March 14, 2021
Colorado Rockies – Bud Black said that Daniel Bard will start the season as the Rockies’ closer. Scott Oberg made his spring debut on Friday, and the plan is to have him pitch in eight different outings and see how he feels after each one. That will determine whether he begins the season on the active roster. We’ll keep him in the hierarchy for now and see how he progresses through the rest of March.
Updated hierarchy: Bard | Givens | Oberg.
Baltimore Orioles — Hunter Harvey is expected to miss several weeks with a left oblique injury. With Harvey sidelined, this opens the door for guys like Cesar Valdez and Tanner Scott to take over the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: *Valdez | Scott | Armstrong.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Zack Britton is scheduled to have surgery to remove a bone chip from his pitching elbow, which means he is likely to be out until at least May. Aaron Boone plans to mix and match in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings with guys like Chad Green, Justin Wilson and Darren O’Day.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Green | Wilson.
Texas Rangers — Jonathan Hernandez will be shut down from pitching for at least four weeks with a UCL sprain. Joely Rodriguez is still behind in spring training because of a sprained ankle, and fellow lefty Brett Martin is dealing with a sore back. The Rangers need to protect Jose Leclerc at all costs right now.
Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Rodriguez | Sborz.