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Closing Time: A.J. Griffin frustrates Jays, continues hot start

Closing Time: A.J. Griffin frustrates Jays, continues hot start

A.J. Griffin was sidelined for two seasons, you guys. Two years, wiped out. Griffin delivered a breakout campaign in 2013, winning 14 games for Oakland and striking out 171, but he required Tommy John surgery the following spring, then right shoulder issues limited him to only 14.1 minor league innings in 2015.

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We wouldn't normally expect a pitcher with Griffin's deep injury history to return to fantasy relevance, but, well ... just look at the Wiffle nonsense he threw at Toronto's lineup on Monday.

Griffin struck out nine Blue Jays over six frames, holding a dangerous team to just three hits, two walks and one run. He had 'em flailing at non-strikes and generally looking mystified. Impressive stuff. Griffin is now 31 innings into his big league comeback, and he's allowed just eight earned runs (2.32 ERA) while striking out 26.

Luck is almost always part of the story when a pitcher is posting ridiculous stats, but Griffin's 3.30 FIP shouldn't scare off fantasy investors. He's not a hard-thrower, but the guy hits every number on the radar gun from 68 to 91, and his breaking stuff is cruel. He's a flyball pitcher who will eventually yield a few homers (36 allowed in '13), but, when healthy, he's been a useful, low-WHIP starter.

I'm interested. Griffin is widely available in Yahoo leagues (31 percent owned), because the fantasy community had zero expectations for him entering the year.

Bartolo Colon delivered the expected excellent numbers (8.0 IP, 0 R, 7 Ks) against Atlanta's punchless lineup on Monday. If you've been streaming starters against the Braves, you may need to wait for weekend matchups against Shelby Miller and Patrick Corbin. Over the next four days, Atlanta will face Harvey, Matz and Greinke.

Jose Berrios (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Jose Berrios (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Much-discussed Minnesota rookie Jose Berrios collected his fist major league W on Monday, beating Houston and the still-struggling Dallas Keuchel. Berrios struck out eight batters over 5.1 innings, though he also issued five free passes. Walks were really not an issue for the kid in the minors, so let's not worry excessively about his control. He allowed only 38 BBs in 166.1 innings in the high minors last season.

Kolten Wong finally homered, two days after you dropped him. Of course he did. Wong has hit safely in his last three games. He's only 25 years old and coming off back-to-back seasons with double-digit power and speed contributions. Patience, please.

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Jimmy Nelson took another good turn, earning a win over the Angels with a seven-inning, six-K performance. He's delivered solid lines against the Astros, Bucs and Cubs this year as well, so it's not as if he's been feasting on a soft schedule. Nelson gets the Reds on Saturday.

Norichika Aoki went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run-scored on Monday, leading off for Seattle. He's reached base at least twice in five of his last seven games. Aoki is only owned in 4 percent of Yahoo leagues after a slow start, but he's still a decent bet for runs and steals.

Just in case you were wondering: Danny Espinosa is currently slashing .192/.310/.288 for Washington while Trea Turner is hitting .333/.402/.478 at Syracuse (with nine steals and eight XBHs). We shouldn't have to wait much longer. Turner is available in 80 percent of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

Fernando Rodney pitched a clean inning against Colorado, recording his fifth save in as many chances. He still has not allowed an earned run this year. Rodney is, without question, the very best at baseball.

Fernando Rodney (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Fernando Rodney (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)