Roto Riteup: May 29, 2017

I typically start my Roto Riteups with a funny comment, GIF or combination of both. However, if you’ll let me, I would like to start this RR with something a bit different.

I joined the US Army following 9/11. I enlisted at the age of 17 and went active duty out of high school. The Army taught me many things about honor, duty, loyalty, and courage, but most importantly introduced me to some of the bravest men and women I have ever had the pleasure to know.

However, please don’t thank me for my service. If you chose, you can another time, but not today. I was no hero. I was never deployed to a combat zone. I never paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, even though I was willing. Thank the countless men and women that have given up their own lives to preserve the freedom that we often take for granted. Thank James Hunter. He was a hero.

James Hunter was killed in Afghanistan on June 18th, 2010. He was 25. He was the first Army journalist to die combat in Afghanistan in the War Against Terror. He was also my friend and the best man I ever served with. James exemplified what it is to be a soldier, journalist, and a man and he is deeply missed.

On the Agenda:

1. Various News and Notes

2. Streaming Pitcher Options

Various News and Notes

Adrian Beltre has returned to Texas to be reevaluated. If all is ok, Beltre could be activated for the beginning of their homestand versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Beltre has yet to play for the Rangers this season due to a strained calf that he injured in spring.

Danny Salazar has been moved to the bullpen. Indians manager Terry Francona said that he will be available Wednesday or Thursday to pitch again. In spite of the fact Salazar leads the all qualified starts in k/9 (12.55), he has struggled with walks and giving up too many home runs. He could turn into a dominant reliever, but in Cleveland there is no chance for saves given their already elite bullpen. He is cuttable in shallow formats, but deeper league owners may want to reserve him in case he can recover his lost control.

Mike Trout left Sunday’s game with a thumb sprain. While attempting to steal second base, he jammed his thumb into the bag. He did not leave the game initially, but was removed in the next inning. He will undergo an MRI on Monday after x-rays came back negative.

Kennys Vargas was optioned to AAA Rochester. Vargas had been hitting .284/.306/.531 coming into Sunday’s action, but then proceeded to strike out four times in eight at bats while stranding eight baserunners. Vargas will return to AAA where he will undoubtedly crush minor league pitching.

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: Daniel Mengden @ Cle

This is a pretty fun lower end slate to begin the week. With guys like Martin Perez, Daniel Norris, Randall Delgado, Ricky Nolasco all being low owned guys that get good matchups to start their two-start week. Mengden hasn’t pitched in the Majors yet this year following offseason foot surgery, but has put up nice numbers in AAA Nashville this year and showed flashes last season before getting injured. Mengden is pretty high risk, but also virtually unowned in every format and is $4,300 on DraftKings.

A pitcher for tomorrow: NONE

There are two guys on this slate that I legitimately have no clue who they are. Is Tyler Pill the brother of failed prospect Brett Pill? And if you can pronounce Dinelson Lamet on the first attempt without without looking it up, you can have weekend shift on the Roto Riteup. (Good luck at the new gig Jessica!) If you are just win seeking, you can take a shot on Eddie Butler in San Diego, but considering he hasn’t gone six innings since his first MLB start, I probably wouldn’t bother outside of the deepest of formats.