Fantasy News

• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Another rough outing Friday

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2024

  Gausman (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Rockies, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out four. While it was encouraging to see Gausman's average fastball velocity back up to 93.9 mph, his results didn't improve -- the right-hander's now allowed 11 earned runs over just five innings between his last two starts. After a shoulder injury limited him in spring training, Gausman's struggled to an 11.57 ERA with a 1.93 WHIP through his first three starts (9.1 innings) this season. He'll look to get on track in his next outing, though he's currently lined up for a tough home matchup against the Yankees.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Not worried about velocity dip

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Gausman averaged 91.4 mph with his fastball during Saturday's loss to the Yankees, but the veteran right-hander isn't concerned, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Gausman averaged 94.7 mph with his heater in 2023, but his velocity was also down significantly in an early April start last year in Kansas City, and it didn't end up being any kind of warning sign as he went on to post a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent strikeout rate over 185 innings. "That's kind of the running joke, I'm 88 to 98," Gausman said after Saturday's game. "[Hitters] don't know what they're going to get. I don't know what I'm going to get, either. I think it was just cold weather more than anything. My first two innings, if you're going to get to me, that's when you're going to get to me. Unfortunately, that was obviously the case tonight." Gausman lines up to make his next start at home this weekend in a much more favorable matchup against the Rockies.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Roughed up early

  Rotowire Apr 7, 2024

  Gausman took the loss against the Yankees on Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and two walks over 1.1 innings. Gausman had a start he'd like to forget Saturday, allowing three runs in the first inning and another three (two earned) in the second before being relieved by Mitch White. The right-hander failed to even record a strikeout over that short span while the disastrous outing raised his ERA from 2.08 to 9.53. Gausman has now allowed three home runs over just 5.2 innings of work this season.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Looks strong in season debut

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Gausman did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on two hits in 4.1 innings against the Rays. He struck out six. Gausman looked sharp in his debut, allowing only three baserunners while striking out six, but was on a pitch count and was pulled with one out in the fifth after 69 pitches. The only blemish to Gausman's line came on a first-inning home run by Randy Arozarena. Gausman was an All-Star selection for the second time last season, leading the league with 237 strikeouts and finishing third in AL Cy Young voting. Despite the abbreviated outing, Gausman showed similar form in Sunday's start. The veteran righty will look to stretch out further in his next start, tentatively slated for next weekend in the Bronx against the Yankees.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Starting Sunday against Rays

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Gausman will start Sunday's game against the Rays in Tampa Bay, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. The Blue Jays were debating whether to start Gausman or Bowden Francis on Sunday. Gausman convinced the team that he is good to go by fanning seven over three-plus innings in a Grapefruit League game Monday, then completing a bullpen session Friday. That means Francis will move back to Monday's series opener in Houston. A bout of shoulder fatigue disrupted Gausman's spring training, but he progressed quickly enough to avoid the injured list to open 2024, and it looks like he will have a full first half to make his case for a third All-Star selection in four years.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Lined up for Sunday or Monday

  Rotowire Mar 27, 2024

  Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Gausman (shoulder) will make his season debut either Sunday in Tampa Bay or Monday in Houston, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports. Gausman looked terrific in his one and only Grapefruit League outing Monday and will be able to avoid the injured list following a bout with shoulder fatigue. Signs had pointed to him making his season debut Monday, and while that could still happen, Sunday is evidently on the table, as well. Bowden Francis would get the ball on whichever of those days Gausman does not start.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Looks sharp in spring debut

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) struck out seven and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over three-plus innings Monday in his Grapefruit League start against the Pirates. After he experienced shoulder fatigue earlier this month and had his throwing progression slowed as a result, Gausman was finally cleared to make his spring debut in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League finale. The right-hander seemed to quell any concerns about his readiness for the start of the regular season, as he built up to 52 pitches and induced eight swinging strikes while sporting a fastball that sat at around 95 miles per hour, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. Unless Gausman reports renewed discomfort in his shoulder coming out of Monday's start, he should avoid a stint on the injured list and will likely take the bump for Toronto when a fifth starter is first needed April 1 in Houston. Gausman is likely to be limited to around 65-to-70 pitches in that outing, but he may still be worth including in fantasy lineups since he would tentatively line up for a two-start week, with the second turn coming April 7 on the road versus the Yankees.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Starting Monday, hopes to avoid IL

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) will start the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League finale Monday versus the Pirates and expects to throw around three innings or 55 pitches, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. Gausman will be making his spring debut Monday after he received the green light to start following a successful side session Saturday. Though the veteran right-hander still won't be fully built up even if Monday's outing goes smoothly, the Blue Jays are optimistic that it will be enough for him to avoid a stint on the 15-day injured list to open the season. Manager John Schneider has already confirmed Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi as the starters for the Blue Jays' first three games of the team's season-opening series with the Rays that begins Thursday, while Bowden Francis tentatively lines up to take the hill for Sunday's series finale. That would position Gausman to start the Blue Jays' fifth game of the season, an April 1 road matchup with the Astros. Davidi speculates that he would likely be in line for 65-to-70 pitches in Houston, targeting a more typical starter's workload by his third start of the season.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Could avoid IL stint

  Rotowire Mar 21, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) is expected to throw 60-to-65 pitches in Monday's Grapefruit League finale against the Pirates, which might be enough to convince the Blue Jays he doesn't need to begin the regular season on the injured list, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports. Since Gausman reported arm fatigue earlier in the spring, the assumption has been that he would miss the beginning of the season, but the veteran right-hander said his arm felt fine after throwing two innings in a simulated game Wednesday. If he works up to 60-plus pitches Monday, the team may decide to include him in the initial rotation, albeit on a restricted pitch count for his first couple trips to the mound. The other option would be a brief IL stint while he continues to build up in extended spring training. Gausman admitted Wednesday he'd prefer to toss at least 75 pitches in an outing before making his first regular-season start, and the Jays have every incentive to be cautious with their ace, so a slightly delayed start to his campaign is still more likely. If he misses only one turn, he could make his season debut March 3 in Houston, but a home start March 9 against the Mariners might be a more plausible timeline.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Completes sim game

