Roto Riteup: April 14, 2023

When you are in first place in you league in April:

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT! pic.twitter.com/XLN5o9HA6E

— MLB (@MLB) April 13, 2023

On the Agenda: 

1. Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest
2. Closer Chaos
3. Quick Hits
4. Various News and Notes
5. Streaming Pitchers

 

Sleeper and the Bust DK Contest

On most Tuesday’s and Friday’s and some other days, Paul Sporer and I will be doing a $5 draftkings game for anyone that is interested. 

 

Closer Chaos

Trevor May gave up a walk off home run in the ninth inning to the Orioles to lose the game on Thursday. May’s velocity was down in the outing and did not look great. Jimenez has struggled as well posting a 5.06 ERA in 5.1 innings. Zach Jackson might be the next man up in Oakland as he has been the best of the late inning relievers posting a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts. 

 

Quick Hits
Quick Hits
Jeffrey Springs left Thursday’s game with ulnar neuritis in his throwing arm.

Jeffrey Springs just left the game due to injury 😩 pic.twitter.com/68bk6NhWsn

— The Game Day MLB (@TheGameDayMLB) April 13, 2023

While this sounds pretty scary and had twitter in an uproar, it is too early to know if this is bad or just a set back. He will undergo an MRI on Friday and we should have more info in the next day or two. It is likely this forces him to the IL and brings back Taj Bradley.

Kenta Maeda will be skipped in the rotation. Maeda dealt with an arm issue during his first start, but was able to make his next turn in the rotation though the results weren’t great. This is not encouraging that he is missing his next start, but there is not much to do unless we see him hit the IL.

Orlando Arcia was placed on the IL with a microfracture in his wrist. There is no timetable for his return. The Braves are expected to call up Vaughn Grissom to take his place at shortstop and Grissom should be a top pick up in FAAB this weekend.

Cole Irvin was designated for assignment after his start on Thursday. Spenser Watkins is expected to be recalled to take his place in the rotation.

 

Various News and Notes
Edouard Julien went 2-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Yankees.

Edouard Julien.

First career home run. Oppo.

8-0 Twins. Still the first inning. pic.twitter.com/dNB8Czo63k

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 13, 2023

Julien has shown good pop and an amazing approach in the minor leagues and if the pop is showing already, he could find himself as a fixture in the Twins lineup. He is already a big pickup in deeper mixed leagues, but shallow leaguers should take notice.

Rodolfo Castro went 1-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Cardinals.

Rodolfo Castro – Pittsburgh Pirates (1)
pic.twitter.com/52A6RFvGGz

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 14, 2023

Castro is now hitting .292/.433/.458 and with Oneil Cruz out for the majority of the season, he should play regularly. He has a ton of raw power and some speed, but the question has always been if he can make enough contact. Right now he is still swinging and missing a lot, but if he can even get close to league average contact, this could be a really nice waiver find.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: None 

Some interesting high risk options, but none I am super comfortable with. 

High Risk Options: Johan Oviedo at STL, Tyler Wells at CHW, Trevor Williams vs CLE, Tanner Houck vs LAA. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Nick Pivetta vs LAA

Pivetta is always a risk but he has looked really good early. 

High Risk Options: Kris Bubis vs ATL, Wade Miley at SD, Matt Strahm at CIN, Ryne Nelson at MIA, Braxton Garrett vs ARI. 

 

For those of you that would like to see how these picks play out, I have a doc I put together to track the stats from my recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”