Roto Riteup: April 3, 2013

In today’s Roto Riteup, I’m going to be the bigger man and not take shots at David Wiers’ Oakland Athletics, who are terrible and got slaughtered by Mariners on Monday evening

On today’s agenda:
1. Ryan Ludwick out for three months
2. Shaun Marcum to miss Sunday’s start
3. Stephen Drew cleared for action
4. Felix Hernandez’s arm looks well

Ryan Ludwick out for three months
After separating his shoulder on Opening Day, Ludwick is slated to miss the first half of the MLB season after undergoing surgery yesterday afternoon. Replacing Ludwick is Chris Heisey, who is a talented player in his own right. Heisey owns a powerful bat that he swings at will, as well as a reverse platoon split. Playing in GABP and having a favorable split will allow Heisey to be relevant in 14-team or NL-Only leagues, but his lack of walks kills his value in OBP formats. Should Heisey shows signs of ineptitude or Shin-Soo Choo prove he can’t play center, look for speedster Billy Hamilton to make an appearance while Ludwick sits on the DL.

Shaun Marcum to miss Sunday’s start
While Marcum has encountered a setback in his rehab, the good news is that the right-hander’s shoulder remains attached to his body. Marcum was unable to pitch in a scheduled simulated game yesterday due to neck pain, and there is now speculation that the righty will have to be retroactively placed on the DL. Replacing Marcum for Sunday’s start against the Marlins is left-hander Aaron Laffey. Laffey makes for a super cheap spot-start option for fantasy owners because, well, it’s the Marlins.

Stephen Drew cleared for action
Drew hasn’t played in game action since suffering a concussion in early March, but MLB has cleared the shortstop for games. Drew is in Boston on a “prove it” contract, and getting a chance to play a member of the Red Sox should only increase Drew’s fantasy value. While the BoSox don’t have the murderer’s row of the past, the team’s offense is still effective and a help to fantasy owners. Drew’s not going to be the stud that he was in 2008, but a return to 15 homers and a decent batting average makes him a pretty valuable shortstop. Drew will still likely need another week to get back in the swing of things, so don’t worry about your roster quite yet.

Felix Hernandez’s arm looks well
An offseason physical raised some havoc, but Felix’s sexy elbow looked great Monday against the A’s. Felix’s velocity was right on the money, and his breaking balls moved with purpose. If you were worried about Felix’s elbow, you really shouldn’t be; or at least not any more than usual.