Roto Riteup: August 16, 2023

80 Grade Baby Name

One of the coolest moments of ya boy’s entire career! Bro is a man of his word 😂👶🏼 #babymookie pic.twitter.com/rVIG4VWJVe

— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) August 15, 2023

On the Agenda: 

 

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

 

Closer Chaos

Manager Davey Martinez stated on Tuesday that Kyle Finnegan will remain closer after Hunter Harvey returns from the IL. This is good clarity on what could have been a murky picture, but if Finnegan struggles at all, Harvey could take over. 

 

Quick Hits

Willi Castro was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. These types of injuries usually take 4-to-6 weeks to recover from. This would make him droppable in all formats. Royce Lewis was activated to take his place on the roster. 

Manuel Margot was placed on the IL with an elbow injury. He is expected to undergo a procedure that will keep him out for 3-to-4 weeks. Jonathan Aranda was recalled to take his spot on the roster. 

JJ Bleday was placed on the IL with a knee strain. There is no timetable for his return, but the injury is severe enough that it could end his season. 

Jose Altuve left Tuesday’s game after fouling a pitch off of his leg. There was no update following the game, but he was able to leg out an infield hit so this doesn’t seem extremely serious. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Shane McClanahan will undergo Tommy John surgery according to the Rays. This is awful news for McClanahan and the Rays who have lost a ton of starters this season. He will likely miss all of next season. 

 

Various News and Notes

Yusei Kikuchi threw six scoreless innings versus the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out seven in the victory. 
Yusei Kikuchi threw six scoreless innings versus the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out seven in the victory.

Yusei Kikuchi is going through the Phillies like a buzzsaw right now.

This has been such an impressive stretch from Kikuchi, who just keeps staying one adjustment ahead of opposing lineups. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/KxN7CTalrx

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 15, 2023

Kikuchi has been absolutely fantastic since the All Star Break, allowing just five earned runs in 35 innings while striking out 36 batters while not allowing a home run in this run. He sported whiff rates above 30% on both his slider and curve in this one and his command was fantastic. He should be rostered in all formats.

Matt Wallner went 1-for-4 with a home run in the victory over the Tigers on Tuesday.

Crank up the volume and just listen to the sound Matt Wallner’s swing made.pic.twitter.com/VyIgnjWhzD

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 16, 2023

Wallner has been everything as advertised, a power bat that can swing and miss too much. However, he is playing pretty much every day in the Twins and hitting in the middle of the lineup. He should be rostered in most 12-team leagues and deeper.

Liover Peguero went 2-for-3 with a home run in the victory over the Mets on Tuesday.

Liover Peguero: 🫡🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/ta18n7mVLb https://t.co/xjjIjC6Lai

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) August 16, 2023

Peguero is hitting .269 with five home runs and two stolen bases in 71 plate appearances since being called up. He does have a fair amount of swing and miss to his game so there will be slumps, but as a short term middle infield replacement, he can have some value until he goes cold or Oneil Cruz returns.

Teoscar Hernandez went 5-for-5 with a home run in the victory over the Royals on Tuesday.

Teoscar Hernandez – Seattle Mariners (18)
pic.twitter.com/dBQT7kDs50

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 16, 2023

Hernandez has struggled this season, but he has been much better as of late, hitting .355 with two home runs in the month of August which is supported by a really nice in zone contact rate this month. Hernandez has a poor plate approach which tends to lead to streakiness, but the pop is clearly still in the bat. If he was dropped in your league, then pick him up asap.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Matthew Liberatore vs OAK

Liberatore pitched the best game of his career in his last start and faces the worst team in baseball at home. 

High Risk Options: Javier Assad vs CHW, Mike Clevinger vs CHC. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Jose Quintana at STL 

Quintana has pitched very well since returning from the IL and has a nice matchup here in a good park. 

High Risk Options: None

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.”