Stephania Bell

  (11:06 AM)

Happy Friday everyone! Thanks for joining. Many, many questions with both football and baseball on the docket. We'll get to as many as we can...here we go.

Tyler (VT)

Hi Star! Any good news on Papi? Could really use his bat both for my fantasy team and the Red Sox.

Stephania Bell

  (11:09 AM)

Tyler: Well, the good news is that he's making some progress but not enough (or so it appears) to return this weekend. He just started jogging and says he only feels about 50-60%, not ready to do full sprinting, turn corners, etc. I suspect he needs at least a few more days (he even said as much) perhaps even another week or so. Don't want him going back too soon and taking a risk of bigger injury.

Bob (LA)

Any news on Longo? Sounds like he will be activated soon, but won't be 100% healthy. How effective do you think he can be the rest of the season?

Stephania Bell

  (11:12 AM)

Bob: Yes. And Yes. The rehab clock is 20 days and it started ticking when he went on assignment last week. But he needed a couple days rest after being sore this week. The hamstring is not going to be 100% the rest of the season. He's limited to DH duties and that's what he'll do when he rejoins the Rays (defensive drills still bother the hammie). And considering he batted .167 through first 4 rehab games, he needs some more ABs to get on track. I would not be confident about how much he can deliver knowing it will be at limited health.

jack k. (lowell, ma)

do you think beenie wells and his coaching staff are downplaying his chances of being effective?

Stephania Bell

  (11:14 AM)

Jack: Based on what we've seen the last few seasons, no. He has had nagging injuries each year which at time have limited his productivity, making it hard to count on him in any given week. Sometimes great, sometimes almost invisible. Now he's on the PUP (active) since his knee is not yet ready for full activity so they honestly don't know what they are going to get. And it sounds like they're not convinced he's going to deliver. Letting R Williams apply the pressure.

Matt (STL)

History tells us that the first year back from ACL surgery is a down year. If that is true, then why does it feel like Jamaal Charles in the 3rd round is a steal? Am I hung up on past performance and natural ability? Is there a legitimate reason to be cautious?

Stephania Bell

  (11:17 AM)

Matt: This is a great question. The performance of RBs traditionally has been down the following year in terms of yardage and scoring. BUT, no two injuries created equal. We know Charles has had more time than most, which probably also adds to him getting "comfortable" with his reconstructed knee. That said, until he faces contact, he still hasn't fully tested it. I do think 3rd round is great value b/c of the potential. So while I might not be as confident as I would have been heading into last year (and look where that got us), I still like that spot. A lot.

Rob (Santa Rosa)

Matt Stafford was huge last year, but didn't he miss the majority of his first two seasons with shoulder issues? Is that cause for concern going forward?

Stephania Bell

  (11:19 AM)

Rob: He had an AC separation on his non-throwing shoulder first, then on his throwing shoulder which is the one that required surgery. Sure, could potentially re-injure, but not especially worried about that. I think there was more concern about his general ability to stay healthy but last year silenced that to some degree.

Ray (Cape Cod)

Given Andre Johnson's injury last year and already having problems in pre season are you worried and steering clear of him this year with his early ADP?

Stephania Bell

  (11:20 AM)

Ray: I would say I'm more concerned than I have been in the past. I've always given him a pass b/c of his talent. But last year the hamstring injuries were significant, he's 31 now and he started camp with a groin strain. Still think he can be amazing, but he does present a higher risk.

zach (RI)

if AP is heathly would you take him first round over foster

Stephania Bell

  (11:22 AM)

Zach: Define healthy. There's a decent chance that he won't see any game action in the preseason. He might - but it will be limited at best. Even iif he's eligible Week 1, I don't see a full workload, but more of a split with Gerhart. So, no, not first round and definitely not over Foster.

Tuck (San Diego)

Do you have any updates on Andrew Cashner? Cannot find anything even in our local media.

Stephania Bell

  (11:25 AM)

Tuck: There hasn't been much. It seems like the earliest possible return date was always going to be mid-August and we haven't heard anything about a throwing program, etc. So I wouldn't think there's a chance of seeing him before late August now.

dan (Queens)

Jose Bautista just passed his 15-day DL mark, with not much certainty in the language about his return... Any insight on what the feeling is on him coming back?

Stephania Bell

  (11:27 AM)

Dan: He started swinging a bat last week so there were some rumblings that he was not far off. But just a couple days ago he admitted that something didn't feel right when he was taking swings so it sounds like they're backing off for a bit. Really a day-to-day evaluation based on how the wrist feels in response to activity. Not a great help in terms of your planning, but that's where the Jays are at too.

Bobby (Rochester, NY)

Hows McFaddens foot look? Or is this going to linger like Antiono Gates foot?

Stephania Bell

  (11:29 AM)

Bobby: All the word out of Raiders camp is that he looks great. Running sharp, cutting easily, all the things you want to see to have him test the foot he's doing. No real issue with the foot it appears right now. But...the bigger issue with McFadden has been that he seems to suffer some type of lower extremity injury every year - toe, ankle, hamstring, foot. No one is convinced yet that he can stay healthy for a full season b/c it hasn't happened yet.

Jeremy (Indiana )

How has Antonio Gates looked so far this summer? Have heard some reports that his plantar fascia is 100% healed? Should I hang my hat in him going into the season healthy? Thanks!!

