Monkey Bytes, March 27: Jansen clears his last hurdle, and the final spring tune-ups for four other closers

A light game schedule on Tuesday, and all teams off on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s “domestic” Opening Day makes this a quick post. However, more content will be provided before the season begins. One more sleep until baseball, life is good.

Boston Red Sox Assuaging the fears of his manager, Kenley Jansen fired a clean seventh, striking out one. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) against three Texs substitutes for starters in the lineup. After four spring outings, he owned a 0.82 WHIP with five strikeouts and now walks over 3.2 innings. Chris Martin retired the side in order in the eighth, recording a strikeout. With its two veterans atop the leverage ladder, things calm down for the Red Sox in high-leverage events, for now. Alex Cora spoke briefly about his two veteran relievers in this post by Drew Davison for MLB.com.

Opening Day Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski

Los Angeles Angels – Making his final spring outing, Carlos Estévez tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He logged eight spring appearances, posting a 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts and zero walks through eight innings. José Cisnero worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one. Luis García turned in a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two.

Opening Day Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Matt Moore | José Cisnero

San Francisco Giants –  It can be tough making an appearance in an exhibition with Opening Day looming. Camilo Doval gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out in his last outing this spring. He threw 22 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). Through six games, he owned a 1.17 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks over six innings. Taylor Rogers and his twin, Tyler, each retired both batters faced, one via strikeout.

Opening Day Hierarchy: Camilo Doval | Taylor Rogers | Tyler Rogers

St. Louis Cardinals – During his final preparations for the regular season, Ryan Helsley fired a clean bottom of the ninth in a non-save situation, recording one strikeout. He wraps his preseason with a 1.11 WHIP and 11 strikeouts versus six walks. JoJo Romero retired the side in order in the eighth, striking out one. Andrew Kittredge allowed a solo home run and produced three strikeouts in the seventh. Giovanny Gallegos worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out two.

Opening Day Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Giovanny Gallegos | JoJo Romero

Texas Rangers – Making his final spring training appearance, José Leclerc served up a solo home run, issued a walk, and registered one strikeout. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). He ends the spring with a 1.69 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings.

Opening Day Hierarchy: José Leclerc | David Robertson | Josh Sborz

Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Mason Miller, although it happened on Tuesday night, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja. There are no guarantees regarding his role but in Martín Gallegos’ Athletics 2024 season preview, this note appeared:

Links will be provided throughout the season, but our premium subscribers get blurbs like Miller’s above directly attached, Statcast charts, and deeper insight in their daily emails. Treat yourself to this service for a one-time $20 donation to the site.

Until next time, stay safe and be well.