Let’s track this week’s action. Some updates as well as some things to watch in these bullpens. You will also find an updated sheet with closers, stoppers and holds candidates as well. If you have any questions, you can always DM me @mdrc0508 on the Twitter machine.
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Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Boston’s Kenley Jansen is battling through a back injury, and Josh Winckowski was the beneficiary with a win and a save this week. Chris Martin is also back off the IL, and John Schreiber continues to be their stopper. One to watch here especially if Jansen needs to miss time.
New York Yankees fans are reeling this week. Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in the struggling Clay Holmes this week, and it’s obviously prudent to listen to what the manager says each week about these situations. However, what the manager is not saying is that he is on the hot seat and his job could be riding on these decisions in the coming days and weeks, and he has a weapon in the bullpen named Michael King who has been lights out. If he’s available, stash him in your league. Holmes has struggled before and figured it out, but time may be running out. Stash King if you can.
Last week we reported that Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks left a game on a cold night in Chicago with a flare-up of his Reynaud’s Syndrome. Later we learned that Fairbanks had also been having trouble with his forearm all spring, and the Rays decided to err on the side of caution and put him on the IL. The expectation here is that Jason Adam will take over the closer role at this time. But this is Tampa, so do not be surprised if guys like Colin Poche, Kevin Kelly, and maybe even Yonny Chirinos factor into the mix as well. Adam got a save on Thursday night. Heck, Chase Anderson earned his first career save with a three-inning gem last week. Egads.
AL Central
The news continues to be encouraging for Liam Hendriks of the Chicago White Sox, who is heading out on a rehab assignment after beating cancer. It was revealed this week that Hendriks was likely pitching with the ailment last season, making his season all the more impressive. I have no data to support this but expect Hendriks back sooner than later; he never stopped throwing during his treatments this winter and spring. He is a warrior who will be back in the closer role on the South Side as soon as possible, and do the White Sox need him. The back end of the bullpen has been an abomination, with would-be closer Reynaldo Lopez leading the way with a whopping six home runs and a Little League style 8.78 ERA to go with two losses and three saves. Lopez is a better match at the stopper role and is miscast as a closer, despite his best efforts. Lopez did earn the save in Cincinnati on Friday night. Hendriks pitched an inning of relief last night in AAA Charlotte. Keynan Middleton continues to be a valuable arm for the ChiSox, and he picked up a save last week as well. The Sox DFA’d Jake Diekman this week as well.
AL West
Bad news for the Los Angeles Angels as lefty Jose Quijada needs Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the 2023 season and a large portion of 2024 as well. Continue to use Carlos Estevez without reservation.
The turnstile continues in Oakland. Veteran Jeurys Familia was designated for assignment this week. On the Fantasy Baseball Beat podcast last week, Athletics’ beat writer Matt Kawahara called that Zach Jackson would end up being the closer here. And it looks like he was correct, although they might also get help here from Richard Lovelady and Sam Moll, an underrated middle-relief guy who could step into a larger role.
I feel it’s safe to say that Will Smith is the top choice in Texas over Jose Leclerc, notwithstanding last night’s four-run outing. Smith has four saves and Leclerc only one. Command has always been the issue holding Leclerc back, and he has nine walks in ten innings in 2023. I expect Smith to be the more comfortable choice for manager Bruce Bochy. Brock Burke and Jonathan Hernandez remain excellent choices for holds.
NL East
The Atlanta Braves activated closer Raisel Iglesias on Friday, and while we don’t know the exact plan for his usage upon his return, it is a safe bet to assume he will ascend back to his closer chair sooner than later. No shot on A.J. Minter, who has seven saves thus far in 2023.
A sore elbow has sidelined Brooks Raley in New York. No change to the top dogs in David Robertson and Adam Ottavino, but if you are looking for holds, maybe bump Drew Smith up for now.
Don’t look now, but Washington’s Kyle Finnegan has quietly steered things in a far better direction for himself. After a much-ballyhooed start to the season, Finnegan has put together a very good streak. In his last seven appearances, Finnegan has a win and four saves. It’s going to be an interesting highwire act at times, as Finnegan does surrender baserunners. But of your goal is purely to get saves, Finnegan has seven total, which ties him for third in MLB. I’m just sayin’…
NL Central
In Chicago, Brandon Hughes is back on the IL with his knee issue. I will continue to tout Adbert Alzolay as a guy who could and should get a higher leverage role here.
Raise your hand if you saw Pittsburgh’s Colin Holderman leading MLB with nine holds through May 5th. He also threw an immaculate inning last week. No worries for David Bednar, who is third in MLB with nine saves. These two are a big reason for the Pirates’ good start this season.
NL West
We’re watching usage in Colorado, where Daniel Bard is back and healthy but has yet to get a save opportunity since his return from the IL. Could Pierce Johnson retain the closer role in Denver? Could happen. We will see if manager Bud Black is just easing Bard back into the role. At 12-21, the Rockies haven’t had many opportunities for saves thus far.
In Los Angeles, Evan Phillips continues to be my top choice despite Brusdar Graterol also having two saves in the last week. Will be watching to see how this continues to play out.
in San Diego, Josh Hader continues to be unhittable; 20 punchouts in15 innings and only four hits surrendered to go with an MLB-leading 11 saves. He’s limiting hard contact (85.1 MPH exit velocity) coupled with a 36.4 K %. Keep running him out there; set and forget.