Anthony Rendon went for a third opinion and heard the same thing — a sprained MCL. Another day, another opinion. It’s like he’s a girl and his knee is a new skirt. “I was in home ec and Jimmy Andrews comes in and….” *snaps bubble gum* “He’s wearing, like, one of those soft-wool t-shirts that has the funniest thing on it and…” *twirls hair* “He says, ‘Hello.’ I’m dying. Ah-magod! Ah-magod! Ah-magod! So, I asked him, ya know, what he thought of my knee, and he said it looked good. Ah-magod!” And that’s how you insult your four girl readers! Seriously, people with a life-threatening ailment get fewer opinions from doctors. The Nats finally have a timetable for his return: three weeks. When it takes three weeks to figure out it’s going to be three weeks, I don’t get the most confident feeling coming from this news, but if we’re to take it at face value, then he’ll return after only missing about 15 games. I moved him the other day in my fantasy baseball rankings and top 400, and won’t move him again. If he’s sitting there in the third round and you’re feeling lucky, then give him a shot. Ah-magod! Anyway, here’s what else I saw in spring training for fantasy baseball:
Dan Uggla – With Rendon going to the DL, Yunel Escobar will likely man third base and Uggla and Danny Espinosa will share 2nd base. Hey, Nats fans, your pitching is still good!
Ryan Rua – Won the starting left field job in Texas. In Arlington, Texas, to be exact. 507 feet from where Nolan Ryan nuggies a bobblehead doll of Robin Ventura, to be more exact. You ask Rua any good? And I ask Rua any good at what? Then we go back and forth until it devolves into a tickle fight and then we both stop, vowing to never speak of it again. Rua had nice power and speed in Single-A (29 HRs, 13 SBs), but, of course, Single-A vs. the majors is like the majors vs. Rock N Jock Celebrity Softball. Last year in Triple-A, he had 8 homers and a .313 average in 58 games and then 2 homers and a .295 average in 28 games in the majors. So, there might be something here, but the problem is he might be exposed when he has to face lots of righties (he kills lefties, in the non-biblical way). He feels like a streamer for Hitter-Tron-esque, short schedule days, but I’ll be watching him like a cyclops with a monocle and have added him to the top 100 outfielders. Also, Sky wrote a Ryan Rua sleeper.
Didi Gregorius – Still has swelling in his wrist, i.e., The Gregorius D.I.D.’s wrist is Puffy. In my AL-Only league, I saw someone grab Yankee shortstop prospect, Jose Pirela (10 HRs, 15 SBs in Triple-A last year). Stephen Drew could move to short and Rob Refsnyder (8 HRs, 4 SBs in 77 games) could take over 2nd. Hard to say right now because Didi’s return date is so obfuscated, if I’m using that word right, which is doubtful.
Jacoby Ellsbury – Sounding like he’ll be ready to go for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. He said, “I’m ready to take on the Grapefruit League with this specialty spoon that has a serrated edge!”
Brendan Ryan – Has a Grade 2 strain, which doesn’t mean anything for fantasy, but the Yankees went out and traded for Gregorio Petit. Wait, that doesn’t mean anything for fantasy either. Hmm. Well, carry on!
Adam Warren – Won the Yankees’ 5th starter job. I drafted him in my NFBC league (that has already been decimated by injuries) and I wouldn’t be surprised if Warren becomes a hot name to add off waivers after a start or two. For now, I’d hold off in most mixed leagues since he could get bumped from the rotation as soon as Crapuano returns.
Erasmo Ramirez – Traded to the Rays and should make the rotation. Oh, no, I’m not gonna fall for the banana in the ol’ tailpipe again. Well, maybe if he starts out good, I’ll use Erasmo as a streamer. No, no, no, Grey, put your hands where I can see them and step away from your waiver wire.
Coco Crisp – Could start the year on the DL. No kidding. In other news, I’m handsome.
Roberto Osuna – Made the Blue Jays’ bullpen at 20 years old. He will be the youngest Blue Jays pitcher when he debuts, unless he sits in the bullpen for two years. I’ve read great things about him this spring and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of these middle relievers that comes out of nowhere to put up an insane year. Some have even said he has the stuff to be an ace in the majors. My interest is piqued. Piqued, y’all!
Aroldis Chapman – Pulled from a game the other day due to his hamstring. He insisted it was fine. I imagine everything Aroldis says seems like he’s insisting. I don’t picture him with a very laissez faire attitude. Could be because he went from Cuba to the Reds.
Justin Verlander – Threw from 60 feet. Oddly enough, all his pitches were landing six inches past the plate.
Corey Dickerson – Missed another game yesterday due to back tightness. He says he’ll be all right for Opening Day. Don’t give Walt Weiss any reason to start platooning you, man, c’mon!
Tim Lincecum – Nailed down the 5th starter job for the Giants with a 6.27 ERA. Looks like he’s in game shape!
Luke Gregerson – Named the Astros closer. A reasonable, rational decision made by a club regarding their closer situation. I seriously can’t believe it. In my top 400, I only ranked Gregerson (and only drafted him) praying a smart club like the Astros would triumph where so many other clubs had failed in the battle of stupid vs. smart. Now if we could only rid Joe Nathan of his 9th inning duties.
Domonic Brown – Will start the year on the DL. Screw Tehol once, shame on you! Screw Tehol twice, get an STD test already!
Ken Giles – Pulled from a game with back pain, but says he should be fine for Opening Day. Philly fans threw batteries at Papelbon to celebrate.
