NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

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.

STARTING PITCHER

Touki Toussaint, Braves: Toussaint, promoted to start the opening game in Monday's doubleheader for Atlanta, was brilliant in that outing, tossing six innings of one-run ball, surrendering just a pair of hits and a pair of walks while striking out four. The 22-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from Arizona in 2015, earned the spot start by posting a 2.01 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB in 31.1 innings during his first five starts at Triple-A Gwinnett. Toussaint was sent down after the outing, but with several Braves starters on the disabled list, he could be in line for a handful of starts down the stretch if the need arises. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues)

Kolby Allard, Braves: Allard was promoted last week and is working out of the Atlanta bullpen, but he projects to remain a starter down the road. He got his feet wet on July 31, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout across five innings to earn the win. Allard earned that promotion by posting a 2.80 ERA and striking out 87 batters across 109.1 innings at Triple-A Gwinnett, but the acquisition of Kevin Gausman landed Allard back in the minors. His role now is as a low-leverage or long-relief option for Atlanta and as No. 3 or 4 starter in the future. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (up in keeper leagues)

Jefry Rodriguez, Nationals: Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to start Saturday's game against the Marlins in place of Tommy Milone. He allowed four runs -- two earned -- on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out three in five innings. With Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) hitting the disabled list Saturday, Rodriguez, who made his fifth start for Washington this year Saturday, figures to remain in the starting rotation until Hellickson returns to health. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Casey Kelly, Giants: Kelly slid into the Giants' rotation Friday replacing the injured Dereck Rodriguez (groin). His recent five-inning performance in relief of Ty Blach last Saturday vaulted him into consideration for a rotation spot, and the Rodriguez injury opened the door. Kelly allowed one run on nine hits and a walk while striking out in 4.1 innings Friday. His minor-league numbers and prior major-league performances don't scream 'add me now,' so temper your enthusiasm off two good relief appearances. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers: Ryu, sidelined since May 2 with a strained groin, was activated off the disabled to start Wednesday. He fired six scoreless innings with three hits allowed and six strikeouts against the Giants. Ryu needed just two rehab starts before rejoined the Dodgers, who made room by placing Ross Stripling on the 10-day disabled list. Prior to being sidelined, Ryu had pitched well, posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 29.2 innings pitched, and he should remain in the Los Angeles rotation even when all the team's starters are healthy. 12-team Mixed: $14; 15-team Mixed: $28; 12-team NL: $40 (upped return bid)

Antonio Senzatela, Rockies: Senzatela, placed on the 10-day disabled list on Aug. 5 due to inflammation of his right shoulder, was activated and started against the Braves on Saturday. He allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out one in five innings. Prior to being sidelined, Senzatela was coming off a pair of stellar outings during which he allowed a pair of runs in 11.2 innings. Senzatela owns a 4.56 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 47.1 frames -- but a 3.60 ERA in his five starts since moving back into the rotation in July. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $5; 12-team NL: $9

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: Wainwright, who last pitched on May 13, started for High-A Palm Beach on Thursday, firing two perfect innings in which he recorded three strikeouts. This outing was Wainwright's second of the week, as he tossed a scoreless inning for Palm Beach on Monday. Wainwright's next rehab start might come with Double-A Springfield or Triple-A Memphis, and he may need several rehab appearances before he is ready to rejoin the Cardinals, which likely will occur when the roster expands in September. Given his struggles since the 2015 season, don't expect much from Wainwright if he is able to return, but he has looked better in his rehab appearances than expected, even though each has been at High-A. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (slightly upped bid)

