Roto Riteup: September 11, 2020

It is still very smokey in Northern California, but at least they turned my power back on!

I currently am living in a Sepia filter pic.twitter.com/9LbUbONgUM

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) September 9, 2020

On the Agenda:
1. COVID Issues
2. Closer Chaos
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

COVID Issues
Caleb Smith will make his debut for the Diamondbacks rotation after recovering from COVID-19. Smith was traded at the deadline and will square off versus the Mariners.

According to manager David Bell, Nick Senzel is close to a return to the team. Senzel
Hit the IL suddenly with an “undisclosed illness” and then the Reds were promptly shut down. He may have been dropped in some leagues and would be worth the pick up in pretty much any format.

 

Closer Chaos
Brandon Workman blew the save on Thursday versus the Marlins. Workman has struggled since being traded to Philly and with Hector Neris beginning to pitch better as of late, it may not be long before Workman is replaced.

 

Quick Hits
Tommy Milone was placed on the 10-Day IL with an elbow injury. Milone has been awful since being traded to Atlanta, throwing 9.2 innings with a 14.90 ERA and nine strikeouts.

Jon Berti was placed on the IL with a finger injury. Berti had stolen eight bases and was getting more time with the Marlins, so this is disappointing news. With only a few weeks left in the season, he is droppable in most formats. Isan Diaz replaced him on the roster and figures to play regularly.

Walker Buehler was placed on the IL with a blister. At this point he wouldn’t be eligible to return until September 20th, so it is ok to drop him if you need the spot.

Giovanny Gallegos was removed from Thursday’s game with a groin injury. He is expected to undergo more testing on Friday. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Sean Doolittle left Thursday’s game with an oblique injury. Doolittle had been pitching very well and could have gotten back in the mix for saves down the stretch, but he was bitten by the injury bug once again.

Chris Paddack left Thursday’s game with a sprained ankle. Paddack had reduced velocity all of a sudden in the game, but it appears it was from his lower body rather than his arm. Paddack x-rays following the game which came back negative. Consider him day-to-day for now,, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Padres place him on the IL.

Dustin May left Thursday’s game with a foot injury. May was hit with a comebacker and left later that inning after trying to pitch through it. He underwent an x-ray, but the results were inconclusive. He will likely undergo further testing on Friday. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Mike Moustakas left Thursday’s game with a foot injury after being hit by a pitch. Moustakas is expected to undergo further testing on Friday. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Jesse Winker left Thursday’s game with a back issue. It was characterized as back tightness, so this sounds more precautionary than anything else.

 

Various News and Notes
Mookie Betts led off and played second base on Thursday. This was surprising considering Enrique Hernandez was in the lineup, but Dave Roberts alluded to the fact that Betts would be playing at second some rest of the season. If Betts can play enough to gain eligibility for 2020 and 2021, it would make him even more valuable than he already is.

Brady Singer had a no-hitter into the eighth inning on Thursday versus the Indians. I take full blame for the hit given up, as I turned on the game literally the moment Austin Hedges got the hit. Singer was impressive in this one, but he is usually more of a command over stuff kind of pitcher which likely means he is at best a mid-rotation starter.

Bobby Dalbec went 1-for-4 with a home run on Thursday. Dalbec now has six home runs in his hirst 36 at bats, but is still hitting just .250. Dalbec is a true three true outcome player, but he has a ton of power and it has been on display. The Red Sox have no reason not to keep playing him, so if you need power, he should be rostered in all formats.

Jorge Ona went 1-for-3 with a home run against the Giants. The homer was Ona’s first Major League hit. Ona has speed and power, but has a lot of swing and miss to his game, but he is an intriguing prospect. It is hard to see how he gets a ton of playing time in San Diego, but if he can, he could be Wil Myers-lite.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Yusei Kikuchi at ARI
The Diamondbacks have the Major League’s worst wOBA versus left-handed pitching.

High Risk Options: Trevor Rogers vs PHI

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

High Risk Options: Justus Sheffield at ARI, Kolby Allard vs OAK