Roto Riteup: September 26, 2013

Today’s Roto Riteup marks my final scheduled appearance of the 2013 regular season. It’s been a pleasure spending my fourth(!) year with FanGraphs, and I hope to see y’all again in the fantasy offseason.

On today’s agenda:
1. Jhonny Peralta to return Friday
2. Mike Napoli should be back today
3. Don’t expect CarGo back this season
4. Fun with arbitrary endpoints

Jhonny Peralta to return Friday
After serving his time in the form of a 50-game suspension, the Tigers are opening Peralta back with open arms. Peralta, who will likely be leaving the Tigers once the team is bounced from the postseason, will be playing some left field during the season’s final weekend and even in the playoffs. Jose Iglesias is the long-term answer at short, and the club certainly realizes it, thus the switch for Peralta. Sadly, the right-hander won’t be able to play enough to earn outfield eligibility for owners next year, but his ability to slot in at short is his most valuable asset, regardless.

Mike Napoli should be back Friday
Napoli has missed the last handful of games whilst dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but the powerful first baseman is expected back in the Red Sox lineup when the team lands in Baltimore on Friday. Napoli’s presence hasn’t been overly necessary while Boston has been without a DH in Coors Field, but the team will need him back for full health for the playoffs.

Don’t expect CarGo back this season
After taking batting practice yesterday, Carlos Gonzalez admitted he still wasn’t feeling in tip-top-shape, and although he hasn’t been ruled out officially, there’s little reason to expect the Rockies will push him back into the lineup this weekend. Even missing 50 games this year, CarGo was a member of the 20/20 club, hitting over .300 along the way. 2013 will mark the third straight year in which Gonzalez hasn’t played more than 135 games, which is troubling.

Fun with arbitrary endpoints
The last edition of the 2013 season, with all stats through Tuesday’s action.

Dustin Ackley, August to present: 157 PA, .314/.394/.460; 3 HR, 18 BB, 25 K, .367 BABIP
Nick Swisher, August 14 to present: 162 PA, .271/.358/.479; 8 HR, 20 BB, 36 K, .306 BABIP
James Paxton, MLB appearances: 4 GS, 24 IP, 21 K, 7 BB, 2 HR; 1.50 ERA
Shane Victorino, Aug 20 to present: 117 PA, .323/.407/.596; 7 HR, 4 BB, 28K, .391 BABIP
Arquimedes Caminero, MLB appearances: 12 G, 12 IP, 12 K, 3 BB, 2 HR; 3.00 ERA
Bud Norris, since joining Orioles: 46.2 IP, 52 K, 22 BB, 6 HR; 4.63 ERA, .375 BABIP