Zach Davies, Brewers: Davies, who is fulfilling yet another rehab assignment and recently returned from another setbacks, made his fifth rehab start at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday, allowing four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out two in just 3.2 innings. He tossed 79 pitches, down from the 86 he threw in his prior rehab start. Sidelined since June 1 with issues in his shoulder and back, Davies, who might have been activated if he pitched well, will start Wednesday for Double-A Biloxi, after which a decision will be made as to his next step. After a poor first half of 2017, Davies finished strong, showing that his 2016 numbers were no fluke. Once/if healthy, he should provide solid across-the-board numbers save for a middling strikeout rate replacing either Wade Miley or Freddy Peralta in the Milwaukee rotation, though this isn't set in stone. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Julio Urias, Dodgers: Urias made his fourth minor-league kicked off a rehab appearance and second at High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. He has allowed a run or more in three of those appearances and has yet to toss more than an inning. The good news is that Urias' velocity is in the 94 mph range, in line with his pre-injury numbers, and he has posted a 10:1 K:BB ratio in four innings. Los Angeles is preparing Urias for a role as a reliever in the last six weeks or so of 2018, but he may need to toss two innings or appear in back-to-back games before he is activated. Urias projects to be a starter in the future, but this is the quickest path to the majors this year. LA's top pitching prospect when he was promoted in 2016, Urias showed flashes of what made him so special in his 77 innings pitched that season. After opening 2017 in the minors, Urias got the nod early in the year, pitching well his first few starts. But after he struggled and was sent to the minors, shoulder soreness shut him down and Urias underwent successful left anterior capsule surgery June of last season. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same bid as prior)

Jeff Samardzija, Giants: Samardzija left his May 29 start with right shoulder tightness. Prior to the injury, Shark had posted a mediocre 26:23 K:BB with a 6.56 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 35.2 innings. Samardzija made several rehab starts before returning to action on July 7, but he lasted just two outings before he was sidelined again with a similar ailment. He has ramped up his rehab again, facing live hitters Friday and will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday. Samardzija signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Giants in December of 2015, so he still has a little over two years left on his contract, making it tough to deal or walk away from him. Last season, Samardzija posted a 4.14 ERA, but that doesn't accurately represent how well he pitched. He upped his K/9 from 7.39 to 8.8, lowered his walk rate to just 1.4 BB/9 and finished 13th among qualified starters in K-BB% (20.4), resulting in a 3.65 FIP. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5 (spec return bid)

Bryan Mitchell, Padres: Mitchell, out since June 20 with right elbow impingement, made his third rehab start for High-A Lake Elsinore last Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in five innings. He likely will be ready to rejoin the Padres after one more rehab start. Prior to the injury, Mitchell posted a 7.08 ERA and 23:35 K:BB across 48.1 innings and will be brought back as a starter when he is activated. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

RELIEF PITCHER

Koda Glover, Nationals: The recent revolving door at closer for Washington landed on Glover this week. Ryan Madson was placed on the disabled list this week with back woes, joining Kelvin Herrera, who is on the DL with right shoulder inflammation. Madson was filling in for Herrera, who was filling in for the injured Sean Doolittle (toe). Washington has now turned to Glover, who recently returned from his own shoulder injury. Glover allowed two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks with 10 strikeouts and a pair of saves in eight innings for Triple-A Syracuse before his callup last week. Doolittle was able to throw off a mound Tuesday and could be close to returning. But Glover, set up by Justin Miller, Wander Suero and Greg Holland, will have ninth-inning duty until then. 12-team Mixed: $3; 15-team Mixed: $9; 12-team NL: $14 (upped bid from prior)

Hector Neris, Phillies: Neris, who flamed out in Philly's closer role in June, was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. After notching 28 saves with a 2.58 ERA and 1.11 WHIP last season, Neris posted a 6.90 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 30 innings, earning the demotion. The reliever looks to have righted the ship in the minors, posting a 1.45 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB across 18 innings with the IronPigs to earn the promotion. Neris will be used in low-leverage spots but could move back into high-leverage situations if he pitches well. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Hunter Strickland, Giants: Strickland, on the 60-day disabled list with a broken right pinky finger, worked on consecutive days for the first time in his rehab stint, tossing an inning at Triple-A Sacramento after striking out two in a scoreless inning for the River Cats on Tuesday. This move up the ladder came after Strickland kicked off a rehab stint two weekends ago with Giants' Arizona League affiliate and advanced to High-A San Jose last week. Strickland should be activated when eligible Aug. 18. Prior to being sidelined, Strickland, who replaced Mark Melancon as the Giants' closer, was 13-for-17 in save chances with a mediocre 29:13 K:BB and 2.84 ERA over 31.2 innings. Will Smith has been stellar as San Francisco's closer, which may result in Strickland sliding back into a setup role when activated. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (same as prior)

