Roto Riteup: July 21, 2018

Remember kids, eat your Wheaties…..

Matt Carpenter tied the record for most extra-base hits after going 5-5 with three HRs and two 2B ?(via @Cardinals)pic.twitter.com/GxBDUNmLdY

— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) July 20, 2018

On the Agenda:
1. SO MUCH NEWS!!!!!!
2. Streaming Pitchers

SO MUCH NEWS!!!!!!
Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a solo-home run in his return to the lineup on Friday against the Yankees, unfortunately there was some troubling news after the game.

Cespedes says that the cause of his medical issues is calcification in both heels. He says the only way to fix the issue is surgery. He’s considering it for the off-season, but the recovery time is apparently 8-10 months.

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 21, 2018

Cespedes was asked if he could get through this season, he shrugged and said he didn’t know.

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 21, 2018

This is obviously troubling news for not only the Mets, but fantasy owners alike. With the Mets not having anything to play for this season, it makes sense to get the surgery done and try to get him ready early next season. Cespedes has battled injuries on-and-off for the majority of his career and will not reach 500 at-bats for the third-straight season. His draft cost sunk to just inside the top-100 heading into the 2018 season, and we’ll likely see it plummet even more heading into the 2019 campaign. Don’t drop him yet, but have a back-up plan ready when the time comes.

Speaking of players returning from the disabled list, Stephen Strasburg made his first start since June 8th and was torched for 6 ER on 8 H over 4.2 IP (6 K/2 BB) against the Braves on Friday. There was also an argument that took place between himself and Max Scherzer after he was removed from the game.

Things got heated between Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer in the dugout. pic.twitter.com/2rT6HZ78ec

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 21, 2018

This is not a long-term issue for Strasburg. By all accounts he’s healthy – and while shoulder injuries are always scary – he still threw 64-of-98 pitches for strikes and generated 10 swinging-strikes (15% SwStr). He should return to form in short order. The Nationals have a few games against strong competition in the month of September, but there’s a nine-game stretch of games against the Marlins and Mets towards the end of the month that could really come in handy.

The prospect world had a sad day when they learned that Fernando Tatis Jr is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on a fracture in his left thumb.

#Padres top prospect Fernando Tatis expected to require surgery, miss rest of 2018.https://t.co/O9clnZH2UF

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) July 20, 2018

Fantasy owners certainly weren’t expecting anything from Tatis for this season, but the Padres don’t expect this to affect his status moving forward. He’ll finish the season with a .286/.355/.507 line with 16 HR, 43 RBI, and 16 SB. He’ll remain a premier fantasy prospect heading into 2019.

As of the time this article was written, Jeurys Familia is expected to be dealt to the Athletics.

Jeurys Familia headed to Oakland, if the two sides can finish the deal.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 21, 2018

The deal may not be official until later today, but it seems the two sides have come to an agreement. Familia has turned it on as of late and would be a nice setup option to Blake Treinen. Robert Gsellman was the person Mickey Callaway turned to for the save appearance on Friday, and could be the new closer moving forward. The Bullpen Report will likely cover this situation in more detail. I suppose it’s worth mentioning that Wilmer Flores was supposed to leave the Mets via trade at one time and is still there. So make sure it’s a done deal before dropping Familia in any format.

Ozzie Albies is expected to miss the next few games with a hamstring injury.

Snit said they’ll stay away from Albies for a couple days. Given the Marlins series consists of games on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, there seems to be a chance he won’t return until Thursday’s series opener against the Dodgers.

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 21, 2018

Be sure to monitor this situation and have a stop-gap option ready in daily moves formats.

According to Indians manager Terry Francona, Cody Allen is still expected to see the bulk of the save chances for Cleveland. Newly acquired Brad Hand worked in the seventh inning for the tribe and doesn’t seem like an immediate threat to Allen’s role. Andrew Miller still has a ways before he returns to the club, so Allen owners can feel safe at the moment.

Josh Harrison continued to be held out of the lineup in favor of Sean Rodriguez on Friday. He’s been out since prior to the All-Star break with a hamstring ailment. He’ll continue to be day-to-day.

Miguel Sano will move his “rehab” to Triple-A Rochester after hitting .328/.443/.453 with 2 HR and 12 RBI with High-A Fort Myers. He’s a fine stash if you can afford the roster spot.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reported a high level of interest among many clubs in LHP Zach Britton.

The #Orioles are barreling ahead with Zach Britton trade talks now that they’ve moved Machado and officially declared a rebuild. #Cubs, #Yankees, #Redsox, #SfGiants, #Astros and #Phillies are among the teams in the mix.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 20, 2018

He’s going to be moved, it’s just a matter of time. Brad Brach and Mychal Givens are worth owning in the scenario they get bumped into the closers role for Baltimore. There is however an equal chance that they are dealt as well.

Jose Martinez was benched for the third-straight game since Mike Shildt took over, and there’s talks that he could even be traded to an American League team “at some point” according to John Mozeliak.

The Giants will be giving Johnny Cueto an extra day of rest before five-of-his-first-six scheduled starts of the second half.

