Roto Riteup: July 12, 2019

Can we get baseball back, please?

No one:

Absolute no one:

Vampires in the afternoon: pic.twitter.com/uK28rvNhGt

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 12, 2019

On the Agenda:
1. Various News and Notes
2. Streaming Pitchers

 

Various News and Notes
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re getting a full slate of baseball today! We’ve had a nice break here, but today we officially start the second half, as well as our final push towards a title in our leagues. Good luck the rest of the way everyone!

We received updates on Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz yesterday:

Carlos Correa and Aledmys Díaz should begin minor league rehab assignments next week. Díaz is a couple days ahead of Correa.

— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) July 11, 2019

Here’s the latest on Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz pic.twitter.com/D4CKewBN1O

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 11, 2019

Both Correa and Diaz have been sidelined since late May, and should be back in short order. The Astros have been rolling with Alex Bregman at shortstop since the injuries, with Yuli Gurriel manning third, and Tyler White at first. My assumption is White will be lifted for Correa in the starting lineup, and could possibly be DFA’d since he has no options left. Myles Straw will also be a roster casualty, with Diaz taking over a bench role.

Staying with Astros injuries, Alex Bregman exited yesterday’s game against the Rangers after getting hit on the chin by a Shin-Soo Choo groundball (98 mph).

https://twitter.com/MTIngram/status/1149491584653639680

Alex Bregman left the game with a chin laceration, team says.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 12, 2019

There’s been no indication that anything more serious like a concussion is going on. Consider him day-to-day for now.

According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Brewers have signed Shelby Miller to a minor league deal. He hasn’t been a relevant fantasy player since 2015, so there’s not much to see here. The Brewers are in the market for a starter though.

Gio Gonzalez threw two innings in a rehab start for High-A Carolina on Tuesday – allowing two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and no walks (33 strikes on 48 pitches). He’s battling a “dead arm” phase, and will likely make at least two more minor league appearances before being inserted back into the Brewers rotation.

Brad Peacock is slated to start on Monday at the Angels after throwing two scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Wednesday. He was suffering from minor shoulder discomfort, and will likely see a slightly diminished pitch count on Monday, but he’s still a formidable option.

Kevin Gausman allowed one unearned run over six innings against Double-A Jacksonville on Thursday. He surrendered three hits and struck out three, with zero walks. He’s on his way back from a bout with plantar fasciitis, and had mixed results in his first rehab start for High-A Florida. He could be on his way back to the Braves after this start, or they could have him pitch one or two more times for Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s worth keeping on your watch list in 15-team leagues.

The Royals are calling up Bubba Starling.

Bubba Starling, selected with the 5th pick in the 2011 draft, just ahead of All-Stars Anthony Rendon, Francisco Lindor, Javy Baez and George Springer, finally is making his #MLB debut with the KC #Royals

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2019

Royals general manager Dayton Moore to https://t.co/6TSm0LErFq on Bubba Starling's promotion: “This is a celebration for what he has earned. And he's coming here to play, not sit on the bench."

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 11, 2019

Well, I’m definitely happy for Bubba, as he’s always been a premier athlete that has just never been able to put it together in baseball. He’s now 26, but has posted some promising results at Triple-A this year. He’s not worth an add right now, but he has some pop and speed, and would no doubt be an amazing headline if he came out hitting well.

A couple of starters with success in the past who have disappointed in more recent memory will take the mound on Saturday. Kyle Freeland will face the Reds at home in Coors Field, and Matt Harvey will face the Mariners. Freeland compiled almost $20 worth of value in 5×5 formats last season, but tallied a 7.13 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in his first 12 GS this year. Things haven’t been much better in the minors either over six starts, as he’s registered an 8.80 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. Harvey has faced a similar fate in the majors and minors this season as well. Both are not recommended adds at this current time.

Framber Valdez was brought up to start against the Rangers on Thursday, but once again was obliterated in tremendous fashion (0.2 IP, 3 BB, 4 ER, 4 H). One of my colleagues at Baseball HQ – Brian Rudd – had an interesting observation on the Astros rotation in general.