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos, Phillies: The Rays dealt Ramos to the Phillies before the July 31 trade deadline, and he's profiled again in case he was unavailable for bidding in NL-only leagues until he was activated from the disabled list. After his return, he immediately took over as the Phils' starting catcher as expected, though he may cede 1-to-2 starts per week to Jorge Alfaro. He rebounded nicely from his knee injury at the end of the 2016 season, posting solid numbers in 60 games last season and a .297/.346/.488 line with 14 homers and 53 RBI over 78 games before his injury. He should benefit from playing at Citizens Bank Park. 12-team Mixed: owned; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: $85

Kevin Plawecki, Mets: Plawecki is splitting time with Devin Mesoraco behind the plate for the Mets, but his hot bat should earn him additional action. His eight RBI in this past week gave Plawecki 23 for the season, and he is up to 16 extra-base hits on the year. Those numbers are career highs for Plawecki, who has also shown some improvement behind the plate defensively. If those strides continue, New York may opt to roll with Plawecki the balance of the season. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

Erik Kratz/Jacob Nottingham, Brewers: Kratz is in line for additional playing time due to Manny Pina injuring his shoulder in a collision at home plate with Javier Baez on Wednesday. If Pina is forced to hit the disabled list, Nottingham would likely join the big-league club and split catching duties with Kratz, who is not known for his offense. Nottingham has been sidelined since the beginning of the month with a chip fracture in his right wrist, but if he is healthy, he would provide a better offensive option behind the plate than Kratz, though Milwaukee may opt for the better defender in the lineup. Kratz - 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3; Nottingham - 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

FIRST BASE

Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals: If you failed to add Zimmerman when he was activated off the disabled list, you may be out of luck. Listed as owned in 67 percent of CBS leagues, Zimmerman blasted a pair of home runs and drove in six last Sunday against the Cubs, likely spiking his ownership percentage. Zimmerman still is ceding some starts to Matt Adams, but he should be in the middle of the Nats' lineup at first base almost daily. 12-team Mixed: $35; 15-team Mixed: owned; 12-team NL: owned

Brandon Dixon, Reds: Nixon will receive an uptick in playing time with Joey Votto (right lower-leg contusion) landing on the disabled list Friday. The injury occurred when he was hit by a pitch on Aug. 4, and Votto is expected to return when eligible on August 26. Dixon hadn't done much with the playing time he received while Votto was sidelined before he landed on the disabled list, so don't expect much here. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: $0; 12-team NL: $4

Injury activations/updates

Garrett Cooper, Marlins: Cooper, sidelined since July 24 with a right wrist sprain, began a rehab assignment with High-A Jupiter on Friday. With Justin Bour now in Philly, Derek Dietrich has been manning first base, but Cooper could see time there when he returns. Austin Dean and Rafael Ortega have been called up since Cooper was injured and look to be in line for regular outfield roles, moving Brian Anderson to third base and Dietrich to first, As such, Cooper's playing time could be limited once he is healthy. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $3

SECOND BASE

David Bote, Cubs: Bote has ably helped fill in at third base with Kris Bryant (shoulder) sidelined, punctuated by his walkoff grand slam last Sunday evening. Javier Baez is also seeing time at the hot corner with Ben Zobrist then sliding in at second base, resulting in Bote not playing full-time. Bote's overall numbers in his short majors stint are impressive, and if he qualifies at second due to his minor-league service time, his value is even higher while Bryant continues to recover from his shoulder injury. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11

