March 21, 2019
Seattle Mariners — With a long fly ball that fell to earth one foot from the left field fence in the Tokyo Dome a few minutes ago, Hunter Strickland picked up his second save in two days. Anthony Swarzak is on the injured list, so it was lefty Zac Rosscup setting up Strickland both days — although he’s put four guys on base in 1.2 innings. We’ll move Rosscup into the hierarchy, but Cory Gearrin looks like a better bet to fill in for Strickland if necessary.
Updated hierarchy: Strickland | Gearrin | Rosscup.
Toronto Blue Jays — Ryan Tepera and John Axford are experiencing the dreaded elbow pain, leaving Bud Norris (whose deadline to opt-out of his minor league deal is today), Joe Biagini, and Tim Mayza to set up Ken Giles.
Updated hierarchy: Giles | Norris| Biagini.
Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel ain’t walkin’ through that door, so it looks more and more likely that the Red Sox will ride with Matt Barnes (and his newly untipped pitches) in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Barnes | Brasier | Hembree.
Tampa Bay Rays — As we expected, Jose Alvarado and Chaz Roe should get the bulk of the save chances for Tampa, with Diego Castillo and Ryne Stanek cycling between late-inning work and possible stints as the “opener.”
Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Roe | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — It’s still unclear who will get the bulk of the saves between Brad Boxberger and Wily Peralta, but they’ll be joined in the bullpen by Ian Kennedy.
Updated hierarchy: *Boxberger | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins — Nothing definitive in the Twins’ hierarchy — they’re still choosing among Trevor May, Blake Parker, Trevor Hildenberger, and Taylor Rogers — but the latest news is that they might settle on one guy, and that it won’t be Fernando Romero. We’re still betting on May.
Hierarchy remains: *May | Parker | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros — Ryan Pressly just signed a $17.5 million extension and has the edge over Chris Devenski at second in line.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Rondon | Pressly.
