Aaron Brooks, Joey Estes Making Starts For A's This Week
Oakland Athletics pitchers Aaron Brooks and Joey Estes will be called up from the minors this week to make starts on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively against the Houston Astros. The A's currently have six starters on the injured list and Alex Wood (shoulder) and Osvaldo Bido (finger) also hurt. The 34-year-old Brooks will be making his first appearance in the big leagues since 2022 and his first start since 2019. At Triple-A Las Vegas this year, he's 1-6 with a 4.57 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 10 walks and 32 K's in eight starts. Estes, the team's No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline, gave up just a run in five innings while striking out five against Seattle in his first start of the year last weekend to earn another turn in Oakland's rotation. Both Brooks and Estes, 22, will be shaky streaming options against Houston this week in fantasy, but Estes is the more attractive upside play, and he could even stick around longer if he pitches well again.
Aaron Brooks Pitches Six Scoreless Innings On Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Aaron Brooks apparently had the secret to slowing down the red-hot Nationals on Tuesday. The Nationals had won five straight games, scoring at least seven runs in each victory before Brooks completely shut them down. Brooks pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out six. It was Brooks' first quality start since April when he was a member of the Athletics. Brooks has made nine starts with the Orioles, and even after Tuesday's gem, his ERA stills sits at an ugly 6.81 with the team. He shouldn't be trusted for streaming starts, even though his next one at Kansas City on Sunday is certainly more favorable of a matchup than his last one.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Aaron Brooks will make the start on Wednesday against the Nationals. Brooks tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rays on Saturday and might get a chance to prove himself in the starting rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander had a 5.01 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.7 K/9 in 15 outings (six starts) for Oakland before landing in Baltimore. The O's don't have any better options that Brooks to be honest, so he could stick in the rotation if he's serviceable. Those that are desperate in AL-only leagues could look to Brooks, but he should be avoided in all other formats on Wednesday and moving forward.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks allowed just two hits and a walk with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a victory against the Boston Red Sox. He tossed 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes, and had first-pitch strikes to 13 of the 19 batters he faced. The A's offense provided plenty of support, including four homers, and he did the rest with a quality start. Despite the impressive outing he is still best used as an AL-only fantasy option. Owners in mixed play should certainly monitor Brooks, as he obviously will have value if he keeps pitching like this. We'll learn more Saturday when he takes the ball next in Houston.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Aaron Brooks made the Opening Day roster as the fifth starter. Chris Bassitt (shin) will go on the injured list to start. It could be a very short stay for the 28-year-old right-hander in the A's rotation, so he's not very attractive in any fantasy leagues. Brooks has an 8.01 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 60 2/3 major league innings over three seasons in the major leagues.
