Roto Riteup: September 1, 2021

What can’t this guy do?

SHO STEALS HOME! pic.twitter.com/HIQE4fD8bW

— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2021

On the Agenda: 

1. COVID Issues
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

 

COVID Issues

Hirokazu Sawamura was placed on the COVID IL and Xander Bogaerts was removed from the game after testing positive for the virus on Tuesday. These are the fifth and sixth players that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed from the Red Sox in the last week. This is not trending in the right direction. 

 

Quick Hits

Lance Lynn was placed on the IL with a knee injury. This is unfortunate because with the playoffs right around the corner, it would not be surprising if the White Sox are super conservative with his recovery. 

Lucas Giolito was removed from his start on Tuesday with hamstring tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Michael Chavis was placed on the IL with an elbow strain. There is no timetable for his return. 

Mitch Moreland was placed on the IL with a wrist injury. There is no current timetable for his return. 

Gregory Polanco signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays. Polanco was released by the Pirates after clearing waivers. He is unlikely to make any fantasy impact the rest of the way and will hope to compete for a job next spring with a new team. 

Ozzie Albies left Tuesday’s game with a knee injury. This looked very bad and he was unable to walk off the field under his own power.

Ozzie Albies was carried off the field tonight after fouling a ball off his knee.

(via @BravesOnBally) pic.twitter.com/7CAu8ny2e9

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 1, 2021

X-rays following the game were negative, so hopefully he avoided serious injury.

George Springer left Tuesday’s game with leg discomfort. It is being characterized as a precautionary move so hopefully this won’t land him back in the IL.

 

Various News and Notes

Victor Robles was optioned to AAA by the Nationals on Tuesday. This is surprising, but not unwarranted as Robles has hit just .203 this season with two home runs and eight stolen bases. There is still talent in his profile and is only 26-years-old, so it would be unwise to give up on him, but this has been one of the most disappointing players in 2021. 

Amed Rosario went 5-for-5 with two home runs including this beauty:

When was the last time you saw this? A stand-up inside the park home run!

Amed Rosario has wheels! pic.twitter.com/8zNUzpJ0TO

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 1, 2021

Rosario is scorching hot right now, hitting .372 with four home runs and three stolen bases in the month of August and is up to .290 on the season after a brutal April in which he hit .179. Rosario has been one of the most underrated players this season, providing all around production and will likely be somewhat underrated coming into 2022.

Zach Plesac threw seven scoreless innings versus the Royals, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out seven. Please was very good in the outing, especially with his fastball command, which has been a problem this season. Plesac has always shown good control, but the command can elude him at times, but this was the first time this season that he looked like he did in his breakout last season. He is definitely someone to watch down the stretch especially considering how bad the division is.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Kyle Freeland at TEX

Freeland has been really good recently and has a nice matchup versus the Rangers in Texas. 

High Risk Options: J.A. Happ at CIN, Zach Thompson at NYM, Taylor Widener vs SD. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Short slate isn’t worth messing with. 

High Risk Options: Eric Lauer at SF, Matt Manning vs OAK.

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”