The Z Files: NL Rotation Overview

If you've been keeping score at home, you know it's the Senior Circuit's turn to have their rotations put under the microscope. I'll look at the current and future makeup of the starting fives, with an eye on injury returnees and possible call-ups.

Arizona Diamondbacks

With Robbie Ray back, the front four is set. Shelby Miller also recently returned, though he's struggled in his two outings since rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He should have a minor-league option left (apologies if this is incorrect). If this is the case, Clay Buchholz could be reinstated into the rotation once he's recovered from an oblique injury. He's eligible to come off the disabled list and wasn't expected to require a long stint, but there's no word on when he'll be back or his role upon his return, at least not at the time of this writing.

The Snakes should be hoping for continued good health, as the reinforcements on the farm are weak and there's nothing by way of an up-and-coming prospect. Matt Koch, who spent most of the first half toiling in the spot vacated by Taijuan Walker, is now starting for Triple-A Reno. Also starting for the Aces is one time big-leaguer Jake Buchanan. Buchanan and Aces is a bit of an oxymoron.

Atlanta Braves

It seems like every week we have a note reporting Anibal Sanchez is moving to the bullpen, followed by another announcing when he's scheduled to make his next start. Injuries to Brandon McCarthy and Mike Soroka have paved the way for Sanchez to remain in the rotation. The club is smartly exhibiting extreme care with Soroka, recently transferring their 20-year-old prized prospect to the 60-day disabled list, which will keep him out of action until mid-August. McCarthy pitches reasonably well between injuries, his latest being right knee tendinitis with no timetable for returning. Max Fried is currently occupying the fifth spot, while Luiz Gohara is back with the Braves serving as their long man. Gohara is expected to return to Triple-A Gwinnett soon where he'll continue developing as starter, perhaps getting another look later in the second half.

Matt Wisler and Lucas Sims are both available in a pinch to start, though both haven't fared well in their stints with the Braves this season, primarily working out of the bullpen. The Braves minor-league pitching is stacked, so much so that Sims will have trouble cracking a rotation that will eventually include Soroka, Kolby Allard and Kyle Wright along with Fried and Gohara. This doesn't even include Touki Toussaint, recently promoted to Gwinnett, not to mention several other gems in the lower levels.

Chicago Cubs

Other than Yu Darvish's ongoing dalliance with the disabled list, their starters are among the more stable in the league. Mike Montgomery is a very capable replacement with Duane Underwood and Jen-Ho Tseng available in a pinch.

While the Braves stockpiled their system with promising arms, it's Theo Epstein's modus operandi to develop hitters while looking outside the organization for pitching. This philosophy paid off in a World Series. It's going to be fun to follow the Braves run, comparing the methods and sustainability of competitiveness. All this is a setup for saying the Cubs don't have anyone noteworthy on the horizon.

Cincinnati Reds

Who would have thought Matt Harvey would stabilize a major-league rotation, let alone the Reds'? Nonetheless, with Homer Bailey first ineffective and now hurt, Brandon Finnegan transitioning to a bullpen role with Triple-A Louisville, and Robert Stephenson still battling control issues, Harvey's been a shot in the arm for the club. If smoke equals fire and the Reds are receiving genuine trade interest in Harvey, Stephenson may be promoted despite walking 44 in 80 innings for the Bats. Other options include former Marlin lefty Justin Nicolino and recent promoted (and re-demoted) Cody Reed. There's still hope Reed could become a middle to back end rotation piece.

All you need to know about the Reds farm system is that our own James Anderson's top pitching prospect, Hunter Greene, is barely old enough to vote. That is, there isn't anyone close to offer tangible help.

Colorado Rockies

There's been a lot of number-scouting bravado calling the demotion of Jon Gray foolish, stupid, dumb and ridiculous, as his basal skills are solid, especially for a Coors Field inhabitant. Most question Gray's demotion when regression appears to be cure for what ails him. What isn't considered is Gray isn't a Strat-O-Matic card, he's a human being. Athletes aren't wired to look at their xFIP and sleep well. With his next two outings ticketed to be home affairs, the Rockies brass saw an opportunity to aid their ace's psyche. As opposed to the above descriptors, I call the move ballsy and forward thinking. We'll see whose label is more accurate as the second half unfolds.

Antonio Senzatela was called up to take Gray's spot and looks to be in the rotation for another couple turns, as Chad Bettis recently hit the disabled list with the dreaded blister issues. With a couple of upcoming off days, Colorado won't need a fifth starter until July 14, a home tilt with the Mariners. It will be interesting to see if this is when Gray returns. Bettis could also be an option. Despite throwing a sizable 162 innings last season, the club may want to temper the workload of 23-year-old German Marquez, so he could be the one to drop out of the rotation when Gray and Bettis are both reinserted.

