RADIO
Wasn't Opening Day just a few days ago? Folks, it's been almost a month of baseball already! Slow starts passed off as small sample sizes are becoming legitimate concerns. Hot streaks thought of as just quick starts are starting to look like breakout seasons. Players performing as expected are, well, performing as expected. Shout out to the solid players who don't surprise or disappoint, quietly impressing their fantasy owners without making noise.
This week saw a new committee form, another committee seemed to have someone move ahead, and a few top relievers had some injury scares. We're not yet at the point in the season where fantasy owners need to panic, but this is a stage that can be referred to as the pre-panic. You've got your eye on some of your players who you know you can't drop or bench, but if they don't turn it on real soon, you just might have to.
Let's take a look at the news, the best performers, and any suggested moves for your fantasy team in this week's MLB Closers and Saves Report:
Bullpen News for Week 4
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves rookie left handed pitcher A.J. Minter's name has been swirling in fantasy leagues for a few weeks. He's been referred to as the Braves' "closer of the future" for a while now. He opened the season as one of Atlanta's primary setup men, but with the average-at-best Arodys Vizcaino ahead of him, many believed Minter could be the closer before long. That process may have started this week, as Minter earned the first save of his career in Wednesday night's game. He faced two lefties in the inning, but after the game, manager Brian Snitker said he expected to see Minter in more save situations going forward. He might still be slightly behind Vizcaino in the committee, but that won't last long, and it's likely Minter will have the role to himself soon. He's a high-upside strikeout arm, but he's had some control issues as well. In 12 1/3 innings this year, he has a 8.03 K/9 and a 5.84 BB/9. Those numbers are far from elite, but he showed his elite upside in 15 innings at the big league level last year, posting an outstanding 15.60 K/9 and 1.20 BB/9. Minter should be picked up in all formats at this point, because he certainly has the upside to be close to the top tier of closers.
Houston Astros
Just last week, Closers and Saves Report mentioned Ken Giles and the disappointment those who drafted him a few weeks ago must be feeling. There seemed like there was a chance that Giles was hurt and could end up on the disabled list, but instead, it looks like the Astros bullpen has fully embraced the committee method of closing games. With the Astros using their best bullpen pieces, Giles pitched the eighth inning while Chris Devenski came in to close out the game in the ninth. This is still a committee though, and Giles along with Brad Peacock will likely continue to mix in. For now, at least, it seems like Devenski might lead the committee, but he won't take the inning all to himself. Still, Devenski should be owned in most formats, and should definitely be owned over Giles at this point.
Cleveland Indians
Indians reliever Andrew Miller threw just two pitches on Wednesday before grabbing at his leg. He left the game due to a tight hamstring and was scheduled for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. At first, he was considered day-to-day, but he was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday. Miller has been his usual excellent self this season, and he's yet to allow a run. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said that Miller suffered a similar injury in the past and only needed a couple of days of rest before returning. That's hopefully what will happen this time around as well, with Miller potentially coming back in just over a week. Also in the Cleveland bullpen, closer Cody Allen has recorded his fifth save of the season this week, and also hasn't allowed a run yet. Miller and Allen form one of the best eighth and ninth inning punches in baseball.
Oakland Athletics
Speaking of injuries, A's closer Blake Treinen was drilled with a line drive on the shin on Tuesday. Luckily, he was diagnosed with just a bruised shin, despite the 105 mph shot he took. Manager Bob Melvin said he expects Treinen to be fine for the weekend series. On Tuesday, veteran reliever Santiago Casilla earned a save with a 1-2-3 inning, showing that he's the next guy up in the Oakland bullpen for saves if Treinen does end up missing time, either for this injury or for another.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves- Braves rookie lefty A.J. Minter got a save this week and his manager said he'd be getting more moving forward. The Braves opened their season with Arodys Vizcaino in the ninth inning, but he's been a middling closer throughout his time as a big leaguer, while Minter has excellent upside. While he hasn't been great yet, Minter should pick it up soon and should be himself picked up in all formats where he's available.
Chris Devenski, Houston Astros- The Astros look like they're going full-committee for their closer role, but Devenski looks like the guy who will end up with the most chances. He's not a must-own in standard leagues at this point, but he's a solid speculative add and absolutely must be owned in any SVHD formats.
Drops
There are no immediate drops this week, but owners of Ken Giles and Arodys Vizcaino should keep an eye on things and be willing to move on if someone great ends up on the wire.
Best of the Week
Hunter Strickland, San Francisco Giants- 3 IP, 4 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
Giants closer Hunter Strickland made the best of his three appearances this week, saving three games and striking out four batters while allowing just two hits and a walk. Strickland is only owned in 62% of fantasy leagues at this point and seems like he'll hang onto the ninth inning job for a while.
Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies- 3 1/3 IP, 3 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
Phillies closer Hector Neris had a strong week, saving three games while striking out three batters and allowing two hits and two walks. The smoking-hot Phillies should provide a decent number of save chances. Even though Neris doesn't have elite stuff, he should be owned in more than the 70% of leagues he's currently rostered in.
Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners- 4 1/3 IP, 7 K, 3 SV, 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Mariners closer Edwin Diaz gave up a run this week, but made up for it by saving three games and striking out seven batters. Diaz is putting up absolutely mind-boggling numbers this season and has been one of the most valuable relief pitchers in all of fantasy baseball.
