Roto Riteup: June 28, 2017

Today’s Roto Riteup marks my 100th article at Fangraphs!

pic.twitter.com/PDLb5ho69d

— CLE4EVER (@Davidfromthe216) June 16, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Salazar Starting?

2. When Puigs Fly

3. Various News and Notes

4. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

 

Salazar Starting?

According to the Cleveland Indians President of Operations Chris Antonetti, Danny Salazar is expected to return to a starting role for the Indians once healthy. Antonetti, did state that it is imperative to get his mechanics consistent as well. Salazar struggled as a starter this year prior to moving into a bullpen role. However, he also does have the highest k/9 of any pitcher in the Majors with at least 50 innings pitched this season. The stuff is there and elite, but the questions have always been if he can command it and stay healthy. Even some positive regression should put him as a usable piece in almost any size league once he reenters the rotation.

 

 

When Puigs Fly

Yasiel Puig’s one-game suspension has been rescinded:

Yasiel Puig’s one-game suspension has been rescinded and he instead will make a charitable donation, by agreement of MLB and MLBPA.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) June 28, 2017

I have been an ardent supporter of Puig in spite of a lot of the criticism he has received over the years, however, this one makes me scratch my head a little. MLB’s use of suspension and then their reductions of said suspensions make absolutely no sense. Let me know what you think in the comments because I’m sure everyone will have an opinion on this.

 

 

Various News and Notes

Jae-gyun Hwang will be called up Wednesday by the Giants. Hwang signed a minor-league deal with the Giants this offseason after coming off a season in the KBO where he hit .330/.391/.558 with 26 home runs and stole 24 bases. In AAA this season he has hit .287/.333/.476 with seven home runs and five stolen bases in 279 plate appearances. Hwang will most likely provide the Giants some bench depth as this appears to mostly be a preemptive move after rumors began circulating Tuesday that Hwang would opt out of his deal if not in the Majors soon.

Jon Gray will return to the mound for the Rockies on Friday after completing his minor league rehab assignment. Antonio Senzatela will head to the bullpen as a result. Gray has been out since mid-April with a stress fracture in his foot, but appears to be fully recovered. Senzatela was fantastic early on in his call up posting a 2.86 in 44 innings through his first seven starts for the Rockies, but since then has a 6.70 ERA in 44.1 innings during his last nine starts. He will work a multi-inning role out of the Rockies bullpen for now.

DJ Lemahieu was removed from Tuesday’s game against the Giants with a “groin cramp.” He apparently felt something during a routine groundout, but nothing appeared evident that he was injured until he didn’t return to the field in the bottom half of the inning. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

 

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Blake Snell @ PIT

Snell is getting recalled for the Rays and has been dominant in AAA since getting demoted. In Durham this season, he has 12.48k/9 with a 2.66 ERA in 44 innings. He draws the Pirates in Pittsburgh, which shouldn’t be too tough of an assignment.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Dinelson Lamet vs ATL

Over his last two starts, Lamet has struck out seventeen batters in twelve innings and only allowed one walk. If he can keep the ball in the park, he will be fine, but this is a high risk/high reward play.