For many, finding the next save on the waiver wire can be a thrill. With many fantasy owners not paying for saves in drafts, they eventually pay in the FAAB or waiver process churning out the latest hot pitcher ascending to the ninth inning. Sunday provided some ripple effects with the Phillies using Edubray Ramos instead of Héctor Neris along with quotes to the effect their bullpen will continue to be fluid. Good luck investing among Tommy Hunter , Ramos, Seranthony Dominguez and Neris. It may be a situation to avoid in the near term until the team figures how to proceed with their experiment.
It looks as though the Angels will be in the market for a new “closer” with Keynan Middleton ’s MRI revealing damage to the UCL ligament in his elbow. He could miss time to rest and see how it responds to rehab, or it could require surgery. Suffice it to say, Middleton will not be working in the ninth going forward. Jim Johnson seemed to gain the most trust from the mercurial Mike Scioscia, but keep an eye on deposed closer Blake Parker . He’s worked six straight scoreless outings with nine strikeouts over his last 6.1 innings. During the last two weeks, Parker owns a 26.3 strikeouts minus walk percentage and a 0.80 WHIP in five innings compared to Johnson’s 7.4 K-BB percentage and 1.83 WHIP in six innings.
Overlooking the White Sox bullpen makes sense. It’s been volatile and the team has not been winning. However, Joakim Soria ’s not taken the mound since May eighth and with a lead in Wrigley, they turned to Bruce Rondon in the ninth with Nate Jones recording the hold in the eighth inning. Rondon’s not given up an earned run since his four run implosion on April 22nd and has six strikeouts against one walk with a 1.11 WHIP his last 6.1 innings of work. It may not be a full-time audition as the closer, but he’s working his way into more high leverage going forward. Also, do not forget Jace Fry ’s hot start in this bullpen since his promotion.
That Just Happened
Ozzie Albies entered game play on Monday in the midst of a hitless streak over his last 12 at-bats. It ended quickly with a leadoff home run. In the first inning this year, Albies is now 18-for-40 (.450) with six home runs and 13 RBI. This marks his 13th home run in only 40 games for Albies. Teammate Freddie Freeman did not record a hit but reached base two times with walks to keep his league leading on-base percentage at .432 and he chipped in with his third stolen base.
Atlanta made great use of its catching timeshare last season and with Tyler Flowers back and healthy, they may heat up soon. Flowers went 2-for-2 with two runs, his first home run, two RBI and walked three times in five plate appearances.
Another rough outing for José Quintana who allowed nine hits, six earned runs and three walks with six strikeouts in 4.2 innings pushing his season ERA to 5.23 after eight starts. He’s given up three or more runs in five outings and six or more runs in three starts this year.
Javy Baez went hitless in four at-bats and has not walked since April 11th. He’s been tremendously productive this year with 10 home runs and five stolen bases in spite of a high swinging strike and chase rates. Seeing how he will finish the year fueled by his improved contact percentages will be fun to track. Kris Bryant launched his eighth home run and third in his last five games.
Prior to post, José Ramírez already hit his American League lead tying 13th home run. He entered the game with five home runs in 45 at-bats in May and keeps on bashing. Ramirez and Francisco Lindor continue to fuel the Cleveland’s surge on offense. Lindor’s hitting .473 in May with eight home runs and a whopping 1.563 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Night Moves
Detroit placed Jeimer Candelario on the disabled list due to his wrist injury. They recalled Daniel Lugo from Triple-A to replace him on the roster. Nick Castellanos did not play on Monday, but should return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Help could be on the way for the Dodgers with Justin Turner and Logan Forsythe set to rejoin the team when they arrive in Miami to open their series on Tuesday.
Kansas City placed Lucas Duda on the disabled list with a foot injury, they will replace him with Hunter Dozier .
With Robinson Canó headed to the disabled list, Seattle recalled Gordon Beckham and he will start at second base on Monday night. It’s going to interesting to see if the Mariners will move Dee Gordon back to second base if Cano requires surgery.
The Yankees activated Brandon Drury and returned him to Triple-A for more at-bats. Greg Bird and Billy McKinney will stay with Double-A Trenton through Sunday then they can come off of the disabled list or head to another team to continue their rehabs.
Minnesota will be without catcher Jason Castro for four-to-six weeks following his knee surgery.
Last, Madison Bumgarner threw 20 pitches, all fastballs, off of the bullpen mound and will throw again on Wednesday. He will need to build arm strength as he continues his push to return prior the end of May.
Álex Reyes continues his strong rehab return with four strikeouts after two innings with Peoria. Word has it the curveball is dancing.
Burning Questions
After Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pranked many on Instagram, when will he play with Toronto? By the way, he homered in his first at-bat during the first inning of his game on Monday to push his average over .400 on the year. Who gets the next save for the Angels? Will Lance McCullers Jr. pitch into the sixth inning? Can Odubel Herrera extend his 41 game on-base streak on Tuesday? Did you add Scooter Gennett to replace Robinson Canó ?
All of these questions and much more will covered in Fantasy Alarm’s Round Up on Tuesday morning with Justin Mason at the helm. Until then, more baseball.
Statistical Credits:
MLB.com
Fangraphs.com
BaseballSavant.com