Roto Riteup: May 22nd, 2012

Luebke! Banuelos! Bourjos! Today’s Roto Riteup has them all, and more.

• Cory Luebke has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2012 season. Luebke had the option to try and rehab and come back in six weeks, but he’s decided it’s better to make it official and not put off his fate any further. Luebke was very exciting coming into 2012, notably for his strikeout rate, his home ballpark, and his RP eligibility. Now, Luebke will be 28-years-old before he throws another pitch in the bigs, and his 2012 numbers were not nearly as an impressive as 2011. Luebke’s injury puts owners in a difficult situation, even in dynasty leagues. I’d say hang on to him in larger formats, but let him go otherwise and see what happens.

• Speaking of lefties with bum elbows, Manny Banuelos, everybody! The Yankees have moved their prized prospect to the 60-day DL with what is being described as a “sore elbow.” Odds are there’s something more specific — and nefarious — going on under the skin, but only medical professionals are able to determine such things. Banuelos is still very young, so while missing a year due to injury is never good, he may be at the right stage to work through it.

• Now that Vernon Wells’ thumb has been torn from his hand, Peter Bourjos could be in for another run of extended playing time. Despite swinging less and making contact more, Bourjos’ early season production hasn’t been up to the standard he set in 2011. I’m a hopeless romantic, so I believe in Bourjos’ abilities to be a league average offensive player while roaming the outfield with grace, but the Angels are going to have to see it to believe it. Mike Trout is hitting well, and while Bourjos is almost certainly better than Wells, the Angels will see it differently with dollar bills clouding their vision. Snag Bourjos is AL-only leagues if you need some speed, and consider him for the same role in standard leagues.

For those of you who play daily fantasy games like FanGraphs: The Game, or just like to stream players, here are a couple matchups you may be able to exploit.

A Pitcher for Today: Travis Wood at HOU
I just can’t quit you, Travis Wood. I just can’t.

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Scott Feldman at SEA
Feldman’s 2012 numbers aren’t great, but I still like him as a starter.

A Hitter for Today: Andy Dirks at CLE (Ubaldo Jimenez)
Dirks is exciting, if you ask me.