THIRD BASE

Todd Frazier, Mets: Frazier has been red-hot since returning to the lineup at the beginning of the month after missing nearly a month with a strained left rib cage. In the 15 games Frazier has played since rejoining the Mets (through Friday's games), he posted a .278/.344/.444 line with a pair of home runs along with 10 runs scored and 11 driven in. Injuries have limited Frazier to 75 games, and his numbers are a far cry from what he notched from 2014-17, but he should be in the lineup almost daily at third base for the final quarter of the season as he tries to close out the year strong. 12-team Mixed: $25; 15-team Mixed: $35; 12-team NL: owned

Austin Riley, Braves: Though Johan Camargo's play at third base makes him the unquestioned starter at the hot corner for now, Riley is clearly the future at the position and might be called up when rosters expand in September. The Braves' top prospect was promoted from Double-A Mississippi to Triple-A Gwinnett the second week of May. 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, missed five weeks with a sprained knee from early-June to early-July and has struggled at times in Gwinnett, but has re-found his stroke at the plate lately. While his power has been slowly in returning, Riley posted a .284/.361/.405 line the 30 games after he returned from his injury (through Thursday's games) and his line ticked up substantially the last two weeks. Riley likely boasts the most power in the organization's farm system, and his path to the bigs might get shorter if he can continue to limit his strikeouts and show a solid eye at the plate. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (spec call up bid, higher in keeper leagues)

Injury activations/updates

David Wright, Mets: Wright, who has played in just 75 games since the start of the 2015 season and none since 2016, kicked off a rehab assignment at High-A St. Lucie last Sunday. Once on pace to be a possible Hall of Famer, spinal stenosis and other assorted injuries short-circuited what was once an excellent career. Wright is in the midst of what should be a lengthy rehab but to date; he has not had any setbacks. He could possibly rejoin the Mets at the end of the month or in September, though that is far from certain. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (slightly upped bid)

SHORTSTOP

Kevin Newman, Pirates: Newman, a first-round pick by the Pirates in 2012, was promoted to replace the injured Jordy Mercer (calf). Across 109 games with Triple-A Indianapolis, Newman slashed .302/.350/.407 with four home runs, 35 RBI and 28 stolen bases. Newman doesn't hit for power, as he is a gap hitter, and isn't a stellar defender, but he can handle the bat and provide some speed on the basepaths. Adeiny Hechavarria likely will start at shortstop with Newman seeing most of his action against southpaws and possibly occasionally at second base. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $5

OUTFIELD

Harrison Bader, Cardinals: Bader, profiled two weeks ago due to the expectation of almost full-time outfield duty due to the trade of Tommy Pham dealt to Tampa Bay and Dexter Fowler (foot) landing on the disabled list, gets another mention since he is making the most of that opportunity. Since the trade and the calendar flipping to August, Bader has posted a .365/.424/.635 line with three home runs, eight RBI, 13 runs scored and three steals. Bader usually crushes lefties and scuffles against righties, but he has been slightly better this season against righties, somewhat removing the need for a platoon in center field. Due to his power-speed potential on offense, Bader projects to be at least a 15-homer, 15-steal player or better in the future. 12-team Mixed: $11; 15-team Mixed: $22; 12-team NL: $33

Travis Jankowski, Padres: With Hunter Renfroe and Franmil Reyes up in the majors, Wil Myers activated off the disabled list and Manuel Margot also in the mix, Jankowski is not playing daily. But his stolen base potential, seen when he swiped four bags last Sunday, warrants a place on your roster. Myers is seeing time at the hot corner while Margot is slumping again, opening the door for playing time for Jankowski. His value is likely higher in DFS leagues or ones with daily moves, since you can move him in an out of your lineups, but even in weekly league, the potential for steals may be worth the downside risk of a goose end a day or two during the week. 12-team Mixed: $5; 15-team Mixed: $11; 12-team NL: owned

