April 4, 2017
Los Angeles Angels – Despite his excellent spring training, Cam Bedrosian will share closing duties while Huston Street is out. Mike Scioscia shied away from calling the arrangement a “committee,” saying instead that he wants to retain the flexibility to use his ‘closer’ earlier in the game if matchups require. Wise though this might be, the downside to fantasy owners requires us to brand this ‘pen with the committee asterisk.
Updated hierarchy: *Bedrosian | Bailey | Parker.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — The A’s played matchups in the late innings, deploying Sean Doolittle against Kole Calhoun, then bringing in Ryan Madson to face Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. This left Santiago Casilla to grab the save in the ninth. Bob Melvin has talked about doing things a little differently in the bullpen, and this looks like the makings of a full-fledged closer committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Madson | Casilla | Doolittle.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays — With Roberto Osuna on the DL, the Blue Jays have slotted 40-year-old Jason Grilli at closer in the meantime. Seizing the opportunity, Grilli gave up a walk-off home run on Opening Day. Blue Jays fans can console themselves with the knowledge that Osuna will be back in five days, and the performance of Joe Biagini, who kept the game tied in the seventh and eighth. Manager John Gibbons has spoken highly of Biagini, even suggesting that he may get some save chances with Osuna out.
Updated hierarchy: Grilli | Smith | Biagini.
Minnesota Twins — Despite cruising to a 7-1 victory, the Twins took no chances in the ninth, calling on closer Brendan Kintzler to slam the door. In the eighth, veteran righty Matt Belisle needed just 11 pitches to retire the side, and won plaudits for his high socks. Belisle could be the veteran presence Minnesota needs to help stabilize its bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Pressly | Belisle.
Philadelphia Phillies — After Jeanmar Gomez (ranked as our #30 preseason closer) gave up a two-run homer in his 2017 debut, manager Pete Mackanin allowed that he was “concerned.” With several superior arms backing Gomez up — Hector Neris, Joaquin Benoit, Edubray Ramos, and Pat Neshek — Mackanin should probably go ahead and act on that concern.
Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Neris | Benoit.
Boston Red Sox – In a bit of a surprise, Joe Kelly didn’t see action in Boston’s opener, even though the situation seemed to call for him. The Sox won, but Boston writers are already nervous.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.
Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day has been suffering from the flu and was unavailable on Monday. The Orioles have today off, but if O’Day isn’t healthy by Wednesday, Buck Showalter says he might go to the disabled list.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | O’Day.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jeremy Jeffress, Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson had a rough time on Monday, giving up three runs on 23 pitches. Jeffress wasn’t used. If Dyson does get the call again tonight, look for Jeffress or Matt Bush on Wednesday.
Wednesday (new feature):
2. Randall Delgado/J.J. Hoover, Arizona Diamondbacks — Fernando Rodney threw 30 pitches on Monday. If he’s used in Tuesday night’s game, we don’t expect to see him on Wednesday.
3. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Greg Holland isn’t likely to go in three straight, so expect a pending vulture if he pitches this evening.
4. Andrew Miller/Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — If Cody Allen or Miller pitch on Tuesday, they probably won’t go again on Wednesday.