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Another week of training in the spring, another week of bullpen news, rumors, and injuries. While things will certainly ramp up as we approach Opening Day, this was anything but a quiet week in bullpens across the league. Before we jump into news and notes, be sure to take a look at our bullpen-by-bullpen break down for the American League and the National League.
This week saw one of the top fantasy closers go down with a serious injury. It saw an update on another injured, potentially top-tier fantasy closer, and it saw a small part of a big trade that could make some noise in a team's bullpen. Let's take a look at all of that, and some more!
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 2024 baseball season.
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Milwaukee Brewers - Bullpen and Closer News
Devin Williams has been one of the best closers in both fantasy and real-life baseball since he took over the role. His "airbender" is one of the most gif-ed pitches in baseball and has led him to 77 saves + holds in the past two years, along with two straight seasons of ERAs under 2.00 and strikeout rates over 37%.
This week, though? Bad news for Williams, who was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back. The injury will shut him down for at least three months, including a six-week shutdown followed by six weeks of rehab. In the meantime, the Brewers do have some solid late-inning options who should see the ninth inning with a lead.
Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Joel Payamps figure to fight it out either for the closer's role outright, or at least for the head-of-committee role. All three were impressive last season, with Megill striking out 28 and walking just five in his final 17 innings of the season. Uribe was a rookie last year, and finished with 27 scoreless appearances out of his 32. Finally, Payamps was second in the league with 28 holds and showed he can handle the high-leverage situations.
Risers: Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Joel Payamps
Fallers: Devin Williams
2023 PitchingNinja Award for the Filthiest Sinker of the Year. 😳🏆
Winner: Abner Uribe pic.twitter.com/AgEU9kRPYH
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 14, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates - Bullpen and Closer News
Another top-tier real life and fantasy closer is Pittsburgh Pirates righty David Bednar. Bednar's injury seems much less serious than what's going on with Williams on the Brewers, but there's still some uncertainly in Pittsburgh right now. Bednar is dealing with a lat injury that has kept him from pitching in spring training so far, but he's reportedly throwing from 120 feet and is scheduled to throw off a mound "soon," according to the team.
There's no timeline for his return to game action just yet, but as long as things go well, he may be good to go soon after Opening Day.
Assuming he does miss some time, though, the Pirates would likely turn to the guy who is currently third in baseball in saves among active pitchers: Aroldis Chapman. Chapman has certainly done this before and would be a solid option for whatever amount of time Bednar misses. It would be Bednar's job as soon as he's healthy, though.
Risers: Aroldis Chapman
Fallers: David Bednar (temporary)
David Bednar, Heaters 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ie9eLRdf4S
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 14, 2023
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News and Notes
-The Dylan Cease trade shook up more than just the Padres rotation. Heading back to the White Sox is Steven Wilson, who had 22 holds and solid peripherals in his 53 innings last year. John Brebbia still figures to take the ninth, but Wilson and rookie Jordan Leasure will be around as well.
-Mason Miller seems to be "lining up" as the closer in Oakland. They won't win many games, but sometimes really good fantasy closers come from really bad real-life teams, and Miller has that kind of upside. His role hasn't been made official just yet, though.
-The Rockies' closer competition continues to heat up as Opening Day approaches. Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence both keep pitching well, with Kinley totaling five scoreless Cactus League innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. Lawrence has thrown six innings, allowing three runs but striking out nine and only walking one.
-Trevor Stephan, set for one of the top setup roles in the Cleveland bullpen, will be forced to miss extended time to start the season as he is scheduled to undergo right elbow surgery in the next few weeks. That'll leave Scott Barlow and Nick Sandlin to work ahead of Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.
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