2324 - Pitching issues and the solutions

Take 10 with Tim – May 8, 2026 1.Well, the big news of the week was Tarik Skubal needing elbow surgery to remove loose bodies – in other words, bone chips. Provided that’s all there is, the recovery is likely three months. Add two to three more weeks for rehab, and maybe he’s back in September. Brutal blow for fantasy managers to lose their first-round pick. a.What’s the plan if you have Skubal or your team? b.Is this a reminder of the risk of using a first-round pick on a pitcher, or well, everybody gets hurt? c.Pitching injuries throughout the ranks have been tough this season – Skubal, Crochett, and Brown. Arguably, three of the big four will or have already missed considerable time. i.Just a bad year or is the list of elbow and shoulder injuries getting worse? 2.Carlos Rodon returns on Sunday against the Brewers. He was good, during his rehab/spring training, but are you ready to start him right away? 16.0 IP, 16K, 3.38 ERA 3.You commented on Sunday that Emilo Pagan was one of the few closers who was secure. Well, not anymore, as he’s got a hamstring pull and will miss 4 to 8 weeks. a.You’ve been doing the Closer Report for years. Have you ever seen anything like this? b.What’s the strategy for picking up guys and not burning through most of your FAAB? Or, should you just do it? c.Who’s the pickup here? 4.I know Carlos Correa is not what he used to be, but he was owned as middle infielder in a lot of leagues and will miss the rest of the season. Brice Matthews has not posted a high batting average, but has speed and power. Does he now get full-time at-bats and if so, are you in? 36% rostered in Fantrax Leagues. 5.Robby Snelling finally gets the call and starts tonight against the Nationals. I’m sure you’re going to start him, but give me a realistic stat line for his first start? a.Do you think he’s up for good? 6.Sung-Mun Song got the call for the Padres. Is he worth a pickup? 7.Play, Sit, or Drop? 1)Steven Kwan (OF, Cle, 94%) – .211 BA, 1 HR, 2 SB 2)Matt Chapman (3B, SF, 94%) - .234 BA, 1 HR, 0 SB 3)Justin Crawford (OF, Phil, 69%) - .264 BA, 0 HR, 3 SB 4)Ezequiel Tovar (SS, Col, 67%) - .186 BA, 1 HR, 2 SB 5)Alec Bohm (3B, Phi, 62%) - .159 BA, 1 HR, 0 SB 6)Colton Cowser (OF, Bal, 50%) - .179 BA, 0 HR, 0 SB – what happened to him? 7)Cedric Mullins (OF, TB, 35%) - .139 BA, 2 HR, 6 SB – platoon player 8.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB 9.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend’s FAAB?