Roto Riteup: August 28, 2023

Corbin Carroll is very fast – but if “Real Genius” taught me anything, it’s that you can’t outrun a forking laser:

Corbin Carroll vs Elly De La Cruz.

De La Cruz: 99.7mph missile to get him. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5xlBGnOxq2

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 27, 2023

Well, that and the fact that it’s not only possible but also extremely hilarious to get revenge on someone by filling their house with popcorn.

On the Agenda

1. News and Notes
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Comeback Trails
4. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

After signing him to a 1 yr/$8.75 million contract in the offseason, the Rockies released Jurickson Profar over the weekend and called up first baseman (who can also catch and play outfield), Hunter Goodman. Goodman had only just been promoted to Triple-A a few weeks ago but had been absolutely crushing it, slashing .371/.418/.903 over 67 PA, with 9 HR (and six doubles), 15 R, and 33 RBI. My maths ain’t always so good but 33 RBI in 15 games isn’t too shabby, right? Over a larger sample at Double-A (91 games, 400 PA), Goodman slashed .239/.325/.523, with 25 HR and 24 doubles. He might have a below-average hit-tool but Goodman had some of the biggest raw power in the minors and could be a solid source of fantasy production for your September runs.

As expected, David Robertson seems to be out as closer in Miami after blowing another Save over the weekend (and two in his last three chances), with Tanner Scott coming in to close out their 2-1 win over the Nationals on Sunday. Robertson had a 2.05 ERA (3.59 FIP) over 44 IP with the Mets but just couldn’t stop getting blown up after being traded south, blowing three of his seven Save chances and running a 7.20 ERA (6.17 FIP). This was, by far, the Mets best move this season.

Bumps and Bruises

Rafael Devers wore one on his wrist on Saturday and ended up missing Sunday’s game but the X-rays came back clean, with manager Alex Cora anticipating that Devers will be able to play against the Astros today.

O’ Canada got a little less healthy yesterday. Matt Chapman was pulled in the sixth inning with inflammation in the same right middle finger that caused him to miss three games a few weeks ago after he pinched it in the weight room and Bo Bichette left as a precautionary measure with a tight quadriceps. Chapman’s issue appears to be the more serious of the two but missed time by either could herald the return of the everso-brief Cavan Biggio SZN we were treated to while Bichette was on the IL at the start of August.

Yandy Díaz missed his second straight game on Sunday after being hit with a pitch on his forearm but clean X-rays seem to indicate that he’ll be back sooner than later. Consider him day-to-day.

Adrian Houser made it just two innings in his start against the Padres on Sunday, being pulled with forearm tightness. But don’t worry – it’s minor!.. Supposedly.

Tyler O’Neill was scratched yesterday with left knee discomfort, with Richie Palacios taking his place in center field. Like most of his career, consider O’Neill day-to-day.

Comeback Trails

Byron Buxton (hamstring) is scheduled to run the bases later today and face live pitching on Tuesday, moving him that much closer to a rehab assignment. Unfortunately, the 1st Law of Buxton Dynamics tells us that the closer Buxton moves to return from the IL, the closer he’ll necessarily move to his next IL trip. It’s science.

Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will throw live batting practice on Monday and could return to the Phillies rotation by early next week.

The San Francisco outfield is about to get a lot more crowded, with Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) and Mitch Haniger (forearm) likely to return during their upcoming series with the Reds. Let the clocks on Luis Matos, Wade Meckler, and Heliot Ramos, begin!

Lars Nootbaar (“abdomen”) is expected to return next week to a Cardinals team that continues to circle the drain, having now lost nine of their last 11 games. Boo birds.

Michael Brantley (shoulder) is finishing up another rehab assignment and should (finally) return to Houston this week to make his season debut. If your team is screaming for some part-time empty batting average, he’s your huckleberry.

Streaming Pitchers

Oh my goodness – I feel rich! Not only do we have a full slate of games but a whole mess of starters are likely available on your waiver wire, with some of them set up for a Week 23 two-stepper.

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Johan Oviedo, PIT @KCR – Oviedo gets the almost always juicy matchup of the Royals in late August and will finish his two-step by letting the Cardinals continue to Show-Me (us) some bad baseball over the weekend. The Royals have lost 10 of their last 12 games and are 26th in wOBA vs RHP in 2023 and in two starts vs STL this season, Oviedo has allowed 2 ER in 12 IP, with 15 K.

High Risk for Today: Kyle Harrison, SFG vs CIN – The whiffs are for real but the risk comes from how likely Harrison is to go deep into his start/be eligible for a win. He lasted only 3.1 IP in his major league debut at Philadelphia but struck out five while allowing 2 ER on 5 hits and a walk. But he’s also scheduled to start against the Padres on Saturday so you could end up with a week’s total of 7-8 IP and double-digit strikeouts.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brandon Williamson, CIN @SFG