Roto Riteup: July 15, 2020

Moves Bo Bichette up 20 picks:

Bo Flows Bo Flips

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— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 15, 2020

On the Agenda:
1. COVID IL and Opt Outs
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Beat Justin Mason

COVID IL and Opt Outs
Both Jose Urquidy and Yordon Alvarez were placed on the 10-Day IL with an undisclosed issue. It appears that both have tested positive for COVID and are now in jeopardy of missing the start of the season which begins in nine days. With Urquidy being sidelined, this may cement Josh James in the rotation who has recently returned from his own absence.

Delino Deshields was placed on the 10-Day IL. This is weird because it had been reported that Deshields was fighting COVID, but he recently returned to the team. It sounds like he may have tested positive again since returning.

Jesus Luzardo has yet to report to A’s summer camp. Manager Bob Melvin said that Luzardo is feeling good, but has not been cleared to return. The longer this takes the less likely he will be ready to go deep into games to start the season.

Charlie Blackmon returned to Colorado for the first time since contracting COVID-19. Blackmon has missed all of summer camp, but appears to be back in time to be ready for the start of the season.

Lourdes Gurriel has arrived at Blue Jays camp. Gurriel missed the beginning of the summer camp likely due to a positive test, but he is back now and it sounds like he should be ready for the beginning of the season.

Jordan Hicks has opted out of the 2020 season. Hicks was coming back from Tommy John and had a chance to get some late inning work for the Cardinals once he was ready to go, but has decided to sit out and work towards next season.

Mallex Smith returned to Mariners camp on Monday. Smith had yet to report likely due to COVID-19 issues, but should be ready by the start of the season.

Howie Kendrick has not yet been seen at Nationals camp. Kendrick is expected to have a larger role with the addition of the DH to the National League and Ryan Zimmerman opting out, but he needs to be able to be in camp before the start of the season. The Nationals have also been missing Victor Robles and Juan Soto, but both are expected back this week after coming to the US on a plane with a person who ended up testing positive but they themselves have not tested positive according to reports.

Tyler Glasnow made his camp debut for the Rays. Glasnow had missed the beginning of camp, but threw 49 pitches in 3.1 innings on Tuesday. It sounds like he should be good for the start of the season.

Robinson Cano has arrived at Mets camp. Cano had missed all of summer camp, but it appears he is going to be ready to start the season and hit in the middle of a great lineup.

Sal Perez has returned from the IL. Perez had tested positive for COVID, but was reportedly asymptomatic. He likely is one of the few catchers that will also get DH time on his off day making him an appealing catcher in this 60-game sprint.

Quick Hits
According to manager Joe Giradi, Aaron Nola could be the Opening Day starter. Nola was late to camp after coming in contact with someone with COVID, but he tested negative and it sounds like he is on schedule for the start of the season.

Christian Walker suffered a Groin strain on Monday. He is considered day-to-day at this time. If he is unable to start the season, Kevin Cron, Jake Lamb, and Seth Beer could be in line for added work.

Willie Calhoun left Monday’s game with a hip issue. The Rangers are calling the move “precautionary” so it doesn’t sound like this should cost him time.

Jacob deGrom left Tuesday’s start with back tightness. This happened to deGrom back in 2018 and it forced him to not be the Opening Day starter. Keep a close eye on this in case it is more serious than it initially appear.

Various News and Notes
Yasiel Puig signed a deal with the Braves on Tuesday. Puig was the last major free agent still on the market, but he has found a home in Atlanta now. This is a great landing spot for Puig who will likely bat fourth or fifth for the Braves depending on when Freddie Freeman can return from his issues with COVID-19.

Robinson Chirnos left Monday’s game with an ankle injury. X-rays and an MRI came back clean, but he will likely miss at least a few days and this should be monitored if you are thinking about him as your second catcher.

Byron Buxton left Monday’s game with a foot injury. The injury looked pretty serious as he was carted off the field, but it was later revealed that he just sprained his foot. This sounds like good news, but it still could put the start of his season at risk. While it is good to hear he won’t miss extended time, this is a reminder that often injured players are even riskier in a shortened season.

 

Beat Justin Mason

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