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Happy All-Star Break, everyone! It was an eventful, fun, and unexpected first half of the season which has us all set up for an even more exciting second half. Teams that are seemingly never in playoff contention are very much in playoff contention this year, which should make for a really interesting trade deadline.
There's not a ton of bullpen news this week thanks to the break, but we did see an All-Star Game injury, and there are a few other bits of bullpen news worth taking a look at. We'll do that, and also take a quick look at some guys likely to have new roles in August. Read on, and let's jump in!
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Toronto Blue Jays - Bullpen and Closer News
The Blue Jays had five All-Stars this week, including closer Jordan Romano. Romano is having an excellent season, putting up a league-leading 26 saves with strong peripherals. He was brought in to pitch the seventh inning of the All-Star Game but was forced to leave the game during a replay review due to back tightness.
While any player coming off the field with an athletic trainer is concerning, the Blue Jays don't seem to be too concerned about Romano, hopefully meaning that it was a precautionary move. Assuming Romano is forced to miss time, Erik Swanson, Yimi Garcia, and Tim Mayza would likely form a committee until he is able to return.
Risers: TBA (possibly Swanson, Garcia, and Mayza)
Fallers: TBA (possibly Romano)
Philadelphia Phillies - Bullpen and Closer News
The Phillies had two All-Stars in Seattle this week, home run timing genius Nick Castellanos and closer Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel is having an outstanding season, saving 14 games in 14 chances so far. His primary setup guy (and earlier in the season, his competition for the closer's role) is Jose Alvarado, who unfortunately is back on the injured list.
Alvarado spent some time on the shelf already this season, and now he's back on there due to elbow inflammation. The Phillies made the move retroactive to July 7, so Alvarado could be activated fairly soon, but that will depend on his recovery. Meanwhile, Gregory Soto, Jeff Hoffman, and Matt Strahm should see more significant high-leverage innings ahead of Kimbrel's ninth.
Risers: Gregory Soto, Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm (all in holds leagues)
Fallers: Jose Alvarado
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Right before the All-Star Break, Daniel Bard earned a save, his first in nine months. His ERA (1.76) is nice, but his peripherals (5.08 FIP, 26:24 K:BB) are awful.
-A.J. Puk struggled a bit heading into the break with two blown saves, but the Marlins showed confidence in him by putting him out there for a third straight save chance, and he converted it. Puk seems to have a strong hold on the Fish Team's closer job.
-Fantasy managers looking ahead for saves: check out Carlos Hernandez on the Royals. Kansas City is really bad this year and only under the radar so far because of the A's. Scott Barlow figures to be traded, which would leave Hernandez likely in the closer's role.
-Trevor May in Oakland and Kendall Graveman in Chicago both figure to be wearing new uniforms after the trade deadline, and neither is likely to retain a closing role. Both should be traded for just about anything in saves-only leagues right now.
-Nick Anderson was placed on the 60-day IL this week, so he's more or less done for the remainder of the fantasy season. Raisel Iglesias and A.J. Minter have a grasp on the top two spots in the Braves bullpen, but Joe Jimenez and Kirby Yates could see some more leverage work moving forward.
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