Roto Riteup: September 13, 2016

It’s about that time. With under three weeks to go, you’re likely pushing up against position limits in some formats, specifically innings limits. The bar for streaming options may be a little higher in those leagues, as everything on a per-inning basis matters most. In other formats, the bar may be even lower as you scramble for counting stats without fear of a cap. It makes it a little tougher to offer blanket advice given how different everyone’s situations may be, but we try nonetheless – just make sure to contextualize any news or advice for your own situation.

On the agenda:
1. Hazelbreaker
2. Various News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitcher Options

Hazelbreaker
Kyle Hendricks took a no-hitter into the ninth, but Jeremy Hazelbaker promptly ended it with a home run. The Cubs are mad they weren’t allowed a mound visit after the fact – there were a lot of people mad offline in the baseball world last night – but they hung on, regardless. For Hendricks, it’s the latest gem in a season full of them, dropping his ERA to 2.03 and pushing his record to 15-7. Yes, Hendricks has a 3.38 FIP and 3.69 xFIP underneath that surface ERA, but with plenty of ground balls and a 16.2 strikeout-minus-walk percentage, plus a strong infield fly-ball rate, there’s not a lot of doubt as to Hendricks’ legitimacy. Not only is he a Cy Young candidate (an even better one if you go by rWAR or RA9 over fWAR), but he’s been the third most valuable fantasy starter, behind only Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. That’s elite company – he’s joined by two teammates in the top 10 – and it will be really interesting to see just how high the market places him at draft time next spring.

Various News and Notes
Record watch: Yoan Moncada has struck out in nine consecutive plate appearances, one away from the non-pitcher record; His teammate, David Ortiz, tied Mickey Mantle with his 536th career home run last night; Ichiro Suzuki passed a luminary, moving into 25th on the all-time hit list with 3,024, just ahead of Lou Brock; Brian Dozier set the AL mark for homers by a second baseman with his 40th, just three shy of the major-league record at the keystone.

Still working his way through forearm soreness, Jacob deGrom could be headed for the bullpen instead of the rotation when he returns, at least initially. For those facing a tight innings limit, maybe that’s just fine. Leave him in an SP slot once he’s back, which it sounds like could be pretty soon – he threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday and there have been no reports of issues or setbacks.

Not coming back to the rotation or the bullpen is Danny Salazar, who is at least done for the remainder of the regular season with a mild flexor strain. The Indians hurler is set to receive a PRP injection in his right arm today, and then he’ll rest for at least 10 days. The Indians are pretty safely in a playoff spot with a six-game cushion, so their focus turns to hoping Salazar can be ready for the postseason. For fantasy owners, there’s not a lot of hope he’ll make it back in time to contribute again.

Count Josh Harrison as out for the remainder of the year, too. The Pirates second baseman suffered a groin strain that will sideline him four-to-six weeks, so fantasy owners in redraft leagues can probably move on from the No. 17-ranked two-bagger on the season.

Andrew Benintendi, however, will be back sooner than may have been anticipated. The Red Sox are expecting him to be active down the stretch, perhaps as early as Wednesday. The rookie hit the ground running with a .324/.365/.485 slash line over his first 21 games, and he’ll be right back in the mix for regular outfield playing time. He’s only 23-percent owned, if you think that will carry over in the season’s final weeks.

One more injury note: Poor, poor Dansby Swanson.

Star prospect knocked out of the game by an errant throw back to the pitcher…the 2016 Braves. https://t.co/0Ek96GMXqE

— Sean Breslin (@Sean_Breslin) September 13, 2016

Streaming Pitcher Options
If you enjoy streaming pitchers or play DFS, tune into the Roto Riteup for recommendations each and every day.

A pitcher for today: Albert Suarez vs SD (Clayton Richard)
Dan Straily against the strikeout-happy Brewers is probably at too high an ownership rate to be useful to most of you (he’s 46-percent owned), so we’ll aim far lower and pick on the Padres. Albert Suarez gets the nod at just two-percent ownership, and while he’s been somewhat unspectacular over nine starts, he’s got a nice setup here. The Padres own the league’s worst offense, even adjusting for park, over the last 30 days, and they’re the league’s worst offense against right-handed pitchers on the season.

A pitcher for tomorrow: Rubby de la Rosa vs. Col (Jeff Hoffman)
In his first start off of the DL, Rubby de la Rosa managed just two innings, surrendering a run and striking out three. The concern with firing him up in his second start is obviously that he’ll be limited to too few innings to nab a victory, but if that doesn’t prove an issue, de la Rosa is in a great spot to succeed. Not only has he missed a fair amount of bats all season while keeping the ball on the ground, he squares up against a Rockies team with a middling 97 wRC+ over the last month and a 95 wRC+ against righties overall. Steven Brault wouldn’t be a terrible play here against Philadelphia, if an innings limit worries you about the three-percent owned de la Rosa.