Jack Flaherty (SP-DET) continued his resurgence as he completed 5 shutout IP against the Rangers (2 H, 0 BB, 4 K) before exiting after throwing just 60 pitches (44 strikes). His average fastball velocity was down about 1 mph in the outing and he was seen stretching in the dugout before heading back to the locker room; manager A.J. Hinch said that Flaherty was dealing with back tightness and did not know the severity of the issue. The development is certainly a concerning one for the Tigers and his fantasy owners, as the 28 year-old righty now owns a stellar 3.22 ERA, 11.6 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, and 2.09 xFIP through his first 12 starts (72.2 IP) of the season. After seeing his star fade in 2022-2023 - partly due to injuries - as his strikeout rate dipped and his walk rate spiked, Flaherty reigned in his control this season while logging a 14.5% swinging-strike rate, his highest since 2020. If he's able to make his next start, it's slated for early next week against the Nationals, but for now his fantasy owners will have to cross their fingers as they wait for news from the team.
Jesus Luzardo (SP-MIA) got shellacked by the Rays on Tuesday as he coughed up 9 runs (all earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks while striking out just 2 over 4.1 IP. The 26 year-old southpaw fired 52 of his 84 offerings for strikes while surrendering a longball. With the rough outing, Luzardo's season line now includes a 5.30 ERA, 8.4 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 through 10 starts (56 IP), but a 3.82 xFIP suggests that a 61.5% strand rate in particular is inflating his ERA. Even so, one can't like his Statcast profile, which includes a 39.5% hard-hit rate, 10.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 91 mph. And while the control is about where it's been the last couple of seasons, Luzardo's strikeout rate is down significantly. However, it's not because he's no longer missing bats, as his 14.5% swinging-strike rate is actually his highest since he joined the Marlins. In short, Luzardo is better than his ERA suggests and his strikeout rate should climb. It looks like he should face the Mets in New York on Tuesday.
Luis Gil (SP-NYY) continued to impress as he blanked the Twins over 6 innings of work on Tuesday, in which he allowed just 1 hit and walked 3 while fanning 6. The 26 year-old righty fired 53 of his 88 pitches for strikes in the contest. Gil now owns a 1.82 ERA, 11 K/9, 4.4 BB/9, and 3.55 xFIP through his first 12 starts (69.1 IP) of the season. The strikeouts are nice, but the walk rate is concerning and the gap between the ERA and xFIP suggests that the ERA should rise a bit going forward as an 84% strand rate, 6% HR/FB, and .178 BABIP are all lucky figures. Gil's 12% swinging-strike rate is solid but not otherworldly, but he's proven difficult to square up the ball against as his Statcast profile includes a 29% hard-hit rate, 6.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 87.5 mph. He'll face a challenge in LA against the Dodgers this weekend.
Royce Lewis (3B-MIN) went 1-1 with a solo shot and 2 walks against the Yankees as he was activated from the 10-day IL on Tuesday. The 24 year-old last played on Opening Day because he strained his right quad, but picked up right where he left off (he went 2-2 with a solo homer before going on the shelf). Lewis flashed his high potential last season as he hit .309 with 15 homers, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 6 steals (in 7 attempts) across 239 PA, with a wRC+ of 155, but injuries have been a major issue for him the last few years. But as long as he's not on the IL, make sure he's back in your starting lineup if he's on your fantasy roster.
Josh Naylor (1B-CLE) continued to hit for power as he went 1-3 with a 2-run dinger and a walk against the Royals on Tuesday evening. The 26 year-old is well on setting a career-high for homers as he's now hitting .229 with 16 big flies, 44 RBI, 34 runs scored, and a wRC+ of 126 through his first 241 PA of the season; his current season-high for homers is 20 from back in 2022. Naylor's batting average seems likely to rebound some given his really low BABIP (.203 in 2024, .264 career), so don't sweat that too much and instead focus on the career-best Statcast profile that includes a 44.5% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 91.5 mph; his average launch angle of 13.6 is also the highest of his career. Meanwhile, he's continued to fan at a modest 16% clip while drawing walks at a career-high 10% rate.
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