One of many tenets of the “do not pay for saves” technique is that it’s best to all the time scoop up high-level, potential saves anytime they seem.
With the Toronto Blue Jays having simply positioned nearer Jordan Romano — the No. 7 pure aid pitcher chosen on common in ESPN leagues within the preseason — on the IL, a chance has opened for the most effective performing right-handed relievers. Yimi Garcia (nonetheless 8.2% accessible), whose 1.57 ERA, 2.23 FIP and 12 saves-plus-holds for the season rank among the many top-25 relievers, picked up the save on Sunday and will get nearly all of possibilities over Romano’s absence.
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Garcia’s success extends again a full yr. Since this date in 2023, he has posted a 2.38 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP and a 30.6% strikeout charge, all of these rating among the many top-18 certified relievers throughout that point. That coincides along with his having made a key adjustment along with his glove positioning, maybe eliminating any prospect of his having tipped his pitches up till that time. Moreover, Garcia has been extra aggressive early in counts, along with his 67.5% first-pitch strike charge this season being his finest in any of his 9 MLB seasons. In the meantime, his four-seam fastball (96.7 mph) and sinker (95.9) are each exhibiting their highest velocity in any of these years.
What’s essential to notice on this state of affairs is that that is Romano’s second journey to the IL for proper elbow irritation — he additionally started the yr on the IL — and third general since final yr’s All-Star break. Whereas an MRI revealed no structural harm to mentioned elbow, giving the Blue Jays the hope that Romano can return after a minimal absence, a recurrence of the damage heightens the priority for the remainder of 2024. Garcia has pitched successfully sufficient that he is now vital insurance coverage for Romano’s managers, and he is a potential top-15 fantasy nearer for so long as he fills in.
Deeper-league provides
Connor Norby, 2B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (0.2% rostered): With common second baseman Jorge Mateo within the league’s concussion protocol after having been hit within the head with a bat on Sunday whereas within the on-deck circle, the Orioles are reportedly recalling Norby on Monday. It is unclear as as to whether that is an injury-related transfer or extra of a sign that it is Norby’s time to shine because the workforce’s beginning second baseman, however his overwhelming expertise makes him properly value a speculative add in any league bigger than customary (and maybe even in these as properly).
Norby has hit .293/.365/.501 with 34 residence runs and 17 stolen bases in 198 profession video games for Triple-A Norfolk, spanning the ultimate week of 2022 and the whole thing of the final two seasons. He ought to fill all 5 conventional rotisserie classes whereas in all probability delivering comparable worth in factors leagues as a consequence of his extra-base skill. If his promotion is tied to Mateo’s damage, it is attainable that may present Norby sufficient time to show himself able to dealing with the position for the rest of 2024.
Miguel Andujar, OF, Oakland Athletics (11.2%): Keep in mind this runner-up to Shohei Ohtani within the 2018 AL Rookie of the 12 months balloting following a .297/.328/.527, 27-HR marketing campaign with the New York Yankees? Andujar has struggled mightily with accidents and inconsistency since however, given a recent begin with the rebuilding Athletics, he seems to be lastly recapturing his previous stroke.
Andujar has hit .394/.382/.636 — sure, a hitter can have a decrease OBP than his batting common, if he by no means walks and hits a sacrifice fly — which has shortly elevated him to the workforce’s cleanup spot, after which the No. 2 gap for the final two days. He has lengthy been identified for his contact, he is able to delivering elite exit velocities and, if he can merely get some loft in his swing, he could possibly be a .270/25 HR producer over a full 162 video games. With the extent of alternative the Athletics are anticipated to provide him, he is value an add.
Two-start pitcher so as to add
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Triston McKenzie, SP, Cleveland Guardians (21.2%): After the Guardians introduced Carlos Carrasco again from the IL on Sunday, McKenzie was pushed again to Tuesday’s recreation, aligning him for every week of stable matchups — first in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Royals at residence after which on the street in opposition to the Miami Marlins. McKenzie has been wild this yr, with an MLB-leading 34 walks, however he has additionally had his share of success when going through weaker offenses in 2024.
He is coming off a season-best 9 strikeouts (occurring at Coors Discipline, of all locations) and he’ll now face a Royals offense that the Forecaster grades an above-average matchup, and a Marlins offense that it grades a top-five matchup. In case your league makes use of weekly transactions, add McKenzie for these outings.
Be happy to chop
Ronald Acuna Jr., (sigh, 62.4% rostered); Tyler O’Neill (43.2%); Yainer Diaz (72.4%); Yusei Kikuchi (46.6%); Blake Snell (65.9%); Jordan Hicks (53.9%)