Roto Riteup: September 26, 2019

I envision myself hitting a ball this far if I were able to use an aluminum bat.

Just another normal round of BP for @TheJudge44 pic.twitter.com/BfBj5gGkwH

— Subscribe to Cut4 on YouTube!!!! (@Cut4) September 25, 2019

On the Agenda:
1. Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
2. Streaming Pitchers

 

Various News and Notes/Quick Hits
According to Gabe Burns of Baseball America, Ronald Acuna Jr. will be held out for the rest of the regular season due to a left groin strain.

Ronald Acuna (sprained left hip) will not play remainder of regular season, will be ready for the NLDS, per @mlbbowman pic.twitter.com/ctJrh1zYkg

— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) September 25, 2019

The Braves have no reason to risk anything with arguably the best young star in the game. They went with Billy Hamilton, Adam Duvall, and Nick Markakis in the outfield yesterday, and will likely continue with that trio along with Matt Joyce over the next few days. Acuna’s quest for a 40/40 season will come up a bit short, but fantasy owners can’t complain about Acuna’s production this season (41 HR, 37 SB, 127 R, 101 RBI, 126 wRC+). He could end up going first overall in more drafts than Trout next year.

Pete Alonso launched a three-run home run against the Marlins yesterday; his 51st longball of the year.

Pete Alonso is just ☝️ dinger away from tying Aaron Judge for the all-time rookie record

(via @SNYtv) pic.twitter.com/DjgavQYRro

— SI MLB (@si_mlb) September 26, 2019

Aaron Judge blasted 52 home runs along with a 174 wRC+ as a rookie in 2017. Alonso is now one away from tying the record, while posting a 143 wRC+ over 157 games this season and sitting in the top-5 among first baseman on the ESPN Player Rater. Regardless of whether he usurps Judge or not, Alonso has had a magnificent rookie year, and will no doubt be a hot commodity heading into 2020.

Domingo German’s Administrative Leave has been extended through the World Series.

Domingo German is officially out of the postseason. The Administrative Leave has been extended by MLB through the end of the World Series. No other info from the investigation is available at this time.

— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) September 25, 2019

This isn’t much of a factor for the 2019 fantasy season since we already knew that German wasn’t going to impact anything after the initial announcement. This is however, something to think about and track heading into the offseason.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com announced on Twitter that Kris Bryant and Javier Baez are both done for the season. This isn’t shocking news, as the Cubs are essentially out of it at this point, but plan accordingly in daily transaction leagues. Bryant rebounded from a tough 2018 season to post 31 HR, 77 RBI, 4 SB, and a 135 wRC+. Baez saw a slight drop in output this year (40 HR+SB, 55 in ’18), but it would’ve been much closer if he was healthy over the last month.

Jose Ramirez blasted his third home run in two days since being activated from the injured list. I made the mistake of not activating him this week (I play in mostly weekly formats), but if you’re in a daily transaction league he needs to be activated or even added if he was dropped. The Indians end the year with one last game against the White Sox (Seriously, how does Bieber yield 10 hits to them without Eloy?) and three games against the Nationals.

Adalberto Mondesi will have surgery on his injured shoulder next week, and is expected to need five-to-six months of recovery time. He will be treating a tear in his left shoulder that he aggravated on the 22nd after he missed significant time with the same ailment. The long end of that timetable puts his return in March, but that’s not including any baseball activities or specifics surrounding rehab. I think he should be valued in the top-30 overall in regular 5×5 formats, even if he gets off to a slightly later start in 2020. Be sure to monitor this throughout the offseason.

Michael Wacha exited in the second inning of Wednesday’s outing against the Diamondbacks due to right shoulder tightness. Fantasy owners who used him this week can cut bait, but it’s unclear if he’ll be available for the playoffs. Yesterday’s outing could’ve been his last as a Cardinal, as he’s due to become a free agent this offseason. His 4.76 ERA is the second-worst mark he’s posted in his career, and his 4.81 xFIP is his worst. He’s dealt with right shoulder issues in 2014, 2016, and now. I’d like to think better times are ahead, but unfortunately, he’s just not someone I’m interested in moving forward; regardless of where he lands.

After going 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI against the Marlins, Jeff McNeil left the game after being hit on the wrist.

Jeff McNeil got hit on the wrist earlier tonight. It didn’t look good at the time. It turns out it wasn’t. X-rays reveal a right distal ulnar fracture. His season is done.

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) September 26, 2019

Very unfortunate news for the Mets and fantasy owners that are in the middle of their final run. McNeil had a tremendous season; sitting top-12 among all hitters in wRC+ (143) and swatting 23 HR with 5 SB. His stock is rising heading into next year, but in the meantime, fantasy owners will need to make other plans. Here’s a couple names at various positions depending on where you were playing McNeil and taking into account league size: Garrett Hampson, Keston Hiura, Nicky Lopez, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Moreland.

The Pirates announced that a gluttony of players will not be playing the rest of the way: Josh Bell, Cole Tucker, Elias Diaz, and Starling Marte. The Pirates started Jose Osuna at first, Steven Baron at catcher, and Pablo Reyes in the outfield. The only Pirates worth using in some capacity are Kevin Newman, Bryan Reynolds, Adam Frazier, Keone Kela, and Joe Musgrove.

Mookie Betts had renewed discomfort in his left foot and was held out of the Red Sox lineup yesterday. With the Red Sox being eliminated from playoff contention, it’s very likely that we don’t see him again this season.

J.T. Realmuto will undergo surgery on his right knee to clean up his meniscus today. It shouldn’t play any role for his availability next season.

Sonny Gray had right elbow surgery yesterday. It was an arthroscopic procedure, and like Realmuto, should have relatively normal offseason.

Nomar Mazara was held out of the Rangers lineup after aggravating a thumb injury he dealt with earlier this season. He could also be shut down.

Anthony Rendon received a day off Wednesday — and with the Nationals having a playoff spot locked up – could be at risk of missing another start or two as the season winds down.

Streaming Pitchers (Less than 50% owned)
Pitcher for Today: None
I don’t feel extremely confident in any particular candidate

High Risk Options: Dylan Cease vs CLE, Tyler Beede vs COL
Cease has allowed one earned run in three-straight starts against lower-level competition. The Indians are doing everything they can to make the playoffs, but Cease allowed 4 ER over 6.2 IP with 11 K and 2 BB in his lone outing against them. Beede has a 3.80 ERA this month, and has been quality over his last two home starts. The Rockies wRC+ on the road is worse than any other team except the Marlins.

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Anthony DeSclafani at PIT

High Risk Options: Tyler Alexander at CHW, Reynaldo Lopez vs DET