Spring Vibes, March 9: Díaz Spring Debut Imminent, Sánchez in Miami’s Bullpen, D-Rob’s First Outing, Game Recaps, and more

New York Mets – Remaining on track, Edwin Díaz appeared in minor league game action on Friday, retiring three in a row, then faced one more batter. If he feels good this weekend, he could appear in Grapefruit League action on Monday or Tuesday per Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Plus, as this tweet shows, his team will enhance his entrances in the regular season with LED lighting while blasting “Narco“. Looking forward to the trumpets sounding soon.

Miami Marlins – After throwing 17 pitches during his inning of work on Friday night, Sixto Sánchez did not return for a second. This could be a sneak preview of his usage pattern this season according to Christian De Nicola of MLB.com in her game recap. Skip Schumaker speaks about Sánchez responding well after his last relief outing, and he could be stretched out for multiple-inning outings, but may fit the roster best as a leverage ladder option. If his velocity continues rising, this role may suit the oft-injured pitcher well. Stay tuned. 

Texas Rangers – The last of the relievers vying for the “closer” role this season made his debut on Friday, featured in 3 Texas Rangers observations by Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. David Robertson worked a clean seventh inning, striking out one. Over the next two weeks, Bruce Bochy will decide who earns the preferred save share at the start of the season between Robertson, José Leclerc, Josh Sborz, and Kirby Yates

Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 8)

  • Arizona Diamondbacks – Recording his third spring hold, Paul Sewald worked a scoreless third, walking one. After three outings this spring, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with one strikeout and one walk. Kevin Ginkel served up a solo home run (Mike Tauchman) but got credit for his first hold.
  • Baltimore Orioles – Securing his first spring hold, Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless fifth, walking one. This marked his third spring outing and he owns a 2.67 WHIP with two strikeouts against one walk. Yennier Cano fired a clean sixth, striking out two for his first hold. He’s appeared in two spring contests, posting a 0.50 WHIP with three strikeouts over two innings.
  • Kansas City RoyalsWill Smith allowed a solo home run (Wyatt Langford) and recorded a strikeout. He’s made three appearances this spring and owns a 1.00 WHIP with three strikeouts versus one walk.
  • New York Yankees – Entering in the fifth inning, Clay Holmes retired the side in order, striking out one for his first spring hold. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff. This marked his second appearance and he’s recorded two strikeouts without allowing a baserunner.
  • Oakland A’s – Suffering his first spring loss, Dany Jiménez allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while recording all three outs via strikeout in the fifth. Lucas Erceg fired a clean sixth, striking out two. Mason Miller tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one. This marked his third spring outing and he’s racked up six strikeouts versus zero walks with a 0.33 WHIP through three innings. 
  • Philadelphia Phillies – A dominant outing by Gregory Soto. He took over in the fourth and struck out the side on 16 pitches (75 Strike%) with five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). Seranthony Domínguez allowed a solo home run and a walk while striking out two. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) while inducing four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). José Alvarado fired a clean seventh, striking out one, needing only seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) without a whiff.
  • St. Louis Cardinals – Deploying its leverage ladder in a spring victory over the Nationals, Ryan Helsey entered first, working around a hit and two walks, while striking out one in a scoreless fourth. He received credit for his first hold and owns a 1.67 WHIP with four strikeouts versus three walks over three innings this spring. Giovanny Gallegos allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one for his first hold. JoJo Romero tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
  • Toronto Blue JaysJordan Romano fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his second hold. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s made four appearances this spring and posted a 0.55 WHIP with five strikeouts against zero whiffs.

Closer Monkey’s Filthy Pitch of the Day award goes to Griffin Jax, courtesy of this tweet by the Pitching Ninja.

Thanks for stopping by before we spring ahead tomorrow. Stay safe and be well.

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Spring Vibes, March 7: Closer competition updates, Injury Notes, and Game Recaps

Some fantasy owners will avoid closers on teams projected for low win totals (Chicago White Sox; Colorado), but for those who prefer not paying for saves in their leagues, bargains or steam options could emerge on them. This bucket also includes the defending World Champion Texas Rangers, with Bruce Bochy using spring results as a baseline for deciding who becomes the primary save share when the season begins. With this in mind, here’s today’s updates.

