Jeffrey Springs (SP-TB) exited his start against the Red Sox on Thursday in the 4th inning because of what was later diagnosed as left (throwing) arm ulnar neuritis, inflammation of the ulnar nerve which causes numbness or weakness in the hand. The 30 year-old southpaw was effective in the outing before he departed, allowing 1 run on 1 hit (a homer) and no walks while fanning 5 over just 3 IP. But he's now most likely headed to the IL and will miss some time after a strong start to the campaign. Including Thursday's action, he now owns a 0.56 ERA, 13.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 2.08 xFIP across 16 IP. This comes on the heels of a breakout 2022 season in which he posted a 2.46 ERA, 9.6 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and 3.29 xFIP over 135.1 in his first campaign primarily as a starter. Springs was taking a step forward in 2023 - elevating his swinging-strike rate from under 14% to 16% while inducing hard contact at a paltry 27% clip per Statcast - but it appears that he'll now miss at least a couple of weeks as someone else - perhaps rookie Taj Bradley - will fill his spot in the rotation.
Taj Bradley (SP-TB) enjoyed a promising big-league debut against the Red Sox on Wednesday, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk while racking up 8 strikeouts over 5 innings of work. The 22 year-old righty appeared likely to make at least one more start while Zach Eflin (back) is sidelined, but the club sent him back to Triple-A soon after his impressive start and he'll be unable to be recalled for at least 10 days unless he's replacing an injured player (an IL stint appears likely for Jeffrey Springs, so it shouldn't be too long). Bradley - who ranks as the #18 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline - impressed as a 21 year-old in Double-A (1.70 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 3.75 xFIP over 74.1 IP) before finishing the season in Triple-A (3.66 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 4.64 xFIP over 59 IP). In his first MLB start, he effectively deployed his heater (93-98 mph), cutter (86-91 mph), change (87-89 mph), and curve (76-79 mph) to miss a bunch of bats until he ran into some trouble in his fifth and final inning of the outing. The prospect pedigree is there and the debut was encouraging, so consider adding Bradley now for his return to the Show is likely to happen sooner rather than later. He's currently available in about 90% of ESPN leagues.
Brandon Lowe (2B-TB) had a nice day at the dish against Boston on Thursday as he went 2-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. The 28 year-old is off to a strong start this season (.333 average, 5 dingers, 12 RBI, 12 runs scored across 41 PA) after a 2022 campaign lost to injuries (.221 average, 8 homers, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored over 266 PA). Encouragingly, Lowe's strikeout rate remains below his career average (28%) at 24% while making hard contact at a strong 52% clip per Statcast. In the small sample size, Lowe has elevated his flyball rate from a 43% career rate to 52% this season, so it will be interesting to see if that stays on the high side or slips downward going forward. Regardless, a 36% HR/FB seems due for correction (21% career). Perhaps most encouragingly, he's slashed his swinging-strike rate to just under 13% (17% career) while elevating his contact rate to 74%, well above his 67% career average. Overall, there are a lot of positive signs for Lowe so far this year, and while the average is highly unlikely to remain north of .300 for the long haul, the power output could rival the 39 homers he slugged in 2021 (over a career-high 615 PA), which came after he hit 14 in just 223 PA during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. The biggest concern will be health, as Lowe as surpassed 350 PA in just one season since he reached the majors in 2018.
Esteury Ruiz (OF-OAK) had an impressive day atop the Oakland lineup on Thursday afternoon as he went 3-4 with a 2B, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. The 24 year-old speedster has only swiped a pair of bags on the young season (in 2 attempts), but he's showing some promise with a .293 average, 6 RBI, 6 runs scored, and 4 2B through his first 48 PA of the campaign. Although the sample size is small, it's encouraging to see Ruiz raw a few more walks (up to 6% from just 3% in 36 PA last season) while fanning a little less (down to under 15% from over 19%). He hasn't made a lot of hard contact (23% per Statcast), but grounders (45%) and liners (21%) are his game, especially since he uses all fields (including a 43% push rate). A 72% contact rate is still on the low side and he's yet to go yard, but overall it's been an encouraging start for a guy who should be fantasy relevant because of his ability to steal bags - he's showing that he can get on base enough (.383 OBP) to do it.
Sean Manaea (SP-SF) is a strong fantasy play on Friday as he is slated to face the Tigers in Detroit. Although the 31 year-old southpaw's season debut in relief was forgettable (2 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K against the White Sox), he was stellar in his subsequent start against the Royals (6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K). Manaea has induced groundballs at a healthy 47% clip while missing bats at a solid 13% rate, and opposing hitters have logged a below-average 76% contact rate against him. But this call is at least as much about his opposition - Detroit - as it is about the pitcher, as the Tigers rank dead last in the majors in team offense, with a .198 average and .562 OPS, both of which are the worst in baseball. The Tigers have also struggled against southpaws, with an even worse .192 average and .522 OPS against lefties. Manaea is currently on the waiver wire in about 64% of ESPN leagues and should be considered for DFS.
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