Roto Riteup: May 26, 2013

Apologies in advance for the lateness answering/addressing comments today. After all, Arrested Development is on!

On today’s agenda:
1. Brandon Beachy in Triple-A
2. Two Houston Astros hit two homers each
3. Cameron Maybin injury update
4. Back to the disabled list for Curtis Granderson

Brandon Beachy in Triple-A
After undergoing Tommy John surgery almost a year ago, Brandon Beachy has made his first start en route to his road back to the majors. Beachy threw 70 pitches in four innings of two run ball in Triple-A Friday evening. He allowed just two hits — although one was a home run — though he did uncork a wild pitch. This start represents the first of several Triple-A starts to come, assuming no setbacks. If Beachy stays on course, one should expect him to make his seasonal debut in the next two to three weeks. Beachy is owned in 65% of CBS leagues, but just 36% of Yahoo! and 20% of ESPN formats.

Two Houston Astros hit two homers each
Both Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez cracked two home runs each yesterday against the Oakland A’s. Castro now has six home runs on the year as well as a .265 batting average. For those in two-catcher formats, Castro has earned himself a roster spot for now. He doesn’t project for much power going forward, however as long as he is connecting with the long ball — not to mention sporting a .333 BABIP — he should be owned, at least until he cools off. Castro should be available in at least 75% of leagues in CBS, Yahoo!, and ESPN formats.

Dominguez is up to seven home runs and is now on pace to hit 23 home runs on the year. He powered five home runs in just 113 major league plate appearances last season and given how shallow third base is, owners should be giving Dominguez a closer look. He’ll hurt you the most in OBP leagues, but as long as he maintains even a .250 batting average, the counting stats in addition to position scarcity make him worthy of ownership in deep leagues. This was his second multi-home run game of the year already, so the power may be legit. Dominguez is owned in less than 20% of all three major fantasy sites.

Cameron Maybin injury update
Given that Cameron Maybin has been out of action since April 17, the San Diego Padres would like to see him receive around 30 PA’s in Triple-A before they make a decision when to activate him. Maybin made his Triple-A debut yesterday and went 1-for-3 with a single. Once upon a time a bright-up-and-coming star, Maybin’s bat hasn’t progressed as well as hoped. He still offers fantasy value with his legs, stealing a combined 66 bases against 15 times caught stealing over the past two seasons. If one happens to be in need of steals or drastically in need of help in the outfield, Maybin is a decent option. His legs and whatever runs he can muster will be the only real value, so caveat emptor.

Back to the disabled list for Curtis Granderson
A pessimist would say that Curtis Granderson has played just eight games all season for the New York Yankees. And an optimist would agree, because that is a fact. After being struck in the wrist, X-rays found a broken wrist — specifically a fractured fifth metacarpal — and Granderson will miss at least four weeks recovering. Now that he will miss another month of the season, 2013 is beginning to look a bit like a lost year for Granderson. He should be back by All-star break, and hopefully that is the last time that the words “Granderson “and “break” are in the same sentence this season. For those of you considering trading for Granderson, his price just got a lot lower. Grabbing him and stashing him might not be the worst idea, assuming you pay something like 50 cents on the dollar.

Let us not discuss the goings on of one Andrew Cashner’s start yesterday evening. Or, if we must discuss it, focus on the five strikeouts and zero walks.