Roto Riteup: July 16, 2016

Today’s Roto Riteup was not prepared for four baseball-less days to seem like an eternity.

On the agenda:
1. Houston Makes Things Complicated
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Houston Makes Things Complicated
The Astros signed Cuban export Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year deal worth over $47 million, muddying the waters in which a couple interesting players are swimming. First, Gurriel is a third baseman by trade, and he’s had great success in both Cuba and his brief stint in Japan. Gurriel showed power, patience, and contact skills at the ripe young age of 23, but he’s 32 now and finally ready to make his mark on MLB. Gurriel will likely spend a couple weeks in the minors shaking the rust off, and be up to the bigs around the trade deadline.

Previously ticketed to take over at third base by August was former second overall pick Alex Bregman, who has absolutely destroyed every minor league pitcher who has stood in his way. There was initially rumors that Bregman would be called up yesterday, but the team decided against it, and perhaps now we know why. The Astros infield is full, unless they plan to shift Gurriel over to first or tie up the DH spot, so Bregman will have to either learn the outfield or bide his time.

Various News and Notes
A trio of players in the NL West are nearing a return from the DL. Hunter Pence is going to start a rehab assignment today, and should be back with the Giants by the end of next week. For the Diamondbacks, both David Peralta and Chris Owings are playing with the team’s Arizona League affiliate, and while there’s not a firm timetable with either, one expects them to be up around the end of the month.

Ryon Healy has been called up by the A’s and will get a chance to show what he can do at third base. Healy is a large man who can hit the ball a long way if he gets the chance, but before this year was never exactly a power hitter. While old for the level, he hit eight homers in just 36 games in Double-A this year before hitting six more in his fiftyish games at Triple-A. Healy’s arrival means Danny Valencia’s playing time will be reduced, at least until he’s traded.

Noah Syndergaard dealt with some fatigue about a week ago, but it sounds as if the time off has done him well. Thor threw the ball around yesterday and reported no issues, so he’ll graduate to the mound today and barring a setback take the hill as scheduled on Tuesday. I know times are tough with Matt Harvey down for the year with an injury, but considering they have an off-day on Thursday, it’s a bit surprising Syndergaard isn’t being pushed back to next week to give him even more time off.

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Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Mike Foltynewicz vs COL (Chad Bettis)
Blake and I agree, Folty is the way to play today.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Dylan Bundy at TBR (Jake Odorizzi)
Bundy makes his first MLB start, so caution be damned, let’s have some fun.