March 24, 2021
San Diego Padres – Emilio Pagan might well be the Padres closer when the season begins, beat writer Kevin Acee recently reported. Pagan pitched with an injury last year but is healthy this spring and has experience closing. Manager Jayce Tingler has admitted he would prefer one guy get the job “in an ideal world,” and many within the organization say they assume Pagan will be that guy, Acee reported. Couple that with the fact that Drew Pomeranz is dealing with tightness and inflammation in his arm, and we’re looking at a shuffled hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Pagan | Melancon | Pomeranz.
Toronto Blue Jays – Kirby Yates is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, meaning the recent signing will miss the 2021 season. When asked today if he’d be ready to step into the closer role, Jordan Romano said, “I don’t need a set inning. I kind of like it when they spring it on me. Seventh, eighth, ninth — whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be ready.” For what it’s worth, manager Charlie Montoyo won’t name a closer, saying, “It could be anybody, any day.” Great. Well, we think Romano leads a group that also includes Rafael Dolis and offseason acquisitions David Phelps (5 IP, 10 Ks, 0 ER in the spring) and Tyler Chatwood (7 IP , 5 Ks, 0 ER in the spring).
Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Dolis | Phelps.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Jose Leclerc will begin the season on the injured list with right elbow soreness and will miss an extended amount of time. With David Hernandez set to begin the season on the 60-day IL, and Brett Martin and Joely Rodriguez likely to open the season on the injured list, who is left? The Rangers seem likely to lean on a non-roster invitee like Matt Bush or Ian Kennedy to compete for saves in a committee to start the year, though Chris Woodward said he’d like to hone in on one closer about a month into the season. Bush has looked “phenomenal” this spring, according to GM Chris Young, so we’ll give him the nod in this very messy and avoidable (if you can) bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: *Bush | Kennedy | Sborz
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Jose Alvarado is 50 pounds (!) lighter than he was last year, has been touching 100 mph this spring and throws his sinker incredibly hard and with a lot of movement. Now, he might be in the saves conversation, according to Jayson Stark and others. Alvarado is a lefty, but he’s joined by two other lefties in the bullpen, so his handedness won’t be working against him. Let’s get him in the hierarchy and call this committee until there’s more clarity.
Updated hierarchy: Bradley* | Alvarado | Neris
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Pedro Baez is back with the team after a COVID-19 diagnosis but might not be ready for Opening Day. Enoli Paredes has been throwing 97-99 mph this spring and could get some late-inning looks behind Ryan Pressly until Baez is ready.
Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Smith | Paredes