  Rotowire Mar 20, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) felt good after a 36-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.careports. The right-hander continues to ramp up his workload after a bout of shoulder fatigue slowed him down in early March. The next step for Gausman is to get into a game, with the goal being to progress to 60-to-65 pitches across three innings early next week. The 33-year-old won't be ready for Opening Day, but at this rate he should be able to join Toronto's rotation within the first couple weeks of the season.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Simulated game set for Wednesday

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) will throw a two-inning simulated game Wednesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports. Gausman is continuing his ramp-up progression as he works his way back from right shoulder fatigue. The veteran hurler will not be ready for Opening Day, an assignment that will now fall to Jose Berrios. Gausman could be ready for his season debut around mid-April.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Unlikely for Opening Day

  Rotowire Mar 15, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) is unlikely to be available for Opening Day, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Gausman has made nice progress since experiencing some right shoulder fatigue, but the Blue Jays just don't want to push him to be ready for Opening Day. The right-hander will throw one inning of live batting practice Friday and continue to build up from there. Regarding the pace of Gausman's buildup, manager John Schneider said Friday that "if that means 30 starts as opposed to 32, we'll be pretty happy with that." That would seem to indicate a rough timeline of mid-April for Gausman's season debut. Bowden Francis already looks like a lock for Toronto's rotation with Alek Manoah (shoulder) out, and now there's room for someone else to step in. Mitch White, Chad Dallas and Paolo Espino are the main candidates for that spot.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Throwing another bullpen session

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could progress to facing hitters next, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. If Tuesday's session goes well, Gausman would then either move on to a live batting practice session or perhaps a Grapefruit League game. The right-hander has made nice progress since experiencing some shoulder fatigue and remains optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Says he'll be ready for Opening Day

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on Friday that he would be ready for the start of the regular season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. Gausman has been slowed by right shoulder fatigue recently but seems unconcerned, believing he just tried to ramp things up too quickly. The right-hander has resumed flat-ground work and is aiming to throw off a mound by Monday. It's possible the Blue Jays won't ask Gausman to start Opening Day if he needs a little more time to get ready, but at this point it looks like he will avoid the injured list.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Plays catch Tuesday

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2024

  Gausman (shoulder) played catch without issue Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. He'll play catch again Wednesday, a good sign after he was diagnosed with fatigue in his right shoulder. The Blue Jays are still considering Gausman day-to-day and will decide later this week what the possible next steps will be for his throwing program. His availability for Opening Day has not been ruled out, but it's far from a given.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Allows three runs in loss

  Rotowire Oct 3, 2023

  Gausman took the loss after giving up three runs on three hits and three walks across five innings in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat against the Twins in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. He struck out five. Gausman entered the postseason with a 2.43 ERA across 29.2 innings in September, but he was unable to keep it rolling in Tuesday's loss. His weak spot proved to be Royce Lewis, to whom Gausman conceded two home runs in the first and third innings. The team ultimately decided to hand things over to the bullpen after only 73 pitches, which may leave the right-hander available if needed to cover a few outs later in the series. Gausman now has a 4.91 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 25.2 career postseason innings with 30 strikeouts.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Officially tapped for Game 1

  Rotowire Oct 2, 2023

  Gausman will start Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series for the Blue Jays on Tuesday versus the Twins, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Once the Blue Jays clinched a playoff spot and were able to scratch Gausman from his scheduled start in their regular season finale, it was obvious they were doing it in order to set him up for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. Gausman finished the regular season on a high note, tossing a combined 13 shutout frames in his last two starts. He'll be opposed by Pablo Lopez on Tuesday.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Brilliant in no-decision

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2023

  Gausman did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three hits and two walks over seven shutout innings against the Yankees. He struck out five. This marked Gausman's second straight scoreless outing against the Yankees after throwing six shutout innings in a win against New York on Wednesday. Over the two starts, the 32-year-old righty was electric, recording 15 strikeouts over 13 innings while allowing six hits and five walks. Gausman is currently scheduled to start the last Blue Jays game of the regular season at home against the Rays on Sunday.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Fans 10 in victory

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2023

  Gausman (12-9) earned the win over the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing three hits and walking three batters over six scoreless innings. He struck out 10. Gausman was dominant in the victory, racking up 17 swinging strikes en route to his ninth double-digit punchout effort of the campaign. The right-hander's sixth strikeout of the game gave him a new career-best total for a single season, surpassing the mark he set with San Francisco in 2021. Gausman ranks second in the majors with 232 punchouts and has complemented that total with a 3.29 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 178 innings.

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• Blue Jays' Kevin Gausman: Walks six in loss

  Rotowire Sep 15, 2023

  Gausman (11-9) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and six walks over 4.2 innings against the Rangers. He struck out five. The 32-year-old ace endured a tough outing Thursday, issuing a season-high six walks. Corey Seager led the the charge for the Rangers with a solo home run in the first inning and a two-run double in the second, while Jonah Heim added a solo homer in the third. This marked the second time in three September starts that Gausman failed to complete five innings, inflating his ERA to 4.15 and WHIP to 1.35 across 56.1 second-half innings. Despite the inconsistency, he has maintained impressive strikeout numbers this season, boasting an 11.6 K/9 while accumulating an AL-leading 222 punchouts in 172 innings. He is expected to get his next start in New York against a struggling Yankees' offense.

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