Roto Riteup: March 13th, 2012

With the 2012 season just a few short weeks away, it’s time for the return of the Roto Riteup to the RotoGraphs lineup. If you were not reading the site late last season, this will be new to you. And you will enjoy it.

Now, onto the notes:

• – Hopefully you’ve heard by now that Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is questionable for opening day after discovering he has a bulging cervical disk. Lance Lynn, previously slotted for the bullpen, will begin to prepare to open the season in the rotation just in case Carpenter can’t make it back. Lynn was a starter throughout his minor league career, but his results weren’t spectacular. His stats weren’t stunning, but his repertoire is nice. Lynn has a sweet power-sinker and a decent curve, so there’s no reason to think he couldn’t at least fill in as a starter. If you play in a dynasty or similar format, make sure to snatch Lynn up. At the very least, he’ll fill your RP slot with Ks and the occasional spot start.

• – The Mariners have sent lefty Danny Hultzen to minor league camp, ending his bid to make the big league club. Coming into the offseason, there was much talk that he was going to have a big-time shot at making the team straight out of camp. But, as the offseason wore on and Seattle acquired the likes of Hisashi Iwakuma, Kevin Millwood, and Hector Noesi, it was clear that Hultzen was going to spend at least a month or two in the minor leagues. Hultzen and James Paxton may both force a call-up later this year, and neither Millwood’s talent nor Iwakuma’s shoulder will be much of a obstacle.

• – Chipper Jones said some discouraging things about how he’s feeling nowadays in an interview with various members of the media. I have confidence in Chipper’s ability to perform when healthy, but hearing about physical concerns straight from the horse’s mouth is depressing. I don’t know about you, but this moves Chipper down my board a couple of spots.

A Pitcher For Today
During the season, you’ll be finding recommendations for starters you could stream for the day after the notes, but this being spring training, I’m going to assume you aren’t playing some strange high-stakes spring fantasy game.

If you have anything in particular you’d like to see in this year’s Roto Riteup, please say so in the comments. Feedback is appreciated.