Roto Riteup: July 18, 2019

A live look at me after running the bases.

On the Agenda:
1. Various News and Notes
2. Quick Hits
3. Streaming Pitchers

 

Various News and Notes
The Royals have placed shortstop Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder subluxation.

This is obviously a bombshell to fantasy owners as Mondesi is currently leading the league in stolen bases (31) and is sporting a .268/.296/.435 line with seven home runs, 48 runs scored, and 52 RBI. That all equates to a top-6 ranking among all hitters on the ESPN Player Rater. The Royals will obviously play this cautiously moving forward, and based on past history around the league with this injury, we could be looking at a lengthy absence. Stay tuned, but in my leagues where I own Mondesi I’m preparing for the worst. Guys like Oscar Mercado, Jarrod Dyson (who was injured yesterday), Manny Margot, Ramon Laureano, Cavan Biggio, and Roman Quinn are all somewhat available, and are among the league leaders in stolen bases the last 30 days.

Corey Kluber is starting to ramp things up in his rehab process:

Mike Clevinger (12 K in 6 IP against DET yesterday), Trevor Bauer, and Shane Bieber currently headline the Cleveland rotation with Carlos Carrasco and Kluber on the shelf. Reports are saying we should be hoping for Kluber to return sometime in mid-to-late August, which would obviously be a welcomed addition for the Indians and fantasy owners alike.

The White Sox placed Eloy Jimenez on the 10-day injured list with a right ulnar nerve contusion. He suffered the injury after hitting Charlie Tilson on Tuesday night. There’s no word on a timetable for Jimenez as of yet, but looking into next year we should remind ourselves that Jimenez has seen his fair share of time on the injured list. He was really starting to pick things up before this latest issue.

 

Quick Hits
Mitch Haniger has been cleared to resume baseball activities!

Fantasy owners still have to wait patiently here, but it’s a welcomed sign that he’s been cleared to get things going on the diamond.

Jay Bruce was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained oblique. Some reports are saying he could be out upwards of a month. Nick Williams was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and got the start in left field.

Kevin Gausman had a nice tune-up with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

I’ve mentioned this before, but Gausman has always been a second half guy, and with the plantar fasciitis seemingly behind him, he could be a nice low-cost starter for the rest of the way. It’s looking like he could rejoin the Braves rotation sometime next week.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, it is becoming, “increasingly likely” that Mike Minor will be traded in the next two weeks. He’s a strong season and is under team control through next season.

We had some troubling Gregory Polanco news yesterday:

One of my favorite players in fantasy just can’t seem to catch a break. The Pirates have found something in Bryan Reynolds, so if anything, fantasy owners who have been helped by him can feel fairly comfortable with his playing time the rest of the way. If you’re hoping for a meaningful Polanco return this season, I think it’s best to turn your attention to his possible value next season.

The Brewers have removed Adrian Houser from the starting rotation in favor of Gio Gonzalez – who’s expected back on Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Yordan Alvarez was held out of the lineup yesterday and has been slumping recently. Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters before yesterday’s game against the Angels that he’s still being bothered by a left knee injury. Alvarez has a .323 BA with nine home runs and 21 RBI in 99 AB thus far. He’s a beast for fantasy, but we’ll have to keep tabs on this situation.

Chris Paddock lasted 7.2 IP without giving up a hit before allowing a solo-home run to Starlin Castro. It would be the only hit and run he allowed on the night with one walk and eight strikeouts. He’s now up to 90 IP and will no doubt be managed fairly soon. I still think trading him in redraft leagues is the shark move here.

We had a whopping six players hit two home runs yesterday! Tip of the cap to Eduardo Escobar, Teoscar Hernandez, Trey Mancini, Danny Santana, Mark Canha, and Jurickson Profar.

Victor Robles swiped two bases yesterday and is up to 15 on the season.

Jimmy Nelson will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday.

Within the Mets onslaught against the Twins we saw Pete Alonso absolutely mash a baseball over the fence for the first time since the All-Star break.

Matt Chapman made an early exit from yesterday’s game against the Mariners with ankle soreness. Chad Pinder took over at third base. It doesn’t seem overly concerning but keep your eye on it.

Tyler O’Neill stayed hot against the Pirates, swatting his fourth home run since the All-Star break.

Hector Neris has been suspended three games by the MLB due to hitting David Freese in Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers. He hasn’t begun serving the suspension as of yet due his appeal, but it should be soon.

Chase Anderson had another serviceable outing, this time against the Braves. In total he allowed only one hit over 5.2 shutout innings.

David Dahl left Wednesday’s game against the Giants early with a left foot issue, but X-rays came back negative. Expect him to need at least a day or two before returning.

Homer Bailey had a successful debut for the Athletics – allowing two runs in six innings – with six strikeouts and zero walks. He gets the Astros his next time out….

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that Jordan Lyles is available in trade talks.

Adbert Alzolay was removed from yesterday’s start with Triple-A Iowa with an apparent injury.

Garrett Richards is starting to ramp things up in his TJ rehab. He’s still unlikely to see much time during this season, but keeper/dynasty league owners should try and buy low if possible.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: Brad Keller vs CHW
Keller has been pitching well as of late and gets a White Sox team without one of it’s best bats in Eloy Jimenez.

High Risk Options: None

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Ryan Yarbrough vs CWS
Yarbrough has really turned things around in six-of-seven dating back to June 8th. The White Sox fare better against LHP, but – as seen in the Keller blurb – they don’t have Eloy Jimenez, and they sport the seventh-worst RPG mark in the league (4.3).

High-Risk Option: Tyler Mahle vs STL
Mahle has allowed 3 ER or less in all six starts at home. He’s also getting unlucky at large, and has seen some sizeable skill improvements as well. The Cardinals are 22nd in wRC+ against RHP (87), despite hitting Mahle hard in their first meeting in April.





Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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Alex Trebek
4 years ago

So 1 hit in 5.2 innings is “serviceable” now? That’s rough…