Think Houston might be looking to add a SP? Last 11 starts between C. Martin, Urquidy, F. Valdez:
IP: 40
ER: 35 (7.88 ERA)
H: 59
BB: 21 (2.00 WHIP)
K: 38
HR: 12 (2.7 hr/9)

— Brian Rudd (@RuddHQ) July 12, 2019

Maybe Matt Boyd or Zack Wheeler will make their way into Houston….

Hunter Pence update:

Hunter Pence is beginning a rehab assignment at Frisco tonight….could be back with the Rangers this weekend

— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) July 11, 2019

Pence has been great this year. Fantasy owners in mixed formats should see if he’s available and scoop him up as it doesn’t seem like he’ll be slowing down (unless the injury plays a role). Delino DeShields and Willie Calhoun have seen some increased playing time, and would be at risk of losing that once Pence returns.

Speaking of the Rangers, Lance Lynn and his strong cutter/curve combo continue to mow through the league. He should be owned in every. single. league.

Eddie Rosario could return from his ankle injury as soon as today.

Also, Eddie Rosario is taking part in the #MNTwins workout in Cleveland today. If all goes well, could be available as soon as tomorrow.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 11, 2019

He should be activated immediately. Luis Arraez will likely lose almost all of his playing time.

There are some Starlin Castro whispers:

Marlins Have Received Interest In Starlin Castro https://t.co/V4VlGWH7hZ pic.twitter.com/oy23kHwAGS

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 11, 2019

Brendan McKay will be one of the starters for the Rays in Saturday’s double-header against the Orioles.

Yeah. He’ll be the 26th man and start the day game of the doubleheader on Saturday https://t.co/Dmf5Qv34px

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) July 12, 2019

He’ll probably go back down to Durham after the game, but he shouldn’t be dropped as he’ll likely return to the bigs fairly quickly.

According to Jon Heyman, the Rockies have signed Yonder Alonso and assigned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. Fantasy owners should keep their eye on this, as anyone with some decent pop who plays in Coors Field could end up being viable.

Yadier Molina is heading to the injured list and he’ll likely stay there until August.

Yadier Molina goes on the 10-day disabled list with a tendon strain, and keep in mind a strain is a tear. That's the same thumb injury he's been trying to play through. Shreve is back on the 40-man as Hicks goes to the 60-day DL. https://t.co/FbFXxIn44A

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 11, 2019

Matt Wieters will see a nice bump in playing time if you’re in need of catching help. Matt Carpenter was also activated from the 10-day injured list.

We had a slew of moves from the Rays yesterday:

#Rays expect to activate Choi (ankle) Saturday or Sunday. Not expecting B. Lowe (bruised leg) to be active during weekend series

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2019

#Rays Duffy (hamstring) has moved up to AAA @DurhamBulls with his rehab, slated to play there 3 games, reevaluated, and likely more

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2019

#Rays promote OF Jesus Sanchez and RH Sam McWilliams to AAA Durham.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2019

Would appear Hunter Wood is being called up to join #Rays on Friday as he was placed on taxi squad at AAA Durham. So Wood and Castillo replace IL-bound Alvarado and Roe

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 11, 2019

The Choi news is worrisome for Nate Lowe. I’ll believe that Duffy is back when I see it. Emilio Pagan and Colin Poche are probably the best bets for saves right now, but Diego Castillo has premier stuff and could see some chances soon. Brandon Lowe should be back soon, and happy to see Sanchez move up – he could be a late season call-up.

Some more trade chatter on Matt Boyd, Will Smith, and Noah Syndergaard.

Dodgers, Braves, Rays Interested In Matthew Boyd https://t.co/jevAYsiYci pic.twitter.com/JAV6fTqwZ3

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 12, 2019

Sources: #STLCards, #SFGiants seriously discussed a Will Smith trade during the offseason. Those talks could revive in the days ahead. Story at @MLB.com: https://t.co/ewIthL1Rld @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 11, 2019

Mets Likely Won't Trade Syndergaard, Matz Unless "Overwhelmed" By Offer https://t.co/uN7Nh32Wj3 pic.twitter.com/2x0yB8Agy2

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 12, 2019

 

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: Dylan Bundy vs TB

High-Risk Options: Jason Vargas at MIA

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Chris Bassitt vs CWS

High-Risk Options: Brendan McKay at BAL, Tanner Roark at COL