Perhaps foreshadowing his decision, Bud Black summoned Victor Vodnik at the bottom of the ninth against Texas with a three-run lead. Vodnik retired the side and recorded one strikeout, throwing 14 pitches (12 strikes – 85.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He has a 1.14 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (24.2 K-BB%) through seven innings.
It’s Black’s decision, but based on recent usage patterns and outcomes:
Updated Projected Hierarchy: Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley | Seth Halvorsen
Boston Red Sox
Appearing at the bottom of the fifth, Liam Hendriks retired his only batter on seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff (14.3 SwStr%). He has a 2.21 WHIP with four strikeouts across 6.1 innings. Aroldis Chapman strengthened his case for being the closer with a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s recorded a 1.09 WHIP with 14 strikeouts against five walks (30 K-BB%) over 7.1 innings. His one concern is the 16.7 walk rate in this limited sample. Justin Slaten worked a clean seventh, striking out one while throwing 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
It’s still considered a competition until Alex Cora names a closer, but even Hendriks’ agrees it should be Chapman right now.
Updated Projected Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Liam Hendriks
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Here are the leverage events of interest from Thursday’s spring slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Fantasy managers were already concerned about Brandon Hyde managing the workload for Félix Bautista, but this update from Jake Rill of MLB.com puts Opening Day availability in question:
From Thursday’s game:
- In his sixth spring outing, Seranthony Domínguez gave up his fifth home run and recorded two strikeouts during his 1.1 innings. He has a 3.33 WHIP with 11 strikeouts through six innings.
- Keegan Akin seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two. He’s posted a 0.81 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 8.2 innings.
For now, those taking Bautista should handcuff with Yennier Cano, though Hyde has preferred a match-up-based approach with his closer unavailable:
Updated Projected Hierarchy: Félix Bautista | Yennier Cano | Keegan Akin
Houston Astros
- Summoned at the bottom of the second with a runner on, Josh Hader collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames. He struggled with his command, issuing three walks and recording two strikeouts against Miami. He threw 29 pitches (16 strikes – 55.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (17.2 SwStr%). He has a 1.50 WHIP with five strikeouts against eight walks (-10.4 K-BB%) over 6.2 innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Tayler Scott
Kansas City Royals
- It was not pretty, but Carlos Estévez turned in his first scoreless spring outing. He navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the sixth, throwing 26 pitches (17 strikes – 65.4 Strike%) with one whiff. His velocity remains down, but he’s behind other relievers in his buildup after a back issue limited him early in camp.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | Hunter Harvey
Los Angeles Angels
- It was an efficient outing for Kenley Jansen, retiring the side at the bottom of the fifth. He threw 15 pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 0.50 WHIP with two strikeouts versus zero walks across four scoreless innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Ben Joyce | Brock Burke
Minnesota Twins
- Collecting his first win, Griffin Jax retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the eighth, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.80 WHIP with nine strikeouts (50 K-BB%) through five innings. Jax represents one of the best non-closer relievers in baseball and would become a very popular target if he’s recording saves on a regular basis. Stash accordingly.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Entering 2025 with a match-up-based bullpen, one of three relievers may emerge with the closer role.
- Kevin Ginkel was called upon first. He stranded an inherited runner while retiring both batters, one via strikeout at the top of the fifth, throwing eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
- A.J. Puk retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (41,7 SwStr%).
- Justin Martinez allowed two hits and two earned runs while striking out one in the seventh on 25 pitches (68 Strike%) with five whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Projected Hierarchy remains: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves
- After firing a clean top of the fourth, Raisel Iglesias collected his first spring win. By my count, he threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) with one whiff and recorded one strikeout. He has posted a 0.80 WHIIP with four strikeouts versus two walks (11.6 K-BB%) over five innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson | Aaron Bummer
Miami Marlins
- Another rough outing for Jesús Tinoco. He allowed four hits, including two home runs and four earned runs, while striking out one at the top of the seventh. He’s posted a 2.04 WHIP with seven strikeouts against five walks in 8.1 innings. This remains a bullpen fantasy managers should avoid until clarity emerges.
Projected Hierarchy remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Jesús Tinoco | *Anthony Bender
*= closer competition ongoing
San Diego Padres
- Called upon at the top of the eighth, Jason Adam allowed a hit and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless appearance. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.29 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks (16.1 K-BB%) over seven innings.
- Robert Suarez has not appeared in a spring game since March 12.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Washington Nationals
- Posting a much-needed clean outing, Kyle Finnegan logged 1.1 innings and recorded one strikeout. He also reached 98 miles per hour, per Mark Zuckerman.
- Jose A. Ferrer retired both batters via strikeout at the top of the sixth and has a 0.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts through eight innings.
Projected Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Jorge López
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: