KEY

Acquire - Add player (in most circumstances)
Watch - Track player; consider adding if trend continues
Pass - Do not add player (in most circumstances)

First Basemen

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees

Perhaps it is a new mustache or perhaps it was the return of Alex Rodriguez (quadriceps) and the reemergence of Robinson Cano. Whatever it is, Giambi's finally giving the Yankee faithful what they expect - hits and wins. Over his last 10 games, he's batting .400 with two home runs, four RBI and six runs. He's likely owned in deep mixed and AL-only formats, but it could be time to pick up the slugger in shallow mixed leagues if you're struggling for power.

Shallow mixed: Watch
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

Lyle Overbay, Toronto

When Overbay drew a walk in the second inning Sunday, it was the 12th straight plate appearance he had reached base, which set a franchise record. Known for hitting doubles, he's had a solid May after disappointing some in April. He hit at a .267 clip with one home run, seven RBI and nine runs in March and April before bumping up his numbers with a .308 average, two home runs, 11 RBI and 12 runs this month. He likely isn't worth picking up in deeper mixed leagues just yet, but he should be owned in AL-only formats if you need a corner infielder.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

Second Basemen

Jon Herrera, Colorado

Injuries continue to pile on to the Rockies' already dreadful start to the season. The latest benefactor is Herrera. A defensive-minded infielder, he was hitting .310 with 17 RBI and 14 runs for Triple-A Colorado Springs before his call-up. Since arriving, he's hit just .238 with three RBI and three runs in 42 at-bats. He's only worth considering in NL-only formats by virtue of his increased playing time.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Third Basemen

Ian Stewart, Colorado

Stewart was on fire for Triple-A Colorado Springs before getting the call Saturday. Through 171 at-bats, he was hitting .281 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. However, his call-up likely was because of need and not his numbers. Regular third baseman Garrett Atkins has missed three straight games with a stiff neck. It's possible Atkins will return May 27, so keep an eye on this situation. Without regular playing time, Stewart isn't worth a look in anything but long-term keeper leagues, though he's a decent choice if the Rockies decide to try and give their offense a spark by giving the slugging third-bagger some playing time.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Watch

Chad Tracy, Arizona

After missing the first 50 games of the season, Tracy (knee) returned from his rehab stint with Triple-A Tucson on Monday. He was immediately inserted into the lineup, going 1-for-4. He put together two solid seasons in 2005 and 2006 (.294 average, 47 home runs) before injuries derailed him last year. The team hasn't indicated where he'll play yet. However, he could back up at both corner infield spots. He received his Monday start at first base. Without a starting job, he's worth grabbing just in NL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Shortstops

Orlando Cabrera, Chicago White Sox

Cabrera's average dropped to .219 with a 0-for-5 game last Tuesday. Since then, it's jumped 22 points with him hitting at a .400 clip (10-for-25). He's been a disappointment this year after hitting .301 with 86 RBI and 101 runs last season, but his line for May is now a decent .268-2-7-16. It's possible a fed-up owner dropped him earlier this season. If so, grab him and hope he continues swinging a hot stick.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
AL-only: Acquire

David Eckstein, Toronto

The Blue Jays' versatile sparkplug is set to return from the disabled list Tuesday. Eckstein finished a rehab assignment with Class-A Dunedin on Sunday, going .143 with four runs in the four-game stint. He'll rejoin the Jays in Oakland and is expected to return to his starting shortstop role. However, manager John Gibbons likely will break him in him regularly. Eckstein's only an option in deep AL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
AL-only: Acquire

Omar Quintanilla, Colorado

With both starting shortstops on the shelf - Clint Barmes (knee) and Troy Tulowitzki (quadriceps) - a spot at shortstop has opened up for the slick-fielding infielder. Quintanilla was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on April 30, where he was hitting .329 with 18 runs. However, he's been a disappointment offensively since his call-up (.250-0-2) and is only worth grabbing in NL-only formats because of his starting spot.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Acquire

