According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. McDaniel noted that Junis could work as both a starter and a reliever for the Guardians. Last season, Junis logged 67 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During the season, he appeared in 24 games and started six of them. He held a 2.69 ERA with a strong 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command of his pitches with a 3.2 percent walk rate. However, he generated a modest 3.80 xERA, which suggests he will likely face some regression during the 2025 campaign. During spring training, fantasy managers should expect Junis to compete for the final spot in the rotation.
According to James Fox of FutureSox, the Chicago White Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis. The 32-year-old has been deployed as both a reliever and starter throughout his big-league career. Last season, Junis spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Across 67 frames, the 32-year-old held a solid 2.69 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command with a stellar 3.2% walk rate but struggled to generate whiffs as he held an underwhelming 20.2% strikeout rate. In addition, he posted a poor 42.4% hard-hit rate and 38.7% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status, as he could be a viable low-end starting pitcher in AL/NL-only formats if he can sign a 2025 contract.
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jakob Junis (personal) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field due to personal reasons and is now expected to start on Wednesday. Right-hander Carson Spiers will make a spot start on Tuesday in Cleveland as a result. Junis will now have an extra day of rest before facing the Guardians on the road in the final week of the 2024 regular season. The 32-year-old has been great all year, but especially of late, allowing only three earned runs on eight hits while walking just one and fanning 15 over 19 2/3 innings in his last four starts against the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Junis has only thrown 62 innings in 2024 due to injury, but he's posted a nice 2.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 23 outings (five starts) when healthy.
Reds Land Joey Wiemer, Jakob Junis In Trade With Brewers
The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis from the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night in exchange for right-hander Frankie Montas, according to a source. Wiemer was caught in a roster crunch in Milwaukee in a crowded outfield picture and hit just .154/.185/.154 with a stolen bases in 19 games played after appearing in 132 games in 2023 in his rookie season. The 25-year-old has also disappointed with a .224 average, three homers, 20 RBI and six steals in 53 games at Triple-A Nashville in 2024. Wiemer will operate as minor-league outfield depth for Cincy. Junis, 31, has only made 10 appearances in the big leagues this year due to injury but has been sharp in his 26 innings, posting a career-best 2.42 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, one save and 19 K's. He could be moved to a starting role in Cincy, though, and Junis does have 111 starts in his eight years in the big leagues, potentially making him a deep-league pickup off the waiver wire.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to come back until June 2 now, at the earliest. Junis' comeback from a right-shoulder injury in early April was interrupted when he was stretchered off the field on April 22 after being hit in the neck by a batting practice ball. He was alert and responsive when he was sent to a local hospital and was able to resume playing catch by April 26. It's a tough break for the 31-year-old veteran, who allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in a four-inning no-decision in his lone start of the year on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. When healthy, Junis should be a candidate to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation next month.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was hit in the head by a line drive during pre-game batting practice before Monday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Junis is currently on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder injury. He was alert and responsive and was taken for more observation by an ambulance at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old will surely be put through the league's concussion protocol, and it's unclear right now if his head injury will affect how quickly he'll be able to return from the IL for the Brewers. Junis made just one start on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins before going on the shelf with his shoulder injury. In his lone start, he gave up just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in four innings for a no-decision.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (shoulder) is experiencing a "scratchy shoulder" and could be in danger of missing his next start, according to manager Pat Murphy. If Junis is unable to make his next start, left-hander Andy Ashby would take Junis' turn in the starting rotation on Monday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Ashby is already in the Brewers' clubhouse on the taxi squad after last starting for Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday. We'll know more on Junis after imaging tests come back on his shoulder. In his first start of the 2024 season on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins, Junis picked up a no-decision by allowing an earned run on three hits while walking one and fanning four in four innings. Either Junis or Ashby will be shaky streaming options for fantasy managers against the Reds early next week.
Brewers, Jakob Junis Agree To One-Year Deal Monday
The Milwaukee Brewers and free-agent pitcher Jakob Junis agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal, pending a physical, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The 31-year-old will be paid $4 million this season with a $3 million buyout on a mutual option. The Brewers currently have some holes to fill in their starting rotation, so Junis should have an opportunity. He made only four starts in 40 appearances for the Giants in 2023, going 4-3 with a 3.87 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 26.2% strikeout rate in 86 innings pitched. Junis will first need to earn a stable rotation job and then prove he can produce in the role before earning fantasy managers' trust.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jakob Junis has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants sent him down following his start on Saturday and also placed Logan Webb (back) on the 15-day injured list. Sean Hjelle and Luis Ortiz were both recalled in a pair of corresponding moves. Junis ends the regular season with a 4.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 98:25 K/BB ratio over 112 innings (23 appearances, seven starts).
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jakob Junis (hand) was forced to leave early during Sunday's start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was drilled by a 108 mph comebacker on the hand. The x-rays came back negative, so it sounds like the right-hander has avoided major injury. The organization will have Junis undergo further testing, so fantasy managers will have to stay tuned for more updates. There should be more details following a CT scan on Monday.
Jakob Junis
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Guardians
