Roto Riteup: September 12, 2013

The present author would like to apologize to the readership for the lack of a Roto Riteup yesterday. Unfortunately there is no grand story of woe or excessive partying; instead, the author fell asleep in front of the television watching old shows on Netflix.

On today’s agenda:
1. Bryce Harper returns
2. Paul Maholm, Alex Wood both scratched
3. Derek Jeter to DL, season over
4. Fun with arbitrary endpoints

Bryce Harper returns
After sitting out for a few days, Harper is back with the Nationals and expects to play without pain for the rest of the season. Earlier this week I thought it a good chance that Harper would miss the rest of the 2013 season, but with his MRI showing no serious injury to his hip, the phenom has been able to bounce back. Harper reportedly starred in a one man show during batting practice a couple of days ago, so it seems that all is well with his Natitude.

Paul Maholm, Alex Wood both scratched
Maholm is being scratched from his start on Friday due to pain in his throwing elbow, and the left-hander is flying back to the A-T-L to undergo some tests. Maholm missed about a month due to a wrist problem, and while he hasn’t performed well since coming off the DL, the Braves would sure like to have him healthy heading into the postseason. Starting in place of Maholm will be David Hale, a 25-year-old righty from the Braves system. Hale hasn’t wowed at any stop in the minors, and despite a 3.22 ERA in Triple-A this year, he’s looking like a Quad-A guy.

While Maholm was scratched due to injury, Wood is missing today’s start in an effort to minimize the left-hander’s workload. Veteran right-hander Freddy Garcia will start in Wood’s place this fine day.

Derek Jeter to DL, season over
While Jeter likely missing the rest of the season has been expected, the Yankees have made it official. Jeter was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday, and while he technically could be removed with a couple of games left in the year, the Yankees have made it pretty clear that Jeter won’t be suiting up for another game this year. The Yankees have acquired Brendan Ryan to take some reps at short for the remainder of the year, but he’s not fantasy relevant due to his entirely nonexistent bat.

Fun with arbitrary endpoints
All stats are through Tuesday’s white hot game action.

Dustin Ackley, August to present: 110 PA, .357/.417/.531; 10 BB, 17 K, 7 2B, .418 BABIP
Marco Estrada, since returning from DL: 5 GS, 31 IP, 29 K, 4 BB, 4 HR; 2.61 ERA, .244 BABIP
Matt Moore, since returning from DL: 2 GS, 11.2 IP, 9 K, 7 BB, 1 HR; 0.77 ERA, .250 BABIP
Brandon Belt, since AS Break: 183 PA, .323/.388/.518; 16 BB, 36 K, 11 2B, 5 HR, .387 BABIP
Ryan Ludwick, since return from DL: 86 PA, .256/.291/.390; 4 BB, 20 K, 2 HR, .317 BABIP
Andy Dirks, August to present: 107 PA, .290/.383/.419; 14 BB, 14 K, 7 2B, 1 HR, .333 BABIP