Chicago White Sox – He will be eased into high-leverage events in the regular season, but Jordan Leasure could earn save chances as the season progresses. In this post by Daryl Van Schouwen, he provides some intriguing quotes about Leasure’s future with the White Sox. Those in keeper leagues should track his results the rest of spring closely. Right now, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with a 5:2 K:BB (27.3 K-BB%) through three scoreless innings.

More news for the leverage ladder surfaced on MLB.com by Scott Merkin. John Brebbia will throw a side session without his walking boot on Thursday (March 7). It did not provide a timeline for his availability, but Opening Day could be possible, but time will tell how this plays out.

Colorado Rockies – Updating the camp battle for “closer“, Patrick Saunders posted about their spring results so far in his game recap for The Denver Post. As of Wednesday’s game, here are their results:

  • Tyler Kinley: 3 games, 3 IP, 4:2 K:BB, 0.67 WHIP
  • Justin Lawrence: 4 games, 4 IP, 7:0 K:BB, 1.50 WHIP

Texas Rangers –  Two weeks into camp and still no clarity regarding who will be the primary save share when the regular season begins. Tim Cowlishaw, of The Dallas Morning News, provided updates on the four contenders in his bullpen comparison article about competing with their main rival, Houston. Notes included about José Leclerc, Josh Sborz, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates. For this situation, spring results will matter. 

Boston Red Sox – Kenley Jansen will throw his first live batting practice on Wednesday per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic on “X”. As of this writing, there were not updates on how it went. Hopefully, he will appear in a game soon.

Los Angeles AngelsRobert Stephenson completed his bullpen session “pain-free”, and will throw again this weekend, then could appear in game action next week. His status for Opening Day remains in flux, but he’s trended in the right direction. 

San Diego Padres – In AJ Cassavell’s Padres questions remain post for MLB.com, he questions if Yuki Matsui will be ready for Opening Day. If not, he will resume his set-up role during the first full week of the regular season, though back issues can linger. 

Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 6)

  • Chicago Cubs – Entering in the fourth, Hector Neris allowed two hits, including a solo home run (Jo Adell), and recorded a strikeout. Adbert Alzolay retired the side in order in the fifth.
  • Chicago White Sox – Not only did Prelander Berroa strand both inherited runners in the eighth, but he also fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out three. By my count, he threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He did face minor-league hitters for the Dodgers, but an impressive outing nonetheless.
  • Los Angeles Angels – Prospect Kelvin Caceres retired all three batters he faced and stranded an inherited runner in the fourth. Carlos Estévez allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) in the fifth.
  • Miami Marlins – Another sideways outing by Tanner Scott. He allowed three hits and three runs (one earned) before being removed from his outing. The good news is he threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). Max Meyer logged two innings, giving up two hits and an unearned run while striking out one.
  • Pittsburgh Pirates – Getting tagged with his first blown save this spring, Aroldis Chapman allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one in the bottom of the fifth.

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Tanner Scott placed on paternity list

September 27, 2023

Miami Marlins — Tanner Scott was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, which means the Marlins will turn to Andrew Nardi, David Robertson and A.J. Puk to close games over the next couple days as they fight for a playoff spot.

Updated hierarchy: *Nardi | Robertson | Puk.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. David Robertson (MIA) – The Marlins have a doubleheader…
2. Drew Smith (NYM) – …against the Mets
3. Ian Hamilton (NYY) – Clay Holmes has gone back-to-back.
4. AJ Minter (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has pitched in two of three and the Braves aren’t likely to make him go three of four as they get ready for the playoffs.
5. Ian Gibaut (CIN) – Alexis Diaz has pitched in three of four, but the Reds are fighting for a playoff spot and have Thursday off, so they may pitch Diaz anyway.

Tomorrow
1. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – If Yennier Cano goes today it’ll be two straight.
2. Jordan Hicks (TOR) – The same is true of Jordan Romano.
3. Matt Brash/Justin Topa (SEA) – It’s also true for Andres Munoz and the entire Seattle hierarchy.
4. Carmen Mlodzinski/Ryan Borucki (PIT) – Same for David Bednar and the Pittsburgh hierarchy.
5. Justin Lawrence/Jake Bird (COL) – Ditto for Tyler Kinley and the Colorado hierarchy.
6. John King/Drew VerHagen (STL) – And for Ryan Helsley.

