The Z Files: AL Rotation Overview

After reviewing the hitting playing time scenarios for the American and National Leagues, I received several requests to do the same for pitching. The current starters for each team are easily accessible in the depth charts and reviewing the projected starters grid. However, it's extremely unlikely any team runs the current group out for the entire second half (yes, folks, we're halfway home). As such, I'll discuss those likely to get starts who aren't currently in the rotation. Let's break it down by leagues again, beginning with the American League this week.

Baltimore Orioles

With Dylan Bundy on the shelf, Jimmy Yacabonis has been summoned to fill in, at least temporarily. Bundy isn't expected to stay on the disabled list very long, perhaps the minimum plus a couple days so he doesn't return to pitch in another interleague game. After all, that's why he's sidelined to begin with, rolling his ankle running the bases. Chris Tillman is also close, with one, maybe two more rehab starts on the docket before returning.

The Orioles don't have anything by way of exciting prospects on the farm. Their top arm, 23-year-old Hunter Harvey, hasn't progressed past Double-A and is currently shut down, nursing a sore shoulder incurred evading a foul ball hit into the team's dugout. Yefry Ramirez, a 24-year-old righty, made a spot start earlier and could be called upon again as he's the Triple-A Norfolk Tides' top starter. Others are more organizational depth types like Tim Melville and Asher Wojciechowski.

Boston Red Sox

Injuries to Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright have pushed southpaw Brian Johnson into the Red Sox rotation. Pomeranz is set to embark on a rehab assignment. We're close enough to the All-Star break the club may keep him out until after the hiatus. Wright is out with a sore knee and is devoid of a timetable. If Johnson struggles, Boston could turn to Hector Velasquez, though Johnson has had more experience as a starter and should be able to hold his own.

There really isn't anything by way of journeyman depth in the minors. Boston's best Triple-A starter is Jalen Beeks, who quite frankly looked overmatched when called up for a start in early June. However, with a 101:20 K:BB in 75 frames for Pawtucket, Beeks could be afforded another chance, hoping his debut was a case of rookie jitters.

Chicago White Sox

Miguel Gonzalez is on rehab, working his way back from rotator cuff inflammation. Barring a setback, he's due back before the break but his rehab stint could easily be extended through it. It's unclear if he'll be reinserted into the rotation or work as a long reliever. Dylan Covey's recent efforts have greased the skids for a return, though it still makes sense to see if Covey can rebound as Gonzalez won't be part of the next good White Sox team. Hector Santiago and Chris Volstad are currently in the bullpen but could make a spot start if necessary.

Carson Fulmer is with Triple-A Charlotte to clean up his mechanics. Things are still messy as he's walked 28 in 38.1 innings with the Knights. Donn Roach is the Knights top starter, but with 61 punchouts in 95 innings, he'd have a tough time in the majors.

Prized prospect Michael Kopech is making strides but still exhibiting inconsistency intrinsic to a 22-year-old fireballer. He's still expected to debut this season, though not as early as many hoped. Personally, I'd wait until September, but we'll see what the White Sox do.

Cleveland Indians

Carlos Carrasco is on target to return the first week in July, giving Shane Bieber and Adam Plutko another start in their audition for the fifth spot in the rotation. Bieber has outpitched Plutko and even though he's younger, innings shouldn't be a problem as Bieber tossed over 160 frames last season. Plus, his turn can be skipped on occasion since the Indians will want to maximize the outings from their front four.

It sure feels like a lost season for Danny Salazar, as he's still recovering from shoulder inflammation. There's no timetable for his return, nor a definite plan for when he's able to pitch. If he's able to handle it, working out of the bullpen seems like the better tact, at least this season.

Last season's playoff hero Ryan Merritt is also dealing with shoulder inflammation. The southpaw is rehabbing with Triple-A Columbus and will likely be assigned to the Clippers once the assignment expires.

In a pinch, the Tribe could turn to Josh Tomlin for a spot start or reach down to the farm for journeyman Adam Wilk.

Detroit Tigers

After balking at first, Tigers skipper Ron Gardenhire has seemingly embraced the notion of a six-man rotation, as Blaine Hardy has earned the right to continue to start. Of course, injuries can curtail things, but with no off days until July 12, the short-term plan appears to be going with a sextet of starters. If this persists over the second half, Michael Fulmer takes the biggest fantasy hit, as his strikeouts depend on volume since he carries a below average strikeout rate. If the Tigers were to return to a conventional five-man rotation, Francisco Liriano has exhibited success coming out of the bullpen.

Daniel Norris has a chance to return in the second half as he's rehabbing from May groin surgery. Don't expect him back until after the break, and even then, there's no reason to rush the lefty. Despite a better than expected first half, the club isn't going anywhere this season, and there's still hope Norris figures it out and becomes a rotation mainstay. In a pinch, the club can turn to Artie Lewicki (currently working out of the Tigers bullpen) or Jacob Turner, recently signed to a minor-league contract and toiling at Triple-A Toledo.

