Ivan Nova- The Jekyll and Hyde career of Ivan Nova continued on Tuesday. Nova has long tantalized fantasy owners and the Yankees with his promise of combining a reasonable strike out rate (19-20%) with a exceptional ground ball rates. His early season progress in 2014 has provided little in the way of return on this promise. On Tuesday, Nova had rough day allowing 10 hits and 7 ER over 3.2 IP. Nova was burned both by a lack of his best stuff and some poor infield defense. Whatever the issue(s), Nova should be locked into a bench role in even the deepest fantasy formats after surrendering 21 baserunners in 9.2 IP. Even with Nova generating a decent number of ground balls, he is allowing far too many men to reach base with not nearly enough strike outs to be a useful fantasy asset. His next slated start is Sunday against the Red Sox, and I'd leave him on the bench until I saw a pitcher closer to the Ivan Nova that finished the season in 2013.
Adam Jones- After a slow first week of the season, Adam Jones came to play on Tuesday afternoon and provided the O's and fantasy owners the elite production they have come to expect from center fielder. Jones went 2 for 4 with his first home run of the season, a double and a walk. Jones' first week wasn't terrible by any accounts, but he had failed to flash the power that has made him an early round draft pick. He fixed that by all accounts with his terrifc display of power on Tuesday. No need to be concerned about Jones who should see similar days to Tuesday moving forward.
Jose Reyes- Last week in this space, I had to break it to owners that Jose Reyes would be going back on the disabled list with yet another hamstring injury. This week, I'm much happier to report a positive step for the Blue Jays' shortstop as he has begun running on the treadmill on Tuesday. If Reyes manages to continue positive rehab, all issues point to him being able to return from the DL when eligible in the middle of next week. Reyes' deterorating speed will be a concern all season, but hopefully, he will be able to get back into lineups by next Wednesday.
Matt Moore- Matt Moore was officially placed on the disabled list on Tuesday after being pulled from his start with elbow discomfort on Monday. At the time of writing this blurb, we had not received the MRI results on Moore, but it is difficult to be too optimistic. Moore had already shown some disturbing signs of potential injury in the 2013 season when his velocity dropped from 94.4 MPH to 92.4 MPH in his age 23 season. While velocity jumps are not unheard of, it is odd that it would happen with a pitcher in this age group. His fastball during his first two starts was showing even less velocity this season so the fact that something is wrong is not really all that shocking. The hope is that whatever is ailing Moore can be dealt with quickly, but I would not be shocked to find out we are dealing with yet another Tommy John surgery.
Trevor Bauer- Trevor Bauer will get the nod on Wednesday on the second end of a double header against the Padres according to reports out of Cleveland. The top prospect has yet to flash the elite strike out numbers since joining the Indians that made him one of the D'Backs top minor leaguers in 2012. Bauer's Triple-A stats from 2013 leave a lot to be desired as he managed only a 19.3% K Rate while accumulating a stunning 13.3% BB Rate. If you are striking out 30% of the batters you face, maybe you can get away with walking around 8-10%, maybe. No one can survive the ratios that Bauer put up in Triple-A at the Major League level for long. Bauer is young enough and has a good enough track record prior to 2013 that this start is worth paying attention to as is his usage and numbers the rest of the season, but I'm recommending a wait and see approach. Its far more likely based on his higher level sample sizes that he destroys your WHIP than win you K's at this point.
