Roto Riteup: April 8, 2026

This guy is going to be a human highlight reel.

On the Agenda: 

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

Closer Chaos

Jakob Junis threw a scoreless inning, allowing two hits and no walks to register the save on Tuesday against the Mariners. 

Junis has now converted saves in back-to-back games for the Rangers and while he doesn’t have your typical profile for a closer, it is clear he at worst is the leading candidate for saves in Texas if not just the guy.

Quick Hits

Carlos Santana was placed on the IL with an adductor strain. There is no timetable for his return. 

Drew Rasmussen was scratched from his start to go on the paternity list. He should return by the weekend. 

J.T. Realmuto left Tuesday’s game after a pitch Rafael Devers fouled off hit him in the foot. 

He has been diagnosed with contusion initially so consider him day-to-day for now.

Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez were ejected from the game on Tuesday after a brawl broke out on the field.

Here’s what just took place in Anaheim: pic.twitter.com/hL1myd5PJd

— BravesVision (@BravesVisionTV) April 8, 2026

Both players will likely be suspended for their actions.

Various News and Notes

Curtis Mead went 3-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday. 

Mead is a former top prospect that is on his third organization after landing in Washington at the end of March. The offensive skills have not really been in question, but Mead struggles defensively and that has stopped him from getting a real shot in the Majors. He is on the short-side of a platoon right now, but it is clear the Nationals are open to giving him a chance to prove himself. He isn’t fantasy viable yet outside of NL Only leagues yet, but someone to put on your watch list in deeper formats.

Willi Castro went 3-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Astros on Tuesday.

Castro’s start to his Colorado tenure has been slow, but he is playing every day and there is a good amount of speed still in the profile. He will benefit from some added BABIP help in Colorado and he should have a cemented everyday role.

Taj Bradley threw 6.1 innings versus the Tigers allowing one run on six hits and no walks while striking out 10 in the victory on Tuesday.

Bradley was fantastic, getting a 60% whiff rate on his splitter and mixing his pitches well. Arm talent has never been in question for Bradley, but he has struggled with control and command. So far both have been better, but we need to see if that continues. If it does, then a massive breakout for the former top prospect is coming.

Moisés Ballesteros went 2-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Rays on Tuesday.

Ballesteros is a former top catching prospect that struggled behind the plate and is now strictly a designated hitter. The bat does play though, posting a 143 wRC+ in his small sample in the Majors last year and a 121 wRC+ in the minors. He may lose a little playing time once Seiya Suzuki returns, but he should play regularly and has upside in Chicago.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in Yahoo)

Pitcher for Today: Joey Cantillo vs KC

Cantillo fared well in his first couple of starts and gets a Royals team I am not running from. 

Other Options: Joe Boyle vs CHC, Sean Burke vs BAL, Reid Detmers vs ATL, Brady Singer at MIA, Mitch Keller vs SD. 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Randy Vasquez vs COL

Vasquez has looked better this season, but more importantly, the best time to attack the Rockies is at the start of a road trip. 

Other Options: Chase Dollander at SD, Rhett Lowder at MIA, Max Meyer vs CIN, Mick Abel vs DET, Seth Lugo vs CHW, Ryan Weathers vs ATH, Jack Flaherty at MIN. 

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.”