Miami’s Tanner Scott notches save, further cementing role as Marlins closer

August 28, 2023

Miami Marlins – As we alerted, David Robertson was removed from the closer’s role before Sunday’s game, and the new closer, Tanner Scott, pitched well Sunday to earn his third save of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Nardi | Puk.

Texas Rangers – Will Smith notched a clutch strikeout against the only batter he faced to finish off the eighth inning in Sunday’s game, leaving Aroldis Chapman to handle the ninth inning in a save situation. Chapman did not deliver, though, allowing the tying run to send the game to extras. The Rangers eventually lost, which is something happening a lot lately. Texas has lost nine of 10, and the struggles in the late innings are a big part of it. It appears manager Bruce Bochy is starting to play the matchups again in the ninth inning, so we’ll slap on the committee tag with Smith still in the lead role, for now. 

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Erik Swanson was placed on the injured list with thoracic spine inflammation. Expect Yimi Garcia and maybe Tim Mayza to vie for saves when the Jordans (Romano and Hicks) aren’t available.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Hicks | Garcia.

Boston Red Sox – Manager Alex Cora said Kenley Jansen was available to pitch Sunday. The Red Sox lost, so there was no save situation and Jansen did not play, but he should be presumed to be available moving forward.  

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley resumed a rehab assignment on Sunday after his first one was paused over concerns about continued forearm discomfort. New imaging came back clean, allowing his return to action, though there is no timetable for his return to the majors. For what it’s worth, he did not pitch well in the rehab outing, allowing a couple of runs

Hierarchy remains: *Romero | Gallegos | Pallante.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – The Vulture Save Watch projected a day off Sunday for Pete Fairbanks, but instead of turning to Colin Poche, manager Kevin Cash went with Jason Adam for the third time in four games. Adam nailed down his 12th save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Paul Sewald did not pitch Sunday, as forecast by the Vulture Save Watch, but it was Ryan Thompson who earned the save in his first game for Arizona, not Kevin Ginkel, who had already pitched Friday and Saturday. 

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Ginkel | McGough.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Brooks Raley (NYM) – Adam Ottavino has gone in two straight.
2. Shintaro Fujinami (BAL) – Yennier Cano has also gone in two in a row.
3. Griffin Jax (MIN) – Same as above for Jhoan Duran.
4. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Evan Phillips has pitched in three of four.
5. Jordan Hicks (TOR) – Jordan Romano threw 36 pitches to record five outs Sunday and could need a breather.

Tuesday:
1. Andrew Nardi (MIA) – Miami is off Monday but new closer Tanner Scott might need a second day of rest after pitching Saturday and Sunday.
2. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If he goes Monday, that would be two straight and three of four for Emmanuel Clase.
3. Matt Brash (SEA) – A Monday outing would be three of four for Andres Munoz.

Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley worth adding after David Robertson trade

July 28, 2023

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels swept their doubleheader on Thursday and are now just 3 games out of a Wild Card spot. Unfortunately, we won’t see fireballer Ben Joyce rejoin them for at least a few more weeks, as the righty was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for a few of their deadline acquisitions.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Moore | Soriano.

New York Mets – The Mets began waving the white flag after Thursday’s win, trading closer David Robertson to the Marlins. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley, the latter of whom earned the save on Thursday, are now the best bets for saves for the Mets.

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Raley | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – David Robertson should slot in as Miami’s closer after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets. A.J. Puk, who had been struggling lately and blew a save in his last appearance on Sunday, will be expected to join Tanner Scott and newly acquired Jorge Lopez as a setup man.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Puk | Scott.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Colin Holderman – After a 37-pitch outing on Wednesday — and with the Pirates potentially playing it safe with their valuable trade chip — David Bednar might get a second day off today.

Tomorrow
1. Trevor Stephan – If Emmanuel Clase goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Mason Thompson – Same for Kyle Finnegan.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. – If Adbert Alzolay or Mark Leiter Jr. pitch today, it’s three of four.
4. Gregory Soto – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s four of the last six.