Roto Riteup: May 24, 2013

There were five games yesterday and five topics today. That is known as symmetry.

On today’s agenda:
1. Chase Utley to the 15-day disabled list
2. An update on Mark Teixeira
3. Jered Weaver may return next week
4. Quick take on Kevin Gausman
5. Zack Wheeler: Three weeks away?

Chase Utley to the 15-day disabled list
While Chase Utley is certainly no stranger to the DL, he was reintroduced to it again yesterday with an oblique strain. The move is being made retroactive to May 21 and the Philadelphia Phillies are calling it a “very mild” Grade 1 strain, Utley may return as soon as June 5. With seven home runs and five steals, Utley was enjoying another productive season, at least while he was healthy enough to play. If one is looking to buy low, then now is the chance. There is good potential that an Utley owner, already harboring doubts regarding Utley’s health in the preseason, has now become fed up. Test the trade waters, as when he is healthy, Utley is almost a top five fantasy second baseman.

An update on Mark Teixeira
After hitting in simulated games as well as spending time in extended spring training, it appears as though Mark Teixeira may be starting his rehab assignment at Double-A as soon as Tuesday. Just last week Teixeira mentioned that he felt good enough to return to the majors by June 1, however he may miss that optimistic date by a few days. He isn’t the Tex of years past, however he is still a solid hitter in a very good home park. Don’t sleep on him, as he could still provide solid counting numbers for the rest of the season.

Jered Weaver may return next week
Weekly leaguers take note that Jered Weaver could return in the middle of of next week. Whether or note Weaver returns earlier or later in the week depends on how his bullpen session goes this weekend. Though a certain author has noted doubt regarding Weaver’s fantasy value going forward, Weaver has not pitched his way out off of fantasy radars just yet. A gambling man (or gal) may roll the dice and make a move for Weaver, however the prudent thing would be to take a wait-and-see approach. Whether or not to start him twice this week depends on how the reports sound from his upcoming bullpen session.

Quick take on Kevin Gausman
This won’t read as a real scouting report, but wow, this kid has a cannon. Despite some surname pronunciation difficulties, watch Gausman strikeout Edwin Encarnacion on a 97 mph fastball for Gausman’s first major league strikeout. Grabbing Gausman now wouldn’t be too soon. As Cistulli cataloged in yesterday’s Daily Notes, Gausman certainly has strong fantasy appeal. One can find Gausman available in over 70% of both Yahoo! and ESPN leagues and 40% of CBS formats.

Zack Wheeler: Three weeks away?
Certain reports are placing Zack Wheeler a mere three weeks away with June 12 as his potential major league debut. After receiving a cortisone injection last week for mild inflammation in his right (throwing) AC joint, Wheeler has already made one start. He lasted five innings and only struck out two for the day, but for the season he has a 2.45 strikeout to walk ratio. Wheeler has struggled with the long ball, however given the context that most of the PCL — and especially Reno, his home park — is a launching pad, it is hard to read too much into his elevated home run tally. Wheeler should be free to own in over half of CBS leagues, 80% of Yahoo! leagues, and over 95% of ESPN formats. If one happens to be deciding between Gasuman and Wheeler, lean Gasuman for now, as at least he will give you numbers for now.