Roto Riteup: May 25, 2023

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May 25, 2023

Jhoan Duran hit 104.6 mph on Wednesday – NSFW warning:

On the Agenda:

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

News and Notes

Like Bob Baffert pulling up the curtain, the Boston Red Sox officially turned Corey Kluber into bullpen glue on Wednesday, after the former horse and his 88 mph fastball posted a 6.26 ERA (6.59 FIP) over 42 IP. Kluber will be replaced in the rotation by a returning Garrett Whitlock on Saturday in Arizona. Whitlock allowed just one run on nine hits and one walk over 8.2 IP in two rehab starts but the Diamondbacks have been a tough matchup for RHP, currently ranking third in wOBA against them, with the second-lowest K%.

A pair of Yankees are heading to rehab – Josh Donaldson is set to begin his assignment today and Giancarlo Stanton might be cleared to start his later this weekend. Which, when converted to Giancarlo-time, means we might see him in the majors before July.

Matthew Libertore will start on Friday against Cleveland. Libertore was stellar in his season debut (5 IP, 0 ER, 6 K) but made his last appearance out of the bullpen, allowing 2 ER on one hit and one walk. The Guardians are stingy with the strikeouts but are still as good of a matchup as any for Libertore trying to prove his way into a continued spot in the rotation, with Cleveland ranking last in wOBA and OPS vs LHP but with a bottom-five K%.

Dylan Dodd is getting called up by Atlanta to face the Phillies tonight. Dodd had a 6.46 ERA (5.69 FIP) over his three starts this season but two of those weren’t that bad, with his numbers skewed by allowing 7 ER over 4.IP against the Padres. But his next two starts after getting sent down were, allowing a total of 12 ER over 8.1 IP, however, he did get back on track in his last turn, allowing three hits over four scoreless innings.

Michael Kopech was again terrific in a win over the Guardians, striking out nine over seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and one walk. Kopech’s four-seamer hit 99 mph and generated 12 whiffs, good for a 35% CSW% while getting just four total whiffs from his slider and changeup. We probably shouldn’t get too carried away considering these past two gems have come against the Royals and Guardians but this recent version has been a seriously far cry from the travesty that ran a 7.01 ERA over five starts in April.

Luis Urías started a rehab assignment on Wednesday and could return to the majors by the start of next week. Owen Miller’s playing time seems to be staring down the biggest haircut once Urías returns, while the house is currently taking bets on whether it’s Darin Ruf 러프 or Mike Brosseau who loses their roster spot – though Luke Voit might just be the people’s dark horse.

In good news for Bane Cook news, Manny Machado is progressing rapidly in his recovery from a left-hand fracture. Machado reportedly didn’t have any issues with receiving the ball while playing catch and taking grounders but the bigger test will come after taking BP.

Matt McLain went yard for the second game in a row on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 in a win over the Cardinals. The rookie has played in every game but once since getting called up, batting second in all, slashing .281/.378/.594 over his first 37 PA. And while a 38% K% certainly isn’t ideal, his sub-11% SwStr% makes me think less whiffiness lies ahead. McLain is already rostered in any league of depth but 34% on Yahoo and 8% on ESPN say he’s far from universal.

Francisco Álvarez hit his sixth home run on Wednesday, needing just 95 PA to get there but is also apparently splitting time with Gary Sanchez behind the plate because, hey, Gary’s gotta eat! In more Mets catcher news, Omar Narváez (left calf strain) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, while Tomás Nido (dry eye syndrome) is also “very close to being ready” according to manager Buck Showalter.

Adrian Houser SZN, anyone? A turn after he shut out the Rays for six innings, Houser locked up the Astros for 5+ scoreless innings, allowing two hits and walking one, while striking out three. But trying to jump on the bandwagon for his next start in Toronto might be trying to press his luck a spin too far.

Bumps and Bruises

An MRI brought bad news for Carlos Correa in the form of plantar fasciitis in his heel and a muscle strain in his arch. Correa has missed the past two games with the injury but manager Rocco Baldelli wouldn’t yet confirm a trip to the IL.

Danny Jansen left last night’s games with left groin tightness. Consider him day-to-day and expect an uptick in Alejandro Kirk’s playing time until he returns.

Luis Robert Jr. expects to be back in the lineup on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s game while dealing with a hip injury.

Brandon Lowe is also expected to return to action today after missing the previous two games with a neck injury.  Lowe claims his neck feels “100 times better” and one can only hope this newfound flexibility allows his batting average to start looking over the Mendoza line.

Streaming Pitchers (less than 40% on Yahoo)

Streamer for Today: J.P. Sears, OAK @ SEA – It’s obviously hard to count on getting a win from an Oakland pitcher but Sears has allowed 2 ER or less in three of his last four starts, posting a 3.57 ERA over 22.2 IP. And one of those teams was this week’s opponent, Seattle, with Sears shutting out the Mariners for six innings and striking out seven batters on May 3.

High Risk: Alex Faedo, DET vs CHW, Carlos Carrasco, NYM @ CHC





 

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