Ruben

Mateo

Mateo might not catch on with another team this season. He’ll have to play very well in winter ball in order to get a shot at a job next year.

Mateo already lost most of his potential value when the Royals brought in Abraham Nunez. He shouldn’t be on any fantasy rosters.

That’s disappointing, but Mateo has received opportunities in the majors the last two years and didn’t do much with them. Maybe he’ll return after a strong season in Korea.

Mateo pinch-hit in the seventh inning and remained in the game and played right field. He could rejoin the starting lineup tonight.

The injury isn’t considered serious, and Mateo is expected to return within a day or two. Adjust your fantasy lineup accordingly.

With the Pirates needing to open up a roster spot for today’s starter Sean Burnett, it is being speculated that Mateo will be DL’d due to his hand injury. We will see if this indeed happens.

There’s no way that Mateo should pass through waivers. A few teams (Tampa Bay, San Diego, Detroit) could use him as a regular. If Mateo is out of the picture, then the Reds will go with a bench including Reggie Taylor, Wily Mo Pena, Felipe Lopez, Juan Castro and Kelly Stinnett. Since they’re only taking five outfielders, the decision to use Barry Larkin in center and left is starting to make sense.

He was available last night only if there had been an emergency situation.

''Mateo has been playing well,’' GM Jim Bowden said. ''I can tell by all the GMs who have called wanting to trade for him.’' Is Bowden talking about all those short-sighted GMs who failed to claim him when he was on waivers two months ago? Mateo figures to split time in center with Reggie Taylor until Austin Kearns returns. He’s a decent short-term pickup.

Mateo will split time with Reggie Taylor in center field until Austin Kearns comes off the DL. Once that happens, Mateo could stick around as a fourth outfielder. He has a little value in NL-only leagues.