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After the frenzy of MLB trade deadline coverage last week, this week took a much quieter turn. We saw some implosions and interesting bullpen usage, but nothing compared to all the moving and shaking we just got past.
The Royals have some interesting strategies that we saw them employ this week. The Angels saw a total implosion from their closer, and a brand-new Met got a save. That and (honestly not too much) more in this week's report, read on to see!
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 2023 baseball season.
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Kansas City Royals - Bullpen and Closer News
The Royals traded their closer, Scott Barlow, to the Padres at the deadline. It was a fairly obvious move that a lot of folks saw coming, so Carlos Hernandez was scooped off waiver wires in a lot of leagues. Hernandez does appear to be the top choice for saves in the Kansas City bullpen, but he might not be the every-ninth closer we expected.
This week, he was used in the seventh inning of a game to hold a lead against the 2-3-4 hitters. Austin Cox was then called on for the save and recorded the first one of his career. Cox is a lefty, so he may see the occasional save chance when big left-handed batters are due up in the ninth. Hernandez is still the one to roster in this bullpen, just temper expectations slightly.
Risers: Austin Cox
Fallers: Carlos Hernandez (slightly)
Los Angeles Angels - Bullpen and Closer News
The Angels decided to go for it instead of selling at the deadline, turning into one of the bigger buyers of trade season. The team responded by...winning two of their next nine games and falling to seven games out in the American League Wild Card race. Angels closer Carlos Estevez was excellent in the first half, posting a 1.80 ERA in 35 innings of work. His second half, though? Not quite as good at an 8.74 ERA in 11 1/3 innings.
Estevez hasn't struggled alone, though. Every Angels reliever has given up multiple home runs since the All-Star Break except for the newly acquired Reynaldo Lopez, who has not allowed a homer in his past 15 games. If Estevez continues to struggle, Lopez figures to be next in line for saves in Anaheim. Dominic Leone earned a save this week, but it was mostly because everyone else in the Angels bullpen was unavailable.
Risers: Reynaldo Lopez
Fallers: Carlos Estevez
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Phil Bickford earned a save this week, bailing out Adam Ottavino and the Mets bullpen. He likely won't factor in the hierarchy again though, where Ottavino and Brooks Raley seem to have a hold of the ninth.
-The Cardinals haven't had many save chances since they traded Jordan Hicks to Toronto, but a split between Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero seems to be the way they'll go, with a slight edge to Gallegos.
-Andrew Nardi is back in the Marlins bullpen and pitching well once again, pairing with Tanner Scott as the bridge to closer David Robertson.
-Alex Lange and Jason Foley seem to be committee members in Detroit now, but the team still does seem to prefer Lange in the ninth when possible.
-William Smith has the last six saves for the Rangers, leaving behind the idea that he'd be part of a committee with Aroldis Chapman.
-Ryan Pressly is dealing with some soreness and was unavailable for a save chance this week, so the Astros went with Bryan Abreu for the save. There doesn't seem to be much concern for now, but Abreu would be an immediate add if Pressly were to miss more time.
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