a player who hit .324 with 12 homers and 32 RBIs in 38 games on the farm after being acquired from the White Sox on July 7. Allen has a history of pasting the ball in the Minor Leagues, as he's slugged over .500 and topped the 20-homer mark in each of the last two years.

Don't be put off by his 2-for-12 start with Arizona: Allen was fending for himself, without the protection of Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds. With Upton activated from the DL on Wednesday and Reynolds expected to return Thursday, Allen could follow a pair of fantasy All-Stars in the D-backs lineup.

Don't be surprised to see him become an under-the-radar source of power the rest of the way.

--Kyle Stack, MLB.com

Billy is heading to Beantown.

That is, Billy Wagner, who reversed course Tuesday and waived his no-trade clause after reportedly saying he would remain with the Mets one day earlier.

Wagner, who was claimed on waivers by the Red Sox last Friday, now heads to a crowded Boston bullpen in exchange for two players to be named.

What changed his mind?

The Red Sox offered nothing new. They accepted Wagner's request to decline his contract option at season's end, but refused to budge on declining his salary arbitration, which would thereby ensure them an additional Draft pick if he bolts.

All this seems to point toward Wagner's desire to play for a contending team.

Of course, the whole problem with pitching for a contender is depth, and this case is no different. 

For Wagner to actually provide fantasy value beyond just ERA, WHIP and a strong K/9 rate, he'll need to earn a few saves. It's difficult to see that happening, what with Jonathan Papelbon already having a firm grip on the closer job, and Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard and Takashi Saito all competing for setup duty.

The good news is that Wagner, a six-time All-Star closer who had Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 10, 2008, has worked hard to claw his way back to prominence, and it shows.  The 38-year-old lefty has combined for nine scoreless innings in the Minors and the Majors this season. Remarkably, his fastball is back where it was before going under the knife -- in the mid-90s.

Perhaps that's why Boston's front office felt willing to shoulder his hefty salary for a few weeks of the regular season.

Because at least now if something happens to Papelbon, another experienced finisher can be called upon to step up, someone who has more experience shutting the door than does Papelbon himself.

If you own Papelbon and you're concerned about his rising walk rate, there are worse gambles available than Wagner.

--Alex Cushing, MLB.com