Danny Salazar (SP/RP, CLE) - Week 17 Waiver Wire Pickups

Andrew Ericksen analyzes Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar as a waiver wire pickup or add target for Week 17 of the 2019 fantasy baseball season. Salazar's been impressive in his rehab stint and could be joining the Indians soon.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 21% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: October 9, 2017 was the last time we saw Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar in the major leagues. He spent the entirety of the 2018 season on the Disabled List and underwent surgery on his right, throwing shoulder in July of that year. Now, however, he's on the road to a return to the majors and there have been some very encouraging signs from his recent rehab appearances.

Salazar has made five starts in the minor leagues this July and has recorded 23 strikeouts over just 13.1 innings. High strikeouts were the calling card of Salazar during his tenure as an Indians' starter from 2013 to 2017 and it's very encouraging to see that he's retained high strikeout numbers in his return to action this year. His ERA across his five minor league starts this year is 3.38 and his WHIP is 1.43.

It's likely that Salazar will be joining the Indians in a few weeks. The club is only allowed to keep him on a rehab assignment for 30 days. July 7 was his first rehab appearance, so that makes August 6 the deadline for the club's decision. The team will most likely use him out of the bullpen upon his return, which of course makes him less enticing of an add. For now, he can be kept on waivers in most leagues. He's of most interest in deep categories and rotisserie leagues where he can give a big boost in strikeouts without logging many innings.