Welcome to this week’s roundup!  Thank you for reading and please feel free to add any dynasty news to the comments!

Astros Rotation Loses Two Starters to Injury (Link, Link)

José Urquidy departed his April 30^th start and was placed on the IL on May 1^st.  Just hours later, Luis Garcia was removed from his start after throwing eight pitches.  In both cases, fantasy managers will need to await MRI results to determine the next steps.  Brandon Bielak was already promoted to replace some of Urquidy’s innings, so we can expect him to take a spot in the rotation if Garcia goes on the injured list.  J.P. France may be the next promotion, as France has started off well in Triple-A.  He has started three games with a 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 26/11 K/BB ratio.  The Astros can also use Ryne Stanek as an opener; Stanek was the prototype in 2018.

Aaron Judge to the Injured List (Link)

The Yankees have sent their Captain to the Injured List and lost one of the best players in the game for at least 10 games.  Thankfully for the Yankees, centerfielder Harrison Bader could return this weekend.  Bader is an interesting fantasy player, as he offers the power/speed combo that we all desire.  In 2021, Bader went 16/9 over 103 games and in 2022, he went 5/17 over 86 games.  With the hitting environment looking more like 2021, Bader is worth a flier because his defense will keep him in the lineup for one of the best teams in baseball in one of the best hitters’ parks in baseball.

Bryce Harper to Return on May 2 (Link)

Not a lot to say here—baseball is better with Bryce Harper.

Robbie Ray to Miss Rest of Season (Link)

Mariners to Promote Bryce Miller (Link)

Miller is thought of as the top Mariners pitching prospect.  He is 24 years old and in 2022, pitched 133.2 innings across two levels striking out 163 batters and walking 46.  Miller’s fastball is considered plus-plus, touching 100 mph, with a slider/cutter, curve, and changeup (Link).  Because the Mariners just lost Robbie Ray for the season (flexor tendon injury) and have stumbled out of the gate a little bit in 2023, Miller may be up as long as he performs.  After seeing immediate successes with Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, fantasy managers should not be shy about adding Miller to their active roster.  For those looking for the next big arm in Seattle, look no further than Bryan Woo, who has opened the 2023 season dominating Double A.

James Paxton Could be Activated this Week (Link)

Paxton dominated in his latest rehab start, firing 5 1/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and just one walk.  Since pitching 150.2 innings with the Yankees in 2019, Paxton has only pitched 21.2 innings.  From 2017-2019, Paxton struck out over 10 batters per nine with decent walk numbers.  For managers seeking innings, Paxton is worth an add to see what his role will be and how he fares in his first few appearances.

Minnesota Loses Two Starters to Injury (Link)

Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle both exited their starts with arm injuries.  Bailey Ober was called up to replace Maeda.  Ober was excellent over 56 innings in the majors last year, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and walking only 1.77 batters per nine.  Both this season and last season, his strikeouts dropped significantly once he reached the majors, which tells me there is some untapped potential for the 27 year old if he can raise his strikeout rate to his Triple-A levels.  Louie Varland is speculated to the be the replacement for Mahle (Link).  Varland had a quality start in his lone start with the Twins this season. Since turning pro, Varland really increased his velocity and entered Fangraphs’ Top 100 in mid-April.  The Twins depth is a strength, as they also have Simeon Woods Richardson in Triple A.

Kristian Robinson Activated (Link)

The Bahamian Robinson has not played in official minor league games since 2019, where he hit 14 home runs across two levels in just 69 games.  He reached Single A at the age of 18 and was rising quickly towards Chase Field.  Fangraphs lists him with a future 70-grade raw power; that is the type of upside that is worth taking a chance on.  Three years is a lot of time to miss, but at 22 years old, Robinson is the age of a college graduate and there is still plenty of time for Robinson and the Diamondbacks to tap into his physical tools.

Dodgers Planning to Promote Gavin Stone (Link)

It appears that Stone will start Wednesday’s game.  One of the Dodgers top pitching prospects along with Bobby Miller.  Stone dominates with a plus plus changeup.  If Stone sticks with the Dodgers, he should be an instant source of wins and strikeouts for dynasty managers.

Jacob deGrom to the Injured List (Link)

DeGrom will miss at least 15 days because of elbow inflammation.  Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, this is a hit for any dynasty manager.  Dane Dunning is expected to take deGrom’s place in the rotation and Dunning has pitched well out of the bullpen thus far this season.  Dunning has struggled since his 2020 debut season, but it appears that his control has taken a step forward this season.  At the same time, he is striking out only 4.87 per nine, so it would be unlikely for Dunning to have sustained success as a starter if deGrom is out for an extended time.

Garrett Whitlock to Injured List (Link)

Whitlock felt numbness in his right elbow (Link).  Although the Red Sox are hoping for only a two-start absence, there is likely to be concern about Whitlock’s ability to handle a starter’s workload.  The good news for dynasty managers is that if Whitlock is not starting, then he can be a relief ace, as he showed in 2021 when he pitched to a 1.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and struck out over a batter an inning.

Bryan Reynolds Extended (Link)

Reynolds will be a Pirate for the next eight years after requesting a trade over the offseason.  Along with Reynolds, the Pirates have an exciting young core of Ke’Bryan Hayes; Oneil Cruz; David Bednar; and top prospects Termarr Johnson, Endy Rodriguez, and Henry Davis.  Reynolds has shown that he can produce in Pittsburgh and his counting stats will only increase as his surrounding cast improves.  We ranked Reynolds at Dynasty OF16 over the offseason and he has started the 2023 season off strong with a 141 wRC+.  Pirates fans and dynasty managers can expect Reynolds to produce for the length of the contract.