Roto Riteup: May 31, 2023
80-Grade Tweet:
The A’s are tied for the best record in baseball since May 29
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) May 31, 2023
On the Agenda:
- Quick Hits
- Various News and Notes
- Streaming Pitchers
Quick Hits
Jesse Winker was placed on the IL with a neck strain. There is no timetable for his return. Abraham Toro was recalled to take his spot on the roster.
Matt Vierling was placed on the IL with a back issue. There is no timetable for his return.
Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on the IL with a finger pulley rupture.
For those wondering what a pulley finger rupture looks like: https://t.co/P41lye82cD pic.twitter.com/opxE9sswuR
— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) May 30, 2023
The length of his absence will be determined by the severity of the injury and whether he needs surgery to repair it. This is likely a minimum of six weeks with there being a possibility that it ends his season.
Riley Greene left Tuesday’s game with a leg issue.
#Tigers Riley Greene left the game injured. Said to be a leg injury. Hard to tell how but during this play is when the announcers noted him wincing in discomfort at the end of the play.
He finished the inning and left prior to his AB the next inning. pic.twitter.com/akkouT93Nw
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) May 30, 2023
Manager AJ Hinch stated that the move was precautionary and that Greene had wanted to stay in. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Harrison Bader was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. The strain is low grade and he is expected to be back in a couple of weeks. Franchy Cordero will be recalled to take Bader’s spot on the roster.
TJ Friedl was removed from Tuesday’s game with hamstring tightness. He reportedly played through it for a while before leaving the game, so this doesn’t sound like it should be a long term issue. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Various News and Notes
Taylor Ward went 2-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the White Sox on Tuesday.
Taylor Ward leads off the game with a homer!!!
Could this be the hit he needed to get right?#GoHalos #Angels #AngelsBaseball #LAAngels #LTBU pic.twitter.com/JuWtgTaFip
— Locked On Angels (@LockedOnAngels) May 31, 2023
Ward has struggled mightily this season, but he has been better in May, hitting .250. In spite of only hitting two home runs, he is making better contact in the zone and he is hitting the ball with more authority. Now may be the beginning of the turn around.
Will Benson went 3-for-5 with a triple in the victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday.
First career triple for Will Benson! @_thekidbilly_ pic.twitter.com/SrLDsIQv52
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 31, 2023
Benson has struggled in both his stints in the Majors this season, hitting just .156/.182/.219 with no home runs and no stolen bases. However, he has shown the ability to hit for power and steal a ton of bases in the minors, but he needs to be able to make close to league average contact if he ever wants to stick long term in the Majors. Benson is considered a really hard worker, so there is a chance he figures it out at some point, but right now he is mostly a watch list guy.
Kodai Senga threw seven scoreless innings versus the Phillies, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out nine in the victory on Tuesday.
.@KodaiSenga is telling ghost stories out there. 👻 pic.twitter.com/loKrg1zXIC
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2023
Senga was fantastic throwing the ghost fork for a 41% CSW. Most importantly, Senga didn’t walk a single batter which has been his biggest issue as a Major Leaguer as this was only the second start of his career where he didn’t walk at least three. The control comes and goes which makes him a risky bet start-to-start, but the upside is huge if he gets to a point where he can reign in his control consistently.
Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)
Pitcher for Today: Jared Shuster at OAK
Shuster has pitched well since his return to the Majors and now gets the worst team in the Major Leagues in a great park to pitch in.
High Risk Options: Braxton Garrett vs SD, Jaime Barria at CHW, Alex Wood vs PIT, Louie Varland at HOU, Carlos Carrasco vs PHI.
Pitcher for Tomorrow: None
Only three pitchers qualify and I am not risking it on any of them.
High Risk Options: Taijuan Walker at NYM, Chase Anderson at ARI, Zach Davies vs COL.
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.