Roto Riteup: April 16, 2018

Never forget just how good Jackie Robinson was:

The league was statistically different back when Jackie Robinson played. If you translate his 1949 #s to today’s environment, he would’ve hit 29 HR & stolen 67 bases. Nobody’s ever done that. Like a Rickey Henderson at second base. While dealing w/ a pile of racist crap everyday.

— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) April 15, 2018

On the Agenda:

1. Postponements

2. On The Mend

3. Various News and Notes

4. Streaming Pitchers

Postponements

A day after six games were postponed due to weather, Monday’s Red Sox and Orioles game has already been postponed. Inclement weather has wreaked havoc on the early season schedule, so keep close attention to which games are being shifted around for the next few weeks.

On The Mend

Anthony Rizzo appears to be on track to return to the Cubs according to manager Joe Maddon. He is first eligible to return on Monday, but it may take him another day or two until he is activated.

Wil Myers appears to be on track to return the Padres soon and could be back as soon as this weekend, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Myers is still rehabbing his elbow injury sustained in spring, but looks like he should be able to return in short order.

According to manager Scott Servais, Mike Zunino will head out on a minor league rehab assignment. Zunino was reportedly supposed to be back as soon as last week, but it appears he will need a few games to get back to playing shape. He should be back soon.

Daniel Murphy will begin seeing game action in some extended spring training this week. Murphy is recovering from off-season knee surgery and has progressed nicely. He appears to be on track to return in late April or early May.

Various News and Notes

Mookie Betts was removed from Saturday’s game with a bruised foot. While the injury did keep him out of Sunday’s game, it does not appear to be serious. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Jonathan Schoop was placed on the 10-day DL with an oblique injury. Tim Beckham will likely replace him at second base, opening up more time for Danny Valencia at third base. Schoop will likely miss the next 2-4 weeks.

Ryan Braun left Saturday’s game with a back injury. He was not in the lineup as a result of said injury. Braun has hit for power so far this year, but has struggled otherwise, putting up a .180/.222/.380 triple slash in 14 games. This will likely open up more playing time for Eric Thames and Jesus Aguilar in the meantime with Christian Yelich unable to return from the DL quite yet, though Thames did leave Sunday’s game with an injury, but it doesn’t appear serious.

Taijuan Walker was placed on the 10-day DL with a forearm strain. Walker was forced from his last start with the injury and will get an MRI today. This is troubling news as we saw Dinelson Lamet reportedly set for Tommy John Surgery after being shut down earlier this year with elbow trouble. Don’t rush to drop Walker yet, but this is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Kevin Kiermaier was forced out from Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch. He appeared to have injured his hand and reports after the game did not sound good as manager Kevin Cash stated that he would likely miss some time. He is scheduled for an MRI on Monday. Keep an eye on this.

Streaming Pitchers Options

A pitcher for today: German Marquez @ PIT

Marquez has been able to go a lot of innings, but outside of the blowup vs Atlanta he has been pretty good.

A pitcher for tomorrow: None