Grab Yimi Garcia as a source of saves

Tristan H. Cockcroft

Jun 3, 2024, 12:29 PM ET

One of the tenets of the “don’t pay for saves” strategy is that you should always scoop up high-level, prospective saves anytime they appear.

With the Toronto Blue Jays having just placed closer Jordan Romano — the No. 7 pure relief pitcher selected on average in ESPN leagues in the preseason — on the IL, an opportunity has opened for one of the best performing right-handed relievers. Yimi Garcia (still 8.2% available), whose 1.57 ERA, 2.23 FIP and 12 saves-plus-holds for the season rank among the top-25 relievers, picked up the save on Sunday and should get the majority of chances over Romano’s absence.

Garcia’s success extends back a full year. Since this date in 2023, he has posted a 2.38 ERA, an 0.95 WHIP and a 30.6% strikeout rate, all of those ranking among the top-18 qualified relievers during that time. That coincides with his having made a key adjustment with his glove positioning, perhaps eliminating any prospect of his having tipped his pitches up until that point. Additionally, Garcia has been more aggressive early in counts, with his 67.5% first-pitch strike rate this season being his best in any of his nine MLB seasons. Meanwhile, his four-seam fastball (96.7 mph) and sinker (95.9) are both exhibiting their highest velocity in any of those years.

What’s important to note in this scenario is that this is Romano’s second trip to the IL for right elbow inflammation — he also began the year on the IL — and third overall since last year’s All-Star break. While an MRI revealed no structural damage to said elbow, giving the Blue Jays the hope that Romano can return after a minimum absence, a recurrence of the injury heightens the concern for the rest of 2024. Garcia has pitched effectively enough that he’s now critical insurance for Romano’s managers, and he’s a prospective top-15 fantasy closer for as long as he fills in.

Deeper-league adds

Connor Norby, 2B/OF, Baltimore Orioles (0.2% rostered): With usual second baseman Jorge Mateo in the league’s concussion protocol after having been hit in the head with a bat on Sunday while in the on-deck circle, the Orioles are reportedly recalling Norby on Monday. It’s unclear as to whether this is an injury-related move or more of a signal that it’s Norby’s time to shine as the team’s starting second baseman, but his overwhelming talent makes him well worth a speculative add in any league larger than standard (and perhaps even in those as well).

Norby has hit .293/.365/.501 with 34 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 198 career games for Triple-A Norfolk, spanning the final week of 2022 and the entirety of the last two seasons. He should fill all five traditional rotisserie categories while probably delivering comparable value in points leagues due to his extra-base ability. If his promotion is tied to Mateo’s injury, it’s possible that will provide Norby enough time to prove himself capable of handling the role for the remainder of 2024.

Miguel Andujar, OF, Oakland Athletics (11.2%): Remember this runner-up to Shohei Ohtani in the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year balloting following a .297/.328/.527, 27-HR campaign with the New York Yankees? Andujar has struggled mightily with injuries and inconsistency since but, given a fresh start with the rebuilding Athletics, he appears to be finally recapturing his past stroke.

Andujar has hit .394/.382/.636 — yes, a hitter can have a lower OBP than his batting average, if he never walks and hits a sacrifice fly — which has quickly elevated him to the team’s cleanup spot, and then the No. 2 hole for the last two days. He has long been known for his contact, he’s capable of delivering elite exit velocities and, if he can merely get some loft in his swing, he could be a .270/25 HR producer over a full 162 games. With the level of opportunity the Athletics are expected to give him, he’s worth an add.

Two-start pitcher to add

Triston McKenzie, SP, Cleveland Guardians (21.2%): After the Guardians brought Carlos Carrasco back from the IL on Sunday, McKenzie was pushed back to Tuesday’s game, aligning him for a week of solid matchups — first against the Kansas City Royals at home and then on the road against the Miami Marlins. McKenzie has been wild this year, with an MLB-leading 34 walks, but he has also had his share of success when facing weaker offenses in 2024.

He’s coming off a season-best nine strikeouts (occurring at Coors Field, of all places) and he’ll now face a Royals offense that the Forecaster grades an above-average matchup, and a Marlins offense that it grades a top-five matchup. If your league utilizes weekly transactions, add McKenzie for these outings.