NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

This is our weekly look at National League free agents. We have two goals for this article:

1. Identify likely free agents and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Estimate how much of your $100 starting free-agent budget you should bid on them.

This year, we are again using grids into the FAAB articles, so users can easily see at a glance how certain players stack up against others and how much they should command in a variety of formats.

The grids, which are sortable by column (click on the header), include a very basic "player grade" column. This serves as a reflection of a player's skills and role on an A-E scale. Cody Bellinger would have been an "A" grade player last year -- that mark will be reserved for similar high-impact prospects stepping into an everyday role.

As always, if there is a player that was not discussed in the article that you would like to know about, feel free to ask about the player in the comments.

Happy Memorial Day to all, and happy birthday to my youngest daughter on the 27th and anniversary to my wife on the 29th.

STARTING PITCHER

Steven Matz, Mets: Matz has righted the ship following a poor start to the season. Thursday was the third time in his last four outings Matz has given up one or fewer earned runs, but he has yet to go beyond six innings in a start. Matz lowered his ERA to 3.80 with the six solid innings Thursday and now has a 39:19 K:BB in 42.2 innings on the year. The improvement is a result of Matz using all of his pitches and avoiding meltdowns when something goes wrong in the field, which plagued him earlier in the year. 12-team Mixed: $15; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Ross Stripling, Dodgers: Stripling, profiled the past few weeks, gets another mention, as he continues to excel in the LA rotation. With Rich Hill (blister) sidelined a few more weeks, Stripling should remain in the Dodgers' quintet even with Clayton Kershaw (biceps) possibly returning this week. Over his last four starts, Stripling has allowed just three earned runs across 22 innings of work, striking out 31 against two walks in that span. He's brought his season ERA down to 1.74 to go along with a 1.19 WHIP and 50:9 K:BB in 41.1 innings. Stripling has been impressive, building off last year's success out of the bullpen. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Nick Kingham, Pirates: Kingham could make a spot start Tuesday against the Cubs as Ivan Nova is dealing with a strained ligament in his right index finger. Through three big-league starts this season, Kingham owns a 3.44 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB across 18.1 innings, building off his minor-league success so far this season. Kingham, who had Tommy John surgery in 2015, limiting him limited him to 77.1 innings across 2015 and 2016, pitched a full season last year and has regained some of the luster taken off by the surgery. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Clay Buchholz, Diamondbacks: Buchholz got the nod to start Sunday, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two in five innings. Granted, the outing came against the anemic Mets offense, but it still was a solid start. Buchholz followed that outing up by giving up just one run on two hits and no walks while striking out three in six innings Saturday against the Athletics. He joined Arizona on a minor-league deal in early May after being let go by the Royals, posting a 2.93 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 27.2 innings (five starts) between Double-A and Triple-A to earn the promotion. Buchholz will remain in the rotation but may just be a placeholder until Robbie Ray (oblique) or Shelby Miller (elbow) returns. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Alex Reyes, Cardinals: If you haven't already jumped on the Reyes train, you likely have already missed out. Reyes, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in February 2017, will be called up and start Wednesday for St. Louis after making a mockery of his rehab starts. In his latest outing, Reyes threw seven scoreless innings and struck out 13 batters for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. One caveat to keep in mind is that Reyes tossed just 111.1 innings in 2016 and missed all of last season, so the Cardinals will limit how many innings he will throw this season. He tossed 23 in his four rehab outings and may throw, at best, just 100 more this season. Regardless of how many innings he does throw, you will get a possible elite starter -– as he will be used in that role and not out of the bullpen -- with solid numbers across the board, including lots of strikeouts. 12-team Mixed: $40; 15-team Mixed: $50; 12-team NL: $60

