Roto Riteup: August 10, 2022

The call is just as good as the play!

What. Just. Happened. pic.twitter.com/nxq15ldxmB

— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2022

On the Agenda: 

1. COVID Issues
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

 

COVID Issues

James Karinchak will be placed on the Restricted List when the Guardians head to Toronto to play the Blue Jays for the weekend. Good news is, he appears to be the only player hitting the Restricted List so there are no real fantasy ramifications for the Guardians playing in Canada. 

 

Quick Hits

Chris Sale’s season is over after needing surgery on his wrist after breaking over the weekend in a bicycle accident. This is a huge disappointment as he was working his way back from a broken finger. Sale’s injury riddled 2022, should make him much cheaper coming into 2023 and he would be a nice bounceback candidate considering how well he pitched when he was on the mound this season. 

Tim Anderson will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a torn ligament that will likely require surgery. This news was unexpected and devastating for fantasy managers. Six weeks would virtually end Anderson’s season. He is droppable in all formats. 

The Blue Jays signed Jackie Bradley Jr. to a one year Major League deal. Bradley will likely be a defensive replacement and outfield depth for the Blue Jays. 

Tanner Houck was placed on the IL with back inflammation. There is no timetable for his return. 

Eric Hosmer left Tuesday’s game with a knee injury. The issue is being called a contusion, so hopefully that means he avoided serious injury. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Orlando Arcia left Tuesday’s game with a hamstring strain. He is expected to hit the IL.

Nelson Cruz left Tuesday’s game with shoulder soreness. He is expected to undergo further testing on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

 

Various News and Notes

A’s general manager David Frost stated that prospect Shea Langeliers should make his Major League debut before the end of the season. 

In the words of A’s assistant GM Billy Owens, Shea Langeliers is also a defensive force who has “a cannon with sniper accuracy. It’s fun to watch him annihilate baserunners.”

pic.twitter.com/x74oyNHZpx

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) June 30, 2022

Langeliers was the centerpiece of the Matt Olson trade and has raked in AAA this season, hitting .284 with 19 home runs and five stolen bases. He profiles as a good catcher behind the plate with a great arm, a good hit tool and league average power. He probably isn’t viable in most formats as a stash play outside of AL Only or deeper mixed leagues, but he should play regularly once he has arrived.

Keibert Ruiz went 2-for-3 with two home runs and a walk in the victory over the Cubs on Tuesday.

Keibert Ruiz sneaks one out for his second home run of the game! pic.twitter.com/WUjNewm2zB

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 10, 2022

Ruiz has struggled in his first full season in the Majors with just six home runs and a .247 batting average. He has gotten unlucky and has a .277 xBA and a miniscule 11.6% strikeout rate, so better days are around the corner, but his lack of hard contact and his inability to get the ball in the air consistently will keep him from having enough power to matter outside of the deepest of leagues.

Aledmys Diaz went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in the victory over the Rangers on Tuesday.

Go 4 Launch. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/LxJsF0EXSi

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 10, 2022

Diaz has quietly been on fire since the beginning of July, hitting .297 with seven home runs and a stolen base in 101 at bats. He has been playing most days and recently started batting in the top half of the lineup. His multi-positional eligibility is super useful especially in deeper leagues.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Madison Bumgarner vs PIT

The Pirates are one of the worst offenses in baseball versus lefties with a 26.4% strikeout rate and an 82 wRC+. 

High Risk Options: Mitch Keller at ARI, Justin Steele vs WAS, Kris Bubic vs CHW. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  None

Few options available that aren’t high risk. 

High Risk Options:  Zack Greinke vs CHW, German Marquez vs STL, Drew Smyly at CIN, Cole Ragans at HOU. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”