NL FAAB Factor: Wainwright's Return in View

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. We have two goals for this article:

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your free-agent budget you should bid on them.

One size does not fit all, and we could never hope to encompass all league structures, so bids are based on:

• 12-team league (either NL or Mixed, we'll specify)
• 5x5 categories
• $100 FAAB budget

Note: This week's column, like last week's, is not an exhaustive list of who was promoted. Instead, I have profiled those players who will either fill a substantive role on their team down the stretch or project in the future to have a key role or bright future with their team. If I missed anyone or there is someone you would like profiled, please put it in the comments section below.

Starting Pitcher

Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks - Corbin won his fourth straight decision Monday and has quality starts in seven of his past nine starts dating back to July 24. His six shutout innings lowered his ERA to 3.32 to go with an impeccable 61:13 K:BB for the season. Corbin is still not all the way back from Tommy John surgery, as he has not topped 91 pitches since returning, but his fine performance bodes well for what could be expected in 2016. Mixed: $9; NL: owned.

Tim Hudson, Giants - Hudson, sidelined with a shoulder injury since the end of July, was activated as expected Sept. 1. He was expected to only pitch out of the bullpen, but got a spot start Tuesday in which he allowed just one run on four hits over six innings against Arizona. Hudson will stick in the rotation for at least one more turn, starting early this week at home against the Reds. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Ariel Pena, Brewers - Pena, who started and relieved for Triple-A Colorado Springs, made his first major league start Wednesday. He allowed just two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four to earn a second start this Tuesday. Pena posted a 4.46 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 83:32 K:BB in 82.2 innings with Colorado Springs, so don't expect much from him if he does remain in the rotation. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Logan Verrett, Mets - Verrett, who was brilliant in a spot start for Matt Harvey in Colorado in August, will again start in place of Harvey on Monday. The Mets are looking (or being forced) to control Harvey's innings to keep him available for the postseason, resulting in him getting skipped for at least one or maybe two starts. Verrett will step into that breach and will likely get a start or two after that as the Mets go to a six-man rotation to preserve some bullets for the postseason. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Ryan Weber, Braves - Weber, who went 6-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 38 combined games (nine starts) between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this season, was promoted to start Tuesday for Atlanta. He gave up just two earned runs and four hits over six innings in his MLB debut and earned another start Sunday against the Mets. Weber was 6-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 35:9 K:BB in 27 games (six starts) at Gwinnett. The low strikeout rate is concerning, but his pitch-to-contact ways were successful in the minors and in his first start. He should get more of a test Sunday against the Mets. Mixed: $0; NL: $3.

Injury activation/updates:

A.J. Burnett, Pirates - Burnett, out since July 30 with a strained flexor tendon, started Thursday. He allowed three runs in five innings, but all three runs came in the first inning. When he originally suffered the injury, the concern was that his season and career were over, but the UCL turned out to be intact. Burnett, 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 21 starts before he was sidelined, will remain in the Pirates' rotation the rest of the way. Mixed: $4; NL: $11 (upped return bid).

Matt Cain, Giants - Cain, who landed on the disabled list on Aug. 28 with nerve irritation in his pitching elbow, was activated off the DL last week after a short rehab stint. He likely pitched with the injury for a bit, as his ERA ballooned from 4.91 to 6.15 over five starts in August before he was shut down. Cain will likely pitch in the bullpen for San Francisco down the stretch. Mixed: $0 NL: $2.

Jose Fernandez, Marlins - Fernandez, out with a strained biceps since Aug. 7, was activated off the disabled list and started Saturday against the Nationals. He allowed no runs on two hits and a walk while striking out seven over five innings and 69 pitches. Fernandez likely will remain in the rotation the rest of the year for Miami. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues, but if not ... Mixed: $11; NL: $35.

Jeremy Hellickson, Diamondbacks - Hellickson, out since mid-August with glute tightness, will start Monday against San Diego. He made one rehab start for Triple-A Reno, allowing six hits, one walk and three earned runs over six innings and 75 pitches. Prior to being sidelined, Hellickson posted a 3.41 ERA, .233 BAA and 27:10 K:BB in six second-half starts. He might need one more rehab start before rejoining the Arizona rotation. Mixed: $3; NL: $9 (same return bid).

