Ramirez rehab scheduled

Aramis Ramirez's rehab assignment begins Thursday, which is good news for the Cubs. Ramirez's bat has been sorely missed, but the Cubs are seeing production in his place from rookie Jake Fox. Fox went 2-3 Monday in a 3-1 victory over the Pirates, leaving him at .347 at the Major League level this season. Fox is Chicago's hottest hitter, and taking him out of the lineup would only be counterproductive while he's hitting so well.

Fantasy Impact: If and when Ramirez is ready to come back, the Cubs will have a serious decision to make: do they sit Fox, a below-average defensive player, in favor of Milton Bradley in right field? Ramirez would certainly inherit his third base spot when he's available, meaning Fox will have to slot somewhere else. Right field might be the only option.

Aramis Ramirez disabled

Aramis Ramirez separated his non-throwing shoulder diving for a ball in Milwaukee Saturday night. He's expected out four to six weeks.

Fantasy Impact: While it's not his right shoulder, we're still expecting Ramirez to be gone for the latter half of that estimate. A separated shoulder is not a good injury to have as it can impact a player's swing even when he's capable of playing again.

Look for Mike Fontenot to get the lion's share at third. He's already third-base eligible in a number of leagues, and this development should get him the starts he needs in most leagues. Ryan Freel, recently acquired from Baltimore, might be the leadoff man the Cubs craved at second base. Keep an eye on Freel.

Cubs losing their legs

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez left in the fifth inning in St. Louis with a leg problem. Ramirez strained his left calf running the bases.

Then in the bottom of the eighth an erratic Carlos Marmol seemed to plant awkwardly while delivering a pitch and also had to leave. Marmol left under his own power and looked more frustrated than he did in pain.

Aramis back, but is the back bad?

Aramis Ramirez returned to the Cubs lineup after back stiffness kept him out of a pair of games against Colorado. During his first at bat, Cubs announcer Len Kasper said Ramirez's back problems actually lingered throughout the spring.

Fantasy Impact: It's not the best news when one of the top five players at a position is dealing with a potentially chronic ailment. If Ramirez continues to miss starts here and there, he becomes an injury-risk starter whose value decreases. We still forecast Ramirez right behind A-Rod, David Wright, Evan Longoria and Miguel Cabrera (who still has eligibility this season) at third. Chipper Jones and Garrett Atkins are his primary competitors as potential top-five players at the hot corner.