On the mound in Miami on Sunday, it felt like a flashback to 2021 for the Milwaukee Brewers' rotation. Brandon Woodruff, the No. 5 finisher in the National League Cy Young Award balloting and the No. 18 overall player in terms of fantasy points during the 2021 campaign, made a triumphant return from October 2023 surgery. He scored 24 fantasy points, his highest since Sept. 11, 2023, completing six innings on just 70 pitches.

While Woodruff's 93.3-mph average fastball velocity was his lowest in any single start in seven years, he still managed to generate four swings-and-misses (a 33.3% whiff rate) and five of his eight strikeouts with the pitch. His performance on three of his primary offerings—four-seam fastball, sinker, and changeup—was commendable, and he added a quality cutter to the mix. This resulted in an impressive 80.0% first-pitch strike, 61.4% zone, and 29.4% whiff rates.

As Woodruff continues to regain full strength and increases his pitch count to 90-95 in the coming weeks, he could become a top-25 fantasy starting pitcher in the second half of the season. Given his track record from 2019-23, where he posted the fifth-best WHIP (1.02) and averaged the sixth-most fantasy points per start (14.9) and ninth-best K rate (30.0%) among pitchers with at least 75 starts, he is a valuable pickup in the 54.7% of ESPN leagues where he remains available.

Other Players to Consider

• Jurickson Profar, OF, Atlanta Braves: Profar has hit .286 (6-for-21) with two home runs in his first five games since returning from suspension. He is an effective must-add in ESPN standard points leagues.
• Cam Smith, 3B/OF, Houston Astros: Smith has significantly picked up the pace, batting .349/.389/.547 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and 18 runs scored over his last 26 games.
• Ronny Henriquez, RP, Miami Marlins: Henriquez has retired every one of the last 13 batters he has faced, striking out six. He has four of the team's six saves and a 1.13 ERA across his last eight appearances.
• Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/SS, Boston Red Sox: Rafaela is a .333/.356/.754 hitter with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 13 stolen bases over his last 15 games.
• Brady Singer, SP, Cincinnati Reds: Singer should be well-rested for his pair of starts this week, facing the Marlins and Rockies at home.

Deeper-League Pickups

• Cameron Schlittler, SP, New York Yankees: With a 2.77 ERA and a 34.4% K rate across his last eight starts, Schlittler is worth a speculative pickup.
• Joe Boyle, SP, Tampa Bay Rays: Boyle's improved control has led to his promotion, and he is a valuable addition in AL-only and 15-plus-team mixed leagues.
• Trevor Rogers, SP, Baltimore Orioles: Rogers has posted a 0.90 ERA over his last three starts and is generating elite whiff rates with his breaking pitches.