Stephania Bell

  (11:32 AM)

Jeremy: Hard to tell about the 100% healed from a distance other than to go by how he's functioning. And so far, he seems to be the best he's been in years. He did all the voluntary offseason workouts and came into camp without limitations, something he hasn't been able to do the last two years. The only concern is that he has an extensive history of some type of foot/ankle problems across multiple seasons so not a stretch to think he's at risk for another. That said, until the plantar fascia thing he rarely missed games, so I certainly like his chances this year better than I have in a while.

Jake (Chicago)

Mikel leshoure... What are your expectations.

Stephania Bell

  (11:33 AM)

Jake: Hard to know. We haven't seen much of him. They're limiting him to some degree in camp. Sounds like Schwartz thinks he's not 100% yet and still not especially explosive. And then there's the suspension to deal with. A lot of potential second half upside but I wouldn't reach for him.

deshaun (broooklyn)

is peyton manning neck a huge concern?

Stephania Bell

  (11:34 AM)

Deshaun: No. I've written or spoken my thoughts on this quite a bit so won't rehash here. But for me, no.

Zak (Albany,NY)

With Peyton Manning in Denver, which young WR do you expect to have a bigger year Demaryius Thomas or Eric Decker?

Stephania Bell

  (11:36 AM)

Zak: This is the follow to Manning's health. Really interesting b/c both are poised to benefit. Thomas is the big play guy and we've seen some of that in practice already. He spent last offseason working on route running and his conditioning so expect him to improve. Decker seems to be shaping up as a favored target but does have an injury history...PPR, I go Decker. Otherwise, might go Thomas. Still a tough call.

Nick (CT)

How are you feeling about Mike Stanton coming back? And how does his value compare to the return of JWorth?

Stephania Bell

  (11:38 AM)

Nick: Love Stanton as soon as he's back - which looks like Tuesday. The fragments in his knee were affecting him at the plate. First rehab outing and he hits a HR and an RBI double. I think the power is there and the surgery and the follow-up rehab helped him. Werth I think will get back to hitting better but still getting the feel back in his wrist. More value to me with Stanton.

Bob (Miami Zoo)

How's the Kung Fu Panda doing? Will Pablo be back next week?

Stephania Bell

  (11:40 AM)

Bob: The hope is that he'll come off the DL when eligible. The strain was reported as minor but they did not want to chance it getting worse. He's already been playing some catch. He's got another week so at this point, it looks encouraging.

Rich (Florida)

Would you sit Strasburg if you were the Nats?

Stephania Bell

  (11:42 AM)

Rich: Yes. I think they're going with the best information they have. There's no magic way to know one way or the other what is the "right" thing. They have seen one plan work for Zimmermann so they are going to use it again. And they're considering his long-term health over the organization. Hooray for them.

Jeff (NY)

How are you liking Morrow's progress?

Stephania Bell

  (11:45 AM)

Jeff: So far, so good. Has made one rehab start, another slated for today. Then moves up a level and gets a couple more before they think about returning him to the majors. Oblique injuries in pitchers need the time to fully recover so the steady progression is smart, especially since his back started to bother him for a while when he began throwing bullpens. Looks like latter half of August.

Alex (Va)

Do you think Jahvid Best can stay healthy for a full year and be a fantasy stud?

Stephania Bell

  (11:49 AM)

Alex: Way too risky for me to say that. Turf toe injuries (on both feet) the first year. Concussion which ended his season the second. He still is not cleared for contact and Schwartz says they are measuring his progress in "weeks, not days" so it's going to be a while. Wish him well, but not confident.

Mark (SC)

Joey Votto still hasn't taken BP, he's still going to be out for while, right?

Stephania Bell

  (11:54 AM)

Mark: Votto still not hitting, you are correct, but he is doing a bit more on the fielding side. They likely want to hold off on the torsional movements b/c it was a meniscus injury so the hitting, the sharp turns, the slides (remember he got hurt sliding into 3rd base)will come last. Dusty Baker still hinting at a return next week but they won't psuh him. We'll see - next 10-14 days would be my guess.

John (Hospital)

Tulo?

Stephania Bell

  (11:58 AM)

John: You're in the hospital? Hope you're working, not ailing. Tulo is doing better, taking BP, doing some fielding. THe strategy is to increase his activity slowly. He wants to play, they don't want him to rush back, especially since they're awful. But from a rehab perspective, if he's making progress you want him to take that as far as he can. So if he's able to get back to playing, he will. Probably will stretch out over the next 3 weeks.

Nick (laughing in the face of a morning deadline)

I love Denarius Moore going into this year as a WR3, should his tweaked hamstring cause me to lower him in my rankings or do you think its too early to tell if it will linger?

Stephania Bell

  (12:00 PM)

Nick: Moore is like any other WR, bound to have hamstring, groin or quad strains at some point in the season. Sounds like this one was minor but they're always going to be careful when a guy does something in camp. Take care of it now so it's not an issue by Week 1. Doesn't change my ranking of him.

Stephania Bell

  (12:02 PM)

Thanks for coming everyone - time for me to exit the chat room. Lots of great questions, now with football around the corner and baseball playoffs heating up. See you here, same time next week. Have a great weekend.