Roto Riteup: July 8, 2013

If you haven’t already, make sure to go listen to yesterday’s The Sleeper and The Bust, which features today’s Roto Riteup author.

On today’s agenda:
1. Dan Haren to return today
2. Is Ian Kennedy back on track?
3. Chris Capuano heads to bullpen
4. David Price dominates

Dan Haren to return today
After the Nationals were forced to place Ross Detwiler on the disabled list, the team announced Dan Haren would take his place in the rotation and start Monday. Haren was placed on the DL last month, but he was never really injured. At this point, Haren is not worth owning in any format, and the Nationals are just hoping he can keep from completely imploding before Detwiler is ready to return.

Is Ian Kennedy back on track?
Kennedy has been more than a bit of a mess this season, but he’s thrived during his last four outings. While he did not receive a decision during any of those four starts, the right-hander dropped his ERA from 5.72 to 5.16. In just under 24 innings of work, Kennedy struck out 24 batters, walked nine, and gave up three dingers. Kennedy’s fastball velocity appears to be slightly elevated over his last few starts, so this could be a sign of good things to come. If Kennedy can just get back to his 2012 form, he’ll be a valuable fantasy starter down the stretch of the 2013 season.

Chris Capuano heads to bullpen
With Ricky Nolasco now in the fold, the Dodgers had to select a starter to remove from the rotation, and Capuano’s 5.19 ERA this year left the brass with few options. Stephen Fife, on the other hand, will remain in Los Angeles’ rotation. Fife has been surprisingly solid this year, having a FIP under 4.00 in his eight starts. Fife’s fastball sits below 90 mph, and while he’s going to be a back-end starter, he’s still got value in deep fantasy leagues. Fife is good enough as a streaming option in slightly-deep mixed leagues, and certainly worth rostering in most NL-only formats.

David Price dominates
Since returning from the DL, Price has mowed down 15 hitters in 16 innings, allowing one run without walking a single batter. Before going to the DL, Price had an ERA above 5.00 in nine starts.