Roto Riteup: March 29, 2026

It feels like everyone played extra innings Saturday, but Dominic Smith had no interest in that.

On the Agenda:

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

Various News and Notes

Michael McGreevy threw six innings without allowing a hit, walking two and striking out five. But underneath that, he had just six whiffs, relying on called strikes to get the job done. I wouldn’t say I was impressed. Opposite him, Joe Boyle also lasted six, giving up two runs on three hits with four strikeouts, but the big news for Boyle was zero (0) walks. Boyle has consistently posted double-digit walk rates, including 17% this spring. But he was in the zone for this one and if that continues, his stuff will play.

Sticking on the mound, Dylan Cease had 24 (yes, 24) whiffs on his way to a 12 K performance. If you want to nitpick, he lasted only 5.1 and it took him 90 pitches to get that far. Throughout his career, efficiency has been a challenge. But that’s a pretty small nit to pick. A month from now, he has enough gas to finish the 6th and that is plenty. Everything else about this was great. The biggest news might be that his changeup was more than 5 mph harder and after using it just 1% of the time last year, he used it 9% of the time Saturday, inducing three swings and three misses, plus a called strike. Giving him another useful pitch just isn’t fair.

The even more extreme version of Cease was Taj Bradley, who lasted just 4.1 innings on 92 pitches, while striking out nine and walking three. He only gave up one run and left with a lead, but didn’t go deep enough for a win. Still, this was good to see from him.

Luis Robert Jr. took Hunter Barco deep to walk off the Pirates.

It was his first Mets HR, but he looks rejuvenated now that he is out of the mess that is the White Sox. In 10 PA, he has three hits, including that HR, two walks and just one strikeout. It’s early, but you know what the upside is.

Ezequiel Tovar homered for the Rockies, which is fun, but so did TJ Rumfield, which is maybe more interesting. Tovar is a known quantity, though there is still upside there. Rumfield, however, is an interesting name with a bit of upside and he hasn’t even gotten to hit in Coors yet. More of a watch-and-see for me, but still worth noting. In that game, Owen Caissie had three hits and a stolen base and I am regretting how rarely I picked him up.

Reynaldo López was barely over 91 MPH in spring, causing some concern, but sat 94.4 Saturday. That’s not peak Reynaldo, but it’s enough to calm concerns.

Popular sleeper Randy Vásquez shut out Detroit over 6 IP, striking out eight against 3BB and 2H. His next start will be at Fenway, and that isn’t as comfortable for me.

The Mariners finally slowed down the human freight train that is Chase DeLauter, as he went 0-4 with three K’s in the first nine innings Saturday night. But this one went to 10.

DeLauter is the second player in the history of the MLB to hit four HR in his first three career games – Trevor Story was the first, in 2016. Amazingly, DeLauter wasn’t the only player in this series to homer in each of the first three games of the year. Luke Raley hit his third, despite coming on as a pinch hitter.

Quick Hits

Jacob DeGrom was scratched with a stiff neck. The latest news is that his next start is TBD, but likely Tuesday or Wednesday. So no need to panic. Yet.

Andrew Vaughn has a broken hand, requiring surgery and a likely 4-6 week absence. He had really seemed to turn his career back around last year, so hopefully this is just a hiccup and he is back mashing the ball before June. Catching prospect Jefferson Quero was called up to replace him.

Closer Chaos

I still have no idea who is closing in St. Louis, but it is probably not Matt Svanson. He got the shot Saturday, and gave up 3 ER on 2 H and  1 BB, before giving way to Ryne Stanek. Stanek allowed the fourth run to score, so he gets the blown save, but Svanson earned it. Svanson has now thrown one inning over two appearances, giving up 6 ER on 5 H and 1 BB without a strikeout. I still believe in the talent, though his velo is down a bit from last year, but he has some work to do to prove himself again.

Tampa is another pen with multiple names to speculate on and Griffin Jax’s audition wasn’t great. He came on bottom 10 with the Rays up a run and gave up a walk, a sac bunt, and a walk-off single to J.J. Wetherholt. That’s not exactly an implosion and he is still likely the best arm in this pen. But it isn’t ideal, either.

Hogan Harris, got a hold, but came on up three runs, got two outs and loaded the bases before giving way. Michael Kelly and Scott Barlow both blew saves after him. This pen isn’t good.

Robert Garcia got a save opportunity for the Rangers, and he ended up with a hold. He got two quick outs, but then gave up a single and a walk, letting Chris Martin step in for the save. Except Martin blew the save. Tyler Alexander got the save when Texas won in 10, but no one grabbed the job.

Emilio Pagán blew a save, as well. I don’t trust him, but that remains his job to lose. I just think he might lose it. On the other end of the spectrum, while Bryan Abreu gave up three runs in an inning of work, it didn’t matter since the Astros were up big, and I have no concerns about his ability to lock down games going forward.

Carlos Estévez was sitting sub-90 mph in Spring Training, and while he kinda fixed that, it wasn’t enough. He was 91.2 with this four-seam, vs. 95.9 last year. And he got rocked, giving up 6 ER while recording just one out. I don’t know if he is hurt, but I have zero confidence in him moving forward.

Pete Fairbanks picked up his second save, as did Edwin Díaz. Mason Miller got his first.

Cade Smith blew a save in Seattle, but then got the win when Andrés Muñoz gave up three in the top of the 10th. Not ideal to see from either of those guys, but I am not worried. It is maybe worth noting that Muñoz was down 1.5 MPH with his four-seamer, but I suspect that’s a blip, as he was fine yesterday.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Brandon Sproat (37%) MIL vs. CWS

Picking on the White Sox wasn’t a bad strategy yesterday, so let’s do it again.

Other Options: Dustin May (34%) STL vs. TBR; Slade Cecconi (30%) CLE at SEA

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Kyle Harrison (29%) MIL vs. TBR

I do not love the options for Monday, but Harrison looked good in spring and has a nice enough matchup with Tampa Bay that I am open to it.

Other Option: Clay Holmes (48%) NYM at STL

Featured Image Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images