Austin Dean, Marlins: Dean, batting .345/.410/.511 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI over 109 games between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans this season, was called up and made his major-league debut Wednesday. The Marlins, with Martin Prado landing back on the disabled list, moved Brian Anderson back to third base with Dean manning left field while batting sixth. Drafted in the fourth round in 2012, Dean, who hit his first home run of the season Friday, has steadily moved up the ladder. While he doesn't project to be a starter in the future, he could be the Marlins' fourth outfielder in 2018. When Lewis Brinson returns in September, however, Dean may cede time to Magneuris Sierra in left field. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7

Keon Broxton, Brewers: Broxton was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday to give Milwaukee depth in the outfield. He struggled earlier in the season, batting just .185 in 25 games for the Brewers, resulting in his demotion. But Broxton was mildly better at Triple-A, hitting 10 home runs while stealing 27 bases and posting a .323 on-base percentage and .370 slugging percentage. Those numbers also came with a 119:30 K:BB in 334 plate appearances. Those high K and low BB rates don't bode well for future success at the upper level, and with Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain in Milwaukee, Broxton may need a change of scenery to see consistent playing time. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4

Aristides Aquino, Reds: Aquino was promoted from Double-A Pensacola on Friday to replace Joey Votto (leg) on the Reds' roster. The 24-year-old had a .249/.313/.452 slash line with 18 home runs and 103 strikeouts in 378 at-bats with the Blue Wahoos this season. Aquino should see spot duty in the outfield until Votto is activated. 12-team Mixed: No; 15-team Mixed: No; 12-team NL: $2

Injury activations/updates

Tyler O'Neill, Cardinals: O'Neill, profiled two weeks ago when he promoted after Tommy Phan was traded to Tampa, gets another mention, as he was activated off the disabled list this week. He parlayed a blistering streak in the minors in May into a major-league promotion, lasting about two weeks before he returned to Triple-A Louisville. O'Neill got another kick at the can to start July but lasted just a few days before landing on the disabled list. St. Louis eased some of its outfield logjam by dealing Pham to Tampa, which should allow O'Neill to see some time in right field along with Jose Martinez, aided by absence of Dexter Fowler, with Harrison Bader and Marcell Ozuna in the lineup almost daily. O'Neill, who had 26 home runs and 61 RBI in the minors, may see less time than expected with Martinez playing right, though check Martinez's status as he is dealing with hip soreness, Matt Carpenter at first and Jedd Gyorko at third. 12-team Mixed: $2; 15-team Mixed: $7; 12-team NL: $11 (up in playing time spikes)

Jay Bruce, Mets: Bruce, out since mid-June, kicked off a rehab assignment at High-A St. Lucie on Tuesday. Injuries have limited to Bruce to just 62 highly unproductive games. Signed to a three-year, $39 million contract this offseason, Bruce has posted a .212/.292/.312 line with three home runs and 17 RBI after notching a .254/.324/.508 line with 36 long balls and 101 RBI last season. Bruce could rejoin the Mets at the end of the month or in early September, seeing time both at first base and right field. 12-team Mixed: $1; 15-team Mixed: $4; 12-team NL: $7 (early spec return bid)

Lewis Brinson, Marlins: Brinson, out since early July with a hip bone bruise, kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Jacksonville this week. Miami can slow-play Brinson's recovery time, allowing him to remain in the minors until after the September 1 roster expansion. Brinson, acquired from Milwaukee this past offseason in the Christian Yelich trade, struggled prior to his injury, hitting just .186/.232/.338 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI across 84 games this year. He still projects to be the Marlins' center fielder of the future and should be in the lineup almost daily when he rejoins the team, with Magneuris Sierra shifting to left. 12-team Mixed: $0; 15-team Mixed: $1; 12-team NL: $4 (early spec return bid)