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Padres Acquire Rosenthal

Trevor Rosenthal

Trevor Rosenthal

Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Few teams made a bigger offseason investment in their bullpen than the Padres, spending big in terms of dollars and trade pieces to acquire Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagan. And yet, San Diego’s bullpen ERA was 5.35 coming into Saturday, the seventh worst in MLB.

To help fix their bullpen issues, the Padres made a big splash on Saturday by acquiring Royals closer Trevor Rosenthal from the Royals for outfielder Edward Olivares and a player to be named later.

After failing to find the strike zone in his return from Tommy John surgery last year, Rosenthal has seen a resurgence in 2020. He has a whopping 21 strikeouts in 13.2 innings with a 3.29 ERA over 14 appearances. The control has remained somewhat shaky, but with only seven walks, nowhere close to the problems that he experienced last season.[[ad:athena]]

With Kirby Yates out for the year, the Padres have had a fire drill at closer between Pomeranz, Pagan, and even Cal Quantrill. Rosenthal certainly adds to the equation now, and his long history of closing between the Cardinals and Royals could put him at the head of the pack as his new team’s closer.

The Royals get a promising outfielder in Olivares, who hit .283-18-77 with 35 steals in 551 plate appearances at Double-A Amarillo last year and caused a buzz at Summer Camp. Olivares might get an opportunity over the final month, and they also have the horses to replace Rosenthal at closer. Though, it remains to be seen who or even if manager Mike Matheny will give priority to in save situations. Among the options are Scott Barlow, Josh Staumont, and the experienced Greg Holland, also a trade candidate.

Tucker Worth the Wait

Over the last two years, few prospects have been more frustrating for fantasy managers than Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. The former first-round pick in the amateur draft has shown all he can at Triple-A, hitting .297/.375/.571 with 58 home runs and 50 stolen bases in just under 1,000 plate appearances, yet his opportunities at the major league level were few and far between prior to this season.

That’s finally changed in 2020, and the results could hardly be more fruitful. He powered the Astros to two wins over the rival A’s in Saturday’s doubleheader, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in the first game and 1-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in the second contest.

Tucker now has 18 extra-base hits this season, along with six home runs, 29 RBI, 26 runs and four stolen bases as the true counting stat fiend we’d waited for based on his minor league numbers. If you’re projecting over a normal 162-game season, Tucker is nearly on pace for the 30/30 benchmark many have projected for his ceiling.

He’s also settled into the middle of the batting over the last week, hitting fourth or fifth in seven consecutive games. That gives Tucker a great opportunity to continue stacking up his RBI numbers, especially if George Springer and Jose Altuve start hitting like they’re capable.

Looking ahead to 2021, another strong month and playoff showing from Tucker could make him an early-round draft choice, as high as the second round.

Editor’s Note: Unlock our daily, weekly and rest-of-season projections, all-new weekly positional tiers, Lineup Adviser, Trade Analyzer, Player Tracker and much more! Get our in-season tools for as low as $3.99/month!

Going Twice…

Notes: The list below is two-start pitchers for the week beginning August 31. Probable pitchers are as of Saturday, August 29, and subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Shane Bieber: @KC, MIL

