March 25, 2023
Atlanta Braves – Raisel Iglesias will begin the season on the IL with a shoulder injury. Manager Brian Snitker mentioned AJ Minter as the likeliest option to close so we will slide him to the top of the hierarchy for now. Joe Jimenez and Collin McHugh could also be in the mix while Iglesias is out.
Updated hierarchy: Minter | Jimenez | McHugh.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Brusdar Graterol is working on secondary pitches to go with his 100 mph fastball, and if he can find some success there, he could turn into a dominant closer. We will slide him up one spot to first in line and see if he can put it all together this season.
Updated hierarchy: *Phillips | Graterol | Vesia.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – Lucas Sims is expected to begin the season on the IL with a back injury. Reiver Sanmartin and veteran Hunter Strickland could see more time in the later innings while Sims is out.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Farmer | Sanmartin.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs have one of the closest battles going for the closer’s spot between Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer. As we enter the last week before the season, both Boxberger and Fulmer have yet to allow a run in spring, although Fulmer has a better WHIP and more strikeouts. As we noted in our season preview we think Fulmer is the best season long option, but Boxberger has been a steady and reliable reliever who we still think gets the first chance out of the gate. This situation is worth closely monitoring as the Cubs have generally tried to stick with a primary closer once they find someone they think can handle the job.
Hierarchy Remains: Boxberger* | Fulmer | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – Some bad news out of camp for the Diamondbacks as Mark Melancon will miss months with a shoulder injury. This opens the door for Scott McGough to join the hierarchy. McGough has been solid in spring training and is coming off a 38 save season in Japan. Arizona isn’t a hotbed of fantasy value for any reliever, but if you’re in the committee there is always a chance that you snag a save on any given day.
Updated Hierarchy: *Chafin | Mantiply | McGough.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Since Edwin Diaz’s unfortunate injury, the Mets have been asking themselves how they will replace the league’s best closer from last year. While Adam Ottavino and David Robertson are the best options on the team currently, there had been some speculation that the Mets might try to trade for an established closer (maybe Edwin’s brother Alex?), although owner Steve Cohen recently threw some cold water on those rumors. The emerging consensus seems to be that David Robertson will have the first crack at saves, as he has a bit more closing experience compared to Ottavino. We will adjust the hierarchy accordingly, but as we noted in the season preview, this situation could move quickly as the Mets see a championship window and won’t be content to wait for the a bullpen battle to work itself out.
Updated Hierarchy: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox — In a scary moment, Kenley Jansen felt lightheaded and walked off with a trainer after facing his first batter of the game last night. After the game Jansen said that he did not believe it was related to any heart issues, and was just the result of dehydration. He expects to pitch again this weekend, and continues to be on pace to start the season as the Red Sox closer. Hopefully this is nothing but a blip on the radar, and Jansen returns with no ill-effects tomorrow.
Hierarchy Remains: Jansen | Martin | Schreiber.
