Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Report (Week 3): Waiver Wire Pickups, Streamers, Injury Updates & More
Justin Berl/Getty Images. Pictured: JT Brubaker.
It took less than one month into the MLB season for things to go sideways — injuries, COVID-19 and situations best described as “because baseball” have led to a crazy end to the second full week of the season.
The best of the uniqueness was Carlos Rodón's no-hitter. The perfect game ended on a hit by pitch after a slider hit Cleveland hitter Roberto Pérez's toe. Joe Musgrove’s no-no the week before ended one week earlier the same way. Perfect games have ended five times on HBPs, and two happened in one week this season.
Each week this season I will be looking at the week ahead for pitchers. Waiver options, streamers, pitchers making two starts, injury updates and more can be found within.
Waiver Adds/Streamers
JT Brubaker – Pittsburgh Pirates (Owned in 9% of Yahoo and 6% of ESPN leagues)
Outside of his four walks in his first start of 2021, JT Brubaker has been a hidden gem for the surprisingly competent Pittsburgh Pirates. We only have 47 1/3 innings from 2020 to go off to get an idea of Brubaker’s talent and so far, the difference between him year to year is a lower ERA now. Outside of his 1.76 ERA being lower than what it will end at, what you see is what you are getting with the 27-year old. His lone start next week is against the Detroit Tigers and their -10.5 Offensive WAR.
Anthony DeSclafani– San Francisco Giants (Yahoo: 35%, ESPN: 34%)
The latest Giants reclamation project has been lights out in three starts this season. DeSclafani has depended less on his slider and incorporated his curveball and changeup with success. His ground-ball percentage and velocity on his breaking pitches are up and hitters have yet to adjust. His start next week is against the Phillies, who have one of the worst strikeout and walk rates so far this season.
Trevor Rogers – Miami Marlins (Yahoo: 70%, ESPN: 51%)
It takes a lot to be worse offensively than the Phillies, but Rogers’ next start is against one of them — the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s are feasting on the Texas Rangers' pitching staff, but that is as commonplace as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west. Rogers is a young power pitcher trying to figure out his command while pitching in the majors. Few opponents will mask his weakness like the Orioles.
Jakob Junis – Kansas City Royals – (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 9%)
Junis has done well in two starts after making two appearances out of the bullpen. He has yet to allow a home run, so that should regress (1.57 Home Runs Per 9). His lone start is against Tampa Bay. I have yet to figure out how they get slapped by Texas and then dominate the Yankees.
Other Pitchers to Consider
Jeff Hoffman (CIN), Jon Gray (COL), Dane Dunning (TEX), Jose Urquidy (HOU) and Taijuan Walker (NYM)
Injuries
Sonny Gray returned to the Reds rotation April 17. He had been dealing with back issues.
Nationals SP Jon Lester threw a three-inning simulated game April 16 but has no timetable for a return. He has been in COVID-19 protocols as he ramps up for a return.
Johnny Cueto was placed on the 10-day IL by the Giants with a Grade 1 lat strain. He is expected to miss two starts.
Braves starter Drew Smyly was scratched from his April 16 start and placed on the 10-day IL with left forearm tightness.
Ross Stripling was placed on the 10-day IL with a flexor strain. There is no return date at the moment.
Two-Start Pitchers
This is a projected list. Starts subject to change and not all starters have been named.
- Lucas Giolito (CHW) – at BOS, vs TEX
- Nate Eovaldi (BOS) – vs CHW, vs SEA
- Kevin Gausman and Logan Webb (SF) – at PHI, vs MIA
- Chase Anderson (PHI) – vs SF, at COL
- Jesus Luzardo (OAK) – vs MIN, at BAL
- Justus Sheffield (SEA) – vs LAD, at BOS
- Brandon Woodruff (MIL) – at SD, at CHC
- Joe Musgrove and Chris Paddack (SD) – vs MIL, at LAD
- Tyler Anderson (PIT) – at DET, at MIN
- Taijuan Walker (NYM) – at CHC, vs WSH
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