Jakob Junis DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. McDaniel noted that Junis could work as both a starter and a reliever for the Guardians. Last season, Junis logged 67 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During the season, he appeared in 24 games and started six of them. He held a 2.69 ERA with a strong 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command of his pitches with a 3.2 percent walk rate. However, he generated a modest 3.80 xERA, which suggests he will likely face some regression during the 2025 campaign. During spring training, fantasy managers should expect Junis to compete for the final spot in the rotation.

According to James Fox of FutureSox, the Chicago White Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis. The 32-year-old has been deployed as both a reliever and starter throughout his big-league career. Last season, Junis spent time with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Across 67 frames, the 32-year-old held a solid 2.69 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He showed elite command with a stellar 3.2% walk rate but struggled to generate whiffs as he held an underwhelming 20.2% strikeout rate. In addition, he posted a poor 42.4% hard-hit rate and 38.7% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some regression during the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status, as he could be a viable low-end starting pitcher in AL/NL-only formats if he can sign a 2025 contract.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jakob Junis (personal) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field due to personal reasons and is now expected to start on Wednesday. Right-hander Carson Spiers will make a spot start on Tuesday in Cleveland as a result. Junis will now have an extra day of rest before facing the Guardians on the road in the final week of the 2024 regular season. The 32-year-old has been great all year, but especially of late, allowing only three earned runs on eight hits while walking just one and fanning 15 over 19 2/3 innings in his last four starts against the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. Junis has only thrown 62 innings in 2024 due to injury, but he's posted a nice 2.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 23 outings (five starts) when healthy.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis from the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night in exchange for right-hander Frankie Montas, according to a source. Wiemer was caught in a roster crunch in Milwaukee in a crowded outfield picture and hit just .154/.185/.154 with a stolen bases in 19 games played after appearing in 132 games in 2023 in his rookie season. The 25-year-old has also disappointed with a .224 average, three homers, 20 RBI and six steals in 53 games at Triple-A Nashville in 2024. Wiemer will operate as minor-league outfield depth for Cincy. Junis, 31, has only made 10 appearances in the big leagues this year due to injury but has been sharp in his 26 innings, posting a career-best 2.42 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, one save and 19 K's. He could be moved to a starting role in Cincy, though, and Junis does have 111 starts in his eight years in the big leagues, potentially making him a deep-league pickup off the waiver wire.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to come back until June 2 now, at the earliest. Junis' comeback from a right-shoulder injury in early April was interrupted when he was stretchered off the field on April 22 after being hit in the neck by a batting practice ball. He was alert and responsive when he was sent to a local hospital and was able to resume playing catch by April 26. It's a tough break for the 31-year-old veteran, who allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in a four-inning no-decision in his lone start of the year on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. When healthy, Junis should be a candidate to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation next month.