Tyler Mahle Set For Long-Relief Role
4 years agoCincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that starting pitcher Tyler Mahle will be set up as a piggyback or long-relief option in the back end of the starting rotation. Pitchers Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani make up the five-man rotation, so Mahle will begin the 2020 season as the odd man out for now. The 25-year-old right-hander had a 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 in 25 starts (129 2/3 innings) for the Reds last year. He wasn't much better in 23 starts in 2018, posting a 4.98 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 112 frames. Mahle only has minimal DFS and NL-only value if he's making starts at some point, but even then there are likely better options to choose from.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans