Alex Colome leading the Rays closer committee

March 29, 2016

Tampa Bay Rays – A lengthy profile published recently in the Tampa Bay Times includes the suggestion that Alex Colome “appears the first choice to fill in for Brad Boxberger” when the season starts. Danny Farquhar has had an excellent spring, but we’ve learned to trust the local beat writers when there hasn’t been an overt declaration from a manager. So we’ll bump Colome to the top of the committee until we hear more.

Updated hierarchy: *Colome | Farquhar | Cedeno.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – John Gibbons said that he’d officially name a closer after today’s game. We still expect it to be Drew Storen, in which case we won’t send an update later tonight. But if it’s Roberto Osuna, expect to hear from us.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Osuna | Cecil.

Phillies closer race remains wide open

March 28, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – A week after saying that Andrew Bailey had taken the lead in the Philadelphia closer race, Phillies skipper Pete Mackanin said that he needed “to see more out of him,” including better velocity and command. This comes in the wake of two rough outings for Bailey, and while he righted the ship with a clean inning on Sunday, there’s speculation that he could actually start the year in the minors to see if he can regain his form. Injuries have kept David Hernandez from pitching a lot this spring, but Dalier Hinojosa has thrown seven strong innings, allowing just two earned runs and a tidy 7/1 K/BB ratio. This situation is still wide open, with any of the three relievers a possibility to start the season in the 9th inning role.

Hierarchy remains: *Bailey | Hernandez | Hinojosa.
* = closer-by-committee

Will Smith injury means more saves for Jeremy Jeffress

March 27, 2016

Milwaukee Brewers – Will Smith’s knee injury was indeed serious — he hurt it while trying to take his spikes off after a game — and he will miss a significant amount of time. It’s now likely that Jeremy Jeffress will see the lion’s share of save opportunities to start the season, while Corey Knebel will see more holds and potentially a save chance or two when Jeffress needs time off. Smith’s timetable is uncertain at this point and depends on whether he needs surgery.

Updated hierarchy: Jeffress | Knebel | Blazek.

Will Smith’s knee hurting; Shawn Tolleson catching up

March 25, 2016

Milwaukee Brewers – Will Smith, who was set to open the season sharing the closer role with Jeremy Jeffress, has some “concerning” swelling in his knee and will undergo testing. Should the injury be serious, Jeffress’s value would increase greatly, and Corey Knebel could also benefit with extra 8th inning looks or the occasional save. We will monitor the situation closely.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Jeffress | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – While Jeff Banister was quick to note that Shawn Tolleson is definitely still the closer in Texas, he also said that Tolleson was a short ways behind the other Texas relievers in terms of how they’ve all progressed this spring, and added that he would occasionally play matchups in the 9th. For Tolleson owners, hopefully this is just bluster, but if Banister is serious, then perhaps Sam Dyson or Keone Kela could get an occasional save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.

Tampa Bay Rays – Danny Farquhar has had a strong spring, including a nice outing yesterday. But Alex Colome has done just fine himself, and neither reliever has distinguished himself in the race to replace the injured Brad Boxberger. However, the duo have distanced themselves from their nearest competition — Xavier Cedeno and Steve Geltz — both of whom are getting knocked around in spring. Unless your league is especially deep, these are probably the only two relievers worth owning for now.

Hierarchy remains: *Farquhar | Colome | Cedeno.
* = closer-by-committee

Bailey leading Phillies ‘pen; Astros, Rockies no closer to naming closer

March 24, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – Andrew Bailey appears to be the front-runner for the closer’s job, though manager Pete Mackanin has also said that David Hernandez and Dalier Hinojosa are also in the mix. While Edward Mujica is all but a lock to make the roster, the three aforementioned arms are the only ones being considered for the ninth inning at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: *Bailey | Hernandez | Hinojosa.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros — A bit of a closer controversy is developing for Houston after Ken Giles has struggled this spring. He finally turned in a clean inning on Wednesday, and manager AJ Hinch said after the game that he won’t have a closer determination until the team’s trip to Mexico, which begins Friday. Even with Luke Gregerson beginning to return from an oblique injury, our bet is that Giles will be the team’s closer on opening day.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Gregerson | Neshek.

Colorado Rockies – Manager Walt Weiss is in no rush to name a closer, but while the ninth inning is no closer to being decided upon, hard-throwing Miguel Castro may have impressed enough this spring to get a shot in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Motte | Castro.

Boston Red Sox — Carson Smith will begin the season on the disabled list but the Sox avoided a long-term setback for the right-hander, who suffered an elbow injury. While Smith recovers, Junichi Tazawa will be the best option for John Farrell in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Uehara | Tazawa.

Minnesota Twins — Trevor May will begin the season in the bullpen, according to manager Paul Molitor. May was solid in relief last season and will likely return to his role in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson was terrific for the Rangers down the stretch last year to help Texas reach the postseason. He’ll be a potential candidate for saves and will almost certainly be called upon in the 8th inning in what is shaping up to be a solid bullpen in Arlington.

Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.