Monday provided a calmer day in “closer” news but also featured spring debuts by two relievers atop their respective bullpen hierarchies. Two updates on teams with lingering health issues, and game recaps.
New York Mets – Assuaging any concerns about his knee or velocity, Edwin Díaz made his triumphant return on Monday, striking out the side on 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.2 Strike%) and producing seven whiffs (50 SwStr%), six with his slider. Covered by Bill Ladson of MLB.com, it’s only one outing, but a pivotal one for a Mets bullpen that missed his late-inning presence last year.
Boston Red Sox – Two separate updates about leverage relievers for the Red Sox. First, Pete Abraham reported on “X” that Kenley Jansen will throw live batting practice on Tuesday (March 12). If all goes well, he can hit his target date of a spring debut on Friday. From the injuries and roster moves page at MLB.com, Chris Martin “could” be ready for Opening Day according to his manager, Alex Cora.
San Diego Padres – In Kevin Acee’s Padres Notes for the San Diego Union-Tribune, he shared Robert Suarez took a comeback batted ball off his shin, but should be fine. He’s getting imaging as a precaution. Both he and Yuki Matsui, are slated to appear in Wednesday’s Cactus League contest. As for game action, Suarez tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out two. He’s overcome a slow start with four straight scoreless outings in March with a 7:2 K:BB over his last four innings.
Tampa Bay Rays – Two high-leverage relievers made their spring debuts on Monday (March 11), including the team’s “closer“, Pete Fairbanks. He fired a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. Colin Poche also made his first spring appearance, with a clean eighth, striking out two. Dawn Klemish covered their outings for MLB.com in her game recap, noting Fairbanks hit 98 m.p.h. with his four-seam fastball.
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 11)
Arizona Diamondbacks – Paul Sewald fired a clean seventh, striking out two He threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s logged four spring appearances and owns a 0.75 WHIP with three strikeouts.
Atlanta Braves – Raisel Iglesias secured his first spring hold, tossing a scoreless sixth. He issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts.
Cleveland Guardians – Navigating around a hit, Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless fourth, recording two strikeouts. This marked his fourth appearance this spring and he owns a 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk.
Minnesota Twins – Another strong outing by Griffin Jax, striking out the side in the fifth. He’s made five appearances this spring and posted a minuscule 0.20 WHIP with a robust 10 strikeouts versus zero walks. He’s faced 17 batters and owns a 58.8 strikeout percentage this spring.
New York Yankees – Taking over in the fourth inning, Clay Holmes notched his second hold with a scoreless outing, navigating around two hits and striking out one. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%). He owns a 0.67 WHIP with three strikeouts over three appearances this spring. Ian Hamilton fired two clean frames, striking out four for his second hold on 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s logged four outings and posted a 0.29 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against two walks.
Oakland A’s – Trevor Gott fired a clean sixth, striking out two. Mason Miller lit up the radar gun while posting the five fastest pitches recorded by Statcast on Monday during a clean seventh, recording one strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s made four relief appearances and owns a 0.25 WHIP with seven strikeouts against zero walks, good for a 53.8 K-BB%.
St. Louis Cardinals – Entering in the fifth inning, Ryan Helsley retired the side in order. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff for his second hold. Through four outings this spring, he owns a 1.25 WHIP with four strikeouts against three walks.
Monday’s Closer Monkey filthy sequence of the day, Edwin Díaz, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
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