Roto Riteup: April 21, 2023

How I feel at the end of the work week:

Nothing like an afternoon nap😴 pic.twitter.com/dnqGMh7KyN

— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 20, 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

Liam Hendriks posted on social media that he is cancer free. This is amazing news for him and it sounds like he will begin working his way back to the field. I wouldn’t expect him to be back in the next month as he needs time to build arm strength, but he could be back in the closer role some time this summer, making him a good stash if you need saves. 

 

Quick Hits

Max Scherzer was suspended 10-games for use of an illegal substance in his start on Wednesday. He will not appeal. 

Madison Bumgarner was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tommy Henry is expected to be recalled to take his spot in the rotation, but it is only a matter of time before the Diamondbacks call up top prospect Brandon Pfaadt.

Kenta Maeda left Thursday’s game with an ankle injury after being hit with a comebacker.

Kenta Maeda was hit in the leg with a comebacker and was still somehow able to make a play

He was removed from the game but was able to walk off the field pic.twitter.com/HEtDRja3ZM

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 20, 2023

X-rays after the game were negative so it appears he has avoided serious injury. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Jameson Taillon was placed on the IL with a groin strain. There is no timetable for his return.

Logan O’Hoppe left Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury. This is concerning as he had injured it earlier in the week, but was able to stay in the game. Consider him day-to-day at this time, but I think he may end up on the IL.

Michael Grove left Thursday’s start with a groin strain.

This is Michael Grove's penultimate pitch of the night. You can see something might've been up with his right leg(?) pic.twitter.com/9pm3LYpSeC

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) April 21, 2023

He is expected to go on the IL according to manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers haven’t named a replacement, but Tony Gonsolin could be the answer after throwing three innings in his first rehab stint.

Various News and Notes
Matt Strahm threw 5.1 innings versus the Rockies, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 in the loss to the Rockies.

Matt Strahm's 10th and 11th Ks.

Thru 5 pic.twitter.com/MCAbFaq3ZX

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 20, 2023

In spite of the runs given up, Strahm was really good in the outing, getting a 39% whiff rate on his pitches. The most encouraging part is that he went deep enough in the outing where he could have qualified for a win if the Phillies had supported him. He likely isn’t in the rotation long term once Ranger Suarez returns, but he is a deep league streamer in good matchups for the immediate future.

James Outman went 2-for-5 with two home runs in the victory over the Cubs.

JAMES OUTMAN IS THAT GUY. pic.twitter.com/CIBt6ZmY7m

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023

Outman has been fantastic this season, hitting .290/.397/.645 with five home runs and two stolen bases. He is still striking out at a 30% rate, so there will be regression in the average department, but the power/speed combo gives him the fantasy juice to overcome the regression in the batting average.

Cody Bellinger went 1-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Dodgers on Thursday.

Cody Bellinger hitting a 420-foot home run on 4/20 is indisputable proof that the Baseball Gods exist. I will hear no further argument until the end of time. pic.twitter.com/FJSz850Z2C

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 21, 2023

Bellinger is hitting .290/.367/.507 with four home runs and three stolen bases. The most encouraging part is that there are improvements in the underlying numbers. Bellinger has a career best swinging strike rate (9%) which has led to a 15% strikeout rate. It is too early to call this a rebound to his previous levels, but it is a really good sign that he is not going to be as bad as he has been the last few seasons.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Braxton Garrett at CLE

Garrett has been great this season thus far and has a nice matchup. 

High Risk Options: Michael Kopech at TB, Domingo German vs TOR, Nick Pivetta at MIL, Tyler Wells vs DET, Trevor Williams at MIN. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: None

Not a lot of good streaming options. 

High Risk Options: Wade Miley vs BOS, David Peterson at SF, Rich Hill 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 “High Risk Options.”