Roto Riteup: April 11

Today’s Riteup has news about everyone, and perhaps even some of their brothers.

On today’s agenda:
1. Matt Harrison can’t avoid DL
2. Carlos Carrasco gets demoted
3. Casper Wells goes to Toronto
4. Pushing back the Corey Hart timetable
5. Red Sox leave Rubby De La Rosa in the minors

Matt Harrison can’t avoid DL
After getting knocked around in each of his first two starts, Harrison was forced to hit the DL today with lower back issues. Taking his roster spot and starting today against the Mariners is right-hander Justin Grimm. Grimm is a middling prospect, but he has the talent to be a decent MLB starter. Playing him as a sport starter against the M’s certainly wouldn’t be the worst thing you could do, but for now, I’d try to stay away.

Carlos Carrasco gets demoted
Facing a likely suspension after beaning the Greek God of Walks earlier this week, Carrasco is being sent to the minors by the Cleveland Indians. Carrasco has been suspended before for hitting batters, but he is claiming innocence in this incident. Replacing Carrasco for the time being is Corey Kluber, who was scheduled to start yesterday against the Yankees before Mother Nature canceled the game. Cluber doesn’t have much fantasy upside, and he profiles as a fringe MLB starter.

Casper Wells goes to Toronto
After being left off of the 25-man roster of the Seattle Mariners, Casper was DFA’d, and now the Blue Jays have claimed Wells on waivers. Wells is an interesting fourth outfielder because of how his power could play north of the border. Colby Rasmus needs to be platooned and perhaps even replaced, and Casper could do either of those things. I really like Wells as an outfielder in deep or daily leagues, and you should, too.

Pushing back the Corey Hart timetable
There was always hope that he could return from surgery in early-May, but the Brewers have dashed that hope by placing Hart on the 60-Day DL. Hart is now eligible to return on May 31, and his return could perhaps be even more delayed. I know I have Hart stashed in one of my leagues, so this news comes as a bit of a blow to fellow owners who were hoping to get some cheap production from the right-hander. With Aramis Ramirez also down for the count, the likes of Jonathan Lucroy, Nori Aoki, and Ryan Braun aren’t going to be getting help anytime soon, and their value will suffer because of it.

Red Sox leave Rubby De La Rosa in the minors
With John Lackey hitting the DL, the Red Sox were in need of a starting pitcher. Some of us baseball fans were certainly hoping for the return of RDLR to the majors, but the team has opted to simply shift Alfredo Aceves to the rotation and call up Alex Wilson to take his spot in the bullpen. RLDR is currently on pitch-count restrictions in Triple-A, but he could be ready for big league action in a month or so. If and when he does return to MLB games, his electric fastball will wow fans and opponents alike.





Zach is the creator and co-author of RotoGraphs' Roto Riteup series, and RotoGraphs' second-longest tenured writer. You can follow him on twitter.

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Ruki Motomiya
10 years ago

Another good thing about Justin Grimm? $0 today on Fangraphs: The Game!