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Another relatively calm week in the league's bullpens makes us think we're in for a wild summer coming right up. The trade deadline should be fun, but baseball will definitely continue to be fun up until then as well.
This week, a closer came back from an injury, a closer who was back last week got his first save this week, and a team seemingly replaced a closer who had been on thin ice all season. We'll look at all of that and more, so read ahead!
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Colorado Rockies - Bullpen and Closer News
The Rockies were somehow getting away with Pierce Johnson (7.50 ERA) as their closer, and he was wildly outperforming his peripherals on his way to a perfect 11-for-11 start in save chances. He blew his first save at the beginning of June, and apparently that was all the Rockies needed to see to start making a change. A second blown save this week may have been the final nail.
Justin Lawrence has two saves in his last three appearances, and looks like the new favorite for the closer's role in Colorado, although he may see some fireman work as well. Daniel Bard is still around and while his ERA looks good (1.02), there are clear signs of regression (7.02 xERA, more walks than strikeouts). Lawrence misses enough bats to be a solid closer and could take the role and run with it if the Rockies choose to use him as a traditional closer. He should be rostered in most formats.
Risers: Justin Lawrence
Fallers: Pierce Johnson
Miami Marlins - Bullpen and Closer News
When the Marlins traded for A.J. Puk before this season started, most folks figured he'd be the closer, but the team never really said so leading to some uncertainty. Then the season started, and Puk was very clearly being used as a traditional closer. He responded extremely well, saving six games in seven chances.
A trip to the injured list due to an elbow injury put his season on pause for a few weeks, but he returned this week and struck out the side in his first appearance back. It wasn't a save situation, but the way the Marlins used their bullpen made it clear he would have been the one in there if it had been. Puk's return to the closer's role bumps Dylan Floro down to the setup position, keeping him relevant in holds leagues but no longer rosterable in saves-only formats.
Risers: A.J. Puk
Fallers: Dylan Floro
Seattle Mariners - Bullpen and Closer News
Fantasy managers and other bullpen nerds have been waiting for the return of Andres Munoz out of the Mariners bullpen. It came this week, as Munoz returned from the injured list with a perfect inning that included two strikeouts. It was the eighth inning of a 4-1 game, so a high-leverage return.
Mariners manager Scott Servais has said that he won't use Munoz on back-to-back days for a while, but even when he's fully up to speed, it seems more likely that Munoz will serve in a fireman role while Paul Sewald stays in a more traditional closer's job. Munoz's return might dampen Sewald's value slightly, but both are must-haves in holds leagues while Sewald should maintain value in saves-only leagues as well.
Risers: Andres Munoz
Fallers: Paul Sewald (slightly)
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Liam Hendriks earned the most feel-good save of the season so far this week. Kendall Graveman was used for the eighth ahead of him, so it looks like Hendriks is back in his usual closer's role already.
-Trevor May picked up a save this week, but you don't want anything to do with the Oakland bullpen.
-Aroldis Chapman is definitely getting traded before the deadline as long as he stays healthy. He's having a solid bounce-back year (on the mound).
-Seranthony Dominguez has been working eighth innings, giving him the holds league jump over Gregory Soto.
-Michael King, Clay Holmes, and Wandy Peralta seem like they'll continue as the Yankees' three-headed monster for a while. All are holds league guys, but it's hard to pick one for saves.
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