Roto Riteup: May 2, 2022

When the best team in your league last year tries a different strategy:

🤣 pic.twitter.com/1ks2uyfiSQ

— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) May 2, 2022

On the Agenda: 

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

 

COVID Issues

I have returned off the COVID IL after experiencing symptoms in spite of not testing positive. I apologize for missing the last few days last week. 

Matt Duffy was placed on the COVID-IL. There is no information on whether he tested positive or was just experiencing symptoms. 

 

Closer Chaos

Ryan Helsley threw two scoreless innings versus the Diamondbacks to register his first save of the season. Helsley has been fantastic this season, throwing 8.1 scoreless innings while striking out 16. He could be in line for more saves, but at the moment, Giovanny Gallegos leads the pack for saves in this bullpen. 

 

Quick Hits

Ji Man Choi was placed on the IL with an elbow issue. Choi had missed multiple games with a hyperextended elbow and apparently has loose bodies floating in his right elbow. There is no timetable for his return. 

Jake Fraley was placed on the IL with knee inflammation. T.J. Freidl was recalled to take his spot on the roster. 

Jonathan India was placed on the IL with a hamstring injury. This is the second time this season that India has hit the IL with this issue. There is no timetable for his return, but I would expect the Reds to be more conservative this time around to make sure it doesn’t get worse. 

Jose Atluve is expected to be activated off of the IL on Monday. Sounds like he should be good to go for a seven game week!

Shohei Ohtani left Sunday’s game with groin tightness. It appears that this was precautionary as Ohtani has already stated he intends to play on Monday. 

Miguel Sano was placed on the IL with a knee issue. There is no timetable for his return. Luis Arraez is expected to fill in for him at first base. 

Kyle Garlick was removed from the game on Sunday with a calf injury. There is no timetable for his return, but manager Rocco Baldelli made it sound like he would hit the IL. 

Robbie Grossman left Sunday’s game with a hand injury after being hit by a pitch. He reportedly has a hand contusion. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Tommy Eman left Sunday’s game with hip tightness. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Various News and Notes

Julio Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with his first career Major League home run. 

Julio Rodríguez demolishes the first home run of his career! pic.twitter.com/SHoWMPHwTd

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 1, 2022

The huge day at the plate brought his triple slash up to .234/.306/.325. Rodriguez has struggled in the early part of the season, but he has hit the ball hard and has started to make a better quality of contact recently. The stolen bases (9) have been there already, but it looks like we may be starting to see the rest come together.

Cam Gallagher was removed from the game on Sunday with a grade 2 hamstring injury. The Royals will be bringing up prospect MJ Melendez. Melendez crushed the ball in the minors in 2021, hitting .288/.386/.625 with 41 home runs. He has been learning other positions in the minor this season to get a path to playing time in the Majors. While he has struggled some in the minors this year, he has also had a .180 BABIP in spite of really strong plate skills. He should be picked up in most two catcher formats and is rostaerable in deeper one catcher formats.

Josh Lowe was optioned to AAA by the Rays on Sunday. This isn’t super surprising as Lowe has struggled, hitting just .188/.257/.344 with a home run and a stolen base in the Majors. Lowe has power and speed, but he struggles with making contact, which leads to a volatile profile. He should be back up at some point, but until he learns to make more contact, he is too risky to hold onto in redraft leagues.

Josh Winder threw six scoreless innings in. the victory over the Rays, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out seven.

7⃣ punchouts over 6⃣ scoreless IP and the W.

That's a strong first Major League start for No. 6 @Twins prospect Josh Winder. pic.twitter.com/VJwYMRBFCE

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 1, 2022

Winder threw a four pitch mix and while he got seven strikeouts, the fastball and slider weren’t overly impressive. He is worth an add in most formats, but I am not sold that this isn’t one of the better starts he makes.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  Chris Paddack at BAL

Paddack has looked better as of late as he starts to throw his third pitch more. He has a nice matchup in Baltimore to take advantage of. 

High Risk Options: Daulton Jefferies vs TB, Jake Odorizzi vs SEA, Tyler Wells vs MIN, Ross Stripling vs NYY. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Brad Keller vs STL

Keller won’t get you many strikeouts, but he has been great so far this season. 

High Risk Options: Michael Wacha vs LAA, Bruce Zimmermann vs MIN, Michael Pineda vs PIT. 

 

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 the recommended pitchers. It does not include the “High Risk Options.”