Roto Riteup: April 13, 2023

12 wins were calling:

Pete Fairbanks always looks like he just got frightening news on his glove phone. pic.twitter.com/66dJhEWbwk

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 13, 2023

Pete Fairbanks closed it out and Taj Bradley won his major league debut, pushing the Rays streak to 12 wins. Bradley struck out eight and allowed 3 ER over 5 IP in the 9-7 win over Boston. His four-seamer averaged 96 mph and generated a 33% SwStr%. His counterpart, on the other hand, was roughed up again – Chris Sale allowed six runs (5 ER) on seven hits over four innings in the loss. Sale now has an 11.25 ERA over his first three starts, lining up to face the Angels next Monday.

On the Agenda

1. Closer Kumite
2. News and Notes
3. Streaming Pitchers

Closer Kumite

José Quijada picked up the Save in the Angels 3-2 win over Washington, getting the nod over Carlos Estévez (who had gotten a Save the day before), with the Mariners set to bring two lefties to the plate.

A.J. Puk got a two-inning Win over the Phillies, striking out two in the Marlins 10-inning victory.

Adam Ottovino picked up his first Save of the year after David Robertson was instead brought in during the seventh to face Juan Soto with two on and a three-run lead. Soto flew out (deep), and Robertson stayed for the eighth before Ottovino finished it off.

After blowing a Save on Tuesday, Jhoan Duran got another chance on Wednesday, allowing a home run to Lenyn Sosa but ultimately picking up his third Save of the season. Jorge López now hasn’t seen a save opportunity since converting his only one on April 1.

News and Notes

To the bane of many (and of course to Bane Cook, my main event team), Corey Seager is set to miss at least four weeks with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

🚨#MLB injury update🚨

Here's the play where #StraightUpTX SS Corey Seager suffered his Grade 2 left hamstring strain

Analysis and return timeline: https://t.co/WSsOGdceYA pic.twitter.com/VXWbbUXNSq

— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) April 12, 2023

Nolan Jones was called up after Elheuris Montero missed the past two games with a right thumb injury, with Germán Márquez (forearm inflammation) moving to the IL. A top former top prospect for Cleveland brought over in a trade for Juan Brito, Jones has lit up Triple-A in his first 10 games of 2023, slashing .359/.479/.872, with 6 HR, 13 R, and 14 RBI. But unless Montero’s injury requires an IL stint, Jones’ stay may not be filled with consistent PAs.

Thoughts and prayers to everyone who rage-dropped Max Muncy after an ice-cold start to 2023. Muncy went double-dong again on Wednesday after also hitting two on Monday:

Max Muncy – Los Angeles Dodgers (5) pic.twitter.com/YXLE5c90J5

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 13, 2023

Don’t worry, surely he can’t get hurt at DH, right?

Noooo Buxton down after an ugly collision pic.twitter.com/ykyWzAlrK3

— Paul Sporer (@sporer) April 12, 2023

And then they all exhaled. Byron Buxton still managed a scary-looking collision but has apparently escaped with just a forehead abrasion. But listen Minnesota doctors – let’s not get cocky, okay? Stay on your toes because this thing could go gangrenous at any time.

Kyle Farmer was not so lucky, taking a Lucas Giolito fastball straight to the face. Go find it if you want to watch but I generally try my best to avoid seeing face-busters. Just awful stuff. Farmer is okay, though (for a guy who got hit in the face with a baseball), and will have upcoming oral surgery. No timetable is known but Minnesota continues to be devastated by injuries, as Farmer may join Max Kepler and Joey Gallo on the IL, while Carlos Correa (back) has also now missed the past four games.

DJ LeMahieu (quad tightness) and Gleyber Torres (hip flexor tightness) were both scratched on Wednesday with leg injuries. Neither are supposedly serious but also never trust what managers say about injuries.

Orlando Arcia eventually had to leave Atlanta’s game against Cincinnati after taking a fastball off of the wrist, with Atlanta later announcing that the x-rays were negative.

Streaming Pitcher(s) For Today

Cole Irvin, BAL vs OAK (4% on Yahoo)

Irvin was roughed up in his first two starts against the Yankees and Red Sox, allowing a total of 9 ER on 12 hits over 8.2 IP but when you’re a soft-tossing lefty with flyball tendencies, things can go awry against better hitters. Fortunately, there aren’t many of those in Oakland, who were already a bottom-five offense before they lost arguably their best hitter, Seth Brown to the IL, but now have Conner Capel and Kevin Smith stepping into his breach.

High Risk: Bailey Falter, PHI @ CIN (12% on Yahoo)

Falter has held his own in his first two starts of 2023 (10.2 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.06 WHIP), with the most recent (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) also coming against Nick Lodolo and the Reds. But the strikeouts have been light (5 K in 10.2 IP) and I suspect so will be his chances of picking up a win, considering how lights out Lodolo has been.

Stream(s) for Tomorrow: Cal Quantrill (@ WSH), Tyler Wells (@ CHW), Marco Gonzales (vs COL)