While it was a fast-paced week of work for me, it’s been a fairly slow week of news as it comes to major league bullpens.
There are a couple of injuries to high-profile closers to think about here: Boston’s Kenley Jansen has a sore hamstring, and Baltimore’s Felix Bautista may have an arm issue. Ineffectiveness has led to questions for San Francisco’s Camilo Doval and Texas’ Will Smith.
Let’s dive in and check the action this past week in MLB bullpens.
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Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report
AL East
Potentially alarming news last night for Baltimore, as Felix Bautista left the game midway through an at-bat with what the team is calling arm discomfort. He will likely have more tests today, but there were no definitive results last night. If he should miss time, my best guess is that Yennier Cano will step into that role for the time being. Danny Coulumbe got the save last night in relief of Bautista and he could vulture some saves should he be needed against left-handed hitters in the ninth. Depending on what we hear today, Cano might be a guy to get what remains of your dwindling FAAB dollars.
The big news in Boston was Kenley Jansen being removed after three pitches Wednesday night with what was called right hamstring tightness. If Jansen had to miss time, the heir apparent is Chris Martin at this time. Jansen has not pitched since Wednesday, but the 35-year-old is hoping to avoid the IL, citing this being a crucial part of the season for the playoff hopeful Red Sox. Interesting stat I saw this week: the Red Sox are 52-3 this season when leading after six innings, and Jansen is a huge reason why, with three wins, 29 saves, and a 2.81 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
AL Central
That didn’t take long: Gregory Santos is on the hot seat for the dysfunctional Chicago White Sox, who fired longtime executives Rick Hahn and Kenny Williams this week. Hallelujah if this signals meaningful change. As lifelong White Sox fan, the team has historically only made cosmetic changes. But back to Santos: in two of his last three outings, he has surrendered three runs in each of those games. The reality is that the Sox do not have a long-term solution for this spot, and they will likely give Santos every opportunity to work it out. Lefty Aaron Bummer and middle reliever Bryan Shaw are the only guys in a young and inexperienced bullpen that have closed at times. Neither seems a solution, but either could be called on should the Sox demote Santos to a lower spot in the pecking order to try and work through his issues, but I expect Santos to retain the job.
After a ten-day period of using a committee approach including Beau Brieske and Jason Foley, Detroit and manager A.J. Hinch seem to have gone back to Alex Lange. Lange had two saves and a win this week. Lange’s biggest issue has been his command and his control; a 17.9 BB% for a relief pitcher is far too high, but in his last six outings this month since a three-walk fiasco in Minnesota, he has surrendered only three free passes. This looks like it could be Lange’s job as long as he keeps runners off base via walks.
AL West
Things could get interesting deep in the heart of Texas: Will Smith has come across some struggles this month, coughing up runs in five of his last six outings, while watching his ERA swell to 4.27; he was at 2.77 to start August. Of course, we all know that former All Star closer Aroldis Chapman is in the bullpen as well, but Chapman also blew a save this week. Chapman has had the better month, however. Could this either be a committee or a swap of roles? Manager Bruce Bochy has not stated yet. We will be watching to see how he deploys his relief pitchers this weekend.
NL East
Powerful lefty Jose Alvarado returned to Philadelphia’s bullpen this week. Alvarado was immediately reinserted into his high-leverage role and figures to bump Gregory Soto back a notch in this hierarchy moving forward. Craig Kimbrel remains firmly entrenched as the closer here. Kimbrel has seven wins, 19 saves and 73 punchouts in 54 innings with a 3.33 ERA and .98 WHIP.
NL Central
There haven’t been a plethora of opportunities lately in St. Louis. The Cardinals have been woeful all season. I still see this as a split between JoJo Romero and Giovanny Gallegos; Romero has the last two saves over the last two weeks and Gallegos has not pitched sicne last Sunday. Ryan Helsley continues to have pain while throwing despite clean MRIs. It looks like this could remain a committee unless Helsley is able to return at some point.
NL West
San Diego’s high-leverage reliever Robert Suarez has been suspended for 10 games due to a sticky substance on his left wrist found during the regular foreign substance check between innings. Suarez defended himself stating that he had sunscreen on, but the umpires decided it was excessive. Losing Suarez should he be suspended would seemingly bump Steven Wilson and Nick Martinez up a spot in the hierarchy here. Stay tuned.
Camilo Doval had a week to forget for San Francisco, with three blown saves in three consecutive appearances. When asked his opinion of it, manager Gabe Kapler suggested the struggles had more to do with Doval’s pitch mix than any other issues that may have befallen him. Doval hasn’t been in a game since Wednesday. I think it will still be Doval when the next chance comes up, but the Rogers brothers, Tyler and Taylor, could get a brief opportunity should the Giants need to give Doval a period of time to reset. Doval has 33 saves this year.
As always, DMs are open if you have any questions @mdrc0508. Also, if you are feeling down and need someone to talk to, those same DMs are open. Do not suffer in silence with mental health issues. Let’s work on being there for each other more.