Roto Riteup: March 27, 2015

The official start of the 2015 major league season is fast upon us! But before that, the 15th anniversary of New Found Glory’s From the Screen to Your Stereo will happen tomorrow. The album — with all of its covers of 1980’s and 1990’s cinematic glory — can be found on YouTube.

On today’s agenda:
1. Yasmany Tomas to the minors?
2. Forearm tightness for David Robertson
3. San Diego’s fifth starter competition

Yasmany Tomas to the minors?
Arizona Diamondbacks skipper Chip Hale told a group of reports Tomas could open the season in the minor leagues. Tomas has not looked very good at third base though Hale believes Tomas can play either third or left field. The D-backs are scheduled to make another trim to the roster on Sunday, however Tomas could be a last minute decision. Questionable defense hasn’t been the only concern, as he has drawn just one walk against 11 strikeouts this spring. While spring training stats tend to mean diddly come the regular season, seeing 11 strikeouts in just 49 plate appearances does not bode well for him. Fantasy managers who were already skittish about drafting Tomas as a their primary third baseman should have even more cause for concern.

Forearm tightness for David Robertson
Via Dan Hayes of Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Robertson is being cautious with a sore forearm. He does not expect to undergo any MRI’s or miss any time, however. He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session yesterday and while Robertson still feels tightness, he was clear that it was not dead-arm. As fungible as closers tend to be — even elite ones like Robertson — targeting a different team’s closer or at least handcuffing another Southsider like Carlos Rodon, Zach Duke or Zach Putnam would be prudent.

San Diego’s fifth starter competition
The race continues between Brandon Morrow and Odrisamer Despaigne for the final rotation slot for the Padres. The 30-year-old Morrow has managed fewer than 100 innings in 2013 and 2014 combined due to forearm and finger injuries, though his fastball maintained a solid 93-94 mph average. Despaigne made 16 starts in the majors last season but his 3.36 ERA shielded his 4.01 xFIP and 4.14 SIERA. Neither offer a great walk rate, however Morrow has a stronger major league strikeout record. On the other hand, Despaigne’s upper minors K% is very good, but his failure to induce swings and misses hurt his strikeout rate in the show last season. In fact, his 7.3% swinging strike rate was tied for 110th out of 147 starting pitchers, minimum 90 innings pitched. If the front office and manager Bud Black go by spring training stats — a very unlikely thing — then Despaigne is the far and away favorite. Even if Morrow wins the job, his inevitable injury will give Despaigne a shot at the rotation. For my money, if the draft goes long and you’re in a pinch for another starter, go with Despaigne.