Roto Riteup: May 23, 2016

You know what I’ll just never understand? Today’s a holiday in Canada, and the Blue Jays aren’t playing at home (or at all). In what world does this make sense? I know scheduling is incredibly complex and difficult, but this seems like a no-brainer, right? Instead, we’re left here to watch Game 4 of Raptors-Cavaliers. And you know who Mark Shapiro is rooting for…

On the agenda:
1. How Yu Doing
2. How it feels to be something on
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitcher Options

How Yu Doing
The Texas Rangers may get a major shot in the arm this week. Yu Darvish tossed six scoreless inning at Double-A Frisco on Sunday, and it’s expected that the outing will be his final rehab start. Here, nearly two years since he last pitched in the majors, the Japanese import will finally be back on a mound, probably sometime over the weekend against Pittsburgh. It’s a bit of a tough activation decision for those in weekly leagues – he’s 89-percent owned, but a single start that’s not 100-percent certain yet, against the Pirates, no less, is hardly a sure thing – but those who made him the 37th pitcher off the board at draft time are surely anxious with excitement right about now. For what it’s worth, Steamer likes Darvish for a 3.53 ERA and 9.9 strikeouts per-nine over 18 starts, more muted production than in his three MLB seasons to date but probably a reasonable bar given the time off.

How it feels to be something on
The As have purchased some Sonny Gray Real Estate on the disabled list, shelving the righty with a strained trap. Gray has struggled mightily in May, posting a 10.38 ERA since April 27, even though he didn’t first report discomfort until May 15. This, after he started the year learning how it feels to be (something) on, turning in four pretty good starts in a row. Maybe the reprieve will do the 26-year-old well and he’ll return once again able to miss bats and keep the ball in the park. It starts with his fastball, which has been touched up pretty well.

Various News and Notes
Jered Weaver’s out here ditching his fastball and throwing high-60s junk all game, leading to a solid outing and a terrific quote. “The front door was locked, the back door was bolted, so I was coming in through the chimney today,” he said.

There is some concern that Lucas Duda’s back issues could keep him on the shelf for longer than initially expected. He’s now sat back-to-back games and Terry Collins said Sunday that he’s “really concerned.” Duda, who’s hitting .231/.297/.431 with seven home runs in 39 games, is set for further tests Monday.

Giancarlo Stanton ended his 0-of-19 slump, one in which he struck out 15 times over five games. He’s still 5-for-52 with 28 whiffs over his last 15, but at least he’s got a recent hit on the ledger to potentially boost the confidence.

For those still waiting on suspension fallout, MLB will reportedly hear Rougned Odor’s appeal on Tuesday. That makes him a tough play in weekly formats, considering the suspension could then start Wednesday.

Jordan Zimmermann left his start in the sixth inning with a right groin strain. He’s set for an MRI and could be skipped in the rotation next time around with an off-day this week. Glen Perkins suffered a setback in recovery from a shoulder strain and won’t play catch for another week. He’s been out since April 13, leaving the closer’s role to Kevin Jepsen, who’s been up-and-down in it.

The Rays are waiting to learn just how long they’ll be without handsome fly-ball vacuum Kevin Kiermaier, who earned two metacarpal fractures diving for a ball Saturday. He’ll be re-evaluated Monday. The Rays sounded really dejected about this, especially Evan Longoria, who got to citing WAR and morale in the same sentence.

Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Nicholas Tropeano @ TEX (Derek Holland)
Arlington isn’t the friendliest of places to play, I realize, and we’re getting to the point in the year where the weather plays it up, but Nicholas Tropeano still has a good setup here. Tropeano’s been solid, too, other than some issues with the free pass, and the Rangers are proving a somewhat middling offense. Add in a breeze straight in from center that’s expected, and I like the dice-roll here on the nine-percent owned Tropeano.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Nate Karns vs. OAK (Kendall Graveman)
In the Athletics, Nate Karns draws a team that really doesn’t strikeout a ton but doesn’t do much else at the dish, either. It’s always a nice test for a pitcher with an improved strikeout rate (25.1 percent) to go up against an offense like that, and the A’s shouldn’t pose too much of a bust threat with their 87 wRC+.