Roto Riteup: April 3, 2026

by
April 3, 2026

Wake up, bro!

On the Agenda:

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

Closer Chaos

Presumed Twins closer Cole Sands appeared in the eighth inning to face the top of the Royals order. He allowed singles to Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., and the only run of the game on this Vinnie Pasquantino sacrifice fly:

Despite the rough inning, Sands likely remains this bullpen’s 1A, though lefty Taylor Rogers will occasionally earn save opportunities.

Various News and Notes

Nick Lodolo won’t be activated next week, as originally expected. Lodolo was cruising through his Single-A rehab start on Thursday. He retired the first eight batters he faced, but was then pulled from the start due to a recurring blister issue. Hopefully, Lodolo’s blister improves quickly so that he can make another rehab start and return in Week 4. This isn’t his first rodeo with blister and finger-related injuries:

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Seiya Suzuki (knee) begins a rehab assignment today. He should make his 2026 debut early next week in Tampa, though the Cubs may wait until next weekend’s home series against Konnor Griffin’s Pirates.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) will make his season debut on Friday. Though the team signed top prospect Colt Emerson to a 8-year, $95M contract earlier this week, he will not be rushed to the Majors. When he does arrive, he is expected to play third base, with Brendan Donovan covering different positions in the infield and outfield.

The original QuadGod Spencer Strider will throw a bullpen session on Friday, his first one since suffering an oblique strain before the season started. If all goes well, he should make a rehab start next week and return by mid-April.

Welcome to The Show, Konnor Griffin!

The 19-year-old phenom some call the Next Mike Trout and the Next Bobby Witt Jr. will make his debut today and take his first Major League pitch from Orioles starter, Kyle Bradish.

Fun fact: Griffin was in Kindergarten the year that Orioles reliever Albert Suárez 수아레즈’s eldest daughter was born.

Streaming Pitchers

Pitcher for Today: Reid Detmers (LHP, Los Angeles Angels) vs. Seattle Mariners

The Angels will be underdogs and the game won’t be played in that lovely pitchers’ haven in Seattle, but Detmers can carry momentum from his last start into this one. The Mariners most locked in hitters are lefties (Brendan Donovan, Luke Raley, Dominic Canzone) and righty Julio Rodríguez is going through it right now.

Other Options: None

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Emerson Hancock (RHP, Seattle Mariners) at Los Angeles Angels

Back to the well of the Mariners/Angels series as Hancock looks to build on his dynamite start last Sunday (nine strikeouts, no hits allowed over six innings).

Other Options: Eric Lauer 라우어 (LHP, Toronto Blue Jays) at Chicago White Sox, Michael Soroka (RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks) vs. Atlanta Braves





 

Vlad writes for RotoGraphs and is the head of fantasy baseball content at FTN Fantasy. He is a Tout Wars Expert League champ, member of the CDM Fantasy Sports Hall of Fame and has been nominated for FSWA writing awards six times. Vlad has been playing fantasy baseball since 1995, winning 42 NFBC leagues since 2012 and ranking in the top percentile in NFBC’s Online Championship contest (33% win rate, 52% cash rate; 64 leagues). Much to the chagrin of his colleagues and most baseball aficionados, Vlad is a lifelong Dodgers fan who claims his first gut call at age 9 was Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run. You can follow him on X and BlueSky @RotoGut.

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bill furlongMember since 2026
2 hours ago

I’m so old I remember when they were Willie Stargell’s Pirates. And Bob Prince was calling the games.

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