Joe Musgrove, Pirates: Musgrove, profiled the last several weeks, gets another mention, as he came off the disabled list to make his first start as a Pirate on Friday against St. Louis. Despite allowing six runs on 10 hits in five innings in his fourth and rehab start, which was at Triple-A Indianapolis, Pittsburgh opted to activate him for the start. That move worked out well, as Musgrove tossed seven shutout innings in which he gave up five hits and no walks while striking out seven. Acquired from Houston in the Gerrit Cole deal and sidelined two months with a shoulder injury, Musgrove now gets a chance to show the mechanical adjustments he made last season can stick and he is able to hold down the team's fifth rotation slot. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks: Miller, recovering from Tommy John surgery last May, gets another mention, as he will begin a minor-league rehab assignment at High-A Visalia early this week. He allowed just one run in five innings in his outing Wednesday, his third extended spring training start. Miller may just need two minor-league starts before he is ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks. When that happens, Miller, who was good from 2013 to 15, fell off a cliff in 2016 and made just four starts last season, should replace Clay Buchholz as Arizona's fifth starter, benefitting from the humidor in Chase Field. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (increased spec return bid)

Zach Davies, Brewers: Davies missed three weeks with a right rotator cuff strain before returning to action to start Thursday. He gave up four runs on six hits over four innings, striking out two and walking two against the Mets. Davies was struggling before he was sidelined, logging logged a 4.24 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and a 25:12 K:BB in 34 innings (six starts) prior to landing on the DL. Davies came into this season off two straight solid full campaigns and six good starts in 2015, but he has been up-and-down this season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Anthony DeSclafani, Reds: DeSclafani, out since straining his left oblique in early March, moved his rehab from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Louisville on Friday. He gave up six runs on eight hits over five innings for Louisville and will probably need at least one more outing before getting activated from the DL. DeSclafani notched a 2.25 ERA, a 0.75 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in eight innings over two rehab starts with Pensacola. When promoted, he could replace Sal Romano in the Reds' rotation. After making 31 starts in 2015, DeSclafani took a step forward in 2016, despite getting limited to 20 major-league starts due to a strained oblique. Last year was a complete loss, as he was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in spring training and made just two rehab starts. DeSclafani's upside, despite a low K rate, HR tendency versus LH hitters and difficult home park, makes him a tantalizing fantasy bet. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Anibal Sanchez, Braves: Sanchez, out since April 18 with a strained right hamstring, could start Tuesday against the Mets. Atlanta needs a sixth starter due to a doubleheader Monday, and with Mike Soroka (shoulder) not ready, Sanchez could get the nod. Sanchez allowed one hit and struck out four over three scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, after surrendering eight runs in 3.2 innings in his first start at that level. Sanchez may only make the spot start and then shift to a bullpen role. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $3

RELIEF PITCHER

Jared Hughes/Amir Garrett, Reds:Raisel Iglesias is sidelined with left (non-throwing) biceps tendinitis, which prevented him from getting extension on his release and adversely impacting his pitches the past three weeks. This pair will fill the void, with Hughes the main candidate to obtain saves, as he did Thursday and Saturday. Hughes has been a solid reliever the past five seasons, not posting an ERA over 3.03 thanks to one of the best groundball ratios in baseball of over 60 percent. Garrett will continue to see most of his work in middle relief but could get a save if a tough lefty comes to the plate. David Hernandez and Michael Lorenzen are also in the saves mix. Hughes - 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7; Garrett - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

Robert Gsellman/Seth Lugo, Mets: Both pitchers have been profiled as a matched set in the past, and their heavy usage and stats warrant another mention. Manager Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Eiland are using Gsellman and Lugo as multi-inning relievers. Gsellman has already pitched in 23 games, boasting a 30:13 K:BB, 2.81 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 32 innings, notching his first save this past week. Lugo, who has been death to lefties, has pitched in 19 contests, posting a 32:8 K:BB along with a 1.73 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 31.1 innings. The possibility still exists that either or both end up making some starts this season, but for now, they will be deployed at any point during the game, especially to serve as a lengthy bridge to backend of the bullpen. It wouldn't be shocking to see Gsellman and Lugo toss close to 100 innings and continue to strike out a batter per inning with solid ratios. Both - 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Jordan Hicks, Cardinals: Hicks definitely is cooking with gas, as he threw a 105 mph sinking fastball to Odubel Herrera last week. But his focus on deploying his slider more frequently will make him a tougher pitcher to face, as hitters can't just gear up for one pitch. Despite that blazing pitch, Hicks has just 11 punchouts in 25 innings, which is further offset by the 16 base-on-balls in that stretch. If the slider, which is 15-20 mph slower than his sinking fastball, is effective, Hicks could see usage in even more high-leverage situations after making the jump this season form High-A. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Adam Conley, Marlins: Conley, called up May 18, will be used in an Andrew Miller-type role out of the Miami bullpen. Like Miller, Conley has seen a spike in his fastball velocity as a reliever after spending his career as a starter. Conley has reeled off three scoreless appearances with a 3:1 K:BB while averaging 94.9 mph with his fastball, up several ticks from his velo as a starter. While Conley may not notch a lot of saves, he could be a source of lots of strikeouts in a multi-inning relief role. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Mark Melancon, Giants: Melancon, out since the end of spring training with a right elbow flexor strain, began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento this past Monday. He likely is looking at 2-to-3 more weeks of rehab appearances before he is ready to rejoin the Giants. Melancon will not immediately resume a high-leverage role upon his return, as manager Bruce Bochy doesn't want to alter what has been a quality back end of the bullpen. Hunter Strickland has been stellar in filling the closer role, so San Francisco will ease Melancon back in. For now, he is mainly a stash-and-hope closer candidate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

