Roto Riteup: September 6, 2013

Happy Fight Procrastination Day! Go out and get something done…after reading today’s Roto Riteup, of course.

On today’s agenda:
1. Tony Cingrani’s return
2. Emilio Bonifacio is still running
3. An Achilles issue for Domonic Brown
4. Allen Craig’s sprained foot

Tony’ Cingrani’s return
Yesterday Tony Cingrani was activated from the 15-day disabled list and lasted 5.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite the somewhat short outing, Cingrani managed to strike out seven on nine swinging strikes, though he did walk three. Cingrani figures to stay in the Reds rotation for the rest of the season and should be a good source of strikeouts and wins. One can grab Cingrani in just 19% of CBS leagues, but he is available in about 50% of both ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.

Emilio Bonifacio is still running
Over his past seven games, Emilio Bonifacio has stolen five bases and hasn’t been caught. He now has 13 steals as a Kansas City Royal, with those steals coming in just 90 plate appearances. Bonifacio doesn’t offer much in the way of home runs or RBIs, however he has been hitting two hole lately and has scored 12 runs in 22 games as a Royal. Given his eligibility at second base, third base, and outfield, Bonifacio can be plugged in all over the fantasy starting lineup. Bonifacio can still be grabbed in over 53% of CBS leagues and 61% of Yahoo! formats, though just 20% of ESPN leagues.

An Achilles issue for Domonic Brown
Wednesday evening the Philadelphia Phillies told reporters that Domonic Brown won’t be partaking in baseball activities for at least a week. An MRI revealed tendinitis in his right Achilles and with the Phillies out of the playoff race, it is possible that Brown won’t return at all. Similar to the Carlos Gonzalez situation described about over the weekend Roto Riteup, Brown may become droppable in redraft 12-team mixed leagues. Hold on to him for now, but be conscious of chance that we’ve seen the last of Brown this season.

Allen Craig’s sprained foot
The good news is that Allen Craig’s left foot isn’t broken. The bad news is that X-rays and an MRI did reveal a sprain. For now Craig will wear a walking boot and is scheduled to be reevaluated some time next week. As for first base, Matt Adams is expected to receive the majority of the playing time there.

Adams is hitting a solid .265/.325/.470 — good for a .347 wOBA and 123 wRC+ — in 234 PA’s thus far and now he has the chance to regularly appear in the lineup. From 2010 to 2012, Adams posted at least 20 home runs in each year, though this year his sparse playing time has kept him down at 11 dingers. If one is in need of CI/UTIL help at this point of the season, Adams has enough power to be a difference makers, even in a short time frame. Adams is available in 91% of Yahoo! formats, 97% of ESPN leagues, and 73% of CBS formats. For anyone who lost Ike Davis and isn’t sold on Lucas Duda, Adams makes for a prime replacement first baseman.