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I’ve decided to switch things up this week's edition of my starting pitcher waiver wire column. This week’s article will feature pitchers currently on the DL who are expected to return sometime this year, and who I believe can be fantasy assets for pitcher needy squads or teams with open DL slots. I’m a huge proponent of filling your DL slots so if you have some space listen up.
Big disclaimer: If the Baller Move is to “Add in all leagues”, that is only if you have a free DL slot. Do not drop a healthy player contributing for your team for any of these guys. This is all about utilizing your available roster space. Let’s get to it.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for starting pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is updated daily. You can also download our free waiver wire iPhone app.
Shallow Leagues Waiver Wire
Matt Moore (TB, SP)
OWNED IN: 11% of Yahoo leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10 + team leagues
Most seasons I am fading Matt Moore, mainly due to his high walk rate (4.28 BB/9) and lingering arm issues. But most seasons you have to pay for Matt Moore’s services. As Moore has recovered from Tommy John surgery performed last April, fantasy owners have all but forgotten about him.
Moore threw a bullpen session on Friday and is in line for a simulated game on Monday. If all goes well he’s on to extended spring training followed by a rehab assignment. Expectations in Tampa are for a return around mid-to-late June.
Moore was excellent in 2013, going 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 143/76 BB/9 ratio. The walks are definitely concerning, combined with the fact his fastball has dropped every season since 2011. But considering what’s out there in FA in the majority of leagues, he’s worth a gamble to see how he responds from TJ. Available in 89% of leagues, there’s a good chance you can grab a share.
Patrick Corbin (ARI, SP)
OWNED IN: 9% of Yahoo leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10 + team leagues
Corbin is another pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery, but his timetable is clearer than others. General Manager Dave Stewart stated the target date is June 4th, and Corbin has done nothing to this moment to dissuade that prediction. He showed solid command in his latest extended spring training game, with the fastball ranging from 92-95 mph.
Corbin was effective in 2013, posting a 14-8 record with a 3.41 WHIP, 1.18 WHIP, and a 178/54 BB/9 ratio. Corbin is a huge proponent of the slider and had a Pitchf/x value of 10.0, which is outstanding. His low walk rate throughout the minors leads me to believe the 2.25 BB/9 rate is sustainable, so I’m buying Corbin shares.
The key with Corbin is to not get overly excited or expect a high return. The team is going to stretch him out the first couple outings and may even limit him more, considering they are not in contention and have no reason to put meaningless innings on his healing arm. I’m still taking the gamble and he’s available in 91% of leagues.
Deeper Leagues Waiver Wire
Kevin Gausman (BAL, SP/RP)
OWNED IN: 8% of Yahoo leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12 + team leagues
The Gasman got great news on his MRI for shoulder tendinitis revealing no tears and is scheduled to throw in a simulated game May 27th. Next step would be a trip to Triple-A Norfolk to get stretched out as a starter.
The team thinks it will help to get Gausman on a regular schedule with his arm and as a fantasy owner that is music to your ears. He’s been lingering in a middle-relief role all season but has the arsenal to contribute to a major league rotation. He’s begun incorporating a curveball and as Jeff Zimmerman of FanGraphs uncovered he has been trying to elevate his heater more often.
The results haven’t been positive so far, and it’s hard to tell whether Gausman knows where some of his pitches are going at times. It will be key to keep an eye on his rehab outings. If he can demonstrate the ability to locate his fastball and curve he is going to force the Orioles hand on the rotation as they contend for the playoffs. The obvious candidate is Bud Norris (9.88 ERA) and if the move does occur Gausman should be grabbed in deep leagues as a regular SP and in shallow leagues for streaming.
Charlie Morton (PIT, SP)
OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12 + team leagues
Morton has been making his way back from a torn labrum in his right hip and pitched well in his rehab outing, going seven innings with one earned run and 11 hits. The team wants him to complete one more rehab outing on Tuesday before rejoining the team for either Vance Worley or Jeff Locke.
Morton spent the offseason adjusting his mechanics, working to keep his front side closed longer and avoid his arm from “swimming”. Morton has been useful before for fantasy owners, including 2013 when he posted a 3.26 ERA. I value Morton more as a streaming option than a regular SP, but if you play in deep leagues with a scarcity at pitching he’s a good player to stash. Available in 99% of leagues, that number should increase once Pittsburgh sets a date for his return which should be sometime next week.
Brandon Beachy (LAD, SP)
OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo leagues
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14 + team leagues
Coming back from Tommy John surgery is tough but doable; according to a 2014 study 87% are able to return to baseball. Recovering from a second TJ operation is extremely hard; only 65.5% were able to return but the evidence shows they were not as effective or able to pitch as long.
That’s where we find Brandon Beachy. Beachy hasn’t pitched in a MLB game since 2013 with Atlanta as he’s recovered from his second TJ but did face live batters on Saturday in two innings of extended spring training and said he felt fine afterwards. Beachy has worked to alter his delivery to reduce the stress on his pitching elbow, although it remains to be seen how that will affect his performance versus MLB batters.
You may recall Beachy’s dominating first half of 2012, where he completed 81.0 innings with a 2.00 ERA, 68 K, a .170 AVG, and a .259 SLG against. His slider was a huge proponent of his success but may have also been a key to his arm issues.
Beachy isn’t expected to return until around the All-Star Break, but considering the injury woes affecting the Dodger rotation it wouldn’t shock me to see Beachy thrown into the fire for a team in contention. He’s worth an add in deep leagues and NL-only squads.
Other Pitchers Previously Highlighted to Consider
Mike Leake (CIN, SP / 63%); Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL, SP / 60%); Noah Syndergaard (NYM, SP / 60%); James Paxton (SEA, SP / 50%); Wily Peralta (MIL , SP / 43%); Jesse Chavez (OAK, SP / 38%); Chase Anderson (ARI, SP / 16%)
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