CATCHER

John Ryan Murphy, Diamondbacks: Murphy, profiled last week by Clay, gets another mention, as he seems to produce each time he is in the lineup. Alex Avila and Jeff Mathis still see playing time, but Murphy is clearly the backstop to own in Arizona. Murphy is up to a career-high five home runs in just 65 at-bats. The 21:3 K:BB is more than concerning, but power and production from catchers are hard to find, so you can live with that ratio along with low BA and OBP if he continues to blast taters. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Chris Gimenez, Cubs, and Erik Kratz, Brewers: Gimenez and Kraft are the new backup catchers with the Cubs and Brewers, respectively. Gimenez replaces Victor Caratini, who was sent down to get consistent at-bats in the minors. Kratz was acquired from the Yankees to back up Manny Pina due to all the injuries behind the plate for the Brewers. Both - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activations/updates

Austin Hedges, Padres: Hedges, sidelined all of May with right elbow tendinits, kicked off a rehab stint at Triple-A El Paso on Monday. He posted some power last season, blasting 18 home runs, but hit just .218. Even with the 18 home runs, he posted a mere .398 slugging percentage. Raffy Lopez and A.J. Lopez have held down the fort while Hedges was out, but Hedges should regain his starting role when he returns. However, Hedges pulled himself out of the lineup at Triple-A El Paso on Thursday with soreness in that elbow, so his return may not occur for a while longer. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $2; 12-team NL: $7

Carson Kelly, Cardinals: Kelly was expected to play daily with Yadier Molina sidelined at least a month after undergoing surgery following taking a foul tip to the groin region on May 5. But a hamstring injury landed Kelly in the disabled list 10 days after his promotion. Kelly returned to action Saturday and should play nearly every day until Yadi returns sometime in June. Kelly was viewed as St. Louis' catcher of the future, seeing spot duty the last seasons. But that timeframe to replace Molina took a hit when Yadi signed a three-year contract extension in April last year. Andrew Knizner now may have surpassed him in that role. Kelly has struggled to hit in his brief stints in the majors, and those issues carried forward to the spring and Triple-A Memphis this season, so temper your expectations. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Kevin Plawecki, Mets: Plawecki, out since April 11 with a hairline fracture of his left hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch, began a rehab stint Wednesday at Triple-A Las Vegas. He hopes to return to action by the end of May. The Mets acquired Devin Mesoraco from the Reds to fill in as the starter with Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud (elbow) sidelined, so it's unclear if Plawecki will start once he is activated. The more likely scenario is that Plawecki resumes his role as part-time starter, especially since New York's pitching staff has excelled with Mesoraco behind the plate. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $2

FIRST BASE

Ryan McMahon, Rockies: McMahon opened the season with the Rockies but struggled mightily, batting 180/.317/.200 in 60 plate appearances for the Rockies, striking out 36.7 percent of the time, earning a demotion. With DJ LeMahieu still on the shelf with a thumb injury. McMahon gets a second chance, as he was promoted Saturday. Hopefully you followed Clay's advise last week to stash him. McMahon was hitting mildly better in the minors, slashing 253/.320/.429 with three home runs and 16 RBI, to get the nod and should see semi-consistent playing time at second base with LeMahieu sidelined. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

