With the All-Star break finally coming to an end, it's about time that we got back into the regular rhythm of the fantasy season. This week, a couple of superstars find themselves on the disabled list, and now fantasy owners are scrambling to find viable replacements. Let's see what we have in store in Week 17.

Starting Pitcher to Start

In celebration of the NL defeating the AL in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, I would like to start off this week’s Start/Sit piece with a starting pitcher from the National League. Recently, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Vicente Padilla has been performing well, pitching 14 straight scoreless innings and lowering his ERA from 4.72 to 3.65 over his past two starts. For the season, Padilla is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA, 55 Ks and 15 BBs in 61.2 innings pitched.

As of late, Padilla has been clocking his fastball in the mid-90s, and his arsenal of breaking pitches has been effective to date. If any fantasy owner needs a man to step into the starting rotation (and I know you all are out there, especially with Andy Pettitte and Jake Peavy going down), Padilla is the perfect choice while he is hot.

Hitter to Start

Staying in the National League (and I’m a fan of the AL, so don’t think that I like celebrating that NL victory), we move over to a different team in the NL West, the Colorado Rockies. Recently, middle infielder Clint Barmes has been on a tear, as he is currently riding a seven-game hit streak. With previous knowledge that Barmes can tend to be a streaky hitter, this can be a solid sign for fantasy owners.

Although he is only batting .261 on the year, the Rockies will have him in the lineup for as long as starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is out, and even when Tulowitzki does make his return, Barmes is expected to simply slide over to second base. As long as he’s hot, Barmes should be starting in all fantasy formats.

Reliever to Start

It’s time that we shifted over back to the American League, as reliever Chris Perez makes his debut in this year’s Start/Sit column. With closer Kerry Wood going on the disabled list, the former Cardinal Perez has filled in nicely for the veteran. In three appearances, he has recorded two saves, allowing one hit and striking out one in three innings of work.

With the Indians actually looking like a decent team as of late, Perez has gotten his share of opportunities. With that in mind, the youngster could prove to be an effective weapon for any fantasy owner. If he continues to succeed in the ninth-inning role, we could see a new closer finishing out games for the Tribe.

Youngster to Start

I must say, my decision to hold on to Chicago White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham has worked out nicely for my fantasy squad over the past few weeks. Over his past 16 games, Beckham is hitting .346, raising his average from an abysmal .208 to a comparably decent .237.

This youngster, who in my opinion has one of the better-looking right-handed swings in all of baseball, is finally beginning to heat up, and with him being eligible at both second and third base in several formats, fantasy owners should be taking advantage. Start him in Week 17, and continue to do so unless he begins to drop off again.

Bonus Start

It’s time for this week’s “Bonus Start”! This week, we will be taking a glance at Padres starter Mat Latos. Latos, who was recently placed on the 15-day DL due to an injured oblique, is expected to return in the second half of the season this upcoming Saturday, allowing fans who have decided to hold on to the innings-limited youngster to finally stick him back in the lineup. If he can come back and repeat his performances from the first half, then I can safely say that his return will be worth the wait.

Starting Pitcher to Sit

If you didn’t read the news earlier in this piece, a devastating blow will be hitting the rosters of several fantasy teams around the country. As of today, Yankees southpaw Andy Pettitte has officially been placed on the 15-day DL with a groin injury, and all indications say that he will be staying there until late August.

With that being said, there is no reason why Pettitte should find any place but the bench. With his 11-2 record, 2.88 ERA and 90 Ks, Pettitte will prove to be an essential weapon down the stretch, especially playing for the World Championship-hungry Yankees. Just place him in the DL slot or in a reserve opening until he returns.

Hitter to Sit

Speaking of big-name players hitting the disabled list, anyone ever heard of this guy named Manny Ramirez? Apparently he has hit the DL twice before over the course of the 2010 campaign, and as of Tuesday he has found his way back. According to reports, a calf injury will keep Ramirez out until early August, knocking him out for the majority of Week 17.

For fantasy owners, this situation can be directly related to Pettitte’s above. So here is my advice: Do not do anything crazy with Manny. When healthy, Ramirez is one of the most dangerous righties in the National League, and come fantasy playoff time, this can be an essential asset to any squad. Simply place him into a DL spot or open reserve slot until he is reactivated.

Reliever to Sit

Well, Kerry Wood owners, I think that it’s just about time that we “stuck a fork” in your relief pitcher. After already having a dreadful 2010 campaign (1-4, 6.30 ERA, 18 Ks and eight SVs), an injury has finally knocked him onto the disabled list, and with the way that youngster Chris Perez has been looking as of late, it seems as though Wood may have thrown his final pitch in the ninth inning.

With the 33-year-old pitcher appearing as though he has little left in the tank, I think it’s about time to simply skip over the whole “sit him” option and drop the veteran altogether.

Youngster to Sit

With Carlos Beltran back in the New York Mets lineup, manager Jerry Manuel has had a difficult decision to make. Should he continue to send out the struggling Jeff Francoeur on a day-to-day basis, or should he simply make the 26-year-old right fielder a permanent reserve?

Take it from me, Jerry—“Frenchy” shouldn’t be considered anything but a bench warmer right now. Whether it’s his dreadful .122 BA in the month of July or his .246 BA for the year, one thing is for certain: Francoeur needs some time away from the lineup card. With the decision to officially make him a reserve outfielder coming soon, I would say that it’s about time you made the same move.

Bonus Sit

It’s time for our infamous “Bonus Sit." This week, we are spotlighting Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan. The 25-year-old Rookie of the Year in 2009, Coghlan had been performing well leading up to the All-Star break; however, times have changed for the youngster. He has recently hit a wall, going 0-for-16 and dealing with a sore lower back over his past few contests. If he is indeed injured, then a sit for Week 17 would not be out of the question. To conclude, simply monitor his progress over the next week.