Sizzlers and fizzlers: Michael Conforto gets his chance to shine

We are just about a month into 2017, and injuries have begun to nail every team — fantasy and big league — not to mention the slumps and streaks to make us jump for joy or run and hide.

Sizzlers

OF Michael Conforto, New York Mets:  After a disappointing 2016 (.220, .310 OBP), the youngster's hot start has him in the right place at the right time with Lucas Duda hitting the disabled list. Given an opportunity to play every day, Conforto homered in two of the three weekend games against the Washington Nationals, raising his average to .361 with four home runs and eight RBI.

OF/SS Taylor Motter, Seattle Mariners: The American League’s hair answer to the Mets' Noah Syndergaard, Motter, 27, has hit .255 with five homers and 12 RBI. He played more outfield last season, but has added shortstop eligibility filling in for Jean Segura (13 games at shortstop). Even when Segura comes back, Motter's versatility could keep him in the lineup -- especially with former starting center fielder Leonys Martin designated for assignment.

RP Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals: Hamstring and shoulder injuries cost Rosenthal the closer's job to Sueng Hwan Oh last season. But now, he's back to 100% and throwing 100 mph. Rosenthal bagged a save last Wednesday after the struggling Oh (5.59 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) had worked back-to-back days.

SP Amir Garrett, Reds: The Reds seem to have a bunch of solid young arms, but none seems to have Garrett's upside. The 25-year old rookie has been nothing short of lights out with 21 strikeouts in 19 2/3 frames, with a pair of wins and a 1.83 ERA. In his one loss, Garrett allowed a pair of runs over seven innings and whiffed 12.

1B Mitch Moreland, Boston Red Sox: Moreland has settled in with his new team quite nicely, posting a .315 average with a pair of homers, nine RBI and a major league-leading 11 doubles. Enjoy the ride. Moreland has a career .271 average in April and an even better .277 in May. Traditionally, things slide with June so play the hot hand.

Fizzlers

SP Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: Following a pair of increasingly solid seasons, a correction could have been expected for 2016's ERA champion (2.13). Thus far, he's gone into reverse with a 1-1 record, 6.19 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Four homers over 16 innings show how fine Hendricks must be and what happens when he is not.

SP Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles: Beginning the season as his team's No. 1 starter, Gausman has just one quality start in his first five. His ERA (7.50) and WHIP (2.04) are bad enough, but 17 strikeouts and 15 walks in 24 innings could indicate some larger mechanical or health issues.

1B Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins:  It is tough to face the fact that the once dominant batting champ has had it, but he has. Last year seemed like a resurgence, but in reality, he only knocked in 49 runs over 134 games. This year the 34-year old is hitting .222 with six RBI and an OPS of .523.

1B Tommy Joseph, Philadelphia Phillies: Joseph had a nice rookie run that featured 21 homers (though just 47 RBI) and came into 2017 as the unquestioned starter. But a .200/.250/.291 slash line with a homer and seven RBI could test the team's patience if his slump continues.

3B Jose Reyes, Mets: Reyes might have had his glory days with the Mets, but he could soon lose playing time -- even with injuries to David Wright and Wilmer Flores. A manager can only endure a .104 batting average and nothing else over 19 games. Call-up T.J. Rivera got a start at third over the weekend. Watch to see if it becomes a trend.

You can follow Lawr on Twitter @lawrmichaels and read more of his writing at mastersball.com.