Roto Riteup: August 21, 2020

How I think I would look playing in the Majors:

Bat drop so clean, we had to BatCast™ it. pic.twitter.com/KCysi3Tn6S

— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 20, 2020

How I would actually look:

Hindsight is always 20/20 ¯_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/wg8Y8MItfy

— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 19, 2020

On the Agenda:
1. COVID Issues
2. Closer Chaos
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

COVID Issues
The Mets and Marlins game was postponed on Thursday after someone reportedly within the Mets organization tested positive for COVID-19. This has already had an effect on the weekend series the Mets were supposed to start against the Yankees on Friday as that game has been postponed as well.

Paul Dejong is expected to return to the Cardinals at some point early next week. Dejong was one of the Cardinal’s players that was positive for COVID-19, but he is back at the alternative training site and ramping back up before returning to the team.

 

Closer Chaos
Drew Pomeranz is dealing with shoulder tightness and that is why he did not appear in the last two games. This is a bit concerning considering how good Pomeranz has been so far this season. Emilo Pagan would likely be the first man up if Pomeranz needs an IL stint.

 

Quick Hits
The White Sox optioned prospect Dane Dunning. Dunning made his Major League debut on Tuesday and pitched well, but with Chicago having two days off next week, there is no need for a fifth start. He should return to the rotation at some point before the end of the year.

Zach Britton has been placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. He is expected to miss 2-3 weeks and is droppable in most formats.

Alex Bregman was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. He is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. Abraham Toro and Myles Straw are expected to fill in for him in the meantime.

Gleyber Torres left Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Friday. Consider him day-to-day for right now.

The Twins placed both Mitch Garver and Bryon Buxton on the IL on Thursday. There is no timetable for Buxton at this time and Garver is expected to miss about two weeks with an intercostal strain.

Josh James left Wednesday’s game with a hip injury. James was fielding a grounder when he suffered the injury and was in obvious pain. James will undergo an MRI on Friday. Consider him day-to-day for now, but he likely will hit the IL.

Willie Calhoun was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. He is expected to miss about three weeks. He is droppable in most formats at this point in the season.

 

Various News and Notes
On Thursday, the San Francisco Giants promoted top prospect Joey Bart. Bart went 1-for-4 in the outing. He hit .278/328/495 between High-A and AA last season with 16 home runs in 79 games last year. Bart has struggled with injuries in his brief time in the minors, but is healthy now and was fantastic in the summer camp which has led to the organization feeling the pressure to call him up. He is a must pick up in almost every format considering the huge upside.

The Marlins are expected to promote prospect Jesus Sanchez to the Majors. Sanchez was a part of the deal that sent Nick Anderson and Trevor Richards to the Rays last year. Sanchez is a former top prospect that has seen his stock dip quite a bit in the last couple of seasons. He projects to have above average power and speed, but poor plate discipline, which makes him a more boom or bust type prospect. The Marlins should give him plenty of run down the stretch and he is worth the gamble in deeper formats.

Ryan McMahon hit two home runs on Thursday in the loss to the Astros. McMahon was a popular “sleeper” coming into the draft season, but has struggled up until this point. However, with David Dahl on the IL, he can secure some more playing time since the Rockies can use Garrett Hampson in centerfield.

Triston McKenzie is expected to make his Major League debut this weekend versus the Tigers. McKenize was a top prospect at one point in his minor league career, but never quite filled out or developed the way he was projected. The more interesting development is that the Indians don’t appear to be recalling either Zack Plesac or Mike Clevinger who are in purgatory at the alternative training site. Both Plesac and Clevinger could find themselves as part of a trade here in the near future or the Indians could be taking advantage of the situation to grab another year of service time from the two starters.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Eliser Hernandez at WAS
Hernandez has been impressive so far this year.

High Risk Options: Adam Plutko vs DET

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

High Risk Options: Alex Cobb vs BOS, Yonny Chirinos vs TOR, Josh Lindblom at PIT, Justus Sheffield vs TEX, Tyler Anderson vs ARI.