Ah, the injury bug. It can bite your fantasy team just as viciously as it bites a big league team and turn a season of promise into a season of doubt. But help is on the way, as several stars will soon be returning in the coming weeks.

Hopefully owners were patient enough to hold onto these guys. We talk 10 impact players from each league who can help fantasy teams in the second half of the season. These players are being ranked both in terms of immediate impact and potential upside.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1. David Ortiz (Wrist; late June/Early July) – Prior to going on the DL, it seemed as though Big Papi was beginning to put his dreadful start to the 2008 campaign behind him. It appears quite likely that Ortiz will avoid season-ending surgery, providing a sigh of relief for all fantasy owners. Activate him as soon as he’s off the DL.

2. Daisuke Matsuzaka (Shoulder; mid-June) – Dice-K’s strikeout-to-walk ratio (55:38) could be a lot better, but otherwise fantasy owners have had nothing to complain about. He has yet to taste defeat in the 2008 season (8-0), and there’s no reason to expect the winning way to stop when he returns. He’s due to make a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday and rejoin the Red Sox five days later.

3. Fausto Carmona (Hip; late June) – Surprisingly, Carmona’s strikeout total (23 in 58 IP) was far lower than anyone would have guessed. However, he was still pitching very effectively before going on the DL and has a knack for keeping the ball in the park (only 1 HR allowed in 58 IP). He remains a must-start once healthy.

4. Carlos Pena (Broken finger; late June) – Pena struggled to hit for average before landing on the DL, but he does have a lot of pop and should regain his starting job upon returning. He’ll hit in the middle of a very potent Rays lineup, so don’t be shocked to see Pena really turn it on once he returns.

5. Troy Percival (Hamstring; yesterday) – Tampa Bay’s fireballer looked great before his injury, converting 14 out of 16 save opportunities. He returned on Friday and struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. The Rays seem like they’re always in nail biters, so he should continue to get plenty of opportunities to wrap up games.

6. Frank Thomas (Quad, mid-late June) – We may have him ranked a tad high, but don’t forget that Thomas routinely hits far better in the second half of the season. Also, he’s back in Oakland where he is hitting .319 this season after slamming 39 homers in his one-year stint with the team in 2006.

7. Hank Blalock (Wrist; late June) – Remember this guy? Once a shining star of a potent Rangers offense, Hammerin’ Hank has been slowed considerably by injuries the past two seasons. But, Blalock was seeing the ball quite well this season, batting .299 with 8 walks and 9 strikeouts, so he could certainly produce some quality numbers in his hitter-friendly home field.

8. Kelvim Escobar (Torn labrum; possible return before All-Star Break) – Escobar never gets mentioned in talks of elite pitchers and has yet to pitch this season, but he’s posted an ERA under 4.00 in all four seasons he’s been with the Angels. If people are asleep in your league, pick him up.

9. Victor Martinez (Elbow; late July) – Martinez would be a lot higher on this list if he were returning sooner and if he had displayed any sort of power while healthy (0 HRs in 198 ABs). Unless he gets it going upon his return, Martinez is looking like one of the biggest fantasy busts of the season.

10. Travis Hafner (Shoulder; mid-late June) – Pronk has been somewhat of a bust the last two seasons, but he is still young and talented enough to regain his 2006 form. For now, stash him on your bench until he’s healthy and producing.

Other Notables: Kevin Millar, Gary Sheffield, Ryan Sweeney, Aaron Hill

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1. Albert Pujols (Calf; early-Mid July) – If we really need to explain to you why he tops this list, then you really shouldn’t be playing fantasy baseball. Pujols has been a fantasy baseball beast ever since coming into the league, and there’s no reason to think that will change after his strained calf heals.

2. Adam Wainwright (Finger; not expected to be out long) – Wainwright has done a nice job anchoring a surprisingly good Cardinals starting staff, and his steady production should continue once he returns. Look for an ERA in the mid 3’s and a solid strikeout to walk ratio.

3. Rafael Furcal (Back; All-Star Break) – Manager Joe Torre has been optimistic about Furcal returning in June, but it remains to be seen. Either way, be patient with Furcal; he was absolutely raking before going down and he should be a stolen base machine once he returns.

4. Alfonso Soriano (Hand; late July at the earliest) – Soriano would normally be #2 on this list, but observe the expected return date. His lethal combo of hitting for great power, stealing bases, and hitting average should have fantasy owners itching for his return.

5. Ryan Zimmerman (Shoulder; late July) – Zimmerman suffers from batting in the woeful Nationals lineup, but the franchise third baseman has shown respectable power the last few years. Even after missed time, he is still a good bet to launch 20-25 HRs.

6. Chad Cordero (Shoulder; early July) – You would think save opportunities would be few and far between in Washington, but Cordero has averaged nearly 38 the past three seasons. He’s been a very solid closer and is guaranteed to help your saves total upon returning.

7. Ryan Church (Concussion; late June-early July) – With all the superstar names on the Mets, it was actually Church who was swinging the most consistent stick before his concussion. He also appeared to find a home in the two-hole batting in front of sluggers David Wright and Carlos Beltran, which has greatly increased his value.

8. Josh Willingham (Back; late June) – Big time sleeper alert. Willingham had already belted 6 HRs and was hitting at a .341 clip over his first 91 at-bats. Like all Marlins, he is underappreciated, but Willingham combined for 47 HRs in his last two seasons and could easily hit 25 or more this year.

9. Mike Gonzalez (Elbow; mid-June) – It’s easy to forget about Gonzalez just because he hasn’t pitched much in either of the last two seasons, but he was quality closer before having Tommy John surgery. With Rafael Soriano nursing a sore elbow, it’s quite possible that Gonzalez claims Atlanta’s closer duties and becomes a good second-half sleeper.

10. Rickie Weeks (Knee; late June-early July) – Weeks will drive you crazy with his high strikeout totals and poor batting average, but it’s not easy to find second basemen with 20-20 potential, and that’s what he gives you.

Other Notables: Tom Glavine, Chris Carpenter, Orlando Hernandez, Chris Young, Jason Isringhausen, Andruw Jones, Eric Byrnes, Josh Bard