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We've made it, folks! The offseason is behind us, the Seoul Series already happened, and Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues are both just memories. It's opening weekend 2024 and...there is already so much going on in the league's bullpens. We had a few Opening Day surprises regarding how managers chose to deploy some of their bullpen arms, but we also had some last-minute injuries that changed the landscape of bullpens we thought we already knew everything about.
While one game (or three for the Dodgers and Padres) certainly isn't enough to proclaim how a bullpen will look for the rest of the season, there were still some interesting and unexpected moves made on the first (full) day of the season. We'll look at those interesting moves as well as the roster moves made, mostly due to injury, that shifted some bullpens around before the season even began. Let's go!
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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Chicago White Sox - Bullpen and Closer News
The Chicago White Sox made some last minute bullpen news, with fireballer Michael Kopech seemingly ascending to the top of their bullpen hierarchy. Veteran John Brebbia and rookie Jordan Leasure are sure to see some save chances, and rookie Prelander Berroa might have the best stuff out of all of them (but he'll start the season in Triple-A).
But for now, manager Pedro Grifol says the team will start the season without an official closer being named. We may have a full-on committee here, but it may also be a wait and see for someone to rise to the top. Brebbia is the safe bet, but both Kopech and Leasure have tons more upside. Kopech doesn't have much bullpen experience, but his 60 games started in the big leagues likely gives him a leg up on Leasure, who has yet to throw his first major league pitch.
Kopech gets out of the inning 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SDMAno4PV4
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) March 28, 2024
Risers: Michael Kopech
Fallers: John Brebbia, Prelander Berroa
Arizona Diamondbacks - Bullpen and Closer News
The Arizona Diamondbacks were looking forward to starting the season with the closer they acquired midway through last season and rode through to a National League pennant: Paul Sewald. Sewald's oblique, however, had other ideas. The Arizona closer will start the season on the injured list with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will likely miss more than the minimum 15 days.
It's a blow to the D-Backs bullpen, but they still have several quality arms that should be able to hold things down until Sewald's return. While manager Torey Lovullo did not officially name an interim closer, all signs and insinuations point to Kevin Ginkel being on the mound more often than not in any save situations. Ryan Thompson and Scott McGough could mix in as well, but Ginkel is the safest bet and has good upside as well.
Bless a Dback fans TL with 21 seconds of Kevin Ginkel sliders🔥 pic.twitter.com/e3o7L89iS2
— CarrollBarrels (@DbackRants) May 26, 2020
Risers: Kevin Ginkel
Fallers: Paul Sewald
Colorado Rockies - Bullpen and Closer News
The Colorado Rockies were the only team to have a full-on closer competition in spring training, pitting Justin Lawrence against Tyler Kinley for their ninth inning role. Some teams had more wide open competitions or committees that needed a leader, but the Rockies knew one of these two guys would be their closer and the other would be their primary setup man.
Lawrence wrapped up Cactus League play with 8 1/3 innings pitched, allowing eight runs with an 11:4 K:BB ratio. Kinley also pitched 8 1/3 innings, and he gave up four runs with a 9:4 K:BB ratio. Despite a slightly better spring for Kinley, the Rockies have "penciled in" Lawrence as the closer with Kinley as the setup guy. We'll see what happens when the Rockies get a save chance.
Risers: Justin Lawrence
Fallers: Tyler Kinley
Justin Lawrence Nasty 🤮 pitch 🔥⚾🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/nDsckWPrC9
— MLBPTY (@mlbptyoficial) March 26, 2022
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News and Notes
-Jose Hernandez picked up an extra inning save for the Pirates on Opening Day. David Bednar was reportedly unavailable while still recovering from his lat injury.
-In that same game, the Marlins brought Andrew Nardi in to pitch in the sixth inning. As the fireman in that bullpen, he's likely to have a more flexible role that he did last season as the guy who mostly pitched the eighth inning. He's still a strong holds league arm.
-Robert Suarez leads all of baseball with two saves and is on pace for 108 saves.
-We got a three-inning save on Opening Day (even though it wasn't the first game for the team that got it), as Dodgers reliever Ryan Yarbrough tossed three scoreless innings to wrap up a 7-1 win.
-Griffin Jax earned a save on Opening Day and should continue as the Twins closer until Jhoan Duran (oblique) returns. He's an excellent short-term option in all leagues and a season-long option in holds leagues.
-Clay Holmes picked up an Opening Day save for the Yankees and could be turning into one of the more underrated bullpen options in most fantasy leagues.
-Jason Foley got the save for the Tigers on Opening Day, coming in after Andrew Chafin with expected closer Alex Lange nowhere to be seen (on the box score).
-Kenley Jansen earned the 421st save of his career, locking down a 6-4 win for the Red Sox over the Mariners on Opening Day.
-Sixto Sanchez returned from the dead and pitched the eighth inning of the Pirates-Marlins game. He looked mostly good, but gave up the lead on a solo shot off the bat of Oneil Cruz. His usage implied that he may be one of the key setup men in the Marlins bullpen, though.
-Padres reliever Jhony Brito leads the league with two blown saves and has a 54.00 ERA. Odds are good that he'll improve.
-The Astros bullpen wasn't at its best on Opening Day, with Rafael Montero taking a blown save and Ryan Pressly taking a loss, both pitching before Josh Hader came in for his Astros debut and struck out the side.
-Adbert Alzolay blew his first save chance of the season, leading to a Cubs loss to the Rangers in extra innings.
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