Following his rough outing on Saturday, Alexis Díaz will make his next appearance in a minor league game per Mark Shelton on BlueSky:
At this career stage, Terry Francona does not have the patience for free passes by his closer. Díaz has not recorded a walk rate below 12.6 percent through three seasons. It may not require a demotion as Gordon Wittenmyer of Cincinnati.com suggests, but the door may be open for a reliever with veteran experience (Scott Barlow and Taylor Rogers were mentioned) to receive save chances early in 2025. This remains a developing situation.
Projected Hierarchy: Alexis Díaz | Scott Barlow | Emilio Pagán
Arizona Diamondbacks
There have been no updates regarding the closer competition in Arizona, but two of the relievers vying for the role appeared in the sixth inning of two split-squad contests on Monday. Justin Martinez fired a clean bottom of the fifth and recorded two strikeouts against the 6-7-8 lineup pocket of Kansas City. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus three walks (26.1 K-BB%) over six innings.
A.J. Puk notched his fourth hold, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless top of the sixth, facing 6-7-8-9 hitters for the Angels. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts against three walks (25 K-BB%) across six innings.
With no clear-cut winner, this remains Torey Lovullo’s decision as Opening Day draws nearer.
Projected Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer competition ongoing
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Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s spring slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Kansas City Royals
- Logging his second spring appearance, Carlos Estévez allowed a lead-off triple by Jake McCarthy, induced a shallow flyout, and gave up an RBI groundout, resulting in an earned run. Estévez threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff. His velocity remains down, but he’s two weeks behind his teammates, which makes his runway for Opening Day tight, though he feels good per reports.
Projected Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
Los Angeles Angels
- Another impressive outing for Ben Joyce. He retired the side and recorded one strikeout while facing the top of the Diamondbacks lineup. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He has a 1.17 WHIP with ten strikeouts versus three walks (27 K-BB%) across six innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Toronto Blue Jays
- Pressed into action at the bottom of the fourth, Jeff Hoffman logged 1.1 scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three on 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.20 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus two walks (28.6 K-BB%) through five innings.
- Yimi García notched his third hold with a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Projected Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
National League
Miami Marlins
- Taking over at the top of the seventh, Anthony Bender allowed a one-out walk and induced an inning-ending double play. He returned for the eighth and struggled, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and another walk, resulting in his first loss over 1.2 innings.
- Calvin Faucher replaced him, letting his only inherited runner score on an RBI single. At the top of the ninth, he allowed two more hits, including a two-run home run and two walks, before being lifted. He finished with three hits, three earned runs, and two walks on his ledger while striking out one over two-thirds combined innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | *Anthony Bender
*= closer competition ongoing
Philadelphia Phillies
- Summoned at the top of the seventh, Jordan Romano gave up a hit, hit a batter, and recorded one strikeout. He collected his first win, throwing 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%) over two-thirds of an inning. He has a 0.75 WHIP with eight strikeouts against one walk (25.9 K-BB%) through 6.2 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | José Alvarado | Orion Kerkering
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