Including 2018 first overall pick Casey Mize, Detroit has an interesting array of prospect arms. In fact, our own James Anderson has five hurlers ranked in the Tigers' top-six prospects. That said, no one is close enough to contribute this season.

Houston Astros

The defending champs have only used five starters all season. It's unlikely this persists over the second half, but barring a major injury, the Astros are set. If something were to occur, Collin McHugh or Brad Peacock could be stretched out. Think about this. As a reliever, McHugh has a 1.03 ERA in 35 stanzas, yet hasn't even recorded one hold.

Down on the far, Francis Martes is sidelined until after the break with an elbow injury. It seems like he's been around forever, yet he's only 22, so there's plenty of time for Martes to get his walk issues under control. Top prospect Forrest Whitley has returned from his suspension none the worse for wear, and he's mowing them down for Triple-A Fresno. The original plan was for Whitley to join the Astros bullpen in the second half. There's been no indication the club has changed their mind in light of Whitley's 50-game time out.

Kansas City Royals

The only change to the Opening Day rotation is Brad Keller taking the spot of the injured Eric Skoglund. Skoglund is out until at least after the break, perhaps longer as he's recovering from a Grade 1 UCL sprain. Keller has been getting the job done with a pair of quality starts in his last two outings. If he falters, Trevor Oaks has good numbers for Triple-A Omaha, albeit with only 41 strikeouts in 70.1 innings for the Storm Chasers.

A web search turned up no news on Nathan Karns since being transferred to the 60-day disabled list in early June. The oft-injured but talented hurler has trying to return from elbow inflammation since the spring.

Josh Staumont and his 100 mph fastball were converted back to starting in late May. After starting five games, he worked out of the bullpen earlier this week. His initial three outings were good as he only walked three in 12 innings, then he reverted to old form, issuing eight bases on balls in his last two starts, spanning just six stanzas. I couldn't find any reports concerning the club's long-term plans for him. Obviously, a bullpen role is always a possibility for any arm able to hit triple digits on the radar gun.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels opted to use a six-man rotation in part to keep Shohei Ohtani on a comfortable schedule, but also as a means to protect an injury-prone rotation. Of course, Ohtani the pitcher remains out, though Ohtani the hitter has been given the green light to begin swinging. Garrett Richards, Nick Tropeano and Matt Shoemaker couldn't avoid the injury bug. The good news for Richards is his injury was to a hamstring and not arm related. He's about to head out on a rehab assignment. Tropeano is battling shoulder inflammation with no timetable to return (a common theme). Shoemaker had surgery to decompress nerves in his throwing elbow and is also without a return date. One of the injury replacements, John Lamb, is on the shelf with elbow and shoulder inflammation. Let's say it together – he's without a timetable to return.

Early on Jaime Barria shuttled between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake. Hopefully his last ticket was one way as it appears he's with the Angels to stay. The Halos have now turned to Felix Pena and Deck McGuire to fill out their six spots. It shouldn't be too long before Richards returns. With off days the two Mondays before the break, the club can use five starters, keeping everyone on five days of rest. It remains to be seen what the Angels do after the break. Their decisions will depend on how Pena and McGuire look. They may even acquire a healthy arm. There's been no talk of ditching the six-man set-up, at least not publicly.

Griffin Canning is the top pitching prospect, but he was only recently promoted to Triple-A. The 22-year-old righty could be fast tracked to the majors, but chances are the club continues to piece things together with journeymen and retreads.

Minnesota Twins

Other than recently sending Fernando Romero to Triple-A Rochester, the Twins have been one of the more stable rotations in baseball. Romero wasn't getting lit up, but his peripherals, notably strikeouts, had fallen from their early pace. In Romero's stead, the Twins are giving Adalberto Mejia another look. Mejia started 21 games for the club last season but was overmatched at times, fanning only 85 with 44 bases on balls in 98 innings. Mejia posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this year for the Red Wings, including a torrid June featuring a 1.41 ERA and 0.84 WHIP over five starts.

The club hopes Ervin Santana is finally ready for his 2018 debut in the neat future. Initially, the thought was for a late May return, but that's obviously been pushed back. Santana is scheduled to begin a new rehab stint this weekend.

Minnesota's best hope is that they continue to enjoy decent health, as there's little else by way of prospects on the horizon with Stephen Gonsalves struggling to find the plate since his promotion to Triple-A, walking 33 in 47.1 innings, albeit with 47 strikeouts as well. In a pinch, they can reach down to the Red Wings for Aaron Slegers or Dietrich Enns, both of whom spent time in the 2017 rotation.

New York Yankees

Even if Jordan Montgomery wasn't lost for the year after requiring Tommy John surgery, the Yankees would likely be looking for some rotation reinforcement on the trade market. Currently, Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga are holding down the fort. Masahiro Tanaka is ticketed for a simulated game or rehab start over the weekend, so he should return before the break.

If the need arises, the Yankees could summon control specialist Josh Rogers or journeyman David Hale from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Luis Cessa was recently called upon in a pinch and could be given the call again.

