Roto Riteup: July 21, 2013

Rather than a movie from the present author’s childhood, today’s intro is from the author’s high school days. Yesterday it was confirmed that Super Troopers 2 has been given the green light.

On today’s agenda:
1. Matt Holliday to the disabled list
2. A rough rehab performance for Chris Carpenter
3. Possible set back for Alex Rodriguez

Matt Holliday to the disabled list
In a move that was made retroactive to July 12, the St. Louis Cardinals placed Matt Holliday on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. Given that he could be activated as soon as next Saturday — barring any setbacks — this seems likely. Missing a week now is better than missing two weeks later on in the fantasy season, let alone missing any time in head-to-head playoffs.

Once he is fully healthy and back in the Cardinals lineup, let us hope that he hits like in years past. It is hard to complain about his .268/.351/.448 line too much, however his current 123 wRC+ would be his lowest since 2005. Despite a May slump where he hit .235/.303/.429 Holliday has produced in every other month thus far. If his current owner is worried about Holliday’s dropping slugging percentage, one could possibly use this injury to leverage a buy low situation on him. If you are able to swing buy low on Holliday, make sure you do so.

A rough rehab performance for Chris Carpenter
Also noted in the article regarding Holliday, Chris Carpenter was shelled for nine hits and four runs in 3.1 innings in Triple-A yesterday. Carpenter is now on a steadily increasing pitch count and is scheduled to throw every five days. He could make as many as four additional minor league starts as the club eases him back into a starter’s workload. His first rehab start was limited to a mid 50’s pitch count however yesterday Carpenter threw 74 pitches. He has pitched a mere 17 major league innings since the end of the 2011 season but the club is seemingly optimistic about his chances of contributing this year. Holding off on picking up Carpenter is the best move for now. He hasn’t shown enough to be rosterable in standard 12-team leagues, though deep NL-only fantasy players could consider grabbing him.

Possible set back for Alex Rodriguez
Rather than starting at third base as initially hoped, Alex Rodriguez appeared as the designated hitter for yesterday’s Triple-A game. The decision to move him out of the field was made after soreness developed in his left quadriceps. Originally the New York Yankees had hoped to activated A-Rod as soon as tomorrow, however no official word has broken either way just yet. For now it seems as though Rodriguez is counting on being activated Monday or Tuesday.

The various projection systems don’t love A-Rod this year, however he is a warm body that is third base eligible. Given that third basemen have hit a collective .258/.319/.402 this year, A-Rod doesn’t need to be his 2007 self to be an effective fantasy player. Suspension or not, he is available in 70% of Yahoo! leagues, 75% of ESPN leagues, and 50% of CBS formats. Until new updates regarding the Biogenesis mess surfaces, it is hard to pencil in Rodriguez on any team shallower than 14-team mixed. Standard mixed league players should look elsewhere for help at the hot corner.