Roto Riteup: June 5, 2023

On National Cancer Survivors Day, it was Liam Hendriks getting the W:

Liam Hendriks. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4HlERsTN8o

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 4, 2023

On the Agenda

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

News and Notes

Teres, smeres. Triston McKenzie returned in high fashion, striking out 10 batters in five innings, allowing just one single, with zero walks. His four-seamer averaged 93 mph (max 95.1 mph), while his slider and curveball each posted over a 50% CSW%. His next start is scheduled to come against the Astros at home next Saturday.

José Alvarado started a rehab assignment on Saturday (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and is scheduled for another outing on Tuesday. If all goes well he could rejoin the Phillies by the weekend but what role he’ll return to remains uncertain. Alvardo had seized things prior to his injury but Craig Kimbrel has been very good in his absence, collecting 5 SV in 1o IP, with 16 K and a 1.80 ERA.

Michael Soroka and the tattered remnants of what used to be considered an Achilles tendon made his return on Sunday, allowing 5 ER on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. Soroko threw 80 pitches, leading with his slider, but managed just two whiffs total. So, he’s still Mike Soroka. He lines up to make his next start at home against Washington on Saturday. Don’t expect any strikeouts. As in, it might be zero considering how stingy Washington is with their whiffs.

Remember that year Zach Plesac was good? Okay, remember that 1/3 of a season when Zack Plesac was good?  Well, virtually nothing has gone right for him since that 202o high and the story came to its conclusion with Cleveland designating him and his 7.59 ERA for assignment.

Tarik Skubal (flexor tendon surgery) began a rehab assignment on Sunday, pitching two innings at High-A (West Michigan). While no clear timeline has been announced, Skubal, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since August 1, will clearly need multiple rehab starts to build up his arm strength.

Marcell Ozuna was pulled for lack of hustle after hitting a 415-foot single due to standing at the plate and just watching the ball. Because of course he did. Consider him dumb-to-day.

Bumps and Bruises

Poor Bane Cook can’t catch a break – Nestor Cortes is headed to the IL with a shoulder injury. While it’s not believed to be something serious, the Yankees say they won’t have a timeline until after he gets imaging done on Tuesday. Jhony Brito will likely be recalled to take fill in the rotation after being sent down in late May with a 5.58 ERA over 40.1 IP. He has a 3.60 ERA over 10 IP in his two starts since the demotion.

Why can’t the Twins have nice things? The perennially injured Byron Buxton hasn’t played since taking a fastball in the ribs last week and on Sunday Royce Lewis, in an attempt to not run over opposing first baseman Gabriel Arias, tried a new type of somersault where you land directly on your head. It looked scary but Lewis eventually walked off on his own and apparently is only dealing with a sore shoulder. Which in Twins-speak, means he might be dealing with the ol’ amputation situation. Consider him day-to-day.

Aaron Judge was held out of Sunday’s win over the Dodgers after hurting his right big toe on Saturday while making a spectacular catch that took him into the wall. It’s not thought to be serious but the Yankees have an off day on Monday to evaluate it further.

Xander Bogaerts has been dealing with a lingering wrist injury for a few weeks but things came more to a head after he was removed in the eighth inning of Saturday’s win before sitting out on Sunday. Consider him day-to-day but I’d have a backup plan in mind.

Jose Siri and Brandon Lowe were both scratched from Sunday’s game, the former with a sore shoulder and the latter with a back that “locked up” according to manager Kevin Cash. Consider them both day-to-day.

Anthony Rendon (groin strain) is expected to be activated early in the week. Gio Urshela’s playing time will likely bear the brunt of his return.

A day after being pulled in the fourth inning with knee soreness, Amed Rosario was held out of the lineup on Sunday. Consider him day-to-day.

Jose Altuve missed his second straight game after straining his oblique during a swing on Saturday. Consider him day-to-day but we all know by now how these side injuries can go. And don’t let that oblique come knockin’ on Mauricio Dubon’s fantasy coffin:

Streaming Pitchers

Streamer for Today: Johan Oviedo, PIT vs OAK – Oviedo has allowed just 1 ER in three of his last four starts but those were also against real, live MLB teams. Oakland, on the other hand? Only technically.

High Risk: Andrew Abbott, CIN vs MIL – Rookie debuts are never a sure thing but Abbott has been very impressive over seven starts at Triple-A, with a 3.05 ERA and 54 K over 38 1/3 IP.

Streamer for Tomorrow: Zack Greinke, KC @MIA, Tommy Henry, ARI @WSN