Toronto Blue Jays – Two different posts provided a bit more insight on the runways for a return by Opening Day for Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson. First, this post confirms Swanson threw on Thursday and Friday, but Romano will throw today (Sunday, March 24), not yesterday as previously reported. Later on Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet wrote “there likely isn’t enough runway” for the two relievers being ready for Opening Day in his final roster calls column. While awaiting official word from the team, which may not make any moves before camp breaks, the anticipated hierarchy shift would be a committee approach:
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: *Yimi García | *Chad Green | *Tim Mayza
Chicago White Sox – Although Pedro Grifol remains vague about labeling his reliever roles, Michael Kopech fired a clean fifth, striking out two while hitting 101 m.p.h. on the radar. He’s made three appearances as a reliever, all scoreless, with three strikeouts against one walk and a 0.33 WHIP. Bryan Shaw allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth. Steven Wilson turned in a clean seventh, striking out two. Following Kopech’s outing, here are the updated statistics for the anticipated hierarchy:
- Michael Kopech: 3 appearances as an RP: 3 innings, 3:1 K:BB, 0.33 WHIP, 66.7 Strike%
- John Brebbia: 1 game, 1 inning, one strikeout, 1.00 WHIP, 25 K-BB%
- Jordan Leasure: 9 games, 8.1 innings, 9:4 K:BB, 16.7 K-BB%, 0.84 WHIP
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: *Michael Kopech | *John Brebbia | *Jordan Leasure
Colorado Rockies – With the closer competition still active, Tyler Kinley fired a clean sixth, striking out one. By my count, he threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%). He owns a 1.09 WHIP with nine strikeouts against four walks through 7.1 innings. Jake Bird retired the side in order in the seventh. Justin Lawrence worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. He threw 13 pitches (6 strikes – 46.1 Strike%) with one whiff. He’s posted a 1.92 WHIP with 11 strikeouts versus four walks over 8.1 innings. Following their results in this contest, each relievers updated spring statistics appear as such:
- Justin Lawrence: 9 games, 8.1 innings, 11:4 K:BB, 17.5 K-BB%, 1.92 WHIP, 63.9 Strike%, 9 SwStr%
- Tyler Kinley: 8 games, 7.1 innings, 9:4 K:BB, 16.7 K-BB%, 1.09 WHIP, 59 Strike%, 14.2 SwStr%
Until Bud Black announces his plans for the ninth inning, it remains a committee:
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: *Tyler Kinley | *Jordan Lawrence | Jake Bird
Quick Hits (Game Recaps for March 23)
Arizona Diamondbacks – In a non-save appearance, Paul Sewald turned in a scoreless ninth, preserving a shutout but he did hit a batter in a split-squad tilt against Cleveland. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Through six games this spring, he’s recorded a 0.83 WHIP with five strikeouts against one walk. Miguel Castro tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit. Ryan Thompson faced one batter during his one-third of the sixth. Joe Mantiply gave up a hit during two-thirds of the sixth. Versus the Giants in the other split-game contest, Kevin Ginkel fired a clean sixth, striking out one.
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Atlanta Braves – During his seventh appearance this spring, Raisel Iglesias gave up two hits and an earned run while recording three strikeouts. He’s been racking up whiffs, but also allowing contact in recent outings. He owns a 2.10 WHIP with 12 strikeouts versus four walks through 6.2 innings. A.J. Minter worked a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit. Tyler Matzek had a sideways day, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk in the seventh. Dylan Lee fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Pierce Johnson
Cincinnati Reds – Turning up for the regular season, Alexis Díaz took over in the ninth, tossing a scoreless frame while working around a lead-off double with two ground-outs and a strikeout. By my count, he threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Lucas Sims fired a clean eighth, striking out two. Justin Wilson retired the side in order in the seventh, recording one strikeout. Tony Santillan navigated around a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in the sixth.
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims | Emilio Pagán
Texas Rangers – Rolling through three of its leverage relievers, the Rangers tied the Royals. Kirby Yates notched his second hold, striking out one in a clean fifth. Brock Burke worked around a walk for a scoreless sixth, getting his second hold. José Leclerc tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out one. He owns a 1.62 WHIP this spring but has not allowed a run over his last four outings, posting a 6:2 K:BB over four innings.
Projected Opening Day Hierarchy: José Leclerc | David Robertson | Josh Sborz
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day goes to Tyler Rogers, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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