Roto Riteup: May 23, 2022

Prospect Alert!!!

On the Agenda: 

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

 

COVID Issues

Joey Gallo and Kyle Higashioka were placed on the COVID-19 list. It is unconfirmed whether they tested positive or were just showing symptoms. 

 

Closer Chaos

Andrew Kittredge was placed on the IL with a back injury. It doesn’t sound extremely serious, but in his absence the Rays will likely continue to share the save opportunities around the entire bullpen with Jason Adam and Brooks Raley likely leading the way. 

Aroldis Chapman struggled in a non-save opportunity before getting pulled on Sunday. After the game manager Aaron Boone stated that Chapman was undergoing treatment for an achilles injury. Consider him day-to-day for now, but Clay Holmes is a must pick up in leagues where he is available. 

 

Quick Hits

Justin Upton signed a deal with the Mariners and was sent to AAA to get at bats before he joins the big league club. Upton was released by the Angels earlier this year but was bound to find a landing spot at some point. He will likely be a short side platoon bat when he does get back to the Majors. 

Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on the IL with an oblique injury. An MRI didn’t show any damage and there is some hope he could return after a minimum stay, but typically these types of injuries take 4-6 weeks to return from. 

Abraham Toro was placed on the IL with a shoulder sprain. There is no timetable for his return. The Mariners recalled Taylor Trammel to take Toro’s spot on the roster. 

Jazz Chisholm left Sunday’s game with hamstring tightness. The move is being called precautionary, so it probably isn’t super serious. Consider him day-to-day for now. 

Brandon Belt was placed on the IL with knee inflammation. Manager Gabe Kapler stated that the team hopes he will be able to return after a minimum stay, so it doesn’t sound serious. 

Mike Clevinger was placed on the IL with a triceps strain on Sunday. This is disappointing news as he was just coming off of his best start this season versus a very tough Phillies team. Nick Martinez has been announced as the pitcher to take his spot in the rotation moving forward.  

Freddy Peralta left Sunday’s start with a shoulder injury. The Brewers have already said he will hit the IL and that he will undergo an MRI on Monday as well. 

Ryan Mountcastle was removed from Sunday’s game with cramps. The Orioles stated that it was heat related, so this doesn’t appear to be serious at this time. 

 

Various News and Notes
Zach Eflin threw seven innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12.

Eflin was nasty, sporting a 40+% CSW on both his sinker and curve, with the only mistakes coming on two home runs given up to Mookie and Rios. Eflin has looked really good since returning from the IL and we are starting to see the strikeout upside that was hoped for in the 2020 short sample. He should be picked up if he is available in your shallower formats.

Brady Singer threw seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Sunday, allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out three.

Singer worked sinker/slider over 80% of the time and did a nice job of keeping the ball on the ground while pitching out of trouble when he got into it. This is a profile that will run into trouble without a true third pitch and relies so much on getting soft contact and ground balls, but he has been great and the control and command have been fantastic. Ride the streak for now, but be ready to jump off the bandwagon.

According to Hector Gomez, Roansy Contreras is expected to be recalled on Monday. Contreras worked out of the bullpen earlier this season before the Pirates sent him down to minors to stretch out. He has three above average to plus pitches with good command. He has the ability to get ground balls and strikeouts while pitching in a fantastic park and division. He is a must pick up where available.

 

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today:  James Kaprielian at SEA

Kaprielian has pitched well in his last three starts and gets a struggling Mariners offense in Seattle. 

High Risk Options: Adrian Houser at SD, Drew Smyly at CIN, Zach Davies vs KC, J.T. Brubaker vs COL. 

 

Pitcher for Tomorrow: Kyle Freeland at PIT

Freeland has been great in his two starts on the road this year and is in a great matchup to begin a really nice two-start week. 

High Risk Options:  Dane Dunning at LAA, Bruce Zimmermann at NYY, Jordan Hicks vs TOR. 

 

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.”





Justin is the co-host on The Sleeper and The Bust Podcast and writes for Rotographs covering the Roto Riteup as well as other periodic articles. In addition to his work at Rotographs, Justin is the lead fantasy writer/analyst and co-owner for FriendswithFantasyBenefits.com, and the owner of The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational. He is also a certified addiction treatment counselor. Follow Justin on Twitter @JustinMasonFWFB.

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Anon
1 year ago

MLB has Zach Logue going today, not Kaprelian. Debating between Kuhl and Brubaker for today’s stream. . . .