Thanks for stopping by Closer Monkey, although there have not been major changes in any team’s hierarchy, things may change this week, especially once injury return timelines become clearer. Our bullpen depth chart was updated this morning (March 10).
Boston Red Sox – After not traveling with the team to the Dominican Republic, Chris Martin stayed behind but was shut down during a bullpen session two pitches in with a groin issue per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. This puts his status for Opening Day in question with less than three weeks of preparations left. Monitor his timeline closely. His manager Alex Cora suggested his session was shortened as a “precautionary move” reported on “X” by Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.
Pittsburgh Pirates – While fantasy players await updates on David Bednar, his teammate, Aroldis Chapman hit triple-digits on the radar during his outing on Saturday. He took over in the fifth and retired the side in order while recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s also assimilating well with the Pirates, covered by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. No hierarchy change yet, but if Bednar does not begin a throwing progression this week, he’s trending the wrong direction for Opening Day. Manager Derek Shelton intimated an update on the “closer” would be provided later today.
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 9)
- Chicago Cubs – Adbert Alzolay worked a scoreless fifth, walking one and striking out one. He owns a 0.50 WHIP with three strikeouts and one walk over four innings. Hector Neris gave up a hit and struck out one in the sixth.
- Chicago White Sox – Logging 2.1 scoreless frames as the “bulk follower”, Garrett Crochet scattered three hits and recorded four strikeouts. He owns a 0.83 WHIP with nine strikeouts and no walks through six innings of work. Prelander Berroa allowed a hit and struck out one in two-thirds scoreless in the sixth.
- Colorado Rockies – With the closer competition heating up, Tyler Kinley fired a clean seventh, striking out two. He’s made four appearances this spring, recording a 0.75 WHIP with six strikeouts versus two walks. Justin Lawrence tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. He’s logged five outings so far, posting a 1.40 WHIP with eight strikeouts against one walk.
- Pittsburgh Pirates – Suffering his first loss this spring, Colin Holderman allowed three hits, including a three-run home run (Keston Hiura), and recorded three strikeouts in the fourth inning. Aroldis Chapman fired a clean fifth, striking out two. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). This marked his fourth spring outing and he owns a 1.25 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk through four innings.
- San Diego Padres – Working from the back to the front, with Opening Day fast approaching, Robert Suarez fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two. A slow starter each spring, he may be turning the corner. Wandy Peralta tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit. Steven Wilson walked one and struck out two during a scoreless seventh.
- San Francisco Giants -Making his third spring appearance, Camilo Doval turned in a scoreless fourth, walking one and striking out two. In three games, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with a 5:2 K:BB over three innings.
- Seattle Mariners – Andrés Muñoz fired a clean sixth, striking out one. He threw five pitches, all strikes. After three spring outings, he owns a minuscule 0.33 WHIP with three strikeouts.
- Washington Nationals – Kyle Finnegan fired a clean seventh, striking out two. He owns a 0.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk this spring. Hunter Harvey gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out two in the eighth. He’s made four appearances, posting a 1.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk.
The Closer Monkey filthy sequence of the day goes to Nate Lavender of the Mets. He fired a clean sixth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) while generating five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%). He’s tossed three clean innings this spring with seven strikeouts (77.8 K%).
Dynasty or Keeper league players alert, Mandy Bell of MLB.com featured three relievers who may be factors in the Guardians bullpen this year, including Franco Aleman.
Until next time, stay safe and be well.
