RADIO
We've made it through the first month of the season, and it's been a good one. For some teams. And for some players. But also a really, really bad one. For some teams. And for some players. Lots of highs and lows already in the 2024 baseball season, and bullpens have not been safe from that pattern.
This week, a veteran closer who looked to be back to his elite younger days showed his age. An injured elite closer returned, moving an elite setup man back to his usual role. Mason Miller continued to be ridiculously good. Another veteran solidified his role as the go to ninth-inning option, and another closer who was expected back already had a setback in his recovery.
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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SUNDAY UPDATE:
Baltimore Orioles: Craig Kimbrel was removed from a save chance, leaving runners on the corners with one out. Yennier Cano came in, walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, then got a strikeout and a pop out to end the game and earn the save. Kimbrel is still the closer in Baltimore, but his work load may be more closely monitored and he's likely on the hot seat. Cano might continue in more of a fireman role, so it could be a full committee if Kimbrel needs time off.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Evan Phillips was off to a great start this year, saving eight games in eight chances with a 0.66 ERA. A Grade 1 hamstring strain sent him to the injured list this weekend, however. When asked who would be the team's closer, manager Dave Roberts said, "I honestly don't even know" but in Sunday's game, Daniel Hudson was lined up for the save chance before the Dodgers extended their lead. Hudson could be the best bet, but the Dodgers could mix and match with him, Joe Kelly, and Blake Treinen while Phillips is out.
Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Hector Neris, Chicago Cubs (Rostered in 57% of leagues)
Last week, things were a bit unclear in the Cubs bullpen. All we knew was that Adbert Alzolay was leaving the closer's role and that someone else would be moving into it. We thought maybe Hector Neris because of his experience, but also maybe Mark Leiter Jr. because he's been the much better pitcher this season. Well, it's Neris.
Neris has earned five saves this season in six chances while putting up a 3.00 ERA, but the rest of his numbers are a little less impressive. He's sitting on a 7.20 xERA and a 5.39 FIP, and he's walked 12 batters while striking out 11. Things could get ugly for Neris before long, but at least for now, he's the closer, and that means he has fantasy value. He may be an excellent sell (kind of) high in deeper leagues where there are no saves on the waiver wire.
Héctor Neris escapes the jam against his former team and is PUMPED! pic.twitter.com/SchDL9q4mk
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2024
Jason Adam, Tampa Bay Rays (Rostered in 46% of leagues)
Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays (Rostered in 10% of leagues)
We all knows the Rays bullpen is basically a roulette wheel on any given day, but with Pete Fairbanks (arm) and Colin Poche (back) both on the injured list, manager Kevin Cash's options are more limited than usual. Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger seem like the two most likely options to see save chances in a Rays uniform for the next few weeks, and both are readily available in more than half of current fantasy leagues.
Adam has the better peripherals and therefore is the better fantasy option right now, but he's also rostered in far more leagues than Cleavinger. Cleavinger has much better swing-and-miss stuff than Adam (16 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings for Cleavinger, 12 strikeouts in 14 innings for Adam), but control has been an issue, as Cleavinger has walked 10 batters compared to Adam's four despite more innings for Adam.
Fantasy managers looking for some extra saves should prioritize adding Adam but can settle for Cleavinger if Adam is already rostered.
JASON ADAM HOLDS ON FOR THE SAVE AND THE #RAYS WIN 1-0! pic.twitter.com/zwfgY70lkh
— Rays Radio (@RaysRadio) April 30, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Baltimore Orioles
Craig Kimbrel got off to an amazing start this year as he approaches his 36th birthday. He allowed a run in his first outing of the season, then piled up nine straight scoreless outings, not even allowing a hit in seven of those nine. Since then, though, he's coughed up at least one run in three straight appearances and is dealing with a back injury that left him unavailable for a few games this week.
It doesn't seem like a trip to the injured list is necessary, but the extent of the injury remains to be seen. For now, we can assume Kimbrel remains in the closer role once healthy, although Yennier Cano (2.25 ERA, seven holds, 16:4 K:BB) could certainly step in if needed.
Huge K for Yennier Canó to get out of the bases loaded jam! pic.twitter.com/DSf7yMXRUk
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) April 2, 2024
Minnesota Twins
Jhoan Duran is back! The Twins closer began the season on the injured list but was activated earlier this week. He looked outstanding in his first outing, easily hitting 100 on the radar gun and picking up his first save in his first appearance.
Griffin Jax did an excellent job filling in for most of April, but he'll take a step back into his more familiar setup role. Duran's return doesn't change Jax's value in holds leagues, but unfortunately, he becomes essentially a ratios-only guy in saves leagues, as Duran should be in there for almost every ninth inning as long as he stays healthy.
If you ever hear anyone disagree with, "the hardest thing to do in sports is hit a baseball," just introduce them to Jhoan Duran.
Jhoan Duran, 101mph Fastball and 88mph Curveball, Individual Pitches + Overlay.
He's baaaack. 😳 pic.twitter.com/sdxpwTAzCT
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2024
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Paul Sewald suffered a setback this week and wasn't able to return as soon as he and the Diamondbacks had hoped. Kevin Ginkel will remain as Arizona's closer until Sewald is fully back.
-Anthony Maldonado earned the first save of his career for the Marlins this week. Tanner Scott was brought in for a four-out save, but the Marlins added some runs in between, so Maldonado came in instead and tossed a perfect inning for the save.
-Brooks Raley's elbow injury isn't healing as quickly as expected, so the Mets bullpen will be without him for a while longer.
-Meanwhile, also in the Mets bullpen, Reed Garrett has a 0.54 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. He had a 6.41 ERA in his best season before this one.
-Alex Lange and his 0.75 ERA earned a save this week for the Tigers and Shelby Miller got a save chance after Jason Foley retired the heart of the opponent's order in the eighth inning of a game, showing us that while it isn't completely a committee in Detroit, it also might not be completely Foley's job every game, either.
-Jordan Leasure earned his first big league save this week. He hasn't been nearly as impressive as he was in spring training, but the rookie clearly has a bright future in the bullpen.
-Clay Holmes, Kyle Finnegan, Ryan Helsley, and Robert Suarez are all tied for the league lead with 10 saves. Finnegan has the highest ERA among them, at 2.03, which is still really low.
-With his rough week, Craig Kimbrel (three) is now only one blown save behind Adbert Alzolay for the league lead in blown saves. Kimbrel is currently tied for second with Chris Martin, David Bednar, Hunter Gaddis, Andrew Nardi, and Jhony Brito.
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