Position eligibility

Position eligibility is the one issue that keeps confusing owners as we head into the draft, probably because it differs with what they see on fantasy baseball magazines and web sites.

The FBLG rule on position eligibility is based on where a player plays during the 2009 season. If a player appears in five games at one position, he is eligible to be played there in FBLG play for the entire season. If a player has not yet reached the five-game threshold, he can be played at any position in which he has played one game at.

For the first week of the season -- as no precedent has been set for player position eligibility -- we will use this rule of thumb: If a player has played a position during the final two weeks of spring training, then an FBLG owner can start that player at that position during Week 1 of the regular season.

So far, the only players that might be impacted is Conor Jackson of the Diamondbacks, Skip Schumaker of the Cardinals and Pablo Sandoval of the Giants.

Jackson has played games at both 1B and OF in spring training, so he will be eligible to start at either position for Week 1. Because of that, I listed him at both 1B and OF on the pre-draft stat sheets. He'll be listed with the outfielders on FBLG draft board on draft day, but he could be put into a 1B slot on an FBLG roster if that is how the owner drafting him wants to play it.

Be aware that it looks like Jackson will likely reach full-season position eligibility in the outfield first. So if you draft him as a first baseman and start him there in Week 1, it's possible that by Week 2, he will no longer be eligible there. That dual eligibility likely will come, but it might take a couple of weeks.

Schumaker, who played outfield last season, appears all but certain to open the season at 2B for the Cardinals. And he'll stay there until either injury forces him back to the outfield or his 2B defense blows up. He's listed as a 2B in both the pre-draft stats and the FBLG draft board.

Sandoval, who played 1B, 3B and catcher last season, has played exclusively at 3B this spring. That's where his eligibility will reside. It's possible he could see some time at the other positions, but that likely will take several weeks to gain eligibility outside of 3B.

Saturday's player news

Max Scherzer, sp, Arz: Scherzer is slotted to be the Diamondbacks' No. 5 starter. But since they won't need a No. 5 starter in the opening weeks, he'll open the season on the DL (shoulder) to open the season, then be activated in time to start on April 14.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Placed on DL (intercostal strain) and likely won't return during April.

Shairon Martis, sp, Wash: Named Nationals' No. 4 starter

Jordan Zimmermann, sp, Wash: Named Nationals' No. 5 starter. But since Nats' won't need a No. 5 starter until April 19, he'll go to the minors until then.

Friday's player news

Francisco Cordero, rp, Cin: Cordero has been lit up all spring and his velocity is down. Watch carefully.

Skip Schumaker, 2b, StL: Cardinals GM indicated Schumaker would be Cards' opening day second baseman.

Troy Glaus, 3b, StL: Placed on 15-day disabled list (shoulder). Expected back in May.

Ronny Paulino, c, Fla: Catchers trade from Phillies to Giants and now to Marlins could eventually cut into Marlins' John Baker's playing time.

Matt Lindstrom, rp, Fla: Won't make another preseason appearance, but remains hopeful to open season with team. Remain skeptical.

Garet Anderson, of, Atl: Prospects for being ready for opening day still cloudy (calf strain), but should be ready no later than first or second week.

Tuesday player news

Jason Motte, rp, Cardinals: Motte's dominant spring has tossed him into the mix for closer with Chris Perez.

Livan Hernandez, sp, Mets: Clinched Mets' No. 5 spotter spot with Freddy Garcia being sent to minor league camp.

Garrett Atkins, 3b, Col: Groin injury could be opening day in doubt if he's not able to return to lineup this week.

Monday player news

Troy Glaus, 3b, StL: After shoulder surgery in January, the Cardinals have scaled back their expectations for his return. He had been aiming for late April to early May.

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Phillies pitching coach now says there's a "very, very small shot" at Hamels starting on opening day. But he remains on target to make his first start on April 10.

Matt Lindstrom, rp, Fla: Lindstrom injured his shoulder pitching in the WBC. But remains hopeful to open season on time, although Marlins are not sure that's realistic.

Sunday player news

Gaby Sanchez, 1b, Fla: Despite being sidelined with a bruised knee, Sanchez remains the Fish's top candidate at 1B, with injuries to others keeping Jorge Cantu at 3B.

