Joe Mantiply and Kevin Ginkel Fantasy Baseball Updates - Ben Rosener’s MLB Beat

Major League Baseball’s regular season is here, and with it comes the daily influx of baseball news that fantasy managers missed in the winter months. Lineup news, actual games happening, constant waiver wire moves, pitching assignments, and bullpen usage.

This column aims to cover any fantasy baseball news, big or small, and how it pertains to your fantasy team. Spring training or the regular season, it's covered here.

Has a player who's usually been hitting in the middle of a lineup suddenly batting eighth or ninth for an extended period? The fantasy implications will be covered here. The same goes for injuries and injured placements and whether or not you should consider picking up a player who was recently called up. Basically, any kernel of fantasy news and its relevance to fantasy managers could be covered here. Today, the news of the day is the fantasy impact of the Arizona Diamondbacks recalling relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel from Triple-A and optioning fellow relief pitcher Joe Mantiply from Triple-A.

Joe Mantiply and Kevin Ginkel

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a handful of roster moves before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a tweet from the National League West club’s official Twitter account. Arizona recalled pitchers Kevin Ginkel and Justin Martinez. Starter Merrill Kelly was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right calf inflammation and reliever Joe Mantiply was optioned to Triple-A.

The moves could come with some potentially notable bullpen ramifications for Arizona, at least where setup options and holds candidates are concerned.

Mantiply enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 but has struggled so far in the Majors in 2023. After logging a 2.85 ERA, a 2.83 FIP, and 61 strikeouts – compared to just six walks and six home runs allowed – in 60 innings, the left-hander has pitched to a 5.74 ERA and a 4.16 FIP in 15.2 frames for Arizona this year.

Ginkel will replace him in the bullpen for the time being, and while Scott McGough, Andrew Chafin, and Miguel Castro have dominated most all of the save and hold chances for the Diamondbacks, Ginkel could be a name to keep an eye on in leagues where holds are part of the scoring.

Diamondbacks 2023 Saves Leaders

• Andrew Chafin, 8
• Miguel Castro, 7
• Scott McGough, 6
• Drey Jameson, 1

Diamondbacks 2023 Holds Leaders

• Scott McGough, 12
• Andrew Chafin, 10
• Miguel Castro, 8
• Austin Adams, 7
• Kyle Nelson, 6
• Kevin Ginkel, 1
• Drey Jameson, 1
• Jose Ruiz, 1
• Joe Mantiply, 1

The 29-year-old was dominant in a brief spell in Triple-A, striking out 11 of the 19 batters he faced while scattering four hits in five shutout innings.

In 25 appearances spanning 29.1 innings in the Majors this year, the veteran has logged a 2.76 ERA and a 3.40 FIP while adding 26 strikeouts. He’s surrendered just nine walks and a pair of home runs so far while tacking on three pitcher wins and a hold.

Entering play Tuesday, only Chafin, McGough, and Kyle Nelson had a higher fWAR than Ginkel among Arizona relievers.

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