First Basemen

Ben Broussard, Texas

A .159 average (13-for-82) and just eight RBI this season wasn't enough to keep Broussard on the Rangers. His last home run came April 6, and the team designated him for assignment May 9. He was subsequently waived nine days later. He's had some success with the long ball in the past - 21 home runs in 2007 - but he can no longer be considered a consistent power threat. Depending on where he lands, consider stashing him in AL-only leagues, but he should be released in all other formats.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Stash

Third Basemen

Edwin Encarnacion, Cincinnati

Encarnacion was a popular pickup earlier this year and for good reason, as he hit .293 with seven home runs and 15 RBI in April. However, May's been a different story. He's recorded just 10 hits in 56 at-bats for a .179 average this month with only one home run and four RBI. He's been prone to month-long slumps in the past - he hit just .220 with no home runs in April 2007 - but he's still a dangerous hitter when he's on. Don't consider dropping him in any league formats just yet, though he's probably not worth starting every day.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
NL-only: Hold

Alberto Gonzalez, New York Yankees

Gonzalez has been one of a few beneficiaries of Alex Rodriguez's (quadriceps) recent stint on the disabled list. The backup infielder made two starts this past weekend at third base, bringing his at-bat total to 38 on the year. However, Rodriguez looks set to return Tuesday, which could spell the end of Gonzalez's time in the majors. Go ahead and drop him in all league formats.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Discard

Shortstops

Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels

After finishing April with a .318 average, Aybar's hitting just .203 with only six runs scored in May. The light-hitting infielder registered his first home run of the year and has managed seven RBI this month (two short of his April total). However, the big reason he's on this list is for his average, which is in a free fall. He's hitting just .171 with three runs in his last 10 games. If he isn't helping with his average, he isn't worth holding on to in shallow mixed leagues. Go ahead and drop him in those formats, but hang on to him in all others.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Stash
AL-only: Hold

Outfielders

Brad Hawpe, Colorado

Fantasy owners have heard this story before. Hawpe hits .256 with 10 RBI in April before turning it around in May with a .333 average, seven home runs and 22 RBI, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners who had dropped him. That was the 2007 version of Hawpe. The 2008 version has yet to turn things around and is hitting just .231 with eight RBI so far in May. The struggling hitter's still too talented to drop outright in any formats, but he should be benched until he returns to his old slugging self.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Hold
NL-only: Hold

Melky Cabrera, New York Yankees

Cabrera's hitting at a .184 pace over his last 10 games with only two RBI to show for his troubles. While his April numbers (.299 average, five home runs, 12 RBI, 15 runs) had him registering on fantasy radars, his May numbers have seen him end up on a few drop lists. Fantasy owners should keep in mind his numbers might get a boost with the expected return of Alex Rodriguez on Tuesday, but he's still worth hanging on to only in deep mixed and AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Stash
AL-only: Hold

Emil Brown, Oakland

The jig could be up for Brown. After an outstanding April that saw him drive in 21 runs, he's failed to record any RBI in his last six games. He's also hitting just .143 in his last 10 games, which has caused his overall average to plummet to .256. If you own him in any leagues, now might be a good time to start shopping him. He overachieved during the first month of the season, and his value may continue to diminish. If you can't find a trading partner, hang on to him for now in mixed leagues, but he's no longer an everyday starter.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Stash
AL-only: Hold

Lastings Milledge, Washington

As Mets outfielder Ryan Church keeps racking up hit after hit, more pressure is put on Milledge to provide the Nationals the type of offense they believed him capable of after an off-season trade. He's failed to provide much of anything this month with a .179 average (.139 in his last 10 games), four RBI and four runs. It's still too early to drop the talented outfielder, but stash him on your bench for now in shallow mixed leagues.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
NL-only: Hold

Designated Hitters

Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox

Thome finished April with a .218 average, four home runs and 15 RBI to his name. The power numbers made stomaching his low average possible. However, he's failed to keep up that pace with just one home run and four RBI in May. His average has continued to dip as well, going 7-for-46 this month. His career numbers suggest he's still a good bet to finish with 20-plus home runs and 90-plus RBI, so stick with him in all league formats, though he's no longer an everyday starter.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
AL-only: Hold

Jeff Clement, Seattle

With designated hitter Jose Vidro set to resume his role as the team's regular designated hitter, the Mariners could not find enough at-bats to justify keeping Clement in the majors. As a designated hitter, he hit at just a .105 clip (4-for-38). However, as a catcher he posted a .400 average (4-for-10) with one RBI. With roadblocks at both his expected positions, he could find it hard to break back into the major league lineup this season. If you own him in any mixed leagues, now would be a time to drop him. He's worth keeping in any AL-only and keeper leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Hold

Starting Pitchers

Tom Gorzelanny, Pittsburgh

If the Hair Club for Men is looking for any new customers, they only have to target fantasy owners stuck with the inconsistent Gorzelanny. He's allowed seven runs in a game three times this year while posting a 2.73 ERA in his five other starts. However, those three starts are the reason for his 6.64 ERA on the season. The big problem for him has been control (31 walks in 40 2/3 innings). Fantasy owners should be worried as he was great last May - his struggles came later in the year - which hasn't been the case this year. Go ahead and discard him in all shallow mixed leagues. Hang on to him for the time being in deep mixed leagues based on his past success.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Stash
NL-only: Hold

Derek Lowe, Los Angeles Dodgers

Sunday marked the third time in his last four starts Lowe has been tagged with a loss, and this one was by far the ugliest. He made it through five innings, giving up seven runs on 10 hits while managing just three strikeouts. He now has just two wins, a 5.34 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP on the season. He's been a solid pitcher during his three years in Los Angeles, but if he keeps up this pace he'll finish with his lowest win totals since he became a full-time starter (12 in 2005). Hang on to him if you need the pitching help in shallow mixed leagues, but drop him if he doesn't improve his numbers soon.

Shallow mixed: Stash
Deep mixed: Stash
NL-only: Hold

Max Scherzer, Arizona

Starting pitcher Doug Davis (thyroid cancer) allowed just two runs over five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Tucson on Sunday, and he appears set to return to the starting rotation, though manager Bob Melvin hasn't made anything official just yet. His return from the disabled list could come in place of Scherzer, who's pitched well despite failing to record a win in his four appearances this year. He's allowed earned runs in just one start this year. Don't be put off by his possible move to the bullpen. He's still a talented pitcher who can contribute to your ERA, strikeout and WHIP categories. Hang on to him in all league formats.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
NL-only: Hold

Relief Pitchers

Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees

The bulky righty's now made 17 appearances (18 1/3 innings) out of the bullpen, and the team's stated they have no plans to move him into the starting rotation. This despite both injuries and poor outings plaguing their rotation. Chamberlain's still a solid reliever (2.95 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 22 Ks), but he likely was drafted to be a starter down the road. His value is still high due to his name, so try and see if another owner overvalues him for a trade. Even if you can't find a suitable trading partner, hang on to him in all formats as he's a good relief option and could still find his way into the rotation later this year.

Shallow mixed: Hold
Deep mixed: Hold
AL-only: Hold

Masahide Kobayashi, Cleveland

The name may change, but the story remains the same for whichever Indians reliever gets the call in the ninth. It was Kobayashi's turn to close Saturday, and he gave up three runs in just one-third of an inning to take the loss. In just one outing, his ERA jumped from 1.86 to 3.20. With the imminent return of closer Joe Borowski (triceps), relying on Kobayashi to get save situations seems to be a risky proposition. Go ahead and drop him in all formats except AL-only leagues.

Shallow mixed: Discard
Deep mixed: Discard
AL-only: Hold