What we learned in MLB this week: The Rays are for real
The Rays are too good to be ignored, the Twins can finally pitch and the Brewers are experiencing a youth movement. Here's what we learned a...APRIL 13, 2023
Victor Robles is off to a hot start. Can he keep it up?"I’ve been more patient and wait for my pitch and just make sure I don’t miss it,” Robles said.
APRIL 13, 2023•WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Jake Alu - Joins up with RochesterAlu (hamstring) joined up Thursday with Triple-A Rochester following a rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactAlu began the season on Rochester's injured list, but he is good to go now following a four-game stint with High-A Wilmington. The 26-year-old had a strong showing in the upper minors last summer, batting .299/.365/.506 with 20 home runs, 81 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 81 runs scored in 132 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
APRIL 13, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Brett Phillips - Swipes two bags against NatsPhillips went 0-for-1 with two walks, a run scored, an RBI and two solen bases in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals.
ImpactGetting his first start of the season in center field and hitting ninth, Phillips scored the game's first run by stealing second and third base in the third inning and coming home on a throwing error by Washington catcher Keibert Ruiz. The pilfers were his first of the year, and they came before his first hit. Phillips' speed can be an asset, but he'll need an injury ahead of him in the Angels' outfield to get enough playing time to be useful even in deep fantasy formats.
APRIL 13, 2023•ROTOWIRE
José Quijada - Collects second saveQuijada struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.
ImpactThe southpaw needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to breeze through the heart of Washington's order. Quijada is the surprising saves leader for the Angels in the early going, but he's also tied for the lead in holds with three. While he might be the most reliable arm in the team's bullpen, Quijada's more likely to be deployed in a situational high-leverage role than be the full-time closer.
APRIL 13, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Griffin Canning - Solid showing in return to moundCanning didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.
ImpactThe right-hander missed all of last season due to a stress fracture in his back and was making his first big-league start since July 2021, but Canning showed no signs of rust as he produced 15 swinging strikes among his 69 pitches, firing 49 strikes in total. The Angels are likely to ease Canning back in slowly and could keep him in a sixth starter role that results in somewhat sporadic playing time, but with Jose Suarez struggling out of the gate, it's also possible the team will decide to see if Canning is ready to take the mound every fifth day or so.
APRIL 13, 2023•ROTOWIRE
MacKenzie Gore - Runs up pitch count against HalosGore didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.
ImpactThe strikeouts were impressive, but the southpaw needed 88 pitches to record his 11 outs, and he got the hook after walking in Hunter Renfroe with two outs in the fourth inning. Gore's line would have looked a lot worse had Mason Thompson not bailed him out by getting Taylor Ward to ground out with the bases loaded to end the frame. Gore sports a 3.00 ERA and 18:10 K:BB through three starts and 15 innings, but he'll need to sharpen his control if he's going to maintain palatable ratios. His next trip to the mound is likely to come next week at home against the Orioles.
APRIL 13, 2023•ROTOWIRE
