Roto Riteup: June 1, 2023

I’ll never tire of reading ridiculous stats about Shohei Ohtani:

Shohei Ohtani has hit more home runs since 2021 than any other American League player except Aaron Judge.

Shohei Ohtani has struck out more batters since 2021 than any other AL pitcher except Gerrit Cole and Dylan Cease.

It's insane. 🦄pic.twitter.com/avrux8f8F3

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 31, 2023

On the Agenda

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

Riley Greene will be out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his left fibula. He is set to get a second opinion, after which a firmer timeline should be established but a multiple-week absence is almost a certainty.  Jake Marisnick was brought up to take his place but the biggest fantasy ripple could come from Akil Baddoo getting a chance in the two-hole after mostly living near the bottom third of the order. Baddoo is slashing .292/.395/.492 over 76 PA in May, with 3 HR, 3 SB, and matching 15% rates in K% and BB%. Unfortunately, I still wouldn’t expect him to get many, if any, starts vs LHP.

Justin Steele pitched clean three innings against the Rays, striking out one but was then pulled with the ever-dreaded forearm tightness. He’s scheduled to receive an MRI but I’m sure everything will be totally fine. But if any bad news does cometh, Hayden Wesneski would likely take his next turn, currently set for Tuesday against the Angels.

Alec Bohm missed his second game out of the past three with a balky hamstring, and the Phillies are now awaiting the results of an MRI to determine the next steps. Edmundo Sosa has started both games in his absence and is now slashing .261/282/.420 for the season, hitting his fourth home run of the year last night.

Eloy Jiménez was limited to DH on Wednesday with manager Pedro Grifol saying he’d been bothered by a minor leg issue. But considering Jiménez’s snakebitten injury luck, it’ll probably end up being rickets, or something.

News and Notes

Defying every weakened fiber in his poor body, Giancarlo Stanton is set to rejoin New York this weekend after just one rehab game, with Josh Donaldson also making his return. If they both make it, a few fringe Yankees are about the start feeling a playing time pinch. I’m looking at you, Willie Calhoun.

After missing the last three games with a neck issue, Anthony Rizzo will return to the lineup on Friday, according to manager Aaron Boone.

Good news for Michael Conforto, with imaging on his heel coming back clean. After missing Wednesday and the Giants having an off day today, Conforto will look to return over the weekend.

José Alvarado took the next step to returning, throwing a bullpen on Wednesday, and could go out on a rehab assignment over the weekend. Craig Kimbrel has been mostly stellar in his absence, collecting four Saves, with a 2.25 ERA and 16.7 K/9.

After allowing 5 ER in 3 IP during his previous start, James Paxton got back on the horse last night, allowing just one run on four hits in a win over the Reds, striking out eight. Paxton has now allowed 2 ER or less in three of his four starts and has a 12.8 K/9. Just don’t expect more than 5 IP and you won’t be disappointed. Rostered just 33% on Yahoo, Paxton lines up for two starts next week, going on the road against Guardians and Yankees.

The fantasy world continues refusing to put any respect on the name of Braxton Garrett, who currently is 15% rostered on Yahoo, but maybe that changes after yet another excellent performance. Garrett allowed one run over 5.1 IP on two hits and one walk, striking out seven in a no-decision against the Padres. He might still only have a 4.22 ERA but a big chunk of that weight is being carried by one no-good, rotten start against Atlanta, when he allowed 11 ER in 4.1 IP. In his other eight starts, Garrett has a 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 46 IP, with 50 K. It’ll be a juicy two-step for him next week, currently scheduled to face the Royals and White Sox.

Ahh, I too remember those glorious three starts when Lance Lynn was back, baby? Lynn was finally excellent in his past three starts (19 IP, 1.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP), dominating offensive powerhouses, CLE, KC, and DET. And he promptly gave it all back on Wednesday, allowing 8 ER in a loss to the Angels, and now sits with a 6.55 ERA for the season. He’s scheduled to make his next start in New York against the Yankees.

Streaming Pitchers

Streamer for Today: None. Out of the seven games today, only Chase Anderson/Zach Davies would meet our eligibility threshold. No thank you.