By Brad Yoho
This week’s hitter report features a number of rookies who have been raking for their respective ball clubs in recent weeks. The question is, can you count on them down the stretch?
Meanwhile, the slumping Padres have had offensive issues all season, but never before have they had two hitters featured in the “down” section. Are they worth holding onto?
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Aaron Hill, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays
I’m not sure what to make of Hill’s recent hot streak because he has been such a disappointment this season. Every time he seems like he might have turned the corner he has gone into an even bigger slump. One thing that he has done consistently well this season is hit home runs; he has 23 at the moment and while he has no shot of reaching last year’s career total of 36, his owners should find solace in the fact that his 2010 season

Orlando Cabrera,

SS (Reds) - 9/9/2010 5:40:03 PM

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports Cabrera (oblique) was out of the Reds' lineup for a second straight day with a strained oblique.
Insight: Cabrera missed time earlier this season with this oblique issue, and aggravated the injury on Tuesday. He hopes to be able to play on Friday. (RapidDraft.com)

Freddy Garcia,

SP (White Sox) - 9/9/2010 5:35:56 PM

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reports Garcia (back) received an epideral in his back on Thursday and has a chance to start on Sunday against Kansas City.
Insight: Garcia has left his last two starts with this back issue, so he is a very risky fantasy play if he does pitch. (RapidDraft.com)

Michael Bourn,

OF (Astros) - 9/9/2010 5:33:04 PM

MLB.com's Bryan McTaggart reports Bourn is not in the Astros' lineup on Thursday night against the Dodgers.
Insight: Bourn is hitting just .208 against left-handers this season, so he will sit against Dodgers' starter Ted Lilly. (RapidDraft.com)

Joey Votto,

1B (Reds) - 9/9/2010 5:21:11 PM

Votto went 0-for-4 against Colorado on Thursday, but did drive in his 100th run of the season.
Insight: Votto is hitting .323 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI this season. (RapidDraft.com)

Drew Stubbs,

OF (Reds) - 9/9/2010 5:19:44 PM

Stubbs went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI against Colorado on Thursday.
Insight: Stubbs is hitting .245 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI on the season. (RapidDraft.com)

Jose Valverde,

RP (Tigers) - 9/9/2010 5:04:52 PM

MLB.com's Jason Beck reports, via Twitter, that Valverde (right elbow) has some tenderness around his right elbow and will not be available for a few days.
Insight: Valverde is 25-for-28 in save opportunities this season. (RapidDraft.com)

Johnny Damon,

CF (Tigers) - 9/9/2010 4:35:59 PM

Damon went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored against the White Sox on Thursday.
Insight: Damon is hitting .273 with eight home runs and 46 RBI on the season. (RapidDraft.com)

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