Lucas Giolito: @MIN, @KC

Gerrit Cole: TB, @BAL

Tyler Glasnow: @NYY, MIA

Dallas Keuchel: @MIN, @KC

Decent Plays

Masahiro Tanaka: TB, @BAL

Brad Keller: CLE, CHW

Cristian Javier: TEX, @LAA

Marco Gonzales: @LAA, TEX

Rich Hill: CHW, DET

Chase Anderson: BAL, @BOS

Jakob Junis: CLE, CHW

At Your Own Risk

Sean Manaea: @SEA, SD

Anthony Kay: @MIA, @BOS

Tommy Milone: @TOR, NYY

Julio Teheran: SEA, HOU

Jordan Lyles: @HOU, @SEA

Michael Fulmer: @MIL, @MIN

Asher Wojciechowski: NYM, NYY

Colten Brewer: ATL, TOR

National League

Strong Plays

Jacob deGrom: MIA, PHI

Max Fried: @BOS, WAS

Sonny Gray: STL, @PIT

Patrick Corbin: @PHI, @ATL

Decent Plays

Kwang-Hyun Kim: @CIN, @CHC

Jon Lester: @PIT, STL

Ian Anderson: @BOS, WAS

Julio Urias: ARI, COL

Dakota Hudson: @CIN, @CHC

Anthony DeSclafani: STL, @PIT

Chad Kuhl: CHC, CIN

Erick Fedde: @PHI, @ATL

German Marquez: SD, @LAD

At Your Own Risk

Trevor Williams: @MIL, CIN

Robbie Ray: @LAD, @SF

American League Quick Hits: Yankees top prospect Deivi Garcia is being recalled to start one game of the team’s doubleheader today… DJ LeMahieu was also activated from the IL by the Yankees on Saturday, and Miguel Andujar was optioned in a corresponding move… Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the Padres are interested in Lance Lynn… Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports the Toronto has asked the Angels about Andrelton Simmons… Morosi also reports that the Braves and White Sox are interested in Dylan BundyKen Giles (arm) threw a side session at 80-85 percent effort on Friday… Gio Urshela (elbow) could return on Sunday… Jake Odorizzi (chest) has been playing catch and could throw a bullpen session next week… Marcus Semien was a late scratch for the A’s on Saturday… Eddie Rosario was pulled from the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader with ankle soreness… Ian Kennedy left his appearance with a calf injury… The Angels recalled Luis Rengifo and Ryan Buchter, and placed Hoby Milner on the 10-day IL… Yoan Moncada is considered day-to-day with a leg injury… Matt Shoemaker (lat) is set to begin a throwing program today… Jordan Romano will miss 2-4 weeks with numbness in his right middle finger… Nathan Eovaldi was placed on the 10-day IL with a right calf strain, though the injury isn’t considered serious… Baltimore recalled Evan Phillips and placed Shawn Armstrong on the 10-day IL with back soreness… Jorge Lopez will start for the O’s today… Jalen Beeks will undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday… The Rays placed Mike Zunino on the 10-day IL with a left oblique injury and recalled Kevan Smith to replace him. Michael Perez is serving as the Rays primary catcher for now… Ryan Yarbrough was placed on the 10-day IL with a groin injury after leaving Friday’s start… Houston recalled prospect pitcher Luis Garcia and optioned Chase De Jong to their alternate training site… Aaron Bummer (biceps) and Carlos Rodon (shoulder) are both making progress for the White Sox… Aledmys Diaz was activated from the 10-day IL by Houston.

Jo Adell finally showed up for the Angels, hitting the first two home runs of his career… Dylan Bundy might have thrown the final game of his career in an Angels uniform considering the trade rumors. If so, he went out in nice fashion, allowing one run on four hits in 5.1 innings vs. Seattle… Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI vs. Washington… Matt Barnes converted his third save of the year for Boston. He’s the clear closer the rest of the way if the team doesn’t trade him before Monday’s deadline… Ryan Pressly converted both saves in Houston’s doubleheader… The Rangers recalled Ronald Guzman on Friday, and he made the most of his first start, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three runs scored. Guzman could potentially earn more playing time down the stretch as the Rangers see what they have for 2021… Leody Taveras is in a similar situation as Guzman, and hit his first home run… Lance Lynn took his first loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in six innings against a great Dodgers lineup… Taijuan Walker shined in his Blue Jays debut, shutting out the Orioles over six innings… Josh Fleming continues to impress for the Rays, holding Miami scoreless over 5.1 innings with six strikeouts… Nelson Cruz homered in both games of Minnesota’s doubleheader… Jeimer Candelario went 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI in the second game of Detroit’s doubleheader… Tarik Skubal picked up his first MLB, holding the Twins to two runs on three hits in five innings… Someone finally got to Randy Dobnak, and it was the Tigers lineup. He allowed six runs on 12 hits in 4.1 innings… Matthew Boyd got on track against Minnesota, allowing two runs (one earned) in six innings with six strikeouts… Tim Anderson went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run in a losing effort vs. KC… Ryan McBroom hit his second pinch-hit home run of the week. He’s giving Mike Matheny reason to give him more playing time, but it remains to be seen if it will happen… Alex Gordon went 3-for-4 with his fourth home run of the year… Jesse Hahn converted the save for the Royals with two strikeouts, though it remains to be seen if he’s going to be a consistent part of the saves picture now that Trevor Rosenthal is gone… Carlos Carrasco threw six scoreless innings with six strikeouts at St. Louis, lowering his ERA to 3.75.

