Roto Riteup: April 25, 2015

Just because the White Sox game was suspended last night doesn’t mean the Roto Riteup is.

On today’s agenda:
1. Hisashi Iwakuma to the DL
2. Josh Hamilton to the Rangers likely
3. Various news and notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

Hisashi Iwakuma to the DL
After a disastrous three starts to kick off the season, Kuma is headed to the disabled list with what’s being called a lat strain. Whether or not Kuma is actually injured is questionable, but regardless, he’ll be out for at least the next 15 days. When healthy, Kuma is a fantasy stud thanks to his awesome WHIP, solid ERA, and acceptable strikeout rate. Kuma’s velocity was mostly fine in his poor starts, but he wasn’t finishing his fastball, leaving it sitting over the plate for all to behold. Kuma didn’t have a full spring, so perhaps so extended time off to regroup and work up arm strength will fix what ails him, but at 34 years old, perhaps this is the beginning of the end.

Josh Hamilton to the Rangers likely
The biggest story to make its way around the interwebs yesterday involved Hamilton leaving the Angels, supposedly in a trade to his old pals at the Texas Rangers. The Rangers sure need a left fielder, and Hamilton can sort of do that, so there’s a bit of a fit. Hamilton is injured at the moment and won’t be ready to join the Rangers right away, but moving to Texas will certainly be an improvement for his fantasy value. Hamilton hit .263 with 10 homers in a little over half a season in 2014, but his contact rate was abysmal and his average was buoyed by a .350 BABIP. If for some reason you’re very much in need of an outfielder in an AL-only league, eye Hamilton, but don’t expect more than 15 homers and a .250 average.

Various news and notes
– Drew Smyly made his 2015 debut yesterday, striking out five and giving up one homer in four-plus innings of work. Smyly’s velocity looked good against the Blue Jays, so consider him back and ready to go.

– Garrett Richards has made two starts this year, and his second went quite well. Richards went seven innings against the Rangers, striking out five, walking three, and allowing two earned runs. The Rangers aren’t anything special offensively, but it’s a nice step in the right direction for the Angels’ hurler.

– Logan Morrison has generally been hitting the ball hard this year, but the BABIP gods have not been kind. After smashing a ball into right-center that was run down by Jordan Schafer earlier in the game, Morrison hit a homer to the same park of the ballpark in his next AB against Phil Hughes. Morrison was solid in the last two months of 2014, and with the way he’s stroking the ball, there’s a chance it could carry over into 2015 if his hits ever find an open space on the field.

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Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: A.J. Burnett at AZ (Rubby De La Rosa)
Burnett is a better bet at home, but he’s no stranger to hitter’s parks, and the D’backs shouldn’t poison his outing.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Joe Wieland at SD (Brandon Morrow)
Wieland hasn’t been particularly good this year, but I’m willing to take a chance on him back at his old stomping grounds in Petco.