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Less than two months ago, the Mets boasted arguably the deepest starting rotation group in baseball, which was headlined by a pair of veteran co-aces in Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. New York lost deGrom to a stress reaction in his right shoulder during the late stages of spring training, and will now be forced to proceed without either of their rotation anchors after an MRI on Thursday revealed that Scherzer sustained a moderate to high-grade oblique strain during Wednesday’s start against the Cardinals. The 37-year-old veteran workhorse, who signed a massive three-year, $130 million contract during the offseason, is expected to miss the next six-to-eight weeks and likely remain sidelined until at least early July.
It was unimaginable just a few weeks ago to envision a scenario in which the Mets’ dynamic tandem would finish the first half of the 2022 campaign with fewer than 10 starts combined. Unfortunately for New York -- and fantasy managers alike -- Scherzer was in the midst of another phenomenal season in his Mets debut, recording a sparkling 2.54 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 59/11 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings (eight starts). The Mets, who are also missing burgeoning star Tylor Megill due to injury, will be forced to lean heavily on Chris Bassitt, Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker and David Peterson over the next few weeks until deGrom and Scherzer are ready to return.
Starting Pitchers with an EDGE
Yu Darvish vs. Phillies
7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
27% CSW, 12 swinging strikes
Darvish rebounded from a rough outing in his previous start against the Braves by blanking the Phillies for seven innings Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia. The 35-year-old veteran righty wasn’t overpowering, but he managed to limit the Phillies’ lineup to just six baserunners over seven frames. He’ll carry a solid 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 37/11 K/BB ratio across 46 innings (eight starts) into a home matchup Tuesday against the Brewers.
Framber Valdez vs. Rangers
7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
30% CSW, 15 swinging strikes
Valdez surrendered an RBI single to Corey Seager in the opening frame, but managed to silence the Rangers’ lineup over his final six innings of work. He generated 15 swinging strikes and finished with a solid 30 percent CSW. The 28-year-old left-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts this season. He’ll carry a pristine 2.68 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 39/19 K/BB ratio across 47 innings (eight starts) into a favorable home matchup Tuesday against the Guardians.
Zac Gallen vs. Cubs
5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
24% CSW, 6 swinging strikes
Gallen gave up only a pair of hits as a fourth-inning RBI double from Yan Gomes represented the lone tally against him at Wrigley Field in this one. He finished with four strikeouts and also issued three walks. The 26-year-old righty will carry a stellar 1.14 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 39/8 K/BB ratio across 39 1/3 innings (eight starts) into a favorable matchup Tuesday against the Royals.
Hitters with an EDGE
Trevor Story vs. Mariners
4-for-4, 5 R, 3 HR (3, 4, 5), 7 RBI, BB, SB (5)
Finally. Story delivered the long-awaited breakout performance Thursday evening that fantasy managers have been waiting weeks for this season, taking Mariners’ rookie starter George Kirby deep in the second and third innings, respectively, to record his first multi-homer effort since August 30, 2021. He capped off the surreal three-homer outburst with a three-run shot in the eighth inning against lefty reliever Danny Young. The 29-year-old second baseman finished with a season-high four hits and also picked up his fifth stolen base of the season in the Red Sox’ blowout victory. Hopefully this is the type of performance that builds up some positive momentum that he can carry forward for the remainder of the season.
Pete Alonso vs. Cardinals
3-for-4, R, HR (10), 3 RBI, BB, SB (1)
Alonso delivered an epic stat sheet-stuffing performance Thursday afternoon against the Cardinals, finishing with three hits, including a walk-off two-run homer against Giovanny Gallegos in the bottom of the 10th inning. He also picked up his first steal of the season just for good measure. The 27-year-old slugger has been unbelievable this season, hitting .276/.353/.513 with 24 runs scored, 10 homers, 36 RBI and one stolen base in 173 plate appearances.
Luis Robert vs. Royals
3-for-4, R, HR (6), 4 RBI
Robert sparked the White Sox comeback with an RBI single off Carlos Hernández in the third inning before delivering a game-tying RBI single in the sixth inning off reliever Ronald Bolaños. He padded Chicago’s late lead with a pair of insurance runs courtesy of a two-run bomb to left-center field off righty reliever Dylan Coleman in the eighth inning. The 24-year-old elite five-category fantasy contributor is hitting .301/.338/.472 with 21 runs scored, six homers, 17 RBI and six steals across 130 plate appearances.
Giancarlo Stanton vs. Orioles
2-for-3, R, HR (11), 3 RBI, 2 BB
Stanton scalded an RBI single to left field in the opening frame before pulling into a tie for the major league-lead with his 11th round-tripper of the season off Orioles’ lefty Bruce Zimmerman in the fourth inning. The 32-year-old slugger has gone deep nine times in his last 19 game since April 27.
Anthony Santander vs. Yankees
3-for-4, 3 R, HR (7), 3 RBI, BB
Santander finished off a three-hit performance Thursday afternoon with a three-run walk-off homer against Yankees’ lefty reliever Lucas Luetge in the ninth inning. The 27-year-old outfielder has been on a tear recently, leaving the yard four times in his last seven games.
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Closing Time
Taylor Rogers vs. Phillies
1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (15th save)
Rogers recorded the final four outs Thursday afternoon, preserving a two-run victory against the Phillies to record his major league-leading 15th save this season. The 31-year-old southpaw has thrived in his Padres debut, compiling a surreal 0.52 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 20/3 K/BB ratio across 17 1/3 innings. He’s converted 15 of his 16 save opportunities this season.