SECOND BASE

Josh Harrison, Pirates: Pittsburgh made do with a cast of characters, led by Adam Frazier, while Harrison was sidelined over a month with a hand injury. Harrison returned last Sunday and has raked at the plate. Look for a modicum of power and speed – double digits likely in each – along with a copious amount of runs from the Pittsburgh keystoner. 12-team Mixed: $25 (if unowned, as he was in my home league); 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Eric Sogard, Brewers: Sogard swapped spots with Orlando Arcia, with Arcia sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs and Sogard coming back to the majors. He was demoted to Triple-A in early May due to him slashing just .100/.194/.150 in 60 at-bats but replaces the struggling Arcia In Milwaukee. Sogard went only 11-for-48 in 11 games but gets the nod while Arcia works out his game in the minors. He should serve as infield depth for the Brewers, with Tyler Saladino and Hernan Perez manning shortstop with Arcia in the minors. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

THIRD BASE

Johan Camargo, Braves: The release of Jose Bautista opens the door for Camargo to see most of the action at the hot corner for Atlanta. Ryan Flaherty will factor into the mix, and both players are placeholders for Austin Riley. But if Camargo gets hot and hits like he did last season, the Braves can allow Riley to further develop and marinate in the minors. If not, Riley could be up by the All-Star break, relegating Camargo to a utility role, like he had during Bautista's tenure. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Brandon Dixon, Reds: Dixon was promoted this week by Cincy, replacing Rosell Herrera on the active roster. He was hitting .326 with four home runs and 14 RBI over 37 games at Triple-A Louisville to earn the callup. Dixon has some power and speed but is blocked in Cincy, limiting his future value. He is being used as a utility player, seeing time both in the infield as well as left and right field. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Austin Riley, Braves: Riley, the Braves' top prospect once Ronald Acuna hits 130 major-league at-bats, is still getting his feet wet after getting was promoted from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett on May 6. He earned that bump in levels by posting a .333/.394/.677 line with six home runs and 20 runs batted in across 109 plate appearances. Riley, a supplemental first-round pick in 2015, likely boasts the most power in the organization's farm system. If he can continue to limit his strikeouts and show a solid eye at the plate, Riley could be promoted this season, especially with Johan Camargo and Ryan Flaherty manning the hot corner with Jose Bautista waived. Riley's timeframe will depend on how well those two players fare and how quickly he excels at Gwinnett. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (upped early spec callup and stash bid, up substantially in keeper leagues)

SHORTSTOP

Amed Rosario, Mets: Rosario, profiled last week, gets another mention, as he remained hot at the plate. He is hitting .300 (15-for-50) over his last 15 games, upping his average to .253 on the year with all three of his home runs coming in that stretch. Despite the hot streak, there are still plenty of rough edges to his game -- including a 1-for-5 performance on steal attempts and a 5:35 BB:K so far in 2018 – but after his rough start to the season, he finally looks to mildly rounding into form. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14

Tyler Saladino, Brewers: Saladino, profiled the past few weeks, gets another mention, as he looks to have earned close to a full-time role for the Brew Crew. Promoted two weeks ago to replace Nick Franklin, who was injured in his first game following his callup, Saladino continues to produce at the plate, which contributed to Orlando Arcia's demotion. After hitting a career-worst .178/.254/.229 while stepping up to the plate 281 times last season for the White Sox, Saladino was traded to Milwaukee in mid-April and assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He slashed .268/.375/.415 with six RBI and five stolen bases over 12 games at the Triple-A club to earn the promotion. As Clay noted last week, Saladino so far has looked like the 2018 version of Eric Sogard: a player who gets called up and surprisingly plays so well that he doesn't come out of the lineup. If/when he turns back to a pumpkin, Saladino will transition to a backup infielder behind Jonathan Villar. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

JT Riddle, Marlins:Martin Prado landed on the disabled list after straining his hamstring Friday, replaced by Riddle on the active roster. Miami moved Miguel Rojas from shortstop to third, inserting Riddle at shortstop. Riddle was batting .346/.400/.531 with three homers at Triple-A New Orleans, but his glove -- not his bat -- is his best attributable and gives him the edge to see most of the playing at short with Prado sidelined. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

