Roto Riteup: April 15, 2026

We may just need a Denzel Clarke section for the Roto Riteup:

On the Agenda: 

1. Closer Chaos
2. Quick Hits
3. Various News and Notes
4. Streaming Pitchers

Closer Chaos

Emilio Pagán apparently tweaked his hamstring during the final out of his save against the Giants on Tuesday. 

If he misses time, Tony Santillan would be the next man up for saves if Pagán misses time.

Gus Varland threw a scoreless ninth inning to register the save for the Nationals on Tuesday.

Varland registered his second consecutive save and Clayton Beeter pitched the eighth in this one. It seems likely this is a committee, but it is something to watch and save needy teams might want to pick up Varland in case he is taking over the role.

Quick Hits

Chrstian Yelich was placed on the 10-Day IL with a groin strain. He is expected to be out a month or longer. The Brewers called up Greg Jones to take Yelich’s spot on the roster. 

Gabriel Moreno was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. Typically these injuries take about 4-to-6 weeks from. The Diamondbacks recalled Aramis Garcia to take Moreno’s spot on the roster. 

Ryan Pepiot was transferred from the 15-Day IL to the 60-Day IL. This is a bit strange because originally the Rays made it seem like when he initially went on the IL that he wouldn’t be out long and then he threw a bullpen on April 3rd and reports were that he was nearing a rehab stint and now he will be out until at least late May. There isn’t much you can do but reserve him, but this is eerily similar to Shane McClanahan last season. 

Nick Pivetta was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. This isn’t good news as these issues often end with Tommy John surgery. Reserve him for now, but be ready to drop him pretty quickly. 

Isaac Collins left Tuesday’s game after crashing into the wall. 

Royals left fielder, Isaac Collins, exited the game today after diving into the stands. He has a knee contusion pic.twitter.com/EpQ2QfPWNf

— Baseballtings (@TingsBaseball) April 14, 2026

Collins reportedly is dealing with a knee contusion. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Willson Contreras left Tuesday’s game with back tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Various News and Notes

Top prospect Noah Schultz made his debut on Tuesday against the Rays, allowing three earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings in the loss. 

Schultz had a rough first inning, walking two hitters in a row which led to the three runs (two earned) before he calmed down and was more effective in the rest of his start. He had two multi-walk innings which is the concerning part. The stuff is really good, but he can struggle to control it. There is a lot of upside and he should be picked up in formats where he is still available, but there will likely be big ups and downs.

Everson Pereira went 1-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Rays on Tuesday.

This was Pereira’s first game off of the IL and he had a very Pereira type game where he made a mark, but also struck out in 50% of his at bats. There is plenty of power to be had in the profile, but he also has a 20% swinging strike rate for his career. He is on the short side of a platoon right now, but he could find his way into more playing time if he can cut down on the strikeouts.

Mick Abel threw seven scoreless innings versus the Red Sox, allowing four hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts in the victory on Tuesday.

Abel was fantastic, throwing three different pitches for a 43% CSW or better. The most impressive part was the lack of walks after walking ten in his first three starts. However, n his last two starts, he has thrown a total of 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts. This could just be a hot streak, but it looks like a young pitcher figuring things out.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Carmen Mlodzinski vs WAS

Mlodzinski has pitched decently thus far and is at home versus a Nationals lineup you aren’t running away from.  

Other Options: Luis Gil vs LAA, Sean Burke vs TB, Slade Cecconi at STL, Jack Flaherty vs KC, Seth Lugo at DET, Simeon Woods Richardson vs BOS, Spencer Arrighetti vs COL, Emerson Hancock at SD, Rhett Lowder vs SF, Chad Patrick vs TOR, Randy Vasquez vs SEA. 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Steven Matz at CHW

Matz has pitched well so far and gets a good matchup in Chicago. 

Other Options: Keider Montero vs KC, Lance McCullers Jr. vs COL, Landen Roupp at CIN. 

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 “Other Options.”