Roto Riteup: May 11, 2018

Just a bit outside!

Who did it better, @50cent or @Akbar_Gbaja? pic.twitter.com/7GqbwPe4iF

— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2018

On the Agenda:
1. Strong Performances
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

 

Strong Performances
Kyle Seager went 2-for-5 with two home runs – including a grand slam – in the Mariners 9-3 victory over the Blue Jays on Thursday. He’s hitting a few more line drives and walking less this year compared to 2017, but all his underlying metrics say he’s relatively the same guy as a whole (.249/.323/.450, 27 HR).

Kyle Seager with a Grand Slam to get the @Mariners off to a fast start in Toronto on @ROOTSPORTS_NW pic.twitter.com/Ciw90FRajR

— ROOT SPORTS™ | NW (@ROOTSPORTS_NW) May 10, 2018

Brian Dozier went 4-for-4 with a three-run home run in the Twins loss to the Angels on Wednesday. The round-tripper was his sixth of the year, and brought his season line to .246/.305/.430. The 2017 season saw him really turn things on in the second half. His bottom line as of now comes close to mimicking his first half numbers from last year – with a slight tick down in power metrics.

Freddie Freeman recorded five hits in five trips to the plate, including a two-run home, to help the Braves beat the Marlins on Thursday. There’s not much analysis here, Freeman is an automatic stud.

Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, walk, and a stolen base in the Red Sox win over the Yankees on Thursday. The multi-hit day is his fourth in nine games this month and brings his line to .361/.441/1.244.

Scooter Gennett provided the majority of the offense for the Reds on Thursday – going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI, and a run scored. That’s now his fourth-straight game with a hit, with two being of the “multi-hit” variety. The home run was his fifth of the season to go along with a .301/.345/.830.

Ozzie Albies went 2-for-6 with a grand slam and five total RBI on Thursday.

21-year-old Ozzie Albies is the second youngest position player in baseball and just hit his 11th HR of the year #BabyBraves pic.twitter.com/QFGUzrMPih

— Too Much Tuma (@toomuchtuma) May 11, 2018

While he’s hitting .262 in May thus far, he’s continued to be consistent (hits in eight-of-nine games). The home run was his 11th of the year and brings his line to .285/.320/.589. He’s currently the fourth ranked player on the ESPN Player Rater.

Salvador Perez only notched one hit in four at-bats on Thursday, but it was a big one – a grand slam in the first inning off of Chris Tillman. He’s performed rather admirably since being activated from the disabled list on April 24th – hitting .288/.319/.835 with 4 HR and 13 RBI. He’s a safe top-10 catcher.

Quick-Hit Strong Performances:
Adam Jones: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI

Hanley Ramirez: 2-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, HR

Lorenzo Cain: 2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB

Carlos Santana: Three-run home run

Odubel Herrera: 3-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, 2B

Ian Kinsler: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR

Manny Machado: 2-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 BB

Trey Mancini: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B

Shohei Ohtani: 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B

Ryon Healy: 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, HR, BB

J.D. Martinez: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

Russell Martin: Two-run home run

Alan Hanson: Two-run home run

Jean Segura: 4-for-6, 2 R

 

Various News and Notes
Matt Harvey is slated to makes his first start in a Reds uniform today against the Dodgers.

Matt Harvey will start for the Reds on Friday night, manager Jim Riggleman said. He will, however, be limited with his pitch count.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 10, 2018

Harvey continues to be a “wait-and-see” player for fantasy purposes. He’s really going to need to prove himself before we even think about adding him in any format. He’ll be taking Brandon Finnegan’s spot in the rotation.

Matt Wieters exited Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks in the second inning due to a lower-body injury. The mechanism seems to be either hamstring or knee related and Wieters had a very hard time walking off the field. He’s likely going to be sent to the disabled list.

Twins beat reporter Rhett Bolinger reported on Thursday that Miguel Sano will not come off the disabled list this weekend.

Molitor said Sano will not be activated from the DL this series despite being in Anaheim. Still debating whether he’ll need rehab assignment early next week.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 10, 2018

Sano has been rehabbing his hamstring injury over the past few days and even traveled with the team to Anaheim. It’s undecided whether he’ll need a rehab assignment, but either way it seems like he’s inching closer to a return.

Justin Turner is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.

Justin Turner and Logan Forsythe expected to begin rehab assignments this weekend.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 10, 2018

We gave an update on his progress a few days ago, and it looks like he – along with Logan Forsythe – will be making their return in the coming days. Due to the nature of wrist injuries, we could see a slip in Turner’s power until the ailment is fully healed.

Adam Eaton underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery on Thursday to remove a piece of cartilage.

Because none of three doctors could see a reason for paint on MRIs and bone scans, Adam Eaton underwent arthroscopic surgery today in Wisconsin. They discovered a chondral flap problem (cartilage tear, basically), and removed it. That would explain all the pain he had.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) May 10, 2018

There’s currently no timetable for his return. Fantasy owners shouldn’t hold onto him if they’re in a pinch.

Byron Buxton went 0-for-2 with a walk and two strikeouts while hitting out of the ninth spot in his return to the Twins lineup on Thursday. Fantasy owners can plug him back into lineups, but should monitor his stolen base attempts based on his toe situation.

David Price will make his next scheduled start on Saturday against the Blue Jays. He’s dealing with a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome that caused him to miss Wednesday’s outing. He’s been treated and should be good to go.

Carlos Martinez was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lat strain on Thursday. The Cardinals have yet to announce an official timetable, so be sure to check the latest news the next few days. Jack Flaherty will likely get called back up to make some starts with Adam Wainwright being set to start on Sunday.

Madison Bumgarner is set to throw a bullpen session next week, with Giants manager Bruce Bochy expressing that he could begin a rehab assignment in a couple weeks.

Bumgarner plugging along. Bullpen next week. Bochy said Bum could be in his way to minors rehab in a couple weeks. #sfgiants

— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) May 10, 2018

Johnny Cueto was just transferred to the 60-day disabled list, so Bumgarner’s arm is certainly needed for the Giants and fantasy owners alike.

Jung-ho Kang began facing live pitching on Thursday, with the long-term hopes being that he’s activated in July.

 

Streaming Pitchers
A Pitcher for Today: None

High-Risk Streamer: Brandon McCarthy @ MIA

A Pitcher for Tomorrow: Domingo German vs OAK

OAK has a 25% K as a team on the road and German has a lethal two-pitch mix that’s resulted in a 12.0 K/9 and 16% SwStr thus far.

High-Rsk Streamer: Mike Soroka @ MIA
He’s had one good start and one that wasn’t so hot – hence the “high-risk” tag. Let’s really keep it simple, this is a talented young pitcher facing the Marlins.