Roto Riteup: April 7, 2016

The San Diego Padres are never, ever going to score. Kenta Maeda has out-produced them on offense this season. Go to sleep, Padres.

On the agenda:
1. The NeverEnding Story
2. MVP injury alert
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

The NeverEnding Story
Another day, another home run for Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story, who is now the first player since at least 1900 to open a career with homers in three consecutive games. And he has four in those three games. His ownership was at 78 percent Tuesday, 83 percent Wednesday, and now sits at 88 percent. He’s truly fantasy baseball’s new found glory.(If he hits another home run next time out, I may be reaching far enough into “story” songs to have to bust out some One Direction.)

“It’s pretty unbelievable, kind of hard to put into words,” Story told The Denver Post before saddling up Falkor. “It’s kind of a bizarre thing right now.”

Now, here’s the rub: If you got in on Story at the ground floor, it might be time to shop him around. While he projects to sniff 20-20 with a full workload – one he may or may not have all year depending on the fate of Jose Reyes – you might be able to turn a tidy profit on him if another owner is enamored by the hot start. Personally, I own a few shares and am seeing what kind of shortstop I could get back in a one-for-one swap, not because I don’t believe in him – again, I own multiple shares – but because that’s what you do when on off-radar mini-sleeper starts hot.

MVP injury alert
Josh Donaldson left Toronto’s game against Tampa Bay in the seventh inning, unable to even attempt to leg out a potential infield single. The team is calling his injury a calf strain and are listing him as day-to-day, though the note that it’s something that was already bothering him is perhaps a bit worrisome. The Jays have an off-day Thursday ahead of their Friday home opener, so owners who plucked Donaldson inside the top-10 may not even lose their first-round pick for a game. Be sure to check his status Friday, as the Jays should be a stacking option at Rogers Centre opposite Rick Porcello.

Various News and Notes
Jeremy Jeffress earned his first save for the Brewers, with Michael Blazek working the eighth, so that appears to be that in Milwaukee. Shawn Tolleson was less impressive in Texas, surrendering five runs without recording an out. Prior to that, Sam Dyson got the team out of a bases-loaded jam that Keone Kela helpedcreate, then recorded three more outs. Dalier Hinojosa got a shot in the closer’s chair after David Hernandez worked the eighth, and he cost Aaron Nola a well-deserved victory. This Phillies carousel is going to be spinning for a while.

Robinson Cano is every bit as hot as Story, hitting two more home runs Wednesday. Good player likely to have good season, more at 11. Ditto for Carlos Correa, who probably has the right mix of talent and genuine charisma to eventually emerge as the face of baseball. David Ortiz has homered in back-to-back games, too, and Steven Souza had four hits, including two home runs. Starlin Castro is “playing T-ball right now.” Who says offense starts late?

Jose Fernandez struck out 13 batters in 5-2/3 innings, the first time since 2013 that a pitcher has struck out 13 or more in fewer than six innings. He’s going to push for top-five starter status. Elizabeth Sullivan should be right there with him. Juan Nicasio will soon push up the ranking, too, carrying over his encouraging high-strikeout spring with seven punch-outs over six innings of one-run ball against St. Louis. He’s available in nearly half of leagues.

In less awesome news, Ben Revere is off to the disabled list with an oblique strain, opening up a medium-term (probably three-to-four weeks) opportunity for Michael Taylor. Andrew Heaney is heading to the DL, too, with his ailment a worrisome left flexor muscle strain. The Angels may not announce a replacement starter until they need one (maybe Monday), but keep an eye out for Nicholas Tropeano’s name – he was a candidate to crack the roster and would be an intriguing streaming option against Oakland next week.

More bad: Shelby Miller joined Zack Greinke as a Diamondbacks acquisition to get absolutely shelled in his first outing. Get it together, Shelby.

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

A pitcher for today: Robert Stephenson vs PHI (Charlie Morton)
The 23-year-old has loads of potential, and while he may not be fully ready yet, the Phillies are as feathery a landing spot as any, the way 2016 looks. Robert Stephenson has posted strong strikeout rates across the minors, and while his command issues have humbled his peripherals, there’s not going to be a cheaper upside play Thursday.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Matt Shoemaker vs TEX (A.J. Griffin)
Friday’s slate of streaming options is really unattractive, with most interesting low-ownership names facing good lineups or in bad parks. I’m kicking the tires on Matt Shoemaker, who’s hardly owned at all and draws a Texas offense that stands to strike out a lot this year. Projection systems like Shoemaker to split the difference between his 2014 and 2015, and if he can, he’s an interesting name.