According to the Arizona Republic, Clay Buchholz will be returning to the Diamondbacks rotation on Tuesday to face the Cubs.

Some Tigers trade deadline updates:

The #Tigers are focusing their efforts on trying to move Francisco Liriano, Mike Fiers and Leonys Martin at the deadline. Fulmer and Castellanos are more on the back burner. Al Avila will listen, but a team will have to make a big push to land one of those guys.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 20, 2018

According to TR Sullivan of MLB.com (Rangers reporter), Texas is unlikely to move Adrian Beltre “unless circumstances change drastically.”

Speaking of the Rangers, top prospect Willie Calhoun was promoted to the big leagues and went 1-for-6 with an RBI and a walk out the second spot in the lineup on Friday against the Indians. Nomar Mazara was placed on the 10-day disabled list in a corresponding move – so who knows what happens when he returns – but for the time being Calhoun should be picked up in the majority of leagues if he’s available.

Ryan Zimmerman was activated from the disabled list but did not start. Be sure to monitor his playing time as we move forward. At the beginning of the season Daniel Murphy hadn’t returned yet and Matt Adams needs playing time.

Leonys Martin went 1-for-3 with a strikeout out of the seventh spot in his return to the lineup against the Red Sox on Friday. Mikie Mahtook was optioned to Triple-A upon Martin’s activation.

According to Brendan Kuty, Gleyber Torres is expected to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Tampa today, with the hopes of rejoining the Yankees on Wednesday to face the Rays.

Rafael Devers could be activated from the disabled list in time for today’s game against the Tigers. He’s been out with a shoulder injury.

Troy Tulowitzki has been performing all baseball activities, but is still not game-ready as of yet.

Marco Estrada is set to come off the disabled list to face the Orioles on Sunday. He’ll have essentially missed one start due to a strained left glute.

Victor Robles will continue his rehab with short-season Auburn. There’s no current timetable for his return to Triple-A, or whether he’ll head to the big leagues, but it’s nice to see the top prospect progress.

Max Fried will come off the disabled list to face the Marlins on Tuesday.

After allowing only one run over six innings in his last rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket, Drew Pomeranz will be activated to face the Orioles on Tuesday. He’s been out since early-June with left biceps tendinitis.

Scott Schebler is expected to be activated from the disabled list when he’s first eligible on Wednesday. He suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.

Logan Morrison is set to be activated from the disabled list on Sunday – when he’s first eligible.

Someone poor one out for Justin Mason, as one of his favorite players – Bradley Zimmer – is set to undergo surgery on his shoulder.

Francona: Bradley Zimmer undergoing surgery on his right shoulder today in Texas via Dr. Keith Meister. Awaiting details on timetable and specifics of procedure.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 20, 2018

As stated in the tweet, a timetable for his return is unknown. The rest of this season certainly looks bleak for one of the better stolen base gambles in drafts this season. If he is out for the rest of the year, he’ll come at a massive discount heading into 2019. Actually, regardless of whether he has surgery or not, he’ll definitely come at a discount.

Brandon Belt has been placed on paternity leave. He was replaced in the lineup on Friday by Pablo Sandoval, with the newly promoted Ryder Jones getting the nod at third. Belt should be back in the next few days.

Sean Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBI (including a three-run home run), and a walk in his return from the disabled list. He started at second for Josh Harrison and hit seventh. He’ll have some NL-Only league value moving forward.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Jeff Samardzija received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder during the All-Star break. He’s slated to throw a bullpen session on Sunday, but a timetable for his return is not yet known. There’s a chance he’ll need surgery.

Both Mike Zunino and James Paxton are expected back early next week according to Greg Johns of MLB.com.

Kevin Kiermaier left Friday’s game against the Marlins with right foot discomfort. He’s currently day-to-day.

A.J. Hinch said on Friday that Carlos Correa has yet to participate in any baseball drills. He’s been out about a month with lower back soreness. Fantasy owners are surely uneasy about this situation at this point, but it could be the Astros just playing things cautiously with the “bigger picture” in mind.

Craig Counsell told reporters that Ryan Braun will be activated from the disabled list today. He’s been out since July 8th with a strained back.

Manuel Margot left Friday’s contest against the Phillies in the eighth inning due to a left wrist injury. He’s expected to have X-Rays done. Be sure to monitor his status today.

D.J. LeMahieu exited Friday’s game against the Diamondbacks with the same back injury that caused him to miss last week’s game against the Marlins. He’ll have tests and could be headed to the disabled list.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: Felix Hernandez vs CWS (if available), Vince Velasquez vs SD (if available)
Ton of risk here with Felix, but the White Sox matchup is too good. Hernandez can’t mess that up right? Right! He allowed 3 ER in 6 IP with 6 K against them earlier this year.

Hail Mary Options: Not a lot of options today. Highest K-upside of anyone not highly owned is Lance Lynn at KC. Also a slight amount of upside with Pablo Lopez against a Wilson Ramos-less TB offense.

 

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Hail Mary Option: None
I’m sorry, there’s just no streamer options that I feel even remotely comfortable recommending. If Jon Gray is somehow available then him, but everyone I like is highly-owned.