J.P. Crawford, Phillies: Crawford, out since late April with a Grade 1 right flexor pronator strain, fielded groundballs at extended spring training Monday. There is no timetable for Crawford's return, and while he is sidelined, Scott Kingery, who is also struggling, will continue to fill in at third. If Kingery could be sent down if he's still slumping when Crawford returns, though Crawford, who was cold in his own right before hitting the DL, might end up at Triple-A Lehigh Valley even when active. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

OUTFIELD

Brandon Nimmo, Mets: If you haven't already found Nimmo, what are you are waiting for? He's starting daily due to the absence of Yoenis Cespedes, but he has played so well that even when Cespedes returns from his hip injury, the Mets will have to find a way to keep Nimmo atop the lineup. He continues to find a way to get on base, posting a .429 OBP in 119 plate appearances, helping to drive the Mets' attack. He has played all three outfield spots, which should continue for the near future. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $18; 12-team NL: $25 (if not owned)

Austin Meadows, Pirates: Meadows will stick in Pittsburgh for the time being despite the return of Starling Marte from the disabled list. He acquitted himself nicely in the seven games he played with Marte sidelined, batting .448/.448/.897 with three homers and two stolen bases in seven games. Meadows has a good eye at the plate, and the belief was that the power would develop in time with his biggest issue an inability to stay healthy. Pittsburgh can work Meadows into the lineup, giving Marte, Corey Dickerson or Gregory Polanco a day off here and there. 12-team Mixed: $9; 15-team Mixed: $16; 12-team NL: $22

Jarrod Dyson/Socrates Brito, Diamondbacks: The Arizona outfield is a nightmare, as Steven Souza (pectoral) joined A.J. Pollock (thumb) on the sidelines. To replace Souza on the active roster, the D-Backs promoted Brito, who most recently played in the majors in 2016. He will serve as a backup. The injury to Souza strengthens Dyson's hold on a starting spot, as he was seeing additional time with Pollock out. He should supply steals and runs but little else. In addition, with Pollock and Souza out, look for Chris Owings to remain in the lineup every day in the outfield. Dyson - 12-team Mixed: $4; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: $16; Brito - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Jose Bautista, Mets: Within a month, Bautista went from no job. to signed by Atlanta. to a minor-league assignment, to starting at third base, and finally to a release and latching on with the Mets. Follow all that? After his release Sunday, Bautista signed with the Mets on Tuesday and several hours later was starting in left field. With Todd Frazier and Yoenis Cespedes still out and New York in need of another outfielder and right-handed bat, Bautista should see action against left-handers. His playing time against righties (.142/.246/.297 slash line since last year's All-Star break) should be minimal at best. Bautista is two games shy of qualifying at third base in many leagues, a number he should likely get at some point, which would slightly increase his value. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (up is still a believer)

Gorkys Hernandez, Giants: Hernandez saw just 41 at-bats in April, but injuries in the Giants' outfield -- coupled with Austin Jackson's struggles against right-handed pitching -- have allowed Hernandez to already see 60 at-bats in May. He has made the most of that playing time, going 21-for-60 with all five of his home runs. Hunter Pence should be back soon, creating a bit of a logjam in the San Francisco outfield, but with Jackson batting .204/.286/.286 against righties, Hernandez should continue to see playing time as long as he remains hot at the plate. Keep in mind though that Hernandez strikes out about 30 percent of the time and walks just slightly more than 3 percent of the time, which doesn't bode well for sustained success. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Injury activations/updates

Mac Williamson, Giants: Williamson, out for nearly a month with a concussion, was activated and started for the Giants on Friday. He played just five games after his promotion before he was sidelined, but in those five games, he blasted three home runs. This offseason, Williamson worked to revamp his swing and improve his launch angle with hitting coach Doug Latta, who helped make Justin Turner a star. Initial impressions of the change were good, as Williamson slashed .487/.600/1.026 with six home runs in 11 games at Triple-A Sacramento to earn the original callup. San Francisco is in dire need of production -- especially pop -- from their lineup, and Williamson should play every day until at least Hunter Pence returns from his injury. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14