Roto Riteup — Presented by DraftKings: May 15, 2014

Today’s Roto Riteup comes to you uncut and unrated.

On today’s agenda:
1. Garrett Richards is pretty awesome
2. Martin Perez has elbow trouble, needs DL stint
3. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez rehabbing
4. Fun with arbitrary endpoints
5. The Flimsy Five

Garrett Richards is pretty awesome
The Angels right-hander struck out eight Phillies over seven scoreless innings of work yesterday, lowering his 2014 ERA to a sexy 2.42. Richards throws one of the hardest fastballs in the league, and while he’s been a bit prone to allowing walks, he didn’t issue a single free pass in Philadelphia yesterday. Richards’ BABIP and HR/FB% will both regress as the season goes along, but the fireballer’s early success is certainly promising and a whole hell of a lot of fun.

Martin Perez has elbow trouble, needs DL stint
After dominating early this season, Perez is going to need to stay off the mound for a while after the discovery of inflammation in his throwing elbow. This isn’t being treated as seriously as Jose Fernandez’s injury, so hopefully this is relatively minor and just requires some good ole R&R.

Replacing Perez in Texas will be Nick Tepesch, who has been absolutely dominating in Triple-A ball. Tepesch had decent year for the Rangers last year in 93 innings, so he’s not just some random fill-in. Tepesch is worth a get in AL-only leagues.

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez rehabbing
If you weren’t aware, Gonzalez is the Cuban import signed by the Phillies this offseason, and he’s been on the shelf with shoulder troubles since early this Spring. Gonzalez has been progressing nicely as of late, and with a fastball that’s been hitting 95, it sure seems like his shoulder is doing alright. Gonzalez isn’t a lock to make the majors when his rehab assignment is over since Kyle Kendrick and Roberto Hernandez are both doing fine, but he could be up and pitch out of the bullpen until an opening presents itself. I’d hope the Phillies keep him in Triple-A to maintain stamina, but they’re not real smart up in Philadelphia, so I doubt they’ll listen to me or their Analytics Plant.

Fun with arbitrary endpoints
Stats are through Tuesday’s games.

Dustin Ackley, May: 41 PA, .286/.390/.571; 3 HR, 5 BB, 6 K

Pablo Sandoval, first 34 games: 136 PA, .171/.250/.276
Pablo Sandoval, next 4 games: 17 PA, .353/.353/.412

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The Flimsy Five

SP: Wei-Yin Chen at KC
SP: Yovani Gallardo vs PIT
C: Yan Gomes
3B: Mark Reynolds
OF: Ryan Braun

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