Roto Riteup: April 17, 2024

Let’s replace the celebrity softball game with an all-mascot game please.

https://www. twitter.com/Orioles/status/1780317798599684132

On the Agenda: 

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

 

Quick Hits

Ozzie Albies was placed on the IL with a fractured toe. eThere is no timetable for his return, but the Braves did state that he will not need surgery so hopefully he doesn’t miss too much time. 

Christian Yelich was placed on the IL with a back injury. There is no timetable for his return but this doesn’t seem overly serious as the Brewer waited a few days before placing him on the IL in hopes that he could avoid it. 

Tyler Wells was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation. This doesn’t sound great as it typically is a precursor to needing Tommy John surgery. 

Garrett Whitlock was removed from his start on Tuesday with oblique tightness. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Brett Baty left Tuesday’s game with hamstring tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now. 
Ryan Weathers left his start against the Giants on Tuesday with a cramp. This doesn’t sound serious at all. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Rafael Devers left Tuesday’s game with a knee issue. Devers has been banged up quite a bit early on in the season, so while this injury doesn’t seem overly concerning, the amount of issues he has had this season is becoming concerning. Consider him day-to-day for now.

 

Various News and Notes
Ranger Suarez threw a complete game, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out eight in the victory over the Rockies on Tuesday.

Chill PFP. All this comebacker needed was Ranger Suárez to yawn after he caught it… pic.twitter.com/br4TbZoRTP

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 16, 2024

Suarez was fantastic in the outing, getting a lot of weak contact and a 44% CSW on his slider. Because Suarez elicits such contact, he can be at the mercy of his defense, but when he is pitching well and the defense is helping him out, he is worth using in every format.

Jose Soriano threw five innings on Tuesday versus the Rays, allowing one earned run on one hit and five walks while striking out six.

Driveline Stuff+ on #Angels Jose Soriano's curveball was 135 entering today's start, plus-plus pitch.

-7" vertical break and -11" sweep at 87 mph (EIGHTY-SEVEN)

He's throwing near an average curve shape … 7 mph harder.

36% usage today, 54% zone rate.🤯 pic.twitter.com/hBfbJ0bmUW

— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) April 16, 2024

Soriano was the epitome of effectively wild, getting a 50% whiff rate on his curve, but also allowing a ton of walks in the process. The stuff has not really been the question for Soriano, but whether or not the control and command will be there from start to start. He is a streamer in most formats.

Connor Wong went 2-for-5 with a home run in the loss to the Guardians on Tuesday.

Connor Wong CRUSHED this one to tie it! pic.twitter.com/8GExBI5gt7

— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2024

Wong has started off the season hot, hitting .355/.344/.581 with two home runs. Wong is not much more than a C2 streamer, but when he is running hot like he is with his .429 BABIP, he is worth using for a while.

Jesse Winker went 2-for-3 with a home run in the loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Jesse Winker – Washington Nationals (2)
https://t.co/ia8EHto4xz

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 17, 2024

Winker has started off the season hot and is batting at the top of the lineup for the Nationals. He does struggle against lefties and likely will find himself in a platoon, but when healthy, he can be a very useful fantasy player especially in leagues that give points for walks or OBP.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Steven Matz at OAK

Matz has looked good to start the season and faces the worst team in the league. 

High Risk Options: Andrew Abbott at SEA, Tyler Wells vs MIN, AJ Puk vs SF, Keaton Winn at MIA, Ryan Feltner at PHI. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Short slate with not many great options. 

High Risk Options: Ryne Nelson at SF, Andrew Heaney at DET, Griffin Canning at DET. 

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.”