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - Wainwright, who had surgery in late April to repair a torn Achilles' tendon, could be back before the end of the regular season. He was expected to need 9-12 months to recover from the injury, but Wainwright has recovered much faster than expected. He likely will only be used out of the bullpen and may not be ready until the postseason, but there is a shot he'll pitch as a reliever the last week of the season. Mixed: $3; NL: $9 (if in a keeper league).

Relief Pitcher

Brandon Finnegan, Reds - Finnegan was a mild surprise of a call-up last week for the Reds. Acquired from the Royals in the Johnny Cueto deal, Finnegan struggled after moving back to starting, posting a 6.23 ERA across eight starts (30.1 innings) with Triple-A Louisville. For now, he is working in relief for Cincinnati, but with the team playing out the string, look for him to get a start or two down the stretch. Mixed: $1; NL: $4.

Carl Edwards, Jr., Cubs - Edwards, who began the year at Double-A Tennessee, was promoted to the majors last Monday. The move of Edwards from starting to relieving to begin the year paid dividends for him and the Cubs. In June, Edwards moved up to Triple-A Iowa, where he made 23 appearances, posting a 2.84 ERA with a 39:24 K:BB in 31.2 innings. If Edwards can control that walk rate, he profiles to be a dominant back-of-the-bullpen pitcher. Mixed: $0; NL: $3.

Injury activation/update:

Carter Capps, Marlins - Capps threw a pain-free bullpen session Tuesday, his first since landing on the disabled list with an flexor muscle strain in early August. He was slated to throw Friday and could return this week. Prior to being sidelined, Capps had a 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in just 31 innings out of the pen. Mixed: $2; NL: $7.

Catcher

A.J. Ellis, Dodgers - Ellis saw additional action this week with Yasmani Grandal sidelined with a shoulder injury. Grandal returned to the lineup Saturday, but with LA having a commanding division lead, they could be cautious with his playing time, enabling Ellis to get at-bats. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Dustin Garneau and Tom Murphy, Rockies - Murphy, who hit .256/.314/.490 with 20 home runs in 105 games between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Albuquerque, was called up Friday with Nick Hundley landing on the 60-day disabled list. Garneau, who posted a .274/.335/.475 line with 15 homers in 81 games at Triple-A this season to earn a call-up last month, should see most of the action behind the plate backed up by Murphy. Garneau - Mixed: $3; NL: $9; Murphy - Mixed: $0; NL: $3.

First Base

Injury activation/updates:

Matt Adams, Cardinals - Adams, out since late May with a torn right quadriceps that required surgery to repair, was activated Wednesday. He has been cleared to hit, but not to play the field. Earlier in the month, Adams suffered a setback, but he progressed well enough to be activated, at least as a pinch hitter. He'll likely need to get cleared to play in the field to make the postseason roster. Mixed: $1; NL: $4 (lowered return bid) due to usage.

Lucas Duda, Mets - Duda, out since Aug. 22 with lower back stiffness, was activated Monday after a two-game rehab stint with Double-A Binghamton. Prior to being sidelined, Duda was hitting .246 with 21 homers and 56 RBI this season. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Second Base

Jedd Gyorko, Padres - Gyorko, who played shortstop in college, has seen extensive action at the position recently for the Padres. His offensive numbers at shortstop - 16-for-47 with six home runs through Thursday - are much nicer than what he's put up this year at second, where he's hitting .229 with seven home runs in 279 at-bats. Gyorko has below-average range at short, but he's made up for it with his quick hands and smooth actions. It's unclear if he will be the starter at short in 2016, but his solid play there gives San Diego something to consider this offseason. Mixed: $12; NL: owned.

Injury activation/updates:

Howie Kendrick, Dodgers - Kendrick, out since Aug. 10 with a hamstring injury, ran hard twice from first base to third base after going through a three-inning simulated game Friday. Prior to being sidelined, Kendrick was hitting well, upping his line to .296/.341/.418 on the year. Assuming he doesn't have another setback, Kendrick could be back in a week and should remain the Dodgers' everyday second baseman despite the addition of Chase Utley. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Joe Panik, Giants - Panik, out since the beginning of August with lower-back inflammation, was activated Monday after a short rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento. Unfortunately, he had a recurrence of the back injury and has been sitting the past few games for Kelby Tomlinson. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Shortstop

Nick Ahmed, Diamondbacks - Ahmed has acquitted himself fairly well this season, his first as a starter. His overall numbers aren't great, but he does have 16 doubles and nine home runs on the season. In addition, Ahmed showed speed in the minors, which eventually should translate to the majors as stolen bases. However, his hold on the spot may be short-lived, as Dansby Swanson could be ready before too long. Mixed: $3; NL: $9.

