Roto Riteup: May 30, 2017

Walking into work after a long weekend like:

Walk it off and do your dance, @TheCUTCH22. https://t.co/To21Gr2dAW pic.twitter.com/Rs3xDAJfdL

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) May 29, 2017

 

On the Agenda:

1. Battle By the Bay

2. Various News and Notes

3. Streaming Pitcher Options

 

Battle By the Bay

In the orange corner, weighing in at 220lbs standing six feet four inches tall: Hunter “Hit-Man” Strickland!

In the red corner, weighing in at 215lbs, standing six feet three inches tall with flowing golden locks: Bryce “Bam-Bam” Harper!

*The bell rings*

Suspensions are coming for multiple players, but Harper and Strickland are a top of that list.

There are plenty of hot takes out there, so I don’t feel the need to shove mine down your throat, but if you want you can read my take on twitter.

Here it is again in slow-mo:

Jesus pic.twitter.com/Yn2F89yMYc

— Mike Gianella (@MikeGianella) May 29, 2017

Various News and Notes

Mike Trout was placed on the DL torn UCL in his thumb which he will receive surgery on. The timetable for return is about 6-8 weeks. It is ok to be sad and cry. Be with the ones you love. This is a cruel world we live in and nothing really matters any more.

According to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Nationals have strong interest in Brad Hand. Hand has been fantastic and would be a great addition to any team’s bullpen especially one like the Nats who have been searching for a closer. Hand has recently been part of a closing committee in San Diego and picked up his second save recently. However, the Padres have Hand under team control through and may not want to part with a controllable piece for cheaply.

Alex Wood was placed on the 10-day DL with shoulder inflammation. According to manager Dave Roberts stated Wood is only expected to miss one start and the injury isn’t considered serious. One has to wonder if this is manipulation of the DL by the Dodgers who have already been accused of that already this season. Wood has been fantastic this season, but dealt with injuries last year.

Randal Grichuk was optioned to High A Palm Beach. It seems like a weird demotion all the way to high A, but the Cardinals want him to “learn the strike zone.” Oddly, he has a higher 0-swing percentage and contact rate this year, not that either are great.

Dustin Pedroia left Monday’s game with a wrist sprain. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

Jose De Leon was recalled from AAA. He is nothing more than bullpen depth as far as redraft leagues are concerned, but in keeper/dynasty leagues that require that players be in the majors before you can pick someone up should take notice of the Rays prospect.

Danny Duffy will hit the DL after suffering a oblique strain during Sunday’s start. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with the injury. His recovery should be closely watched by fantasy owners because obliques can be tricky and have set backs.

Gregory Polanco left Monday’s game with an ankle sprain. It appears to be not as bad as initially feared after Polanco was carted off the field. Following the game he was seen wearing a walking boot and x-ray were negative according to the Pirates. He is considered day-to-day at this time, but an update is expected tomorrow.

Eduardo Nunez did not play after experiencing vision issues after being hit in the head during Sunday’s game. It appears he could be heading to the 7-day DL.

 

Streaming Pitcher Options

A pitcher for today: 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.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Mike Clevinger vs. Oak

Clevinger has been pretty good in the Majors and Minors this year and gets the A’s at home. He won’t be under 50% owned after this week.