Roto Riteup: April 19, 2016

I survived the late night seagull attack in San Francisco last night. I appreciate everyone’s thought and prayers.

On Today’s Agenda:

1. Good News Aplenty for the Twins
2. Everyone is going to Rehab!
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

Good News Aplenty for the Twins

Monday was a good day for the Minnesota Twins. Glen Perkins received some good news after getting a second opinion on his ailing shoulder. Dr. Timothy Kremchek recommended he rest and then rehab instead of surgery, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. While it is unlikely that Perkins comes back to the Twins when he is first eligible, he is at least on the road to returning.

Miguel Sano and Byung-ho Park both homered for the Twins on Monday. It was the first home run of the season for Sano, who entered Monday’s game hitting .179/.304/.231. He also recently gained outfield eligibility in ESPN leagues for those waiting for some flexibility. It was Park’s second home run in two games and third on the season. He may be available in some shallower formats (only 64.8% owned in ESPN leagues) and is worth a pickup. Both players have a ton of swing and miss in their respective games, but have enormous power. While cold streaks are to be expected, this may be a start of hot streaks and both are worth rostering in DFS before their prices adjust.

Jorge Polanco is expected to be called up today. The 22-year-old shortstop was hitting .286/.316/.543 in Triple-A Rochester with one home run. He could be worth an add in deeper formats and especially in AL only, as the other shortstop options in Minnesota are very uninspiring.

Everyone is going to Rehab!

Eduardo Rodriguez will begin a rehab assignment this weekend. On Monday, he was able to throw 55-pitches in a simulated game. Continue stashing him as he looks to be nearing a return to one of the worst rotations in Major League Baseball.

Danny Santana is scheduled to start a rehab assignment tomorrow. With the additions of Max Kepler and Polanco to the Major League roster, it will be interesting to see how quickly the Twins return the light hitting utility man back to Minnesota.

Anthony DeSclafani threw a 40-pitch simulated game on Monday according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. He stated that he is symptom-free from his ailing oblique and should begin a rehab assignment soon.

Jung-ho Kang began his rehab assignment on Monday, going 0-for-3 with a walk for Triple-A Indianapolis. He played third base and while he didn’t get much time on the base paths, he has been sliding in practice. He appears to be on track for an early May return to Pittsburgh

Various News and Notes

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned Socrates Brito to Triple-A Reno. The best name in baseball was unable to carry over a hot spring into the regular season. David Peralta figures to get a look in centerfield, as well as Chris Owings who has already been playing there. Brito may not be down for too long however, as the move may have more to do with helping with the D-Backs pitching depth in light of Shelby Miller being a knuckle scraper.

According to Jon Heyman, the Tigers, Orioles and Reds are among teams showing interest in Kyle Lohse. There was also already a reported offer from Baltimore. Reports say Lohse is looking for the “right fit” which one would have to assume is code for “PLEASE SIGN ME!”

Streaming Pitcher Options

If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: While Logan Verrett looked good last start against Miami and gets an easier matchup in Philadelphia today, I would lean towards Shane Greene who matches up against a Royals team who has scored less runs than any other team in Major League Baseball with a winning record (43). Greene struggled in the first inning of his last start, but then settled down and allowed only two more base runners the rest of the game.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Ross Stripling has looked impressive early on in his short Major League career and draws a putrid Atlanta squad.