April 28, 2017

David Marcillo looks at Week 4 closer performances around MLB, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves.

Week 3 gave us a flurry of bullpen moves so naturally, week 4 was mostly quiet, with nothing Earth-shattering really going down in any team's bullpen.

There were still a few important things happening, and of course there were some great performances to discuss, so let's carefully jump in so we can avoid the DL.

Let's get to it.

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Bullpen News for Week 4

Washington Nationals

Just like last week, we'll start off Bullpen News with some Nationals chatter. Last week, Blake Treinen officially lost his job and was replaced by a committee headed by Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley. This week, the picture got a little clearer. With Glover heading to the disabled list with a left hip impingement, Kelley will have the ninth inning all to himself for a while. Even though Glover doesn't expect to miss much time, saying he should be ready to return once his requisite 10 days are up, this could give Kelley enough time to cement himself as the closer in D.C. Manager Dusty Baker is certainly the kind that would prefer a clear-cut closer over a committee, and this is the best opportunity Kelley has had so far to prove himself. Kelley's fantasy owners should be thrilled about the way things have developed in the Nationals bullpen. Glover's owners, on the other hand, are likely a bit disappointed. Still, it's no guarantee that Kelley thrives in his suddenly full-time role, so Glover is worth a DL spot until we see what happens when he comes back.

Los Angeles Angels

There has been plenty of hype for Angels closer Cam Bedrosian coming from me and from many others. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out nine without walking a batter and allowing only six hits while converting three saves. But, then he landed on the DL. Bedrosian was placed on the disabled list with a right groin strain. He never had to be lifted from a game, so it's unclear just when he suffered the injury. It's also still unclear just how much time Bedrosian will miss. Hopefully for the Angels and for Bedrosian's fantasy owners, he will be able to return soon after his 10 days are up. Veteran Huston Street just started a throwing program this week, but he's on the 60-day disabled list and still several weeks away from being any kind of a factor. In the meantime, manager Mike Scioscia hasn't named an official closer, instead opting for a committee while Bedrosian is on the shelf. Despite that official stance, Bud Norris has already received and converted three save opportunities. He is the arm to own in the Angels bullpen while Bedrosian is out. In 11 2/3 innings so far this year, Norris has allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 14. Bedrosian's owners looking for a quick replacement could do worse than looking at Norris as a temporary add.

Texas Rangers

Rangers Opening Day closer Sam Dyson was legendary in his awfulness to start the season. He allowed 13 runs on 14 hits and five walks in just 4 1/3 innings, compiling an 0-3 record despite only six appearances. His 27.00 ERA and 4.38 WHIP killed fantasy owners in the first couple of weeks. He was placed on the disabled list with a "right hand contusion" which was almost certainly code for "take 10 days off and get your head on straight, Sam." Those days are up now, and Dyson is ready to be reinstated from the DL on Friday. He will not return to his ninth inning role, however. New Rangers closer Matt Bush will keep his job, with Dyson making a few low-leverage appearances before presumably working his way up to a setup role. Bush has 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on one walk and four hits. He'll remain the closer for the rest of the season unless he gets hurt or goes full Dyson. In that case, Jeremy Jeffress would likely be next in line before Dyson gets another chance. Bush is a must-own in all formats, while Dyson can certainly be dropped in all leagues.

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds:

Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals- Kelley is currently only owned in 45% of mixed leagues, but he should absolutely be owned across the board. Now the unquestioned closer for one of the best teams in baseball, Kelley will have plenty of fantasy value for the rest of the season.

Matt Bush, Texas Rangers- Any concern that Bush would lose his job or become a member of a committee disappeared this week as he was confirmed as the team's closer even with Opening Day closer Sam Dyson on his way back. Bush in only owned in 48% of mixed leagues right now, so take a look at that waiver wire.

Bud Norris, Los Angeles Angels- Norris would only be a temporary add, as Cam Bedrosian is certain to get the ninth inning back when he returns from the DL. Still, a temporary source of consistent saves has value in fantasy, and Norris seems like he'll get the majority of ninth innings until Bedrosian returns.

Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies- Hector Neris has been the Phillies "closer of the future" for a while now. It seems like the future may have finally arrived. The Phillies started the season with Jeanmar Gomez working their ninth innings. That failed spectacularly, as predicted by pretty much everyone, so the team went with veteran Joaquin Benoit. After that didn't go so great, they've officially gone to a closer by committee, but Neris has been getting some of those chances. He's the best pitcher in the Phillies bullpen, so it is quite possible he takes command of the ninth inning before long.

Best of the Week

Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles- 5 IP, 3 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP

Orioles fill-in closer Brad Brach did his best Zach Britton impression this week, saving three games while striking out three and not allowing a run to score. He only gave up a walk and two hits on the week. With Britton starting a rehab assignment Friday, Brach's days as closer are nearing an end. He'll slide back into his role as an elite setup man.

Seung Hwan Oh, St. Louis Cardinals- 3 IP, 5 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

After a slow start to the season, "The Final Boss" seems to be settling into his ninth inning. This week, he saved every game he appeared in, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five. The re-ascendance of Trevor Rosenthal may have had Oh's fantasy owners worried for just a second, but Oh is set in his role and should hang onto it all season, barring injury.

Brandon Maurer, San Diego Padres- 3 IP, 5 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP

Padres closer Brandon Maurer was on the hot seat just a week ago, sending fantasy owners scrambling to see who his replacement might be. This week, he was perfect. In three games, he saved two and struck out five without allowing a single batter to reach base. That should buy him some more time in the San Diego ninth inning role.