Josh Fleming DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that left-hander Josh Fleming will make the start on Tuesday in Milwaukee to take on the division-rival Brewers. While Fleming has only allowed one earned run in 9 1/3 innings in his last six appearances (one start) for the Pirates, he hasn't started a game since June 16 against the Colorado Rockies and hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his last five appearances out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers would be wise to avoid the 28-year-old southpaw as a streamer, especially in a tough matchup against the National League Central leaders on the road. Fleming last appeared on Saturday against the New York Mets and threw two scoreless innings of relief while striking out one and walking none.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Josh Fleming to a split one-year deal. The 27-year-old southpaw will make $850,000 if he's in the big leagues in 2024. The Pirates are planning to use him in a long-relief role, which won't give him much fantasy appeal for the rebuilding Bucs. Fleming went 2-0 in 2023 with a 4.70 ERA (5.66 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 19 walks and 25 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings over 12 appearances (three starts), and he has a career 4.88 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with one save and 144 strikeouts in 223 1/3 innings over 55 outings (22 starts) in four years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Elbow issues cost Fleming more than two months in 2023, and at best, he'll be a low-upside streamer in NL-only leagues if he makes any spot starts in Pittsburgh.