Roto Riteup: April 23, 2019

A rainout at Fenway can't stop Chris Sale.

(via @NBCSCameraGuys)https://t.co/vt8VYvmu03 pic.twitter.com/Jf4yjW4HKk

— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 22, 2019

Unfortunately, the garbage can took him yard.

On the Agenda:
1. The Sleeper and the Bust DFS Contest
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitching Options

The Sleeper and the Bust DFS Contest
Every Tuesday, Paul Sporer and I host a DFS contest for the Sleeper and the Bust podcast. Winner will get a shoutout on the Thursday podcast as well as Paul’s hard earned money. You can enter here: https://www.draftkings.com/draft/contest/71838617 but it is likely to fill up quickly, so if you miss out, please let me know in the comments so we can know whether to add more spots next time.

Various News and Notes
Gio Gonzalez was granted his release from his deal with the Yankees on Monday. Gonzalez exercised his opt out clause in the minor league deal he signed with New York in the offseason which forced the Yankees to either add him to the 25 man roster or let him go. There appears to be a number of interested teams in his services, including the Brewers and the Mets.

Elvis Andrus left Monday’s game after being hit on the hand with a pitch. Andrus was able to stay in the game after being hit, but the Rangers pulled him later in the ballgame. X-rays came back negative, so it appears he avoided serious injury. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Gregory Polanco was activated from the Injured List on Monday. Polanco had missed the start of the season due to offseason shoulder surgery, but he appears to be ready to go now. Polanco was in the midst of a breakout last year when he suffered a knee injury that derailed his season. With both Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte hurt, he should bat third or fourth most nights.

Nick Burdi was removed from the game on Monday after this play:

We wish a speedy recovery to Nick Burdi 🙏 Tonight he sustained an arm injury and fell to the ground in pain. He fought all the way back from Tommy John surgery in 2017, and he is currently being evaluated. pic.twitter.com/qNTAQZt5KB

— The Dugout (@dugoutonline) April 23, 2019

There is no current timetable for his return, but one would think that the Tommy John survivor and former top prospect, may be gone quite a while.

Hunter Dozier left Monday’s game after suffering back spasms. Apparently this was bothering him prior to the game, but the Royals thought he would be able to DH in the contest. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Nathan Eovaldi will miss at least six-to-eight weeks after he undergoes surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Eovaldi struggled so far this year, but had put together his best outing of the season in his last start, so this is disappointing. There is a chance if he continues to struggle when he returns that the Red Sox move him into the bullpen to make him more effective. He is droppable in most mixed league formats.

Kyle Freeland was placed on the 10-Day IL with a blister on his middle finger. The issue does not appear to be serious and he is expected to be activated when first eligible, but this is something to monitor because we have seen a number of these issues resurface with some players.

Michael Wacha was placed on the 10-Day IL with knee tendinitis in his knee cap. Wacha is expected to only miss one turn in the rotation, so this injury does not appear to be serious at this time. Daniel Ponce De Leon will take Wacha’s turn in the rotation on Tuesday.

Eloy Jimenez was placed on the bereavement list so he could return to the Dominican Republic to mourn the death of his grandmother. He is expected to miss the next two games after missing yesterday.

Streaming Pitching Options (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: Trent Thornton vs SF
Thornton has been rough over his last few starts, but he gets a Giants team that struggles on the road.

High Risk Options: Jeff Samardzija at TOR, Pablo Lopez at CLE, Erik Swanson at SD.
Swanson is probably the safest and looked good in his first start, but Shark and Lopez have a higher upside.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Merrill Kelly vs PIT
Kelly has been up and down this season, but the Pirates are banged up right now and I am willing to take a shot that Kelly can take advantage.

High Risk Options: Felix Pena vs NYY
That Yankees’ lineup is really bad and I will stream against them from time to time.