Los Angeles Dodgers

While the Dodgers aren't taking the same advantage of the 10-day disabled list as last season, they're still quite liberal with its use with Walker Buehler and Hyun-Jin Ryu currently on the shelf, while rotation parts Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda all visited the disabled list in the first half. Buehler is close to returning to the majors, though it's unclear in what capacity. Originally, the notion of the Dodgers joining their cross-town brethren using a six-man rotation seemed ludicrous but now it makes sense, though there's no indication it will happen.

There's not much at Triple-A Oklahoma City to track, as Brock Stewart hasn't developed as hoped, working mostly as mop-up for the big club as he's ridden the Triple-A shuttle over the first half. Oklahoma City's rotation is full of organizational depth, which makes sense considering the M*A*S*H unit comprising the major-league rotation. Thus far, they've been able to avoid dipping down for the likes of Manny Banuelos or Tyler Pill.

Shoulders are trickier than elbows, so temper expectations despite the club's optimism regarding Julio Urias and his ability to contribute later in the second half. He's throwing bullpen sessions, which is a positive sign, but he should be though of strictly as a fantasy flyer for next season, and even then only if the opportunity cost is minimal.

Miami Marlins

With Caleb Smith lost for the season, the Marlins called up Sandy Alcantara, one of the top catches in their rebuilding effort. After just one start, Alcantara is on the disabled list with a right axillary infection, which is basically a booboo in his armpit. Alcantara is expected to miss only one start. In his stead, Pablo Lopez will remain with the big club for at least one more start.

Someone to keep an eye on is Zac Gallen, acquired by the Fish along with Alcantara in the Marcell Ozuna trade. The 22-year-old righty is sporting a 3.47 ERA for Triple-A New Orleans, fanning 78 with 29 walks and just six homers allowed in 80.1 stanzas. His 1.50 WHIP is due to 91 hits given up, which would be considered a candidate for regression if we were analyzing a big-league pitcher. Be it bad luck or just not knowing how to put hitters away, there's enough in Gallen's skill set to track. If the club advanced Alcantara, they'll have no reservations doing the same for Gallen.

Milwaukee Brewers

With Zach Davies incurring a setback during rehab from a shoulder issue, Freddy Peralta continues to provide the Brewers rotation a much-needed boost as they compete with the Cubs for a playoff berth. Davies' setback was a lower-back issue, and he's currently without a timetable to return. A contender would prefer not to have Wade Miley in its rotation, but just in case, the veteran southpaw should be ready after the All-Star break. Reading between the lines, it's looking bleak for Jimmy Nelson to be a fantasy contributor over the second half, though the Brewers are still hoping he can help the club down the stretch, perhaps as a reliever.

Brandon Woodruff is the most likely to be summoned if another starter is needed. After failing to secure a spot in Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation, Woodruff spent much of the first half starting for Triple-A Colorado Springs, though he did have a stint working out of the Brewers bullpen. If you're stashing Woodruff, keep in mind the Crew is a candidate to be active at the trade deadline and will be in the market for a starter. Not only does this push Woodruff further from a rotation chance, he could be included in a deal.

In a curious move, the club is having one of their top pitching prospects, Corbin Burnes, pitch out of the Sky Sox bullpen, readying him for a promotion to help Milwaukee's quest for the playoffs. The long-term plan is still for Burnes to start, but they also said that about Josh Hader.

New York Mets

I best type this fast before someone else gets hurt. Though, to be fair, Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz have managed to avoid the injury bug, each making 16 starts to date. Currently, Jacob deGrom and Corey Oswalt join Wheeler and Matz in the Mets rotation, with Noah Syndergaard hoping to return sometime next week. Jason Vargas is still working through a calf injury, with a return after the break looking likely. With a double-header coming up next week, the club will need to call up reinforcements, and Chris Flexen and P.J. Conlon are the likely arms. Seth Lugo was ruled out, as the brass apparently prefers one of their better hurlers mopping up after lesser options.

There's a reason why the Twitterverse is filled with deGrom and Syndergaard trade ideas. There's nothing in the Mets system to be giddy about, save perhaps Justin Dunn, who advanced to Double-A Binghamton a month ago.

Philadelphia Phillies

Prior to Vince Velasquez taking a comebacker off the elbow, requiring a trip to the disabled list, the Phillies rotation was stable. They're OK this week with a pair of off days but will require some reinforcement next week with a full seven games on the docket. Cole Irvin, Enyel De Los Santos and Drew Anderson are candidates, all pitching well for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Remember Jerad Eickhoff? The curveball specialist is continuing to work his way back from a lat injury that's kept him out all season. He's currently rehabbing at High-A Clearwater, with the hope he can soon move from bullpen sessions and live batting practice to games. Eickhoff had a down 2017, but if he's healthy, he could be a fantasy asset down the stretch.

