March 30, 2022
San Francisco Giants – Gabe Kapler said that Jake McGee would begin the season as closer. We will move McGee to the head of the committee, but we still think that Camilo Doval is in the mix for saves.
Updated hierarchy: *McGee | Doval | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Dylan Floro is dealing with some arm soreness and might not be ready for opening day. He has not been shut down so there is still a chance he can get himself in a position to pitch opening day, but if he misses any time, Anthony Bender could see some save chances to start the year.
Hierarchy remains: Floro | Bender | Bass.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Manager Dave Roberts has said that Blake Treinen will not be used as a traditional closer and now Treinen has said he prefers the flexible role. We will see how this plays out but it sounds like Daniel Hudson and maybe even Brusdar Graterol could see more save chances and that’s bad news for Treinen fantasy owners.
Updated hierarchy: *Treinen | Hudson | Graterol.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres — Bob Melvin has said he wants to name a closer by the start of the season but he might end up with a committee to start the season. Robert Suarez and Emilio Pagan are likely to be part of that committee but one guy to keep an eye on is Dinelson Lamet. We have seen a number of starters move to the bullpen with great success and Lamet has a chance to be another example of that. We will slide Lamet onto the hierarchy and continue to monitor this situation — which, yes, also includes Pierce Johnson, the Curveball King.
Updated hierarchy: *Suarez | Pagan | Lamet.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks is likely to miss at least a few months with a lat injury, opening the high-leverage door for J.T. Chargois, J.P. Feyereisen, J.A. Happ, J.D. Drew, J.R. Smith, J.J. Watt, and, why not, maybe even J.G. Wentworth. It’s the Rays, baby, anything can happen.
Updated hierarchy: *Kittredge | Chargois | Feyereisen.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians — The Guardians have brought back veteran Bryan Shaw on a one-year deal and that’s good news for their bullpen, because setup man James Karinchak is dealing with a right arm strain and will be shut down for 7-10 days. We will move Shaw back onto the hierarchy and keep an eye on Karinchak to see if he ends up being placed on the IL.
Updated hierarchy: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.
