Roto Riteup: April 24, 2018

I created a GIF reenacting my victory over Paul Sporer in H2H Tout Wars last week:

 

On the Agenda:

1. The Melk Man

2. On The Mend

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitchers

 

The Melk Man

According to Hector Gomez, the Indians have agreed to terms with Melky Cabrera on a minor league deal. Cabrera is coming off a season in which he hit .285/.324/.423 with 17 home runs with the White Sox and the Royals. However, he hit only four home runs after the trade and his HR/FB% and hard contact percentages dropped considerably in Kansas City. Cabrera is not likely going to be viable in shallow formats, but could be useful in deeper ones considering that his obstacles to playing time are oft injured Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall.

 

On The Mend

Byron Buxton fouled a pitch off his foot and was forced to leave his minor league rehab assignment on Sunday. X-rays came back negative however, and it appears he has escaped serious injury. This may prolong his rehab assignment a few more days, but Buxton should be back by this weekend.

Jonathan Schoop has resumed baseball activities according to Eduardo Encina. Schoop is recovering from an oblique injury and it appears to be progressing a bit slower than first hoped, but he is progressing which is good news for fantasy owners.

According to Jeff Wilson, Rougned Odor is now doing baseball activities focused on field work and agility. Odor is recovering from a hamstring injury and was struggling prior to getting hurt, but the baseline skills were intact and he may be an interesting buy low as he looks like an early May activation.

Logan Forsythe has resumed throwing according to Ken Gurnick. Forsythe is recovering from a shoulder injury and it has progressed more slowly than expected as the talk was that he would return when first eligible on Wednesday. He is likely to be out until early May.

According to Eric Longenhagen, Carlos Rodon threw 34 pitches in an extended spring training game. Longenhagen said that his velocity was “was mostly 90-92 but reached back for 93-95 a few times” and that he threw “many more changeups than sliders.” Rodon is recovering from shoulder surgery and is an interesting DL stash if you aren’t already decimated by injury.

 

Various News and Notes

Addison Russell was not with the team when they left for their series against the Indians after being taken to the hospital with an allergic reaction. He met up with the team in Cleveland on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday.

Christian Villanueva was a late scratch from Monday’s lineup versus the Rockies after suffering some soreness in his hamstring. Villanueva is hitting .355/.444/.774 with seven home runs. He can’t sustain this type of production, but he is shattering the preconceived perceptions that he wouldn’t be able to hit in the Majors. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Tim Beckham was lifted from Monday’s game after suffering a groin injury. Beckham had a similar issue in spring, but was able to play through it. Hopefully this is the case again, but keep an eye on it. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Avisail Garcia was forced out of Monday night’s game versus the Mariners with a hamstring injury. Garcia looked to be in a ton of pain, but the White Sox are called it a strain which would be better than a tear or a pull, but that may just be semantics or wishful thinking. Consider him day-to-day.

 

Streaming Pitchers Options

A pitcher for today: Chad Kuhl vs DET

Kuhl gets a bad Tigers team at home without the benefit of a DH.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Matt Boyd

Boyd has been fantastic this year and I am willing to bet on it continuing.