Third Base

Cody Asche, Phillies - Asche is seeing time at third with Maikel Franco (wrist) still out and the Phillies wanting to look at Aaron Altherr and Darnell Sweeney in the outfield. Franco may be back in a week, but until then, Asche, who opened the year as the team's starter at the hot corner, should see action there. When Asche sits, Andres Blanco will play third until Franco returns. Mixed: $2; NL: owned.

Injury activation/update:

Maikel Franco, Phillies - Franco, diagnosed with a small, non-displaced fracture in his wrist nearly two weeks ago, may take batting practice shortly. He took 20 pain-free swings in a batting cage Wednesday, paving the way for the BP session. If he comes out of that without issue, he could head to the Phillies' spring training facility to get at-bats in simulated games. Barring any setbacks, Franco, who is batting .277/.340/.490 with 13 homers and 48 RBI in 77 games, could return for the final two weeks of the regular season. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.

Outfield

Socrates Brito and Peter O'Brien, Diamondbacks - Brito, who came up from Double-A Mobile, doesn't have big power, but his speed, ability to make contact, and defense could make him a decent fourth or fifth outfielder. However, Arizona is loaded in the outfield, so he may need a deal or two before he can earn that type of spot. O'Brien, who was called up from Triple-A Reno, where he hit .284/.332/.551 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI, moved from catcher to outfield this year. He, like Brito, is blocked in the outfield, but his power bat gives him a better shot at earning playing time next year. Brito - Mixed: No; NL: $2; O'Brien - Mixed: $2; NL: $7 (especially if he still qualifies at catcher).

Chris Heisey, Dodgers - Heisey, promoted last week, could see some starts against lefties due to all the injuries in the LA outfield. Carl Crawford, Joc Pederson and Andre Ethier should start daily, but one or several could sit against southpaws, allowing Heisey to play with Yasiel Puig and Enrique Hernandez out with hamstring injuries. Mixed: No; NL: $2.

Injury activation/updates:

Corey Dickerson, Rockies - Dickerson, out since suffering two non-displaced rib fractures on July 30 and who has dealt with plantar fasciitis all year, was activated Tuesday. He has been in the lineup daily since returning and as long as his foot doesn't act up, he should play regularly the rest of the way. Mixed: $8; NL: $22 (in case he was waived).

Randal Grichuk, Cardinals - Grichuk, out after injuring his right elbow in mid-August, was surprisingly activated last Sunday. He has mostly been limited to pinch hitting, as he was unable to throw in the one game in which he appeared in the outfield. Grichuk believes he is about a week or so from his elbow being 100 percent, though that may be somewhat optimistic. St. Louis has a playoff spot all but locked up, but their once-commanding division lead is shrinking, so it will be interesting to see if they push Grichuk at all to play in the outfield. Likely still owned.

Billy Hamilton, Reds - Hamilton, out with a sprained capsule in his right shoulder, was activated Tuesday after a three-game rehab stint with Double-A Pensacola. Likely still owned.

Jorge Soler, Cubs - Soler, out since Aug. 24 with a strained oblique, kicked off a rehab stint with High-A Myrtle Beach on Friday. He should be activated Tuesday and slide back into his starting spot in right field. Likely still owned.

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins - Stanton, out since June 27 with a left wrist hamate fracture, has been limited to just dry swings lately. He played one game at High-A Jupiter on Sept. 1, but has been not seen game action since then. The belief is that Stanton will return to Miami's lineup before the end of the season, but that is starting to look a bit more doubtful. Prior to being sidelined, Stanton was batting .265 with 27 homers and 67 RBI over 74 games. Due to ongoing issues with the wrist, temper your expectations if he does return. Just an FYI as he should be owned in all leagues.