Roto Riteup: March 28, 2018

The Roto Riteup believes that honesty is the best policy.

On the Agenda:

1. Things That Make You Want to Puk

2. Closer Chaos

3. Various News and Notes

 

Things That Make You Want to Puk

After numerous reports inferring something was wrong with A’s top pitching prospect A.J. Puk, it was reported that he will get Tommy John Surgery after speaking with Dr. James Andrews. This ends the season before it began for the Puk. He should be reserved in all keeper/dynasty leagues, but dropped in all redraft formats.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, doctors removed a “coin sized calcium deposit” from the right ankle of Gregory Bird. No word on whether Bird will deposit that deposit.

via GIPHY

 

 

Closer Chaos

Torey Lovullo named Brad Boxberger the Diamondbacks closer on Tuesday. According to Lovullo, Archie Bradley was in discussion for the role, but the Diamondbacks view him as more valuable in multi-inning stints. In spite of giving up a few too many homers last season, Boxberger was very good in a setup role for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. If the humidor in Arizona can help quell those home runs that plagued him last year, he could be in for a big season in the desert.

According to Alex Pavlovic, Mark Melancon still is “feeling something” in his pitching arm. It appears that he may have to start the season on the disabled list. If he is out, Sam Dyson figures to start with the closer’s role, but he has looked really awful so far this spring. Hunter Strickland is a dark horse for saves with the better skills and stuff.

 

Various News and Notes

There was a scary moment for fantasy owners when Jose Ramirez was forced to leave Tuesday’s game with a lacerated finger. He was quick to update his status for us on twitter though:

Ryan McMahon has made the 25-man roster for Opening Day for the Rockies. The 23-year-old rookie was fantastic in spring training and will likely start the year in a strong side platoon at first base. There was some thoughts that the signing of Carlos Gonzalez could push McMahon back to AAA, but it appears that Ramiel Tapia and David Dahl were the casualties. That being said, McMahon will be on a short leash considering the depth that the Rockies now have on offense, but the upside is huge.





Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.

16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
MustBunique
6 years ago

Bringing relief to the worried Jose owner masses in the early morning. Thanks for putting me at ease. Went to bed terrified, much better now.

Any feelings on Jordan Hicks? Will he slide into that closer role ahead of Leone, or will the Cards build him up a little first? Or, “it’s Matheny so who knows?”

tdouglas
6 years ago
Reply to  MustBunique

I was gonna say that Hicks isn’t gonna get called up anytime soon, but now I see that he’s, improbably, on the OD roster. It’s insane that they are adding him based solely on his 4 inning outing the other day. He’s got electric stuff, though.

The Cards’ bullpen will be pure chaos for those of us looking for saves. There’s a chance Leone locks the role down early, but Maddux has recently talked about a more saber-focused approach to bullpen use, so maybe Leone gets used in key situations outside of the 9th. I think Norris, Tuivailala, and Lyons are all going to get a couple of saves apiece, so try to avoid the STL pen.