Cup check, Beltre

Adrian Beltre might miss the remainder of the season after taking one where in counts and not counting on a protective cup.

Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said the Gold Glove infielder is out indefinitely, and could need surgery because of bleeding in a testicle.

Beltre was walking stiffly with his legs far apart on Thursday before the Mariners hosted the New York Yankees. He was due to see a specialist, who will decide if surgery is needed.

"They don't want him doing anything, just sitting and resting and icing," Wakamatsu said of trainers.

"They say if it's a major surgery it could be at least a month, maybe more, so there's a chance of that. ... It's healing already, it's just a matter of whether they're going to have to go in and fix it surgically. We'll know shortly."

Fantasy Impact: Ouch! Especially ouch for fantasy owners enjoying Beltre's recent eight-game hitting streak. He's not the best offensive third baseman, so there are other options out there. In fact, Beltre's Thursday replacement filled in quite admirably. Josh Wilson produced the only Seattle run with a home run. He owns three homers over parts of three MLB seasons dating back to 2005. A lifetime .218 career hitter, Wilson won't make many fantasy rosters.

Don't snooze on Kouz

Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff is potentially set to take off as a fantasy option after going 5-5 Thursday against the Brewers to up his average to .263. Kouzmanoff has 11 hits in his last three games. An adjustment in Kouzmanoff's hitting approach might be the difference.

Fantasy Impact: Maybe it's something in the water in Milwaukee. Kouzmanoff was hovering in the .240s before the hitting binge against the Brew Crew. Then again, the Padres teed off on Milwaukee as a whole, scoring 28 runs over three games. Therein lays the rub: did Kouzmanoff and the Padres hit this well, or did the Brewers actually pitch this poorly? Kouz hasn't produced to the levels of more stable third basemen over his three full seasons in the Majors, but he's not a terrible option. His numbers compare to a slightly less productive Joe Crede during Crede's better years with the White Sox. Kouzmanoff's strong defense (just three errors in 2009) will keep him in the lineup, too. He's a low-end option as a starter in fantasy play, but he's certainly good enough to be on your roster as a part-time player.

Matsui mashes two homers

Hideki Matsui continues to put together a solid season. The Yankees once-slugging outfielder is flashing power now and again this season, and doing it more often with his third and fourth home runs of August in an 11-1 Yankees whipping of the Mariners. Matsui goes 4-5 with 5 RBI and four runs scored.

Fantasy Impact: Left by many on the fantasy scrap heap for his injury risk and decreased production, Matsui has proven a decent option as a fourth outfielder. He's no longer the power threat he once was, but it's hard to scoff at 19 home runs and that band box the Yankees call home.

Jeter keeps ticking

Derek Jeter is OK. The Yankees shortstop, who left Wednesday's game after taking a pitch off his right foot for X-rays, only missed at bats Thursday because the Yankees blew away the Mariners, 11-1. Jeter found himself at the top of the Yankees order once again, slugging his 14th home run in a 2-4 effort at the plate. Jeter continues to produce as one of the top options at shortstop in fantasy play.

Fantasy Impact: The X-rays must have been precautionary in nature. The 35-year-old Jeter is putting together one of his classic all-around seasons at the top of the Yankees order. He's right there chasing Hanley Ramirez as arguably the next-best option at SS in fantasy play.

Another Hamilton multi-hit game

Josh Hamilton makes it eight multi-hit games the last ten times out, going 4-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored in a 4-1 Rangers win over the Indians. Hamilton rips two doubles, his 12th and 13th of the season, and he ups his average to .260, the high-point since a .263 spike on July 7th.

Fantasy Impact: The sign of things to come? The once substance-addicted outfielder has been under scrutiny for recently admitting to backsliding at least once this offseason. He did take responsibility for the episode with his team and then again with the media, but the issue doesn't help his image much. It's more likely Hamilton's injuries that kept him back this season.

Arroyo dominates

Bronson Arroyo strings together his fourth straight quality start, this time producing his best effort of the year. The reds starter tosses a complete-game shutout, two-hitting the Nationals on his way to his 11th victory. Maybe it's the supplements?

Fantasy Impact: This kind of performance by a mid- to low-end fantasy option is the kind of thing that earns owners a winning week. Arroyo is not, however, in the midst of some sort of awakening as a fantasy play. His first year back in the National League was the most impressive of his career (3.29 ERA/1.19 WHIP/.243 BAA), but since then his numbers have taken a steady rise. Arroyo's 1.40-plus WHIP ever since is the sign of an average pitcher potentially declining. He's avoidable, if possible despite the very occasional gem. If Major League teams take a pass, shouldn't you?