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It's the first weekend of baseball and fantasy managers are already freaking out (mostly) about their pitching staffs. The yearly tradition of second, third, and even fourth guessing your draft approach started yesterday as soon as the first pitch of the season was thrown, if not earlier. It's great to have baseball back, and it will be fun to see how the new rules change the game as the season moves on.
We already have some significant bullpen news to talk about, with some teams naming favorites and others doing the opposite. We won't have real clarity on most questionable bullpens for at least a week or two, but we can take manager comments and roster moves to help us make some educated guesses for now!
Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They will be updated daily, or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season.
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Colorado Rockies - Bullpen and Closers News
Rockies closer Daniel Bard will begin the season on the injured list due to anxiety. Bard says he has dealt with it before and knows this is his best course of action. While he recovers, the Rockies figure to go with a combination of Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand for their ninth-inning duties.
Risers: Pierce Johnson, Brad Hand
Fallers: Daniel Bard
Chicago White Sox - Bullpen and Closer News
Excellent news from the White Sox, as their decision to not place Liam Hendriks on the 60-day IL means they may expect him back sooner rather than later. Reynaldo Lopez got the first save chance on Opening Day and converted it, but Kendall Graveman might be mixed in as well. For now, Lopez seems like the guy to roster, especially for anyone holding Hendriks on their IL.
Risers: Reynaldo Lopez
Fallers: Kendall Graveman
Oakland Athletics - Bullpen and Closer News
Dany Jimenez pitched the ninth inning of the team's 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels Thursday night. He allowed no runs, walked one, and struck out one en route to his first save of the season. Trevor May was used in the 8th inning, and gave up a hit and a walk. It looks like Jimenez will be the closer again this year, although May shouldn't be too far behind if Jimenez struggles.
Risers: Dany Jimenez
Fallers: Trevor May
Miami Marlins - Bullpen and Closers News
New Marlins manager Skip Schumaker gave a little bit of clarity about Miami's close situation by announcing that he would have three guys working as a committee: Dylan Floro, A.J. Puk, and Tanner Scott. Scott and Floro both spent some time closing for the Fish last season, and Puk was acquired from the Athletics this offseason.
Schumaker's announcement rules out Matt Barnes for now. It also makes Floro the favorite based both on his role from last season and on the fact that he's the only righty in the committee and has much stronger numbers against opposing right-handed batters than his two lefty colleagues do.
Risers: Dylan Floro, A.J. Puk, Tanner Scott
Fallers: Matt Barnes
Arizona Diamondbacks - Bullpen and Closers News
The Diamondbacks bullpen is another one that will use a committee approach to start the season and another where a manager's comments (plus some roster moves) gave a little more clarity right before Opening Day. Joe Mantiply and Mark Melancon, who both have high-leverage experience, will begin the season on the injured list. This knocks them out of the closer committee for now at least.
Scott McGough, who saved 69 games over the past two seasons in Japan, is the favorite for now. Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin, and Miguel Castro should see high-leverage work as well. Manager Torey Lovullo has already said his bullpen will be "fluid" for at least the first month of the season.
Risers: Scott McGough, Kevin Ginkel, Andrew Chafin
Fallers: Mark Melancon, Joe Mantiply
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Cubs reliever Brandon Hughes, who may have been an option in the ninth inning, will begin the season on the injured list. This leaves the Cubs bullpen full of righties only. Brad Boxberger would seem to have a slight edge on the closer's role, if only because his main competition, Michael Fulmer, allowed five runs in his final Spring training appearance.
-The Mets reiterated this week that they likely won't name a closer in Edwin Diaz's absence, but also heavily implied that David Robertson would be the preferred reliever to pitch in the ninth inning.
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