It was just two weeks, but for Chicago Cubs fans and fantasy owners, it felt longer than that.
The Cubs called up prized third baseman Kris Bryant, and he’ll make his debut tonight against the San Diego Padres. Chances are, he’s not available in your league as some enterprising owner stashed him in a bench spot.
If you’ve got him, slot him in your everyday lineup and prepare for the power rewards. He won’t boost your team’ s batting average as he adjusts to everyday Major League Baseball pitching, but won’t hurt it, either. He still has time to hit 25 home runs and drive in 75 runs.
He’ll bat cleanup today in his debut against James Shields at 1:20 p.m. CT
In other fallout, Milwaukee placed star center fielder Carlos Gomez on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury. Those linger, so he could miss more than two weeks. The Brewers can platoon some guys here, like Khris Davis or Gerardo Parra, but the player it’ll help the most is shortstop Jean Segura, who likely moves up to the leadoff spot to take his place. Segura has decent pop for a shortstop, but if he’s getting on base, he’ll score more runs than he would have in his normal bottom-half spot.
Arizona promoted third baseman/outfielder Yasmani Tomas, who really struggled hitting the ball during spring. He has tools, but Jake Lamb has done well at third (pick him up if he’s available!) and regular at-bats aren’t available. He’s available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues, but let someone else take that risk.
If you’re looking for a weekend pitcher to spot start, consider Cleveland’s Danny Salazar. He was called up to start against the weak-hitting Minnesota Twins on Saturday. There’s no telling how long he’ll be up, but he might have figured things out after struggling last year. Salazar is still a prime young talent with potential for high strikeouts.
What about next week’s two-start pitchers? Here’s who is scheduled to take the bump twice in Week 3, with opponents in parentheses. (Source: ESPN schedules)
ARIZONA: None
ATLANTA: Trevor Cahill (NYM, PHI)
BALTIMORE: Miguel Gonzalez (BOS, BOS), Bud Norris (TOR, BOS)
BOSTON: Justin Masterson (BAL, BAL), Wade Miley (TB, BAL)
CHICAGO CUBS: Jake Arrieta, Travis Wood (PIT, CIN)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: John Danks, Hector Noesi (CLE, KC)
CINCINNATI REDS: Anthony DeSclafani, Jason Marquis (MIL, CHC)
CLEVELAND: Carlos Carrasco (CWS, DET)
COLORADO: Jorge de la Rosa, Tyler Matzek (SD, SF)
DETROIT: Alfredo Simon (NYY, CLE)
HOUSTON: Brad Peacock (SEA, OAK)
KANSAS CITY: Edinson Volquez, Jason Vargas (MIN, CWS)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Matt Shoemaker, Hector Santiago (OAK, TEX)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Brett Anderson (SF, SD)
MIAMI: Dan Haren (PHI, WAS)
MILWAUKEE: Wily Peralta, Mike Fiers (CIN, STL)
MINNESOTA: Kyle Gibson (KC, SEA)
NEW YORK METS: Jon Niese (ATL, NYY)
NEW YORK YANKEES: CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi (DET, NYM)
OAKLAND: Kendall Graveman, Drew Pomeranz (LAA, HOU)
PHILADELPHIA: Jerome Williams (MIA, ATL)
PITTSBURGH: A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano (CHC, ARI)
SAN DIEGO: Odrisamer Despaigne, Brandon Morrow (COL, LAD)
SAN FRANCISCO: Tim Lincecum (COL, LAD)
SEATTLE: Hisashi Iwakuma (HOU, MIN)
ST. LOUIS: Lance Lynn (WAS, MIL)
TAMPA BAY: Erasmo Ramirez (BOS, TOR)
TEXAS: Nick Martinez (ARI, LAA)
TORONTO: Mark Buehrle (BAL, TB)
WASHINGTON: Gio Gonzalez (STL, MIA)
This really isn’t a good week for loading up on a streamer two-start pitchers, but some top options among guys who are probably on the free agent wire include Wood, DeSclafani, Fiers and possibly even Jerome Williams or Mark Buehrle. Use other non-aces at your own risk.
