Roto Riteup: April 19, 2017

The Roto Riteup team recognizes Hump Day as something worth celebrating.

On the Agenda:

1. Fallen Starling

2. Closer Chaos

3. Various News and Notes

4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Fallen Starling

On Tuesday, MLB announced that Starling Marte had been suspended 80 games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Marte tested for positive Nandrolone, a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid rarely used clinically anymore.

In the short-term Adam Frazier and Jose Osuna will be used as his replacement. Frazier becomes an interesting player in deeper formats as the Pirates have shown the willingness to use him in the leadoff role. Long-term, Austin Meadows, the Pirates top prospect, may come up and be a part of the Pittsburgh outfield, but fantasy owners shouldn’t expect him before the projected Super Two deadline in July.

 

Closer Chaos

Feels like everyday I am writing this, but we have more closer chaos! Nationals manager Dusty Baker stated “This ain’t working” in reference to Blake Treinen as closer. Treinen had walked in a run in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game and was promptly pulled in favor of Shawn Kelley. Kelley appears to be the favorite as the replacement at closer. Kelley has the stuff to be a top 15 closer, but at this point no one feels safe in Washington.

 

Various News and Notes

Logan Forsythe was forced out of the game on Tuesday after being hit on the foot in the first inning. He was diagnosed with a right toe contusion and is considered day-today at this time. It appears the Dodgers were just being cautious at this time.

Cody Reed has been named the Reds starter for Saturday. He draws a tough matchup in the defending champion Cubs, but the news that they will be giving him a shot at starting. Reed has yet to allow a run in eight relief innings this season and has the stuff to be a successful starter in the Majors. If he can hold any of the 2.1 mph gains on his fastball moving back to a starter, we could see nice cheap commodity from this post-hype lefty.

Grant Dayton hit the DL with an intercostal strain. Dayton has been solid this season thus far. He has not allowed an earned run and has a WHIP under 1. He should miss 2-4 weeks as long as there are no setbacks.

Jean Segura has been cleared to start a rehab assignment and could be back as soon as this weekend. Taylor Motter, who still does not follow me on Twitter, has filled in admirably in Segura’s absence hitting three home runs in seven games with a .360/.407/.880 line and luscious hair.

Trea Turner will also be heading out on a minor league rehab assignment shortly. Turner is eligible to return now, but will work his way back in the Minor Leagues initially.

Sonny Gray is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Saturday. He is scheduled to throw 45-60 pitches and could return to the A’s rather quickly if all goes well.

Aaron Sanchez underwent a minor procedure to remove part of his fingernail. The purpose of the procedure is to help prevent a reoccurance of the blister issue he is dealing with. In other Blue Jay news, J.A. Happ’s MRI came back with good news and it appears he will be avoiding any serious issues with his sore elbow.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Tyler Anderson (21% owned in Yahoo) @ LAD

Anderson is a lefty. This game is not being played in Colorado. He is pitching against the Dodgers in LA. The Dodgers don’t hit lefties. For more: see yesterday’s RR and the Logan Forsythe section.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Daniel Norris (16% owned in Yahoo) @ TB

I don’t love the matchup, but I am not going to recommend the likes of Scott Feldman or Andrew Cashner. Norris has looked pretty good to start the year, but this is risky against a Rays team that has hit decently well against lefties to start the year.





Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.

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Pirates Hurdles
6 years ago

“fantasy owners shouldn’t expect him before the projected Super Two deadline in July.”

Isnt the Super 2 cutoff always in early June, somewhere around 120 days?

If it is July, then dont get excited at all because Marte returns just after the all-star break. It would still take a Cutch trade or injury.