Roto Riteup: July 20, 2023

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July 20, 2023

“Dad! Dad! Hey, Dad!” Feed it to me with a spoon, now and forever:

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

Ryan Noda was officially placed on the IL on Wednesday, suffering a broken jaw after taking a grounder to the face during pregame warmups on Tuesday. No timeline is available but his return will likely hinge on whether or not it requires surgery. Noda is a much better asset in OBP leagues than classic 5×5 (.229 AVG, .375 OBP) and is a big-time whiffer (34% K%) but outside of a mundane June has been more than solid:

April: .239/.400/.433, 144 wRC+
May: .225/.388/.461, 142 wRC+
June: .220/.349/.319, 100 wRC+
July: .244/.367/.537, 155 wRC+

Tyler Soderstrom, one of Oakland’s top prospects, had already gotten his call-up last week but should take over first base until Noda’s return. In 304 PA at Triple-A this season, Soderstrom slashed .254/.303/.536, with 20 HR, 45 R, 59 RBI, and 1 SB. Soderstrom was already the future in “Oakland” (as much as an Athletic can have one there) but the A’s are probably quietly seething that Noda’s broken jaw may preclude them from being able to flip the Rule 5 pick at the trade deadline for value.

Byron Buxton got a second day off in a row, with the Twins giving their oft-injured star a mental break. Buxton has 15 HR and 8 SB but is slashing just .196/.285/.409 for the year, however, things have gotten downright ugly in July, with one home run in 52 PA, slashing .133/.192/.200, with a .392 OPS and .177 wOBA. Going back further, things have been fairly disastrous since a good April:

March/April: 104 PA, 7 HR, 19 R, 17 RBI, .258/.324/.557, .369 wOBA, 139 wRC+
Since May 1: 208 PA, 8 HR, 24 R, 19 RBI, .162/.264/.330, .263 wOBA, 65 wRC+

Kevin Gausman (oblique) had his last start pushed but appears to be on track to rejoin the rotation this weekend after coming out fine from a bullpen session yesterday.

Max Fried is scheduled to pitch five innings today in what could be his final rehab start. Fried went three innings in his most recent rehab outing, allowing two hits and striking out three. If all goes well, expect him to rejoin the rotation next weekend at home against the Brewers.

Both Nestor Cortes and his mustache are scheduled to start their rehab assignments on Sunday with a start for a yet-unnamed affiliate. Cortes has been out for nearly two months with a strained rotator cuff. Manager Aaron Boone expects him to need three rehab outings before returning to the rotation, putting him on track to return to the Yankees sometime in the second week of August.

Aaron Judge ran the bases on before yesterday’s game against the Angels, the first time he’s done so since tearing a ligament in his big toe on June 3. No further timetable has been given but given the Yankees place at the bottom of the AL East, I wouldn’t expect New York to be pushing him back until they’re certain he’s a full go.

You know what you are? A tomato. Dustin May is out for the next year-ish, officially undergoing Tommy John on Wednesday after earlier reports had him only needing a less-severe repair of his flexor tendon. I’m no doctor but two TJ’s in a little over two years generally does not a favorable future make.

Bumps and Bruises

Taking a baseball to the face will always remain the leader in the clubhouse for things that probably really, really hurt the most but a comebacker (or foul ball) to the shin is certainly on the podium. Fortunately, Jon Gray seemed to avoid serious injury after his poor shin got in the way of a  Yandy Díaz 112 mph rocket, with Gray’s x-rays coming back negative. Consider him day-to-day but it doesn’t seem he’s in danger of missing his next start at Houston next Tuesday.

In more “Rangers get hit by baseballs” news, Adolis García appears to have dodged a bullet after the x-rays came back negative after taking a heater to the forearm. Consider him day-to-day.

Harrison Bader left last night’s games after taking a pitch to the back. It’s not expected to be serious and he should be considered day-to-day. Which, in Bader-speak, means about 1-2 weeks on the shelf.

Uno mas – X-rays were negative for Kris Bryant’s forearm after wearing one on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day.

Eloy Jiménez (groin) missed another game on Wednesday but don’t worry, manager Pedro Grifol claimed he was available to pinch-hit. Baaaa-hahahaha, sure buddy. Sure.

Starling Marte is set to see a specialist for the migraines that have cost him three of his last four games. Consider him day-to-day.

Daniel Lynch (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL yesterday, most recently allowing 5 ER in 5 IP to the Tigers on Tuesday – though, in the four starts prior, Lynch has posted a 2.63 ERA (4.33 FIP) over 24 IP. Alec Marsh’s spot in the rotation probably wasn’t in danger but the Lynch injury definitely keeps him up. After allowing 5 ER in 4 IP in his debut, Marsh has turned in two excellent starts, allowing a total of 4 ER in 11 IP against the Rays and Twins, striking out 11 against the former in his most recent outing. But because it’s the Royals, he, of course, went 0-2.

Salvador Perez (hamstring) was able to avoid the IL and returned after missing just two games following a Grade-1 strain, catching all nine innings and going 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch.

Streaming Pitchers

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Nope, nada – you can’t make me take a returning José Quintana even though he’ll get the White Sox and all of the terribleness that comes with their lineup.

High Risk for Today: José Quintana, NYM @CHW – okay, fine! Maybe you can.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Alec Marsh, KC @NYY – It’s the Royals so certainly don’t count on a win but Marsh is easily the best option on a Friday slate that will have few streamers available, with only Jake Irvin (vs SF), Tommy Henry (@CIN), and Noah Davis (@MIA) likely to be on most wires.





 

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