Granted, they could be part of a trade to bring in an top-shelf arm, but Justus Sheffield and Chance Adams are also toiling for the RailRiders and could be called up. Odds are, it won't come to that (the call-up part, anyway; being used as trade bait is very much in the picture), but just having the option is a luxury few clubs possess in this pitching-starved landscape.

Oakland Athletics

You know how you can tell it's been a rough first half? When Edwin Jackson is in your rotation to begin the second half. That's the case in Oakland as Trevor Cahill, Daniel Mengden, Andrew Triggs, Brett Anderson and Daniel Gossett are all on the shelf. That doesn't even include Jharel Cotton, lost for the season in the spring, or Kendall Graveman on the Triple-A disabled list. Anderson is due back soon, with Cahill and Mengden also looking at a pre-break return. Triggs could be back after the break, but there's no reason to be stashing him in anything but the deepest of formats.

The farm is exhausted with perhaps Eric Jokisch available to start in a pinch. That said, the Athletics preferred to turn to Jackson – you do the math.

Even the prospects have been bitten by the injury bug, with A.J. Puk joining Cotton as Tommy John recoverees. Hopefully Oakland is keeping their top young arm, 20-year-old southpaw Jesus Luzardo, in bubble wrap.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have been one of the more fortunate clubs, only losing Erasmo Ramirez from their Opening Day rotation. Wade LeBlanc has stepped up to fill the void while Ramirez remains out with a lat injury. The club is taking it slowly with Ramirez, as he's just begun throwing. There's no word yet on a potential rehab stint so the earliest he'd be back is in August.

Hisashi Iwakuma is also not rushing back from offseason shoulder surgery. He was brought back as a wild card, and wasn't really being counted on by the club to contribute. If he's able to chip in later in the year, it's a bonus. If you're carrying Iwakuma on reserve, it's past time to cut bait.

Down at Triple-A, the Tacoma rotation is stocked with hurlers who have MLB experience. Christian Bergman, Rob Whalen, Ariel Miranda and Casey Lawrence are all toiling for the Rainiers. Seattle needs the veteran depth as they have nothing close in terms of prospect help.

Tampa Bay Rays

Oy vey. You know the deal. The Rays are going an unconventional route, deploying an opener for an inning or two, with the follower working the middle frames. It does appear as though Wilmer Font has graduated from opener to full-fledged starter, as he's worked into the fifth in his last two opens, or is that starts?

Injuries forced the club into this radical approach, though they were doing it before Chris Archer was sidelined. Archer is earmarked for a rehab assignment early next week, with a hopeful return before the break. While the Rays don't want to rush him back, it behooves them to get him back as soon as possible to maximize his trade potential if they opt for that route. Another injured arm is Jacob Faria, out with an oblique strain. These can be tricky, so the club is taking the cautious route, with an August return the most likely. Those hoping for Yonny Chirinos to come back soon will have to wait longer, as he's on the minor-league disabled list with a shoulder issue.

Considering how well Tampa's arrangement has been working out, it will take another injury to dip into the Triple-A Durham roster. Some of the Andrew Moore and Forrest Snow types are the most likely to be summoned in an emergency.

Texas Rangers

OK, maybe the Rangers are worse off than the Athletics, as they advanced Yovani Gallardo from Triple-A Round Rock to the bigs lest they lose him via a contact clause. With a 12.08 ERA in his two starts, perhaps Texas should have let him walk. Gallardo's services were required with Martin Perez and Doug Fister on the disabled list, Matt Moore banished to the bullpen and Yohander Mendez getting crushed when given a start earlier in the month. Perez is due back soon while Fister is likely out until August. Mendez is also having conduct issues, as he was recently demoted all the way to High-A Down East for violating team rules. Austin Bibens-Dirkx was also called up to fill out the Texas starting five.

The fact that Gallardo's 1.27 WHIP was by far the best in the Express rotation speaks to the dearth of pitching depth the Rangers possess.

The Rangers are reportedly looking to move Cole Hamels, hopefully for some young pitching help. They've developed some good bats, but in part due to Globe Life Park being a tough place to pitch, they haven't had much luck with arms, and there's nothing waiting in the wings.

Toronto Blue Jays

It's tough enough competing in the AL East. Factor in a series of injuries to your rotation and it's no wonder the Blue Jays are looking to dump some pieces, perhaps even their best starter, J.A. Happ. Marcus Stroman is back, but he was hurt for much of the first half, along with Aaron Sanchez and Jaime Garcia. Sanchez could return nest week, while Garcia is out indefinitely with a sore shoulder. While Ryan Borucki isn't a top prospect, the 24-year-old righty has a chance to be a back-end starter or swing man. He's currently filling in for Sanchez, so his audition isn't likely to last much longer.

If injuries require another starter, Toronto is more likely to move Joe Biagini out of the bullpen and back into the rotation as opposed to looking at Triple-A Buffalo for someone like Chris Rowley or 22-year-old prospect Sean Reid-Foley, though Reid-Foley has pitched quite well for the Bison lately, posting a 2.52 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 31 punchouts his last four outings, spanning 25 innings.