Roto Riteup: April 4, 2013

Today’s Roto Riteup discusses a colon, but I promise I won’t show you pictures of mine.

On today’s agenda:
1. A reminder on early season weather
2. Bartolo Colon’s debut planned for Saturday
3. Mike Zunino in Triple-A
4. Injury Notes

A reminder on early season weather
As esteemed colleague Jeff Zimmerman pointed out to me, this is the time of the year to utilize your innings from starting pitching. With the death that is the summer heat approaching rapidly, batters will be crushing balls out of parks nationwide. But, with the current weather being cooler and more, shall we say, liveable, balls won’t be able to leave the park as easily.

Bartolo Colon’s debut planned for Saturday
Despite missing 50 games after a drug test revealed steroids in Colon’s system, the A’s are slotting into their rotation as soon as he becomes eligible on Saturday. Bartolo has had a complete rejuvenation over the past two seasons, using his two-seam fastball to stun hitters at the plate. Despite a lack of secondary stuff or whiffs, Bartolo is still able to register some strikeouts while keeping runners from reaching base on a free pass. With Oakland’s defense behind him, Colon will be effective as long as he stays healthy. For all you Dealin’ Dan Straily owners, you’ll just have to wait patiently.

Mike Zunino in Triple-A
It was expected, but it’s been announced that the Seattle Mariners prospect will be starting the 2013 season in Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners roster is currently plugged at DH and 1B, so Zunino will only get a chance should Jesus Montero struggle either behind the plate or at the dish early on. What is more likely to happen is the Mariners falling out of the race and deciding to sell off Kendrys Morales, or perhaps Justin Smoak’s failures open up a roster spot. Either way, Zunino will be up in the bigs before August barring injury or excessive struggles.

Injury Notes
• David Ortiz should be back with the Red Sox is a couple of weeks. Ortiz is on the DL with achilles problems, and although running isn’t exactly part of his job description, functioning feet is a major advantage.

• Scott Kazmir will not be making his return to the big leagues on Saturday as previously planned. The left-hander will miss the start with an ab strain, and as of writing, there’s no information on the severity of the injury.

• Updating a story from yesterday, Stephen Drew could be ready for the Red Sox home opener on Monday.