Fantasy Baseball's Comeback Players

Victor Martinez, Tigers

The 34-year-old Martinez is coming off a torn ACL, an injury that tends to end a catcher's career. The good news is that V-Mart still has a future as the Tigers' DH, but will remain eligible at catcher in most leagues after registering at least 20 games behind the plate in 2011. Statistically, Martinez should benefit from hitting behind Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and monster masher Prince Fielder. An ACL roadblock didn't slow Adrian Peterson in a more physically demanding sport, but there's always considerable risk involved with drafting an aging player coming off a major injury. Martinez should repay that gamble.

Ryan Howard, Phillies

Howard missed about half of 2012 while recovering from an Achilles tear that kept him from staying at his playing weight, something that tends to hamper 6-foot-4 behemoths in their 30s. Reports this winter indicate Howard is in much better shape now that he's no longer rehabbing. Speed was never part of Howard's game, so we should expect the 33-year-old to shake off the rust and produce his usual 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI after an offseason of health and weight training. Howard's low batting average a year ago will keep him from being drafted among the top 12, or even top 15, fantasy first basemen. He'll be a great value at that point and will represent an outstanding fallback option. If you're looking deeper for some other rebound candidates, consider: Kendrys Morales, Justin Morneau, Ike Davis or Mark Reynolds.

Chase Utley, Phillies

Chronic knee issues have sapped much from Utley, 34, but he showed enough last year for us to consider him a fantasy starter at a thin position. He stars at the true outcomes -- walks and homers -- so he stands a chance to reach the 20-homer mark again in Philadelphia's hitter-friendly ballpark. Consider him a solid fallback option if you miss out on one of the pseudo-elite second basemen in the middle rounds.

Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

This is an easy one, because the 27-year-old Tulowitzki was limited to just 47 games in what should have been the crowning year of his career. Non-stop injury concerns are the only thing preventing Tulo from being No. 1 on this draft board, but his numbers have always been good when he has been able to play (.292/.364/.504 in 744 career games). He should be fully healthy for spring training after healing from the groin injury that plagued him in 2012. That's a widely held opinion, though. With the nation's love affair with Tulowitzki alive and well, Reyes, Castro and Ramirez will be safer picks relative to their draft position.

Evan Longoria, Rays

Judging by his suppressed 2012 numbers (.289/17/55/39/2/.368/.527), Longoria might not look elite, but extrapolating his half-season totals to 150 games presents a .289/34/110 monster. Many will pick Adrian Beltre before Longoria. They shouldn't. Some might even go with Aramis Ramirez or 2012 breakout Headley. That would also be a mistake. Longoria is one of the faces of baseball, and when his surgically repaired hamstring holds up for a full season again, he'll make every fantasy owner who passed on him regret it. What's more: He's going to be 27 this season, which could mean career highs across the board (.295/35/115/105/15/.375/.535).

Matt Kemp, Dodgers

Kemp is coming off an injury-plagued, age-27 season that's keeping him from being the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy this year. He went from around .325/40/125/115/40 to being worthless in the second half, which is fantasy crunch time. That's enough to embitter many fantasy owners, so if Kemp slips into the middle of Round 1, consider him a steal. Regardless of the hamstring woes that slowed him in midseason or the shoulder procedure he is recovering from now, Kemp will be ready for spring training and will hit in the heart of a potent lineup. He'll be a fantasy star again.

Tim Lincecum, Giants

Lincecum's velocity and fantasy value declined so quickly, I'm inclined to believe both will return this season. He's not going to be fantasy's top pitcher again, but he's still only 28 and his performance in the postseason shows he hasn't lost his stuff. He just needs to figure out how to sustain his success given his skinny frame and wonky delivery. Lincecum was so good so soon that his 2012 struggles aren't necessarily a bad thing. He needed to learn to become more pitcher than thrower. If he's done that, he can again be a fantasy ace.

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

An ACL injury seemed likely to end Rivera's Hall of Fame career. Instead, Rivera, 43, decided to return for a 19th season. He said in January that his surgically repaired knee felt about 95 percent, which would put him on pace to open the season as the Yankees' closer again. Rivera has defied the odds throughout his career, so we shouldn't discount his ability to post another solid season. With so few sure things at closer, Rivera ranks just outside the top 10.

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