April 1, 2021

Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes was cleared to rejoin the team and will be ready for opening day today.  We will move Barnes back to the closer role, but it might be worth noting that the Red Sox haven’t actually announced whether Barnes or Ottavino will close.

Updated hierarchy: Barnes | Ottavino | Sawamura.

Los Angeles Angels — In a surprising move, the Angels optioned Ty Buttrey.  To replace Buttrey, the Angels signed a couple of veterans in Steve Cishek and Tony Watson.  We will slide Cishek in to Buttrey’s spot in the hierarchy to start the season.

Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Mayers | Cishek.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds will not name a closer to start the season but mentioned Amir Garrett and Lucas Sims as options, along with Sean Doolittle.  We will leave Garrett at the top but move Sims to first in line ahead of Doolittle and slap the committee tag on there for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Garrett | Sims | Doolittle.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – Scott Oberg will be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to remove blood clots.  Yency Almonte should see more time in the later innings with Oberg sidelined.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Givens | Almonte.

San Francisco Giants – The Giants’ GM Farhan Zaidi said that Jake McGee is in a position to be the closer.  He also mentioned Tyler Rogers so we will move Rogers to 1st in line behind McGee.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Rogers | Moronta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chad Green – Aroldis Chapman will miss the first two games of the season while serving his suspension so Chad Green could get an early vulture save opportunity.