Justin

Masterson

Masterson is doing missionary work. The 33-year-old is an eight-year veteran but hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2015. Masterson will retire with a career 4.31 ERA and one All-Star Game appearance.

His downfall was the long-ball, as he gave up three homers, including two to David Murphy. Masterson isn’t the same pitcher that dominated the league through July. He had an OK 4.00 ERA but has been blown up for 14 runs over three September starts. Luckily, he has a very nice matchup on tap with the Twins in Minnesota on Sunday.

Masterson entered September with a 2.83 ERA but has watched that mark rise to 3.21 over his last five starts, so he might be wearing down. Despite the struggles at the end of the season, Masterson has had a terrific year, boasting a 1.28 WHIP and 158/65 K/BB ratio over 216 innings to go along with that 3.21 ERA. He’ll enter the 2012 season as the co-No. 1 starter alongside Ubaldo Jimenez.

Masterson is not closing the season on a strong note, allowing at least four runs in four of his five September starts (he allowed three in the other). After entering the month with a 2.83 ERA, it now rests at 3.21. He should start Cleveland’s season finale against the Tigers on Wednesday.

Masterson was horrendous in his first start of the spring, but he’s been fantastic since, allowing only one run over his last seven frames while sporting an 8/1 K/BB ratio. The righty struggled to a 5.40 ERA last spring before going on to post a 3.21 mark during his breakout regular-season campaign.

He struck out five, but also walked five hitters in the game. Masterson surrendered single runs in the first and fourth innings, but settled in nicely after that and kept the Indians in the game. He improves his ERA to 5.40 with the strong effort, and will look to keep things rolling when he takes on the Rangers next time out.

It was either going to be him or Ubaldo Jimenez, and manager Manny Acta has decided to go with the guy that’s been with the organization longer and who pitched much better last season. Masterson faded down the stretch in 2011, but he still wound up with a 3.21 ERA and 158/65 K/BB ratio over 216 innings. The 26-year-old should be in line for another nice year in Cleveland.

Masterson struck out four, walked one and served up a solo home run to Will Middlebrooks in his first non-quality start in four outings. The off afternoon balloons his 4.89 ERA to 5.40, while he’s now sporting a 1.53 WHIP and 33/26 K/BB ratio. Getting absolutely crushed by left-handed hitting, Masterson shouldn’t be considered a safe mixed-league option for the foreseeable future. He’ll get the Marlins at home on Friday.

The good news is, all five hits were singles. Masterson struggled to a 5.40 ERA last spring before going on to post a 3.21 mark during his breakout regular-season campaign.

Masterson actually began throwing earlier this offseason than he has in the past, so the surgery will have no impact on his preparation for the new season. The 26-year-old right-hander posted a 3.21 ERA and 158/65 K/BB ratio over 216 innings last season and should remain a valuable starter in mixed fantasy leagues.