The Phillies system may not be as flush with big arms as the Braves, but they're pretty well stocked. Most are a few years away, with De Los Santos being the closest to contributing.

Pittsburgh Pirates

With Chad Kuhl and Joe Musgrove on the shelf, prospect Nick Kingham is back with the Bucs along with Clay Holmes, who is more an organizational depth piece. He's still just 25 years old, though, so Holmes could carve out a career as a long reliever. Musgrove is dealing with a finger infection, so his stay on the disabled list (thus Holmes' promotion) is expected to be short. Kuhl's outlook is more ominous, as he's out with a forearm injury that's been without a specific diagnosis or outlook for almost a week. If Kingham can maintain his current strikeout and walk rates while cutting down on the big flies, he has a mid-rotation floor.

The cupboard is rather bare at Triple-A Indianapolis. To wit, Indy's top remaining starter is 36-year-old minor-league journeyman Tyler Eppler. The good news is the Pirates best pitching prospect, Mitch Keller, was advanced up a level from Double-A Altoona. That said, the Pirates have no reason to rush their prized arm, so expect Keller to finish the season at Triple-A before possibly competing for an MLB job next spring.

San Diego Padres

With Jordan Lyles still unable to return from forearm inflammation, Luis Perdomo has been summoned from Triple-A El Paso with indications he could remain with the Padres for the second half. If so, Eric Lauer would be bumped from the rotation. Perdomo's calling card is an extreme groundball rate, which many consider a skill. I prefer to consider it part of an overall skill set. Since grounders lead to more hits than fly balls, it's imperative for a groundball specialist to limit walks, which Perdomo has yet to do at the big-league level. However, he issued just 16 free passes in 69.1 innings for the Chihuahuas, so maybe this dog can learn new tricks.

The Padres farm system is loaded. The jewels are Chris Paddack and MacKenzie Gore, though neither has advanced past High-A yet. The prospect with the best shot at seeing Petco Park in the second half is Cal Quantrill, currently toiling for Double-A San Antonio. It's not out of the question Quantrill makes a quick stop at El Paso before getting a big-league look later in the summer.

San Francisco Giants

Veterans Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija are both slated to come back by the weekend. It's been reported Derek Holland will begin to work out of the bullpen at that point. It's unclear if Andrew Suarez or Dereck Rodriguez will follow. One must join Holland in the bullpen or head to Triple-A, where they'd continue to start every fifth day. Both pitched well in June. Expect something concrete by the weekend.

Before there was Shohei Ohtani, there was Casey Kelly, two-way prospect of the Boston Red Sox. Kelly eventually settled on pitching but had his career derailed by multiple injuries. The now 28-year-old is starting for Triple-A Sacramento, where he sports a 5.21 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. While it would be a feel-good story if he made it to the Show, there's no indication Kelly is ready to be promoted by the River Cats. The problem is, Kelly could be their top starter, so there's no help in the event the Giants get hit with more injuries.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals have been one of the more fortunate teams, only needing seven pitchers to start games over the first half. Adam Wainwright made three starts before being disabled with elbow pain. He returned for one start in May where he aggravated it, this time landing on the 60-day disabled list. He hopes to return in late July. That's also the timetable for Michael Wacha, though Wacha's return comes with much greater confidence as he's rehabbing an oblique. John Gant's spot is in jeopardy when Wacha returns. If Wainwright also makes it back, the Redbirds have a decision to make. They may choose to temper Jack Flaherty's innings, especially if they fall further behind in the race for a playoff spot, or the underperforming Luke Weaver could be the victim.

The situation with Alex Reyes is well documented. What isn't as well known is how well 23-year-old Dakota Hudson is pitching for Triple-A Memphis. As of this writing, Hudson is the only Pacific Coast League pitcher to amass at least 100 innings. He's also the ERA leader among qualified starters. Hudson's 77 whiffs with 35 walks isn't especially impressive. However, allowing just one homer all season is eye-popping. Insert the luck narrative all you want; one long ball in over 100 frames deserves attention.

Washington Nationals

The reeling Nationals could certainly use a healthy Stephen Strasburg as they're now below .500, in third place behind the Phillies and Braves in the National League East. Unfortunately, it appears the club will be without their co-ace through the break, leaving Erick Fedde to take a couple more turns, assuming he's healthy. Currently, Fedde is dealing with right shoulder inflammation which may require a stint on the disabled list.

Options to hold down the fort until Strasburg returns include Triple-A Syracuse starters Tommy Milone and Austin Voth, with Voth the more likely candidate. It should be noted Milone has fanned 93 in 91.2 innings for the Chiefs, a rate much greater than the 6.5 K/9 mark displayed in his MLB career.