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Manager Charlie Manuel says that even if Hamels can't go by opening day, he should be ready pitch sometime in the first week of the season.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Backe will open the season on the disabled list (strained rib cage).

Luis Rodriguez, ss, SD: Rotoworld says Rodriguez will be the Padres opening day SS, meaning David Eckstein opens at 2B.

Trevor Hoffman, rp, Mil: Manager Ken Macha says Hoffman's chances of being ready for opener are "looking dim."

Lastings Milledge, of, Was: Manager Manny Acta will make Milledge his leadoff man. That nails down one outfield spot. With the other presumably going to Adam Dunn, there's one starting spot left for Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Josh Willingham, Wily Mo Pena and Corey Patterson.

Saturday report

Rich Harden, sp, Chi: Aiming for April 10 first start, but it might not come to 5-7 days later.

Brandon Backe, sp, Hou: Won't be ready for season opener (rib cage).

Trevor Hoffman (oblique), rp, Mil: Progressing slowly; status for opener in question.

Friday player news

Cole Hamels, sp, Phi: Made a 41-pitch bullpen session. Reports all went well. If he continues on that course, should be able to return by Opening Day. Keep monitoring.

Garret Anderson, of, Atl: Strained calf. Hopes to return to spring training games by late next week. Opening day shaky.

Manny Ramirez, of, LA: Strained hamstring. Hopes to play DH on Monday. Should be fine for Opening Day. Is there anyone out there who doesn't think that Manny is trying to avoid as much of spring training as possible?

Claudio Vargas, sp, LA: Has emerged as top candiate for No. 5 rotation spot.

Eric Byrnes, of, Arz: Made first spring training start on Friday. Still likely to be Arizona's No. 4 outfielder to start the season at best.

Ivan Rodriguez, c, Hou: Signed one-year deal with Astros and is now the clear-cut starter at catcher for Houston.

Chase Utley, 2b, and Pedro Feliz, 3b, Phi: Manager Charlie Manuel expects both players to be ready for Opening Day.

John Lannan, sp, Was: Has been named Nationals opening day starter. Woohoo!

Rick Ankiel, of, StL: Tearing it up this spring, ensuring he'll open season as everyday starter.

Livan Hernandez, sp, NY: On verge of claiming Mets' No. 5 rotation spot.

Player rankings -- Relievers

1. Brad Lidge, Phi
2. Francisco Rodriguez, NY
3. Jose Valverde, Hou
4. Carlos Marmol, Chi
5. Jonathan Broxton, LA
6. Francisco Cordero, Cin

7. Matt Capps, Pit
8. Heath Bell, SD

9. Brian Wilson, SF

10. Trevor Hoffman, Mil
11. Mike Gonzalez, Atl
12. Chad Qualls, Arz

Player rankings -- starting pitching

1. Johan Santana, NY
2. Tim Lincecum, SF
3. Brandon Webb, Arz

4. Cole Hamels, Phi
5. Dan Haren, Arz
6. Jake Peavy, SD
7. Roy Oswalt, Hou
8. Chad Billingsley, LA
9. Matt Cain, SF
10. Javier Vazquez, Atl

11. Yovani Gallardo, Mil

12. Ricky Nolasco, Fla
13. Ted Lilly, Chi
14. Rich Harden, Chi
15. Carlos Zambrano, Chi

16. Adam Wainwright, StL

17. Ryan Dempster, Chi

18. Edinson Volquez, Cin
19. Derek Lowe, Atl

20. Max Scherzer, Arz
21. Aaron Harang, Cin

22. Josh Johnson, Fla

23. Randy Johnson, SF
24. Chris Young, SD
25. Brett Myers, Phi
26. Johnny Cueto, Cin

27. Hiroki Kuroda, LA

28. Chris Carpenter, StL

29. John Maine, NY

30. Clayton Kershaw, LA

31. Jair Jurrjens, Atl

32. Manny Parra, Mil

33. Oliver Perez, NY

34. Wandy Rodriguez, Hou

35. Bronson Arroyo, Cin

36. Mike Pelfrey, NY

37. Chris Volstad, Fla

38. Kenshin Kawakami, Atl

39. Jonathan Sanchez, SF

40. Ubaldo Jimenez, Col