Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers Report (Week 23): Waiver Wire Pickups, Streamers, Injury Updates & More

Marcus Stroman logged his third consecutive quality start and collected his ninth win of the season in Saturday’s game. Stroman is now in the top 20 of FantasyPros’s Value Based Pitcher Rankings despite generating most of his success with contact. Part of his success can be credited to his… do-rag?

Yep. One Shakeia Taylor has covered this topic and he pitched with his orange do-rag on in his latest victory. It was only his second start donning orange, but the Stroman and the New York Mets are 2-0 in those outings. Give Taylor’s piece a read and enjoy a fun look at baseball and black culture.

Waiver Wire/Streamers

Chris Flexen — Seattle Mariners

Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 59%

After his win in Oakland on August 24, Flexen has now logged four quality starts in his last five outings and lines up as a two-start pitcher this week. He would face Houston at home (2.70 home ERA) and on the road at Arizona.

Austin Gomber — Colorado Rockies

Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 31%

The 13 runs over 14 innings isn’t a way to be successful in the majors. Gomber had his worst three-game stretch of 2021 over his last three starts but gets a road start against Texas this week. He also lines up to face Atlanta at home, so it is best to roster him for one start this week.

James Kaprielian — Oakland Athletics

Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 59%

Kaprielian has been one of many pitchers torched by the New York Yankees offense during their winning streak. Forget the start and add him for his road outing against the Tigers.

Kwang Hyun Kim — St. Louis Cardinals

Yahoo: 36%, ESPN: 17%

In his return from the IL with elbow inflammation, Kim threw out of the bullpen. Jack Flaherty just landed on the IL and Kim is the likely candidate to take his spot. Kim has had two blow-up outings since June 24 and, while not spectacular, is consistent.

Reynaldo Lopez — Chicago White Sox

Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 8%

Dallas Keuchel has been brutal as Chicago’s fifth starter and Lopez has been there to pick up the pieces as recently as August 27 when he threw five perfect innings of relief. I expect the White Sox to give their starters extra rest as the regular season winds down, and Lopez is the most likely candidate to get those spot starts. Attach yourself to pitchers on good teams.

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Injuries 

Noah Syndergaard was expected to make a rehab start August 29, but was scratched because of a positive COVID-19 test. Syndergaard is vaccinated.

Ian Anderson (shoulder) was activated from the IL on August 29.

Matthew Boyd was activated from the 60-day IL on August 29 and will start for the Tigers going forward.

Pablo Lopez returned from his rehab assignment, as the Marlins are being careful with his return from a rotator cuff strain.

Zach Eflin was scratched from his August 26 start with more knee issues. He was on the 10-day IL with patellar tendinitis. He also has COVID-19 and isn’t expected to throw while missing the mandatory 10 days.

Kevin Gausman has been dealing with hip discomfort since April.

Cardinals pitcher Dakota Hudson (Tommy John surgery) is heading on a rehab assignment.

Kenta Maeda will undergo elbow surgery. It is unknown if he will need Tommy John surgery until he goes under the knife.

Jose Urena has returned to the Tigers and made a piggyback start after missing six weeks with a groin strain.

The Cardinals are at risk of not having Carlos Martinez or Wade LeBlanc return this season.

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Two-Start Pitchers 

This is a projected list. Starts are subject to change and not all starters have been named.

Jon Lester (STL) — at CIN, at MIL

Luis Castillo (CIN) — vs STL, vs DET

Zack Wheeler (PHI) — at WSH, at MIA

Casey Mize (DET) — vs MIN, at CIN

Matt Manning (DET) — vs OAK, at CIN

Josiah Gray and Patrick Corbin (WSH) — vs PHI, vs NYM

Chris Ellis (BAL) — at TOR, at NYY

Robbie Ray (TOR) — vs BAL, vs OAK

Luis Patino (TB) — vs BOS, vs MIN

Corey Kluber (NYY) — at LAA, vs BAL

I have doubts Kluber makes two starts this week after a lengthy layoff due to injury.

Chris Paddack (SD) — at ARI, vs HOU

Tyler Gilbert (ARI) — vs SD, vs SEA

Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff (MIL) — at SF, vs STL

Drew Smyly and Charlie Morton (ATL) — at LAD, at COL

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