National League Quick Hits: Justin Turner (hamstring) is feeling better but won’t play this weekend… Gavin Lux was recalled by the Dodgers, though it’s unclear how much the top second base prospect will play. He did get the start on Saturday… Sandy Alcantara is set to make his return from COVID-19 for the Marlins today… Already demoted to the bullpen, Steven Matz is now headed for the IL due to shoulder discomfort… The Nats transferred Starlin Castro (wrist) to the 45-day IL. He still hopes to return in mid-September… Daniel Ponce de Leon was optioned by the Cardinals after struggling in his start on Friday… Jesse Biddle was placed on the 10-day IL by Cincinnati with a shoulder injury… Ryan Braun was scratched due to tightness in his lower back… Washington signed Brock Holt to a one-year contract. He was released by Milwaukee last week… Chi Chi Gonzalez was activated from the IL by Colorado. He’s expected to work out of the pen for now… David Robertson has been shut down from throwing for six weeks… Kyle Crick was activated from the 10-day IL by Pittsburgh. He could figure into their closer picture at some point… The Padres placed Adrian Morejon on the 10-day IL. Drew Pomeranz was also activated from the 10-day IL, though the acquisition of Trevor Rosenthal likely puts Pomeranz back in a setup role… Robert Dugger was activated from the IL by Miami, and Josh D. Smith was designated for assignment… Jesus Aguilar didn’t play on Saturday due to back stiffness… Genesis Cabrera left his appearance for the Cards on Saturday with a cracked fingernail.

Any thought that Craig Kimbrel was out of his slump was put to bed when he blew a save to the Reds on Saturday, walking three batters and allowing the walkoff run on a wild pitch… It continues to be Jesse Winker’s world, as he launched his 10th home run in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. He now has four home runs in his last five games… Joey Votto showed signs of breaking out of his slump, going 2-for-4 in the first game of the doubleheader and hitting his fourth home run in the second game… Could Ian Happ retain the leadoff spot when Kris Bryant returns? He’s making his case, hitting his seventh home run in the second game of the doubleheader… Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of home runs in the first game of the doubleheader… Tyler Rogers converted the second save of his season for the Giants, while he was setup by Trevor Gott and Tony Watson, in that order. It remains to be seen if Gabe Kapler will go with Rogers in the Giants next save opportunity… Luke Weaver was able to miss some bats, but he still struggled against the Giants, allowing four runs on eight hits in three innings despite his six strikeouts… Antonio Senzatela didn’t get a win, but he threw seven scoreless innings at Coors Field against the Padres. The right-hander has shown success due to his great control, with only seven walks in 43.1 innings this season… Trea Turner went 5-for-5 with a run scored. He’s now hitting .350, albeit with only three steals on seven attempts… Christian Yelich hit his eighth home run of the year, going 2-for-4, as he tries to get on track… Josh Hader didn’t have a great day, recording only one out and allowed two earned runs due to five walks for his first blown save… Hader was bailed out by Eric Sogard’s two-run home run off of Pirates closer Richard RodriguezMax Muncy had a big game for the Dodgers, going 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI, and two runs scored… Josh Bell’s second half slump from last year has continued into 2020, but he did go 2-for-3 with his third home run and two RBI… Pablo Lopez’s ERA increased to 2.10 after allowing two runs in seven innings vs. Tampa Bay. He fanned five batters and didn’t walk anyone… Yu Darvish dominated the Reds, throwing six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts… Zach Eflin was terrific vs. Atlanta, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings. He also fanned eight batters… Rhys Hoskins launched his fourth home run of the year, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. He has three home runs since last Sunday… Wilson Ramos showed signs of life, going 2-for-3 with the second home run of his season.