Liam Hendriks vs. Royals
1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (12th save)
Hendriks hasn’t been as dominant this season as recent years, but he’s still managed to convert 12 of his 15 save opportunities. The 33-year-old righty has been on a bit of a roll lately since overcoming a back issue that was clearly impacting him last month, allowing just three runs in 11 innings (11 appearances) since April 30.
Mark Melancon vs. Cubs
1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (8th save)
Melancon fired a perfect ninth inning Thursday, protecting a two-run lead against the Cubs to record his eighth save of the season. There were some lingering questions regarding his status as Arizona’s primary closer recently, but he looked sharp in this outing, needing just 16 pitches to preserve the victory. The 37-year-old veteran righty has struggled from a run-prevention standpoint this season, but has converted eight of his nine save opportunities.
Tony Santillan vs. Guardians
1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (2nd save)
Santillan recorded the final five outs Thursday afternoon in the Reds’ two-run victory over the Guardians to net his first save since the Reds’ season-opening win over the Braves back on April 7. The 25-year-old righty holds an inflated 5.84 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 15/5 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings this season. He could vulture the occasional save chance while Lucas Sims is out due to injury, but that’s about it.
EDGE Priority Pickup
Nolan Gorman, INF, Cardinals
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol announced Thursday afternoon that top prospect Nolan Gorman will make his major-league debut Friday against the Pirates. The 22-year-old infielder, who is expected to take over as St. Louis’s everyday second baseman moving forward, recorded a stratospheric .308/.367/.677 triple-slash line with 15 round-trippers and three stolen bases across 147 plate appearances this season at Triple-A Memphis. He may face an initial adjustment period in his first exposure to big-league pitching, but offers immediate over-the-fence power potential, which makes him worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy formats.
Friday’s Matchup of the Day
Paul Blackburn (Athletics) vs. Chase Silseth (Athletics) - 9:38 PM ET
Without a true marquee pitching matchup on Friday’s massive slate, fantasy managers should pay close attention to Chase Silseth in his second major-league start against the rebuilding Athletics. The 22-year-old rookie draws Oakland for the second straight outing after tossing six shutout frames last Friday in his big-league debut. He’s a viable streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues in this tasty matchup.
American League Quick Hits: José Ramírez is considered day to day after fouling a ball off his right shin during Thursday’s loss to the Reds. … Michael Wacha (intercostal) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Friday against the Mariners. … Shane Baz (elbow) yielded one run over 2 1/3 innings Thursday in a rehab start for Triple-A Durham. … Chad Green is being evaluated for right forearm discomfort after exiting Thursday’s contest against the Orioles. … Jose Altuve went 4-for-5 with a run scored in the Astros’ victory over the Rangers. … J.D. Martinez went 4-for-5 with a pair of runs scored in the Red Sox’ win over the Mariners. … Tim Anderson went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and also stole two bases in the White Sox’ win over the Royals. … Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and also stole a base in the Yankees’ victory over the Orioles. … Julio Rodríguez went 3-for-5 with a solo homer Thursday in the Mariners’ loss to the Red Sox. … Corey Seager hit an RBI single Thursday in the Rangers’ loss to the Astros. … Hunter Dozier went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI in the Royals’ loss to the White Sox. … Robinson Chirinos belted a two-run homer in the Orioles’ loss to the Yankees. … Amed Rosario singled, walked and also stole a base in the Guardians’ loss at the hands of the Reds. … Tanner Houck recorded a season-high six strikeouts over four scoreless innings to pick up a win in relief against the Mariners. … Cal Quantrill posted five strikeouts and yielded one run over seven innings in a no-decision against the Reds. … Rich Hill was torched for four runs over two innings in a no-decision against the Mariners. … Jordan Montgomery allowed three runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Orioles. … Bruce Zimmerman was lit up for five runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Yankees. … Vince Velasquez allowed four runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Royals. … Carlos Hernández surrendered three runs over three innings in a no-decision against the White Sox. … George Kirby was tagged for five runs over five innings in a loss to the Red Sox. … Glenn Otto allowed two runs over six innings in a loss to the Astros. … Mitch Garver went 0-for-3 with a walk Thursday in his return to the Rangers’ lineup against the Astros. … Matt Manning (shoulder) was removed from a minor league rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Toledo due to illness. ... Tigers signed OF Trayce Thompson to a minor league contract.
National League Quick Hits: Bryce Harper (elbow) remained out of the Phillies’ starting lineup Thursday for the fourth consecutive game. … Starling Marte will be activated from the bereavement list Friday. … Marlins placed right-handed pitching prospect Max Meyer on the minor league injured list with ulnar nerve irritation. … Jean Segura was held out of the Phillies’ lineup Thursday against the - due to a non-COVID illness. … Cardinals placed OF Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement. … Ketel Marte singled and scored a run Thursday in his return to the Diamondbacks’ lineup against the Cubs following a two-game absence due to left hand soreness. … Francisco Lindor reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances and also stole a base in the Mets’ extra-inning victory over the Cardinals … Daulton Varsho launched a solo homer in the Diamondbacks’ narrow win over the Cubs. … Robinson Canó hit a go-ahead RBI single, lifting the Padres to a narrow victory over the Phillies. … Tyler Naquin went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in the Reds’ win over the Guardians. … Juan Yepez went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and Harrison Bader stole a pair of bases in the Cardinals’ extra-inning loss to the Mets. … Rhys Hoskins went 2-for-4 in the Phillies’ shutout loss to the Padres. … Yan Gomes went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the Cubs’ loss to the Diamondbacks. … Tyler Mahle allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Guardians. … Chris Bassitt surrendered four runs over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals. … Dakota Hudson gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Mets. … Kyle Gibson struck out seven batters and allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Padres. … Marcus Stroman was charged with three runs (two earned) over five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks.