Roto Riteup: July 27, 2020

Me at pretty much every birthday party I have ever thrown for myself:

Whose mans is this? pic.twitter.com/6y6WTwX5FE

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 26, 2020

On the Agenda:
1. COVID IL Issues
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

 

COVID IL Issues
The Miami Marlins placed multiple players on the IL with COVID on Sunday. Reports are that Harold Ramirez, Garrett Cooper, Jose Urena and Jorge Alfaro all tested positive. This is devastating to their team and it is unclear if other players may have to be quarantined as well.

Mike Moustakas was placed on the IL with a sickness. This sure sounds like COVID, but it has not been identified. The Reds just had to place Matt Davidson on the IL with COVID and had to scratch Nick Senzel from the lineup with an illness as well on Sunday.

 

Quick Hits
Randall Grichuk left Sunday’s with a back issue. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

Ken Giles left Sunday’s game with elbow soreness. Giles really struggled in his outing and was dealing with decreased velocity. This is pretty scary and fantasy players should scoop Anthony Bass off the wire.

Eloy Jimenez left Sunday’s game in the second inning due to being light-headed. This sounds like it was precautionary, but keep an eye on this, especially if you play in weekly leagues.

Reynaldo Lopez left his start after .2 innings and allowing four runs. He is likely heading to the IL.

Corey Kluber left Sunday’s start with shoulder tightness. This is disappointing as Kluber had looked great in camp, but it appears his season will miss some time now.

 

Various News and Notes
Justin Verlander will be shut down for two weeks after experiencing a forearm strain. This is not great news, but is better than the original report which was that he was done for the season. It seems likely he will miss a larger portion of the remaining season and is droppable in leagues without IL spots if you cannot afford to stash him.

Shohei Ohtani allowed five runs without recording an out versus the Athletics. Ohtani was erratic and did not seem to have nearly the same velocity we saw pre-surgery. It is too early to get too worried, but he should be benched for his next start versus Houston just in case.

Vince Velasquez struggled in his first start on Sunday. Velasquez threw three innings, allowing four runs in the contest. It seems likely he will be replaced in the rotation before his next start with Spencer Howard on the exact same throwing schedule and the service time date passes this week.

Austin Riley went 1-for-4 with a walk and a home run versus the Mets on Sunday. Riley’s home runs was impressive and showed off the towering power that made him a top prospect. Riley was looking like he was heading to the bench before Yasiel Puig’s deal fell apart, but now he is got a regular role in the lineup and can be a great cheap source of power if you can stand the batting average hit.

Eric Hosmer went 1-for-2 two with two walks and a home run. Hosmer has started off the season hot, but more importantly he is hitting the ball with a huge jump in exit velocity and launch angle. It is too early to tell if he can sustain these changes, but if he is on your wire, he is worth picking up just in case.

Garrett Richards threw five innings allowing one run while striking out six. Richards only allowed one hit and three walks in the contest. Richards has always had the talent to be an elite pitcher but has not been able to stay on the mound because of his health. He is healthy now though and the Padres have no reason not to push him in the last year of his contract.

Tyler Stephenson was called up to the Majors on Sunday, but did not play. Stephenson took Mike Moustakas’ spot on the roster. He is one of the top prospects on the Reds and a hitting first catching prospect. Stephenson has a ton of power in his bat, but there are defensive questions. He is worth the gamble in deeper two-catcher leagues.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Chris Bassitt vs LAA
Bassitt looked good in summer camp and gets an Angels offense without Shohei Ohtani in the lineup after he “pitched” yesterday.

High Risk Options: Pablo Lopez vs BAL, Michael Wacha at BOS, Dylan Cease at CLE, Wade Miley vs CHC

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Kyle Gibson vs ARI
Gibson is healthy after a rough 2019 and pitching at home which has played very pitcher friendly.

High Risk Options: Austin Voth vs TOR, Tyler Mahle vs CHC, Derek Holland vs MIL,