Roto Riteup: July 3, 2023

On this hallowed day of pre-4th, I humbly ask that we officially stop mentioning Shohei Ohtani in the same sentence as that hot-dog-eating bum who struck out a bunch of longshoremen and probably would’ve wet his giant knickers upon seeing a slider.

These things are not the same:

For the third year in a row, Shohei Ohtani is in as both a hitter – voted the AL’s starting DH – and a pitcher. In 2021, he was the first player to be on the All-Star team as a hitter and pitcher, and now he’s done it three times

just…THINK ABOUT THAT!

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 2, 2023

that’s “2023 All-Star Pitcher Shohei Ohtani” to you#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/ux2jisfBLc

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 2, 2023

On the Agenda:

1. News and Notes
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Streaming Pitchers

But first, a friendly PSA to keep your head on a swivel this week for pre-ASB rotation shenanigans. Besides inexplicably wearing the same uniform as their players, managers love nothing more than to throw wrenches at all of our grand-laid plans for fantasy pitching staffs this week by suddenly skipping guys who are dinged up in order to get them an extended rest.

For those in daily leagues, check out the week’s probable pitchers every day to help you not forget the five D’s:

News and Notes

Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to face Pittsburgh on Monday but manager Dave Roberts indicated he could instead be placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Considering his age and history, the smart money is on Kershaw being shut down through the All-Star break.

It’s your time, stashers – Carlos Rodón is set to make his Yankee debut at home on Friday against the Cubs. Do be aware, though, that he only threw 58 pitches in his final rehab start and will likely be restricted as he eases back into the swing of things.

Yordan Alvarez (oblique) took batting practice for the first time since going on the IL in early June. We still don’t have a timetable yet but if he’s already swinging then a return by mid-July seems reasonable.

Corbin Carroll (shoulder) missed his third straight game on Sunday but also ended up pinch-hitting after taking batting practice the previous day with no ill effects. Looks like he’ll be good to go for the week.

Nestor Cortes Jr. (rotator cuff) is scheduled to throw his second bullpen session after coming out of his first one on Friday (20 pitches) with no ill effects. A rehab start will likely be in order if things continue to progress but Cortes seems to be tracking for a return to the rotation in mid(ish) July.

Bumps and Bruises

Jazz Chisholm Jr. was removed late in Sunday’s game against Atlanta, with it later being reported it was due to left oblique soreness. The Marlins might say it’s just soreness but I’m pretty sure that’s what the initial reports about Yordan Alvarez said, too. I mean, does this look inspiring to you:

Jazz Chisholm Jr. reaches to his left side in pain after this swing in the 6th

He's the Marlins DH today, so not confirmed yet whether he's staying in the game or not pic.twitter.com/72viUceWHZ

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) July 2, 2023

Garrett Whitlock was removed after just one inning in his start yesterday with the always ambiguous “elbow inflammation” and is set to undergo an MRI. This comes after he missed most of May with ulnar neuritis and while Whitlock may say this injury doesn’t seem nerve-based, it’s generally not great when different arm injuries start piling up. Heading into today’s start, Whitlock had a 4.67 ERA over his six starts since the aforementioned IL trip but had gotten hammered in the previous two, allowing a total of 10 ER on 19 hits over 11.2 IP. Whitlock’s next start is scheduled on Saturday against Oakland but I wouldn’t hold my breath. If this does require an IL stint, it will make an already thin Red Sox rotation (missing Chris Sale and Tanner Houck) that much shakier.

Eloy Jimenez pinch hit for because of unspecified soreness. Grifol said he had to check with training staff, but alluded to previous foot issue. Eloy appeared ok in clubhouse, gave a thumbs up

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) July 2, 2023

Don’t worry, I’m sure Eloy Jiménez being removed for “general soreness” is no big deal – dudes a rock. Plus, he gave a thumbs up! Or-rrr…Eloy. Robot foot surgery. Collision course.

Michael Kopech was placed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation but according to manager Pedro Grifol this is a minor thing that allows them to get him some extra rest heading into the All-Star break. He’s expected to rejoin the rotation shortly after games resume.

Brandon Drury (shoulder bruise) missed his third straight game on Sunday, with the Angels later officially moving him to the IL. Andrew Velasquez was recalled from Triple-A but will remain fantasy irrelevant in all but the deepest leagues.

 

Streaming Pitchers

Options are super-light on today’s 10-game slate, with only about four guys likely being available on most wires.

Streaming Pitchers for Today: Nopers

High-Risk Pitcher for Today: Jake Irvin, WSN vs CIN – A rookie pitching against one of baseball’s hottest offenses. What could go wrong?

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Tarik Skubal, DET vs OAK – It’ll be Skubal’s 2023 debut after recovering from flexor tendon surgery. In five rehab starts, he posted a 1.23 ERA, with 20 K in 14.2 IP, going 4 IP in his most recent appearance.

One more PSA: I know we’re all super smart adults but every year lots and lots of people still attempt to blow off their extremities trying to do the math on “booze + explosives = awesome idea. I implore you to learn from JPP and don’t assume your high batting average to date guarantees regression to less than 10 fingers can’t be right around the corner.