RADIO
We had our first bullpen trade this week, a rather mild first step in what should be a very exciting and eventful run to the trade deadline. We also had some committees shape up a little more, and a long-injured reliever made his way back onto the mound then right back off. A closer we're all used to seeing be lights out has been anything but that lately (so he's been...lights on?)
A few promising younger holds league guys got hurt, shaping up some new setup roles in a few bullpens, and some pressure is building on some veterans to get things back on track if they don't want their teams to look for replacements before the trade deadline. All that and more in this week's Closers and Saves Report!
Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season.
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Los Angeles Dodgers - Bullpen and Closer News
The Dodgers got good news about one of their key relievers this week, and then barely a day later they got bad news again. Daniel Hudson came off the injured list and earned his first save in over 350 days. On his last pitch of the outing, he hurt his other leg and will be back on the IL "for a while" according to manager Dave Roberts.
Meanwhile, Brusdar Graterol was expected to head to the IL but didn't, instead earning an eighth-inning hold in Thursday night's game. Alex Vesia, who has struggled this season but has been excellent in the past, was called on for the save and locked in the victory. Vesia could see more save chances, but Evan Phillips remains the most likely reliever to earn a save in the Dodgers bullpen on any given night.
Risers: Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol
Fallers: Daniel Hudson
Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closer News
The Rangers made the first significant move of trade season, acquiring veteran closer Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a pair of prospects. William Smith has been solid as the closer in Texas, posting a 3.16 ERA with 15 saves in 17 chances so far. He's cut his walk rate and home run rate significantly while keeping a solid strikeout rate in the process.
Chapman has worked ahead of Smith in his brief time as a Ranger, but his numbers this season are even better than Smith's. For now, Smith seems safe in his ninth-inning role, but any leeway he had before the trade is much, much smaller now that Chapman is around. It's not a committee or a new closer situation in Texas just yet, but one or two more less-than-stellar outings from Smith could make that happen.
Risers: Aroldis Chapman (in holds leagues for now)
Fallers: Josh Sborz, William Smith (maybe)
Kansas City Royals - Bullpen and Closer News
On the other side of the Chapman trade referenced above, the Kansas City Royals got exactly what they wanted out of their veteran signing. The whole plan was always to sign Chapman, give him a chance to build value, and then trade him for prospects. Chapman leaving the Royals means Scott Barlow is locked into his closer role, at least while he's still in KC himself. There are plenty of rumors that Barlow could be the next Royals player on the move to a new team.
For now, Barlow has some decent saves-only value, but that figures to evaporate once he's traded. He's a solid reliever (4.06 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 32.8 K%), but he's much more likely to slide into a competing team's setup role than into their ninth inning. Once he's gone from the Royals, they'll probably use some sort of committee with whoever is left in that bullpen, possibly Taylor Clarke and Amir Garrett, if they're still around, or Josh Staumont, if he recovers from his neck injury.
Risers: Scott Barlow (for now)
Fallers: none, but probably Scott Barlow soon
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Jordan Hicks blew a save this week, but it wasn't his wildness off the mound that did him in, instead a wild throw to first after a soft grounder to the mound. He was back out there the very next day and picked up a save, though.
-Andrew Nardi had started to make a name for himself in holds leagues, but he was placed on the IL this week with an arm injury.
-Tom Cosgrove has made his way into the Padres hierarchy and could be developing into a holds league asset.
-Daniel Palencia looked strong for the Cubs this week, and Julian Merryweather looks like he's worked his way into the Chicago late innings as well.
-Emmanuel Clase has been one of the best closers in baseball for a bit, but he's in the midst of a pretty rough stretch right now. His long-term job doesn't seem to be in danger, but he may need a little break soon if his struggles continue.
-Hunter Harvey has pretty much taken over the ninth inning for the Nationals, saving his eighth game of the season this week.
-Craig Kimbrel continues to pitch like old Craig Kimbrel, with a 24:3 K:BB ratio and a 0.60 ERA since June started. He has as strong a grip on the closer role as anyone.
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