Roto Riteup: April 11, 2018

In case you were wondering, Brett Gardner does not mess around when it comes to recycling.

Live look-in at @Yankees Twitter. pic.twitter.com/enR2jdWlfU

— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 11, 2018

On the Agenda:

1. Closer Chaos

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos

According to Alex Pavlovic, there is no current timetable for Mark Melancon to return. He went even further to say that there is not even a timetable for Melancon to resume playing catch. This is really bad news for fantasy owners, who are looking at very long absence at this point.

Jacob Barnes blew the save for the Brewers on Tuesday. It was a mess of a game for the bullpen as JJ Hoover blew another save opportunity in extras as well. This adds to the mess of a week for Milwaukee’s pen as Albers blew a save earlier this week. This whole situation isn’t stable at all. Albers or Barnes should get the next shot, but I wouldn’t trust anyone.

 

Various News and Notes

Yadier Molina will receive a one-game suspension for attempting to go all WWE on Diamondback’s manager Torey Lovullo. Lovullo incited the incident by calling him the mother of ducklings twice in a row. Molina will likely appeal the suspension, so he will continue to play until it’s decided on.

Ben Gamel is on track to be activated on Friday. Gamel has missed the opening to the season after straining his oblique in spring training. He was a surprise last season hitting .275/.322/.413 with 11 home runs and four stolen bases in 550 plate appearances. He should slot back into the lineup as a regular once he is back.

Welington Castillo left Tuesday’s game with apparent knee soreness according to the team. He is considered day-to-day at this time. This doesn’t appear too much to worry about.

Alex Gordon was placed on the 10-day DL with a tear in his hip labrum. He will reportedly miss at least two weeks according to manager Ned Yost. He is only viable in very deep league, but this is better news than the original reports.

Ian Kinsler is expected to return to the Angels on Thursday after hitting the DL with a groin injury. He was eligible to return yesterday, but need a couple more days to recoup.

Manuel Margot left Tuesday’s game after getting hit in the ribs by a 95 mph pitch. He will likely be out for a few days at a minimum and longer if he has some broken ribs. Keep an eye on this if you are a Margot owner.

The Giants placed Johnny Cueto on the DL with an ankle injury. Cueto hurt the ankle during a workout, but it isn’t considered serious and manager Bruce Bochy said he expects Cueto to return next week.

The Rangers placed both Rougned Odor and Doug Fister on the 10-Day DL. both are expected back in about 2-3 weeks. Jurickson Profar will likely get the majority of Odor’s playing time in his absence.

According to Chelsea James of the Washington Post, Victor Robles has a hyperextension of his elbow after an awful looking dive on Monday. He will be reevaluated though as the elbow was too swollen for them to see everything. This may be very good news or just the beginning of some really bad news. Stay tuned…

 

Streaming Pitchers Options

A pitcher for today: Zack Wheeler at MIA

Wheeler has never lived up to the hype as a prospect, but he looked good in spring training and gets to go up against an awful Marlins lineup in a huge stadium.

Chris Stratton at SD

Stratton is my boy and has looked good through his first few starts, but needs to go longer into games. SD will likely not have either Margot or DL’d Wil Myers in the lineup.