| | | | Monday, August 28, 2023 | | The closer landscape had been remarkably stable this season, but this weekend served as a reminder of how quickly things can change. The big blow was Felix Bautista, the best closer of all, suffering a UCL injury of some kind. We don't know yet if he needs Tommy John surgery, but he's almost certainly out for the year. Meanwhile, the Marlins gave Tanner Scott a look in the ninth inning, and the Rangers seem to be gravitating more toward Aroldis Chapman for saves (more on them, as well as Bautista's replacement, in a bit). | | Joe Ryan came off the IL and kept the Rangers in check for five innings, allowing one run while striking out seven. There were reports suggesting that his groin injury contributed to the struggles leading up to his IL stint, impacting his delivery and whatnot, and initial returns seem to support the theory. Meanwhile, Mitch Keller turned in another impressive start, going eight strong against the Cubs, and looks like a safe play against the Royals. | | | | Among those who struggled this weekend were Hunter Greene (five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings), Dylan Cease (eight earned runs in 4 1/3 innings), James Paxton (four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings) and Bailey Ober (five earned runs in four innings). Greene's first two starts back from a hip injury have been a complete disaster, but he's worth stashing for the upside still. It'll be hard to trust Cease against the Orioles this week after he couldn't handle the Athletics. Paxton has been shaky in the second half, but he deserves one more chance with the Royals on the schedule. Ober is well over his previous high in innings and is probably safe to drop in standard-size leagues | | The hitting star of the weekend was Adam Duvall, who wrapped up a five-homer week worth 52 points in standard Head-to-Head leagues. He's among the players worth targeting on the waiver wire. | | | | Waiver wire plays | | Yennier Cano, RP, Orioles | | If you're going to lose a closer, let it be one on a team with a ready-made replacement. The succession plan couldn't have been any clearer in the Orioles case, with Cano having emerged as an All-Star setup man. It was no surprise, then, to see him handle the ninth inning Saturday and Sunday after Felix Bautista suffered a UCL injury Friday. Cano actually took the loss Sunday, entering to preserve a tie rather than the lead, but the run he allowed was unearned. He still has yet to allow an earned run this month, bringing his ERA down to 1.57. Rather than being the big bat-misser Bautista is, he's more in the Emmanuel Clase mold, inducing ground balls with his sinker. But like Bautista, he should see no shortage of save chances with a first-place club. | | Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies | | You might have assumed Blackmon had nothing left in the tank given his decline the past couple years and his lengthy absence for a fractured hand at age 37. But he's come off the IL to hit .395 (17 for 43) with two homers, two triples and a double in 12 games. Not all of that damage has come at home, but for the season, he's batting .307 with a .923 OPS there. It makes him an outfielder you can deploy situationally, if nothing else, though his high contact rate does broaden his appeal in points leagues. His 3.13 points per game rank up there with Randy Arozarena and Kyle Schwarber. It doesn't mean Blackmon should be rostered on the same level as those two, of course, but we can do better than 52 percent. | | Adam Duvall, OF, Red Sox | | Duvall's time with the Red Sox began splendidly with him hitting .455 (15 for 33) with four homers in his first eight games, but a fractured wrist put a stop to that. It had been slow going since he returned in early June, but he appears to be catching fire again, batting .483 (14 for 29) with five homers and five doubles in his past seven games. A three-time 30-homer man, which includes a career-high 38 home runs in 2021, Duvall is certainly capable of making an impact down the stretch. It's an all-or-nothing profile, which is why you might think twice in points leagues especially, but then again, he's coming off a 52-point week. | | Aroldis Chapman, RP, Rangers | | You might think Chapman's full-season numbers are impressive, but in 19 appearances since joining the Rangers in early July, he has a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 16.7 K/9, looking every bit like the ace reliever we remember from 2010 through 2020. It would seem, then, that a changing of the guard is long overdue, and seeing as Will Smith has allowed 10 earned runs in his past nine appearances, it may finally be happening. Chapman has worked the ninth inning three times since Smith last did. Granted, he's 0 for 2 in save chances during that time, but he coughed up just one run on each occasion. They weren't the sort of meltdowns that had become all too common for Smith, so the expectation is that manager Bruce Bochy will stick with Chapman for now. When prioritizing save targets off the waiver wire, he ranks behind only Andres Munoz and Yennier Cano. | | | | News and Notes | | Bo Bichette left Sunday's game due to right quad tightness. That doesn't sound good for this week.Rafael Devers was out of the lineup Sunday after getting hit by a pitch on his right wrist Saturday. X-rays came back negative.Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch in the head/neck area Saturday but has passed concussion protocol and was in the lineup Sunday.Yandy Diaz has missed two straight with a sore left forearm. Jonathan Aranda has started both games in his place. Scary moment Saturday as Chase Silseth was hit in the head by a throw from his teammate Trey Cabbage. Thankfully, Silseth was released from the hospital and hasn't been diagnosed with a concussion.Jarred Kelenic is set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A this week. He's been out since July 19 with a fractured left foot. He's 56% rostered if you want to stash.The Dodgers optioned Ryan Pepiot back to Triple-A this weekend. Lars Nootbaar is expected to be activated from the IL within the next week. He's been out since August 17 after taking a foul tip off the pelvic region.Keibert Ruiz is likely to return to the Nats lineup Monday. He's been dealing with some lightheadedness after taking a foul tip off his catcher's mask.Matt Chapman left Sunday due to an inflamed right middle finger.Kenley Jansen was cleared to pitch Sunday against the Dodgers so should be good to go this week. Tony Gonsolin was transferred to the 60-day IL and could need surgery that would affect his 2024 availability.Michael Brantley could be cleared to return to the Astros Tuesday. He's 12% rostered.Walker Buehler will continue throwing to hitters at the Dodgers' training complex but has yet to toss more than one inning.Apparently, the Orioles haven't decided if John Means will be a starter or reliever upon returning. | | | | | | | | Cover 3 | | The Early Edge | Cover 3 College Football Podcast is the perfect call for any die-hard fan. Join hosts Chip Patterson, Danny Kanell, Tom Fornelli, and Bud Elliott as they take you from National Signing Day to the national championship.
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