Every week as I write this piece, I am confronted with numbers that sometimes boggle the mind. I like to share these with you, the readers, to give you some food for thought as you mine the waiver wire for saves, holds, and ratio help. As always, I am grateful for your taking the time to read these quick updates and am available @mdrc0508 to answer any questions.
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Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Update
Here are some numbers that struck me this week:
- There are 20 closers with at least 10 saves.
- There are now 130 pitchers with saves in 2023.
- There are 218 pitchers who have had at least one save opportunity this year.
- Alexis Diaz has four saves in the last calendar week; Jordan Romano continues to be steady with three saves over that same time period.
AL East
Clay Holmes is the closer in New York despite Michael King getting a save this past week. That save was more based on the game spot: Holmes came on in the eighth inning to bail Wandy Peralta out of a jam, and King got the ninth for his first save in a month. Continue to use Holmes with confidence in your weekly lineups.
Pete Fairbanks was activated from the IL on Thursday and immediately earned a save. In that game, Jason Adam moved back to an eighth-inning role and set Fairbanks up for the save. Get Fairbanks back into your lineups for next week.
AL Central
A few weeks after his triumphant return from cancer, Liam Hendriks hits the IL with elbow soreness. In discussing the situation with reporters, Hendriks revealed that his elbow had been “barking” going back to his rehab games. Further testing revealed no structural and rest is in order for now; he also received a platelet-rich plasma injection this week to promote healing. Hendriks got a cortisone shot last weekend and hopes to miss only the minimum. His velocity was noticeably down upon his return, but that could be chalked up to the aftereffects of the chemotherapy on his body, or it could have been the elbow, or likely, it could be both. Kendall Graveman would likely be the pick to get saves in the interlude, even as manager Pedro Grifol shows an odd propensity to mix and match guys who have not gotten the job done on the South Side.
Minnesota continues to use their bullpen in what may be called a committee based on need. I say this ad nauseam, but sometimes in MLB, the guy with the best arm is not always the closer. Manager Rocco Baldelli has shown that he will use his best arm, attached to the body of Jhoan Duran, at any point where the team needs to get out of a jam. That very situation played out this week, where he used Duran in the eighth inning, leaving the ninth for righty Griffin Jax. Also in this save mix: Jorge Lopez and the resurgent Brock Stewart, who has pitched very well since being called up earlier in May. Duran continues to be the best bet for saves; he has eight compared to three for Lopez and one each for Stewart and Jax. However, as a fantasy player, you would like your number one closer to get more save opportunities. The 35 punchouts in 26.1 innings are a nice consolation for the lack of saves.
AL West
Richard Lovelady not only has one of the greatest names in the sport, but also a sore left arm. He will be on the shelf for a period of time, it would appear he is going to the IL for a period of time. Trevor May should be solidified in the closer role, and despite the fact that Oakland won more games than they lost this past week, the save opportunities may be scant. Ken Waldichuk did get a three-inning save this week and looks more comfortable in the bullpen right now than as a starter.
NL East
The Washington Nationals’ bullpen is one that I would avoid for now, as it looks like a full-blown committee. If you must roster anyone from here, Brandon Finnegan still appears to be the best option. Manager Davy Martinez has been mixing in Hunter Harvey into save situations, as well as Carl Edwards Jr.
NL Central
Colin Holderman was placed on the IL with wrist inflammation. Last week we told you that Holderman was a great candidate for holds. Dauri Moreta and Yohan Ramirez would seem to be the prime setup candidates behind David Bednar too.
Ryan Helsley went on the IL this week with a forearm strain. If you are anything like me, forearm strains are always a concerning development for any pitcher. This would seem to put Giovanny Gallegos directly in line for saves. However, the Cardinals have been moribund this year, perhaps even more disappointing than my cursed White Sox, and save chances might not come often here. That being said, Gallegos has held the job before and been successful with it. If he is on the waiver wire in your league, you could do far worse if you are speculating for saves.
NL West
The Arizona situation continues to intrigue me. It has been a mix-and-match situation between Andrew Chafin and Miguel Castro all season. But Castro has struggled of late, even though he earned a save this week. My friend Vlad Sedler pointed out that a name to really watch again here is Scott McGough, who had the job initially this season. Here is McGough’s last month: 11 outings, one save, 20 strikeouts in 14.1 innings, and no earned runs with a sparkling .49 WHIP. Unfortunately, he’s not getting many save chances right now, but that could change, especially if Castro continues to surrender home runs (two big ones in the last two weeks) and walks (five in his last nine innings).
The situation in Colorado remains somewhat tenuous. Last week I told you that Pierce Johnson was out as closer per manager Bud Black. Matt Carasiti earned a save this week, but Johnson earned one as well. The Rockies seem to want to use Justin Lawrence as a stopper; they used him in a jam in the seventh on Tuesday night. Other guys here that could be in the mix: Daniel Bard, Brad Hand and Jake Bird. Bard has been good since his return from the IL with anxiety, but they might be keeping him from the top job as he continues to work through his mental health issues. I’d like to tell you that Bard takes the job back and reels off 10-15 saves, but the future remains unwritten on this one. Lawrence is the best arm right now, but that may not lead to save chances for him based on his usage pattern. Best bet: avoid this one if you can.
In Los Angeles, which seems to be in the midst of an odd season, former closer Daniel Hudson has moved his rehab work to AAA Oklahoma City this week and could be back in action by the end of the month. Where he fits in the Dodgers’ bullpen remains to be seen, but I would not be surprised if he enters the saves mix in due time. A name to dogear and remember.
Finally, as we get into summer, remember that mental health issues know no holiday or rest period. If you need help or someone to talk to, I am always there in the DMs to chat and listen. Keep yourself active and keep the discussion going if you are having a hard time. Take care of yourselves out there!