Outfielders

Scott Podsednik, Colorado

Pods received his second straight start Saturday, though his inclusion came with outfielder Willy Taveras (knee) banged up. The Rockies are without two of their top three outfielders - Matt Holliday (hamstring) and Brad Hawpe (hamstring) - so playing time could be there for Podsednik. He'll have to compete with Taveras and outfielders Cory Sullivan, Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs for a spot, though. He's worth considering in deep mixed formats only as an option for cheap steals.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire

Seth Smith, Colorado

Smith was called up Saturday when the team placed Hawpe on the 15-day disabled list. Included on the team's playoff roster last year, he recorded his first run and hit of the season Sunday on a three-run homer. He was hitting .321 with six home runs and 30 RBI in 159 at-bats for Triple-A Colorado Springs before his call-up, so the offense could be there. However, he'll have to battle as many as four other outfielders for playing time, not to mention he could end up heading back to Colorado Springs when Hawpe returns. He's worth watching in NL-only leagues to see how the playing time is divvied up.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Pass
NL-only: Watch

Ryan Spilborghs, Colorado

Spilborghs was already hitting at a decent clip for the first month and a half of the season (.309 average, 15 RBI through May 15). However, it was hard for him to get playing time with Holliday and Hawpe ahead of him. With both those players landing on the disabled list, a spot in the outfield could be opened up. He should received consideration in deep mixed and NL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Starting Pitchers

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Kershaw made his much ballyhooed debut Sunday, giving up just two runs and striking out seven in six innings. The Dodgers' top pitching prospect, he was seen as a possible fantasy contributor in spring training. Now that he's arrived, it's time to snap him up if he's still available. He went 0-3, but had a 2.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings for Double-A Jacksonville before his call-up. It should also be noted the team is hoping to limit his work - he's on a 25-innings-per-month limit - so they can have him for the stretch drive. You should be happy as long as he gives you quality innings.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Jason Bergmann, Washington

It might not have been his third straight quality start, but Bergmann didn't allow any runners to cross the plate for his third consecutive outing May 6. He currently has a 0.00 ERA, 0.92 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings this month. However, the Nationals have failed to give the starter much support and he has just one win in those three starts. He's worth picking up in all league formats, especially if you need the strikeouts.

Shallow mixed: Acquire
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati

Discounting his May 4 start, Arroyo's compiled a 2-0 record with a 2.05 ERA and an 8.89 strikeout rate this month. It looks as though he's over his early-season struggles. He's still allowing too many base runners to help you much in WHIP, but if you're looking for strikeouts in a deep mixed league, go ahead and grab him.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Acquire
NL-only: Acquire

Darrell Rasner, New York Yankees

Rasner turned in his fourth straight quality start Monday, giving up just one run on five hits in six innings. However, he was still tagged with his first loss of the season in the 6-1 loss. His long-term future in the Yankees rotation is far from certain - pitcher Joba Chamberlain is believed to be warming up for his switch to the starting rotation - but if you're looking for some short-term help in wins, ERA and WHIP, he's an option in deep mixed leagues.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire

Barry Zito, San Francisco

Eight losses and one no-decision later, Zito finally registered his first win of the season Friday. That start was by far his best of the season, as he gave up just one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings. It's still too early to recommend him in any mixed formats, but he's worth keeping an eye on based on his previous performance and his respectable 3.22 ERA in May. Grab him in any NL-only formats.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
NL-only: Acquire

Jon Garland, Los Angeles Angels

Garland's been a completely different pitcher since the calendar jumped from April to May. In six April starts, he compiled a 5.94 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and had just nine strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. So far in May, he has a 1.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings. This begs the question, what is he doing differently in May? For one thing, he's eliminated the mistakes that resulted in six home runs in April by not allowing any batters to go yard against him this month. He's worth considering in deep mixed leagues if he continues to pitch well.

Shallow mixed: Pass
Deep mixed: Watch
AL-only: Acquire