Roto Riteup: August 22, 2018

Nothing Wong with this throw.

That throw. ? pic.twitter.com/CQ7WNtu8K2

— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2018

On the Agenda:
1. Closer Chaos!
2. National Departures
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

 

Closer Chaos!
According to manager A.J. Hinch, Roberto Osuna will handle the majority of saves opportunities from here on out. After trading Ken Giles for Osuna last month, it seemed like just a matter of time for Osuna to get the closer’s job. Osuna has only allowed one run on five hits and a walk in five innings since coming off of suspension. He immediately becomes one of the top tier closers in the game.

 

National Departures
Daniel Murphy was acquired by the Chicago Cubs for Andruw Monasterio and a player to be named later. Murphy will provide the Cubs with some infield depth as Addison Russell has struggled with hand and shoulder issues. Matt Adams was claimed off of waivers by the Cardinals. Adams will likely come off of the bench and start against some right handers. Bryce Harper was also reportedly claimed off of waivers by the Dodgers, but is unlikely to be traded.

 

Various News and Notes
Yu Darvish has been shut down for the rest of the season. Darvish was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his elbow and a triceps strain. Darvish only threw 40 innings this year for the Cubs, struggling with his command and his stuff. He is expected to be ready for the start of 2019.

Jose Abreu had surgery on Tuesday for a groin issue. Abreu was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday, but apparently the issue was more serious than originally thought as he would end up having surgery the same day. He is not expected to resume baseball activities for at least two weeks and this could put the rest of his season at risk.

According to Craig Mish of SiriusXM, Starlin Castro has cleared waivers. Castro has been a pretty steady player over the last few years and is only 28-years-old, so it would seem that there will be interested teams, but it comes down to what the Marlins would want in return.

Tommy Pham suffered a dislocated ring finger.

Tommy Pham’s right ring finger… ouch! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/QMfvpMT5Kn

— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithFOX13) August 22, 2018

He is being called day-to-day for now as there were no fractures according to x-rays.

Aroldis Chapman will undergo an MRI after being removed from the game on Tuesday night. Chapman had a recurrence of knee issues that plagued him earlier in the season. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

 

Streaming Pitchers Options
A pitcher for today: None
Hail Mary Option: Mike Minor @OAK. The A’s have been super hot, so this is truly a Hail Mary, but over his last four starts, Minor has a 3.42 ERA with about 9 strikeouts per nine innings.

A pitcher for tomorrow: None
Hail Mary Option: Anthony Desclafani @CHC
Desclafani has been usable as of late, but it’s a tough matchup versus the Cubs.