The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing a significant setback with the recent injury of catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lacerated right index finger. The injury occurred while catching during a game against the Washington Nationals, where he was hit by a pitch thrown by Paul Skenes. Rodriguez's absence is compounded by existing injuries to other players, leaving the team thin at multiple positions.

With Rodriguez sidelined, the Pirates' catching situation is precarious. Henry Davis is the only healthy catcher available, while Joey Bart remains out with lower back soreness. Abrahan Gutierrez has been called up from Triple-A Indianapolis but has not yet been added to the active roster. Rodriguez has struggled this season, hitting just .178 with two RBIs, which highlights the Pirates' ongoing challenges in offensive production.

For fantasy baseball enthusiasts looking to bolster their pitching staff, several intriguing streaming options are available for the upcoming week. Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics is set to face the White Sox and Brewers, showing promise with his increasing velocity. Grant Holmes, also rostered at 73%, faces favorable matchups against the Blue Jays and Twins, despite previous efficiency issues. Chaos characterizes Mitch Keller's outings with the Pirates, yet his potential for high strikeouts can be enticing with two starts against the Nationals and Guardians. Keep an eye on Tylor Megill of the Mets; he’s been solid this season, albeit with uncertainty about a second start.

Tomoyuki Sugano has shown efficiency for the Orioles and could benefit from a weak Guardians batting lineup. JP Sears of the Athletics, currently at 27% rostered, is worth a flier, especially against the struggling White Sox. Landen Roupp has swing-and-miss potential and would be a good addition in points leagues. Finally, Richard Fitts boasts quality starts and might emerge as a sleeper against the White Sox. As we enter this scoring period, these pitchers present a variety of opportunities for fantasy managers.

Paul Skenes faced a challenging outing on Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing a career-high five runs in a 5-3 loss. Despite his initial dominance, retiring six batters in the first two innings without a two-ball count, Skenes faltered in the third, with the Cardinals capitalizing on his missed spots. The young pitcher did not attribute his struggles to external factors, instead acknowledging the need for better execution.

Skenes is still adjusting to the major leagues after an impressive start to the season. He showcased a mix of pitches, including a split-finger fastball, but found himself behind in counts, allowing the Cardinals to find gaps and secure runs. Moving forward, Skenes aims to bounce back, drawing upon his past experiences where he quickly rebounded from rough outings. With the support of catcher Endy Rodriguez, who he is developing a rapport with, Skenes is optimistic about his growth and the team's potential.

Approaching your fantasy baseball draft requires a careful evaluation of starting pitchers, particularly focusing on their underlying metrics such as whiff and strikeout percentages. Healthy pitchers who can avoid 'stressful' pitches tend to perform better, contributing to their teams deeper into games, thereby accumulating more points and strikeouts while minimizing earned run averages. Targeting pitchers with strong K/9 ratios and favorable profiles is essential, especially given the persistent injury risks in recent years.

Among notable targets, Nick Lodolo of the Cincinnati Reds offers a promising profile with a robust career K/9 of 10.67. After a limited 2023 season due to injuries, he’s bounced back in spring training, showing signs of his potential with a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings. Likewise, Jesus Luzardo, now with the Philadelphia Phillies, boasts elite strikeout potential despite a rough previous season, while Justin Steele from the Cubs, despite injury setbacks, continues to demonstrate impressive metrics. Finally, Spencer Schwellenbach, the Atlanta Braves' rising star, finished his rookie year with a commendable 3.35 ERA, making him a worthy late draft pick.

In the world of fantasy baseball, rookies can be hit or miss based on their draft position. Three high-upside prospects, Dylan Crews, Jasson Dominguez, and Kristian Campbell, are generating buzz for the 2025 season. Crews, the fourth-best prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to make a significant impact for the Washington Nationals after a strong minor league season with a .270 average, 13 homers, and 25 stolen bases. Dominguez looks to seize an everyday role for the Yankees, bringing above-average power and speed from his successful minor league run. Lastly, Campbell is making waves as one of the top second base prospects, with a .330 average and 24 steals in 2024, potentially earning him a starting spot with the Boston Red Sox.