Roto Riteup: May 9, 2022

See, baseball players are just like us!

even the best fall down sometimes 🎶 pic.twitter.com/3YLl8l3xAI

— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 8, 2022

On the Agenda: 

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

COVID Issues

Zach Eflin and Zach Wheeler were placed on the COVID-19 on Sunday. There was no confirmation on whether they actually tested positive or whether they were just experiencing symptoms. 

Richard Bleier was placed on the COVID IL. There is no information on whether he tested positive or not. 

Marcus Stroman was placed on the IL with no designation. This usually means COVID, but there was no information on his prognosis.

Quick Hits

Stephen Piscotty was placed on  the IL with a calf strain. Ramon Laureano was activated off of the restricted list to take Piscotty’s spot on the roster. Laureano was serving a suspension from last season when he tested positive for PEDs in the second half. He should be picked up in all formats. 

Michael Wacha was placed on the IL with an injury to his side. An MRI came back clean, but he was scratched from his start on Sunday and then placed on the IL. The move is retroactive to May 5th, so he will be eligible to return after May 20th. 

Byron Buxton left Saturday’s game with a hip strain. He is considered day-to-day at this time, but it seems like he has avoided serious injury once again. 

Trevor Larnach was placed on the IL with a groin strain. It doesn’t sound serious, but the Twins roster may be pretty crowded if other players get healthy by the time he is ready to return. 

Edward Oliveras was removed from Sunday’s game against the Orioles with a quad injury. Consider him day-to-day at this time. 

Carson Kelly was placed on the IL with an oblique strain. He will likely miss 4-6 weeks with the injury. 

David Fletcher was placed on the IL with a hip strain. This is the second time he will miss time with this injury which is a bit concerning. 

Chris Paddack left his start on Sunday with a tightness in his elbow. This is very concerning, but he should be considered day-to-day for now. 

Various News and Notes

Alek Thomas was called up from AAA by the Diamondbacks on Sunday and he went 1-for-3 in his Major League debut, helping in the victory over the Rockies.

Alek Thomas has his first major-league hit!

👏 @athomas22 pic.twitter.com/2MayXg4HOn

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) May 8, 2022

Thomas is a top 25-50 prospect with power, speed and decent hit tool. He was doing well in AAA, hitting .277/.362/.495 with four home runs and three stolen bases and a 13.8% strikeout rate. He should get plenty of run moving forward and should be picked up in almost all formats.

George Kirby threw six scoreless innings in his Major League debut, allowing just four hits and no walks while striking out seven.

George Kirby's Disgusting Stuff. 😲 pic.twitter.com/CuRFzMcJvL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 8, 2022

Kirby was extremely impressive, throwing five different pitches (mostly three though) with a 36% CSW. What was most impressive was his command and control with a fastball that was sitting at 95 while hitting 98 early in the outing. There is always risk with a young starter, but the great control and command is a great starting point.

Streaming Pitchers (Under 50% in CBS)

Pitcher for Today: Tyler Wells at BAL

Well has looked better as of late and has a nice matchup versus the Royals at home. 

High Risk Options: Michael Pineda vs OAK, Elieser Hernandez at ARI, Carlos Hernandez at BAL, Humberto Castellanos vs MIA. 

Pitcher for Tomorrow:  Madison Bumgarner vs MIA

Why is he still under 50% rostered?

High Risk Options: Reid Detmers vs TB, Yusei Kikuchi at NYY, Martin Perez vs KC, Kyle Bradish at STL. 

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.”