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Mining the News (9/26/25)


Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Note: Teams out of the playoffs are starting to drop end-of-season reports. I’m going to be behind for a couple of weeks catching up.

American League

Athletics

Zack Gelof had surgery on his shoulder.

Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof had successful surgery on his left shoulder to address an injury sustained earlier last week, the team announced Wednesday.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed an anterior labral-capsule repair in Los Angeles to address instability after Gelof’s injury in Pittsburgh on Sept. 19.

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Starting Pitcher Chart – September 26th, 2025

Lexi Thompson-Imagn Images

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

Hit me with any questions in the comments!

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Starting Pitcher Chart – September 25th, 2025

Shota Imanago throws a pitch from the mound, Spring Training 2025
Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

Hit me with any questions in the comments!

Ober in for Ryan, obviously not nearly as interested and consider him really just a Hail Mary option in a decent matchup

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Request for Help: 2025 Initial Closers


Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

Every year I report on how many closers made it through the season and how Saves get distributed (2024 report). I just need help verifying the following list is correct before writing the final report next week. Thanks.

2025 Initial Closers
Team Eventual First Closer Going into season Notes
Angels Kenley Jansen One Guy
Astros Josh Hader One Guy
Athletics Mason Miller One Guy
Blue Jays Jeff Hoffman One Guy
Braves Raisel Iglesias One Guy
Brewers Trevor Megill One Guy
Cardinals Ryan Helsley One Guy
Cubs Ryan Pressly One Guy
Diamondbacks Justin Martinez One Guy
Dodgers Tanner Scott One Guy
Giants Ryan Walker One Guy
Guardians Emmanuel Clase One Guy
Mariners Andres Munoz One Guy
Marlins Calvin Faucher Committee Possibly Anthony Bender
Mets Edwin Diaz One Guy
Nationals Kyle Finnegan One Guy
Orioles Felix Bautista One Guy
Padres Robert Suarez One Guy
Phillies Jordan Romano One Guy
Pirates David Bednar One Guy
Rangers Luke Jackson One Guy
Rays Pete Fairbanks One Guy
Red Sox Aroldis Chapman One Guy
Reds Emilio Pagán One Guy
Rockies Seth Halvorsen Committee Possibly Zach Agnos or Tyler Kinley
Royals Carlos Estevez One Guy
Tigers Tommy Kahnle Committee Possibly Brant Hurter
Twins Jhoan Duran One Guy
White Sox Brandon Eisert Committee Eisert got the team’s only April Save. Possibly Jordan Leasure or Steven Wilson
Yankees Devin Williams One Guy

Starting Pitcher Chart – September 24th, 2025

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

Board tonight, comments in the morning! (Fixed that date error)

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Crowdsourcing: Hitters Who Played Through an Injury


Syndication: The Enquirer

Before the fantasy baseball season finishes and all the managers disappear for a few months, it’s time to collect some information. Every season, I report on the batters who played through a known injury (2025 Edition). I have collected a few players throughout the season, but I am asking if anyone knows of any more hitters with a link to the source. No gut feels here. Once I get the complete list, I’ll create the full report.

Thanks for your time.

Hitters Who Played Through a 2025 Injury
Name Injury with Link
Anthony Santander Shoulder
Brendan Donovan Foot
Bryan Reynolds Shoulder
Bryce Harper Wrist
Corey Seager Calf
Elly De La Cruz Quad
Ernie Clement Hand
Ezequiel Tovar Hip
Freddie Freeman Neck
Jacob Wilson Hand
Jake Fraley Shoulder
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Shoulder
Jordan Westburg Finger
Lane Thomas Foot
Lars Nootbaar Rib
Marcell Ozuna Hip
Miguel Andujar Quad
Mike Trout Knee
Nick Castellanos Knee
Nolan Arenado Finger
Paul Goldschmidt Knee
Rafael Devers Back
Spencer Steer Shoulder
Willi Castro Wrist
Willson Contreras Finger
Xander Bogaerts Shoulder
Yoan Moncada Knee
Anthony Volpe Labrum Tear

Starting Pitcher Chart – September 23rd, 2025

Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

Board tonight, comments in the morning!

  • Pleeeeease let Skubes be great today, my Tigers need it sooo badly!
  • Webb survived his 2x v. LAD w/1 up, 1 down and has closed the season w/a solid 3.00 ERA/1.25 WHIP in 10 starts (60 IP)
  • Ragans only went 3.7 in his return from the IL with 62 pitches… he should get more this time out (75-80) which should be enough to at least get 5 IP… that said, I overranked him and underranked Horton so just consider them flipped
  • Ohtani now has 5 IP in 2 of his L3 and he was still great in 3.7 IP at BAL in between the two 5 IP outings so I’m OK running him anywhere
  • Gav Williams now has a 2.48 ERA over his L19 starts, dating back to June 1st; the skills were wobbly early in the run with a 5% K-BB casting a shadow over his 3.05 ERA in first 8 starts, but over his L11 he’s up to a solid 16% K-BB
  • I didn’t give Pepiot enough consideration last night and ranked him based on his season not hist recent stretch… he sputtered after some time off and with the Rays fully out of it, they could keep limiting Pep this week so I slashed an “x” and I consider him just below Giolito now
  • Miller is a little scary for sure, but you can’t pass on a COL start outside of Coors with a competent pitcher
  • Oviedo does have 3 BB in each of his L4 outings so there’s blowup risk here if he does it again and someone finally takes advantage (just 8 ER despite 1.55 WHIP)
  • The 1-x guys are so scary in this final week… there’s real upside with all of them, but season-ending downside, too

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Justin Mason’s Baseball Chat – September 22, 2025

Here is today’s chat transcript:
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Starting Pitcher Chart – September 22nd, 2025

Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The chart includes their performance for 2025, their opponent’s wOBA rank versus the pitcher’s handedness from this year so far, my general start/sit recommendation for 10-team, 12-team, and 15-team (or more) leagues, and then a note about them. Obviously, there are league sizes beyond those three so it’s essentially a shallow, medium, deep. If a pitcher only has an “x” in 15-team, it doesn’t mean there’s no potential use in 10s and 12s, but it’s a much riskier stream for those spots.

These are general recommendations, and your league situation will carry more weight whether you are protecting ratios or chasing counting numbers. This is for standard 5×5 roto leagues. The thresholds for H2H starts are generally lower, especially in points leagues so I thought there would be more valuable focusing on roto.

It’s a very short slate with just 3 games as this seems to be a designated makeup day where they would’ve slotted games canceled over the summer.

Not much by way of decision-making or potential streaming except maybe some shallow spots where JV or McGreevy are available.

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Sunday Night Waiver Wire & FAAB Chat

7:30
Jeff Zimmerman: Welcome and congrats for making it through the season.

7:31
Jeff Zimmerman:

7:31
Jeff Zimmerman: Here are the few adds in the two 15-team redraft Tout Wars league.

7:32
Jeff Zimmerman: FYI, I’m watching the Chefs game, so I might get distracted.

7:32
Jed Stone: K. Harrison or A. Blubaugh in deep AL only roto?

7:32
Jeff Zimmerman: Harrison for this year. I’m worried Blubaugh won’t go deep into his game.

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