Monday’s slate featured Kyle Finnegan’s spring debut, another sullied outing by “The Mountain,” and some outings of interest. Beginning with Finnegan, he could not complete the bottom of the fifth, giving up two hits, three runs (one earned) and recording one strikeout over two-thirds of an inning. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff:
He has time to prepare for Opening Day, but his progress should be monitored.
Félix Bautista displayed improved velocity, but struggled commanding his split-fingered fastball against the Pirates. He allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out two on 24 pitches (50 Strike%) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%):
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Here are the remaining outings of interest by leverage relievers from Monday’s spring slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
- Hunter Gaddis secured his first spring hold and walked one during a scoreless fifth.
- Paul Sewald suffered his first blown save, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the sixth. After four spring outings, he has a 2.70 WHIP with four strikeouts versus three walks.
Projected Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Paul Sewald
Detroit Tigers
- A tale of two outings for potential leverage relievers. Tommy Kahnle retired the side, striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) against his former teammates while making his spring debut.
- Jason Foley allowed two hits, including a two-run home run, and recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). This moved his WHIP to 2.10 after four outings spanning 3.1 innings.
Projected Hierarchy: *Beau Brieske | *Will Vest | *Tyler Holton
Minnesota Twins
- Making his second spring appearance, Griffin Jax navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the fifth. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10 SwStr%).
- Jorge Alcala retired the side and struck out one at the top of the sixth.
Projected Hierarchy: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Cole Sands
Toronto Blue Jays
- Another clean outing for Chad Green. He recorded one strikeout at the top of the fifth on 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s posted a 0.25 WHIP with four strikeouts in four innings.
Projected Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
National League
Atlanta Braves
- In order of appearance, Dylan Lee tossed a scoreless fifth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Daysbel Hernández gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth.
- Aaron Bummer fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Jake Diekman worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
Projected Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Pierce Johnson | Aaron Bummer
Cincinnati Reds
- Although he notched a hold, Tony Santillan allowed a solo home run during the bottom of the fifth. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Prospect Zach Maxwell worked a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Projected Hierarchy: Alexis Díaz | Scott Barlow | Tony Santillan
Milwaukee Brewers
- During a game without Statcast or a televised feed, Trevor Megill worked a scoreless top of the fourth, walking and striking out one. He’s posted a 1.36 WHIP with four strikeouts through 3.2 innings this spring.
- Craig Yoho retired the side and recorded one strikeout in the fifth. He’s racked up 10 strikeouts against one walk across six innings this spring with a 0.33 WHIP.
Projected Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Abner Uribe
San Diego Padres
- Things went awry for Jason Adam at the top of the sixth. He allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He threw 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He has a 0.64 WHIP with three strikeouts through 4.2 innings this spring.
Projected Hierarchy: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
St. Louis Cardinals
- Losing his five-game scoreless streak this spring, Ryan Fernandez allowed two hits, including a two-run Mark Vientos home run during the bottom of the fourth. Still, after six innings, he has a 0.67 WHIP with nine strikeouts against two walks this spring.
- Matthew Liberatore gave up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in his 2.2-inning outing.
Projected Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Ryan Fernandez | JoJo Romero
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