Toronto Blue Jays –In a less than ideal tweet regarding two separate injuries affecting the Blue Jays high-leverage ladder, Keegan Matheson shared Jordan Romano has right elbow inflammation and Erik Swanso n has right forearm tightness. Per Matheson, both relievers had clean MRIs. Hazel Mae reported Romano will not throw for three days then “ramp back up“. She also shared Swanson will rest for a day or two, then resume throwing. For now it’s not time for panic, but any setbacks would cloud their respective availability for Opening Day. If anything happens, the adjusted hierarchy would be Yimi García, then Chad Green, and Tim Mayza in a potentially match-up based approach.
In a follow-up injuries update column by Matheson for MLB.com, he mentioned García and Green as candidates for save chances if Romano misses time at the onset of the season. It’s too soon for a hierarchy reset, though the news about Swanson appears more concerning.
During game action on Tuesday, recent news makes the outings by these two relievers potentially more interesting. Yimi García fired a clean top of the fifth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Through his seven spring outings, he owns a 0.63 WHIP with seven strikeouts against two walks. Chad Green worked the sixth, allowing a solo home run. He’s had a rough March (7 ER in 4.2 IP) but would be a high-leverage option if his teammates miss time this season.
Tentative Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Erik Swanson | Yimi García
Boston Red Sox – I’m starting to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day with the Kenley Jansen daily updates. Once again, he was scheduled for an appearance but will be scratched with back tightness per Alex Speier, of the Boston Globe, on “X”. Time will be tight for readiness on Opening Day. Chris Martin remains on track for an appearance in a minor league game today, for now, reported by Ian Browne of MLB.com on “X”. If these two veterans are not ready for Opening Day, this leverage ladder becomes very inexperienced with Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock on track for spots in the rotation. This may result in high-leverage events for Josh Winckowski, Greg Weissert, and Isaiah Campbell, with Justin Slaten in the multi-inning role.
During his outing on Tuesday, Martin hit 96-to-97 m.p.h., shared in this tweet by Speier. As for Jansen, Christopher Smith of MassLive noted a “tight back” kept him from his appearance and the team hopes he can pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday. If he does, they will reset his scheduled outings in preparation for Opening Day. (UPDATE – 8:00 a.m. EST) In a recent tweet by Speier, it appears the earliest Jansen will pitch could be Thursday. Plan accordingly.
Tentative Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Josh Winckowski
Los Angeles Dodgers – Before their first game in South Korea against San Diego, the Dodgers placed two relievers, Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (lung), on the 10-day injured list per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic on “X”. It will be interesting how Dave Roberts structures his leverage ladder during a save chance, which could happen soon while many have their morning coffee.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Evan Phillips | Joe Kelly | Daniel Hudson
Quick Hits (Game Recaps from March 19)
Cincinnati Reds – Another sullied outing for Alexis Díaz. He worked 1.2 innings, allowing two hits, including a two-run home run by Aaron Hicks, and a walk while striking out one. After serving up the home run, he retired five of his next batters faced, but the damage had been done. Through five games this spring, he boasts a 1.59 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks.
Cleveland Guardians – Suffering his first blown save this spring, Emmanuel Clase allowed two hits, including a two-run home run (Willy Adames), and a walk while striking out two. He’s appeared in seven spring games with a 12:2 K:BB and a 1.71 WHIP over seven innings.
Colorado Rockies – Still in competition for the “closer” role, Justin Lawrence completed a scoreless sixth, working around a hit and a walk. Following eight outings this spring, he owns a 2.05 WHIP with 10 strikeouts against three walks. In the other split-squad game, Tyler Kinley gave up three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during one-third of the seventh. This moved his WHIP to 1.26 and he owns an 8:4 K:BB through 6.1 innings. From a fantasy lens, maybe there is no winner.
Detroit Tigers – In a scoreless tie, Shelby Miller fired a clean sixth, striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s logged five spring outings producing a 0.80 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk. Alex Lange retired the side in order in the seventh, recording two strikeouts. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Through his first five outings, he owns a 1.40 WHIP with a 9:2 K:BB over five innings.
Houston Astros – It will not appear in the boxscores, but Brian McTaggart reported Josh Hader appeared in a minor league game on Tuesday, working on consecutive days in this tweet on “X”. This may be a byproduct of building up his stamina for the season, or working on his pitches after serving up two home runs on Monday. Either way, it’s a positive development with Opening Day just over a week away.
Miami Marlins – During a split-squad game against the Astros, Tanner Scott tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit. He’s been scoreless in his last three outings. Anthony Bender worked a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one. In their other contest against St. Louis, Andrew Nardi got credit for his third hold, navigating around two walks while striking out one. Through six outings, he owns a 1.41 WHIP with two strikeouts against seven walks. In this game, his four-seam fastball was 2.7 m.p.h. below last year’s average velocity.
Oakland A’s – In a tie, the relievers provided a mixed bag of results. Dany Jiménez got credit for his first hold, allowing an earned run and walking four while striking out one. This moved his WHIP to 1.35 through 6.2 innings. Lucas Erceg gave up a hit and an unearned run, resulting in his second blown save. Mason Miller tossed a scoreless fifth, walking one. He owns a 0.67 WHIP with nine strikeouts against one walk over six innings this spring.
Seattle Mariners – During a lopsided win, Andrés Muñoz tossed a scoreless fifth, allowing a hit and striking out one. He’s made six appearances this spring, posting a 1.06 WHIP with six strikeouts and no walks.
Tampa Bay Rays – Pete Fairbanks worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two. He’s made four appearances this spring, posting a 1.25 WHIP with five strikeouts versus two walks over four innings.
Texas Rangers – Entering in the fifth, David Robertson retired the side in order, recording one strikeout. Kirby Yates allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out two. José Leclerc tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up an infield hit and striking out two. He’s rounding into form, working three straight scoreless outings with five strikeouts against one walk.
Stay safe and be well. Enjoy the Dodgers versus the Padres if you can watch it live.
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