Roto Riteup: March 27, 2014

There are plenty of roster decisions to go over in today’s Roto Riteup, but that doesn’t mean we’re too busy to include some arbitrary endpoints.

On today’s agenda
1. Tanner Scheppers gets Rangers’ Opening Day nod
2. Nicholas Martinez makes Opening Day Rotation
3. Marcus Semien makes the White Sox
4. Clayton Kershaw to miss Sunday’s start
5. Erasmo Ramirez to start game two for Seattle
6. Fun with arbitrary endpoints

Tanner Scheppers gets Rangers’ Opening Day nod
Despite never before starting in the big leagues, Scheppers is going to get things kicked off for the Rangers this year. Texas has been decimated by injuries so much so that Joe Saunders is a prominent member of their rotation, so it’s not as if Scheppers has elevated his game to Ace status while you were at work yesterday. Scheppers hasn’t started a game since 2011, and he only has 8 starts over three minor league seasons. The fireballing right-hander was pretty good last year when he only had to use two pitches, but at least he throws a curveball to help mitigate platoon splits. Don’t count of Scheppers to be anything special as a starter, but he’s worth a shot regardless.

Nicholas Martinez makes Opening Day Rotation
Nick Martinez will be pitching in the majors to start the season, due to Texas’ pitching injuries discussed above. Martinez dominated at both High-A and Double-A last year, but he may be a little overmatched in a the majors right now. Martinez has solid potential, but odds are he’ll only be in the majors until one of the bigger names returns to health.

Marcus Semien makes the White Sox
With Gordon Beckham heading to the DL, Semien slots in as the White Sox starting pivot man. Semien is going to end up being a much better real-life player than fantasy one, but he could provide a smidge of value in deep or AL-only OBP leagues.

Clayton Kershaw to miss Sunday’s start
Baseball’s most dominant pitcher is being scratched due to inflammation in his upper back. News is still slim as of writing, but we do know the inflammation is on the upper-left side, which makes things scarier than being closer to Kershaw’s non-pitching shoulder.

Erasmo Ramirez to start game two for Seattle
When your other options are Blake Beaven, Roenis Ellias, and rookie James Paxton, it’s not surprising that Erasmo is going to get the bump to No. 2 status. Ramirez has the trust of manager Lloyd McLendon, and the move up means he’ll get two starts in the first week of the regular season.

Fun with arbitrary endpoints
– Dustin Ackley, spring training: 64 PA, .410/.438/.656, .500 BABIP
– Joe Blanton, since leaving OAK: 736 IP, 4.82 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 3.39 K/BB, 1.5 HR/9
– Jason Vargas in KC: 3 GS, 20.1 IP, 5.31 ERA, 2 K, 10 BB, 4 HR