Roto Riteup: March 16, 2015

Welcome to the first of many Roto Riteups this season! Zach Sanders and I are still in spring training too, so until the season kicks off, the RR will be here thrice weekly.

On today’s agenda:
1. Adam Lind is looking good
2. Yasmany Tomas to the outfield today
3. Zack Wheeler’s elbow issues
4. A broken collar bone for Ramon Santiago

Adam Lind is looking good
Health is always the questions with Lind, and even in the spring it has been the same old story. Getting into his first game just five days ago due to lower back stiffness, he has nevertheless hit well. Of course spring training hitting isn’t predictive, but Lind already owns a strong track record of hitting right-handed pitching. With a 307 ADP, Lind should be a cheap source of counting stats as his lefty power plays well in his new home park. Last year Miller Park posted the fifth highest home run factor for lefties, even higher than Rogers Centre.

Yasmany Tomas to the outfield today
Nick Piecoro reports Tomas will play right field in today’s game, the first we’ll see of him in the outfield this spring. He is already eligible at 3B and RF for two of my leagues (both Yahoo!, though one is custom), however he is just OF in two others (ESPN and CBS). The brilliant Mike Petriello posted quite damning evidence Tomas probably won’t stick at third for long, but for the fantasy nerds he doesn’t have to be there for more than 10 games. Of course, if Tomas can’t cut it at third base for five games to gain eligibility in CBS or for 10 in ESPN leagues, his value does go down a bit.

Zack Wheeler’s elbow issues
Things could be looking bad for the New York Mets and Wheeler. The club sent him back to the Big Apple for an MRI, though manager Terry Collins isn’t worried and believes the pitcher will be back some time next week. Wheeler posted career highs in both games started and innings pitched last year, however the Mets aren’t quick to blame the workload. Here’s to hoping his elbow discomfort is nothing serious, but a pitcher who relies on his slider or curveball over 30% of the time is something to worry about.

A broken collar bone for Ramon Santiago
While he was only slated to be the utility infielder, Santiago’s injury will almost certainly cost him that role. Despite being eligible at second, third and shortstop, Santiago’s bat didn’t offer enough to be drafted in all but the deepest of AL-only leagues. Now the backup infielder spot is open, mostly likely for whoever doesn’t win the second base job for the Toronto Blue Jays. Maicer Izturis probably has the inside edge on the starters gig, so Devon Travis or Ryan Goins would be next for the MI role. Given Travis has never played shortstop, expect Goins to break camp with the big league team. Unfortunately much like Santiago, Goins has neither the bat nor the legs to be drafted in the majority of leagues. If (or when) Jose Reyes misses time, then maybe Goins could have some value based on playing time and the offense surrounding him.