In The Field
OF Mike Yastrzemski was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to April 26 with an oblique strain. The Giants went out and traded for OF Mike Tauchman so he figures to take Yastrzemski's role for now. There will be a battle for playing time between OF Alex Dickerson, OF Austin Slater, and Tauchman once Yaz comes back. The likely scenario here is that Slater platoons with one of the lefties (Dickerson/Tauchman). OF Kole Calhoun was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and had surgery to repair the injury so he will be out multiple weeks. 1B/OF Pavin Smith has been the beneficiary of more playing time and he has performed well (.265 AVG with 2 HR, 12 R, 8 RBI, and 0 SB) and has a chance to stick on this roster. The Diamondbacks are also without 1B Christian Walker which means that 1B/OF Wyatt Mathisen, Pavin Smith, and 2B/OF Josh Rojas have been playing a combination of 1B/OF while Calhoun and Walker are out. Out of this group, Smith is the only one worth picking up right now unless you are in an NL-only league, and in that case, both Mathisen and Rojas have some value. 2B Jazz Chisholm was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury. The belief is that he will be back quickly. The Marlins called up 2B Isan Diaz to take his roster spot. If he was a long-term option at second, Diaz would be an interesting pick-up given his potential for power but he isn't expected to be with the big league club very long. OF Joc Pederson has been able to take batting practice and face live pitching so he is getting closer to a return. The Cubs and fantasy managers hope that Pederson is 100% healthy and can return to a minimum of being able to crush RHP. Once Pederson does come back, it is going to be a battle for playing time between 2B/3B David Bote and 2B Nico Hoerner. OF Guillermo Heredia was placed on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury which corresponded with the Braves calling up OF Christian Pache who struggled mightily in his first go around. Pache should play every day so he needs to be rostered in deeper leagues but expectations are not high until he can get his strikeout rate under control. OF Jesse Winker left Friday's game with back tightness. He is considered day-to-day and the only thing stopping him from a true breakout season is health at this point. C Omar Narvaez left Friday's game early with a hamstring injury. This is an injury that could put him on the IL and backup C Luke Maile is not fantasy viable. C Wilson Contreras left Friday's game with a thigh injury and is considered day-to-day. C Tony Wolters would see increased playing time but wouldn't be fantasy viable outside of NL-only. The catcher injuries keep on coming with C J.T. Realmuto being scratched from the lineup with a sore left hand which could be troublesome for a catcher because that is his receiving hand. 2B Jonathan India was placed on the 10-day IL and OF Nick Senzel started at 2B which would be a nice development if he were to play enough games there to add eligibility. SS Didi Gregorious was placed on the Covid IL and then quickly reinstated on Saturday. OF Brandon Nimmo left Saturday's game early with an undisclosed injury. OF Kevin Pillar would be the beneficiary if he were to miss extended time.
On The Mound
Ryan Weathers left his start on Wednesday after 1 IP with left forearm soreness. It was described as "dead arm" but this situation is worth monitoring as he was just making the transition back into the rotation. The Padres could fill the rotation spot with Dinelson Lamet who has a chance to pitch Sunday after throwing a successful bullpen this week. It is hard to imagine anything positive coming out of this situation for Lamet after leaving his start last week with forearm tightness. Chris Paddack was placed on the 10-day IL with no specified reason. Taylor Widener has a groin strain and was placed on the 10-day IL. RHP Riley Smith is going to fill in and he doesn't offer much in terms of fantasy because he has below-average stuff and doesn't miss many bats. Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) has been throwing up to 200 ft. and could get a bullpen session in this weekend which would be a major hurdle for the right-hander. He is still a ways away from returning. Chad Kuhl (shoulder) has progressed to 120 ft. in his throwing program but doesn't have a timetable for his return. Wil Crowe will get a shot in the rotation but he is a better real-life starter than fantasy option due to the lack of strikeouts and his stuff doesn't suggest more are coming. Marcus Stroman (hamstring) left his start early and it is unclear if he will be able to make his next start (Wed.). Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) has been able to throw off a mound and is slowly working his way back to the major league club. Elieser Hernandez (biceps) has been able to start his throwing program which is a major development for his rehab but also means that he is still not close to returning to the major league club. Carlos Carrasco (hamstring) was able to throw five simulated innings which means that he is close to a return. Adam Wainwright was placed on the Covid IL after being close to someone who tested positive so he will return shortly. Corbin Burnes was placed on the IL but for unspecified reasons which means it was likely Covid related so the hope is that he clears protocol and returns shortly. Dustin May left his start early in the 2nd inning. The injury is unknown but more should come out late Saturday.
In The Bullpen
Stefan Crichton may not have the prototypical stuff to be closer but it looks like his job for the time being. The Reds bullpen is a disaster with Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims, and Sean Doolittle struggling. Tejay Antone has been the best pitcher in the Reds bullpen and now might get a chance to close upping his fantasy value.
Players to add this week:
OF Mike Tauchman (SFG)- Mike Tauchman in his career is hitting .255 with 13 HR and 16 SB in 500 PA. If he gets a real chance to play every day he needs to be rostered.
B/OF Pavin Smith (ARI)- Pavin Smith needs to be rostered now that OF Kole Calhoun is going to be out for an extended period of time. He is hitting .265 with 2 HR, 12 R, 8 RBI, and 0 SB through 88 PA. He is also displaying good plate skills (18% K and 6% BB) with quality contact (52% Hard and 9% Barrels).
2B Josh Harrison (WAS)- Josh Harrison is playing regularly and is hitting .333 with 2 HR, 7 R, 8 RBI, and 0 SB in 62 PA. He has plus plate skills (13% K and 8% BB) and improved quality of contact (career-high 28% Hard). The concern long term is that he won't hit for enough power and his speed has declined but in the short term he is hitting the ball well.
OF Tyler O'Neill (STL)- Tyler O'Neill has his flaws (strikeouts) but he is playing every day and has both power and speed. Currently, he is hitting .241 with 5 HR, 10 R, 8 RBI, and 2 SB in 56 PA. He is not going to help you in batting average but he is going to provide both power and speed which is hard to find on the wire.
Potential Streamers (matchup subject to change):
Joey Lucchesi @STL/ARI- Lucchesi has the ability to miss bats with decent walk rates so a two-step this week is worth the add in deeper mixed leagues.
Adam Wainwright and Kwung-Hyun Kim vs. COL- Getting the Rockies offense away from Coors Field is one of the best matchups possible.
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