Nationals bullpen still in disarray; Dellin Betances to close with Chapman out

May 15, 2017

Miami Marlins – After a bad start to the season that saw his ERA climb to 8.10 on April 21, David Phelps has righted the ship. Last night, he pitched his 9th consecutive scoreless inning, a stretch in which he has only allowed 1 hit. His K/BB ratio is 8/5 in that span, so he hasn’t been perfect by any means, but the Marlins felt confident enough in him to give him the 8th inning last night ahead of A.J. Ramos. Don Mattingly has always been fond of Phelps, and if he uses him in another spot like this, the converted starter might have re-established himself as the set-up man in Miami.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Barraclough | Phelps.

Washington Nationals – Shawn Kelley’s second outing back from the disabled list was a poor one, as he allowed a 3-1 lead to slip away in the 9th inning against the Phillies in the first game of the Nats’ doubleheader. Koda Glover played a role as well, allowing the go-ahead single, but all three runs were charged to Kelley, whose ERA now sits at 7.15, and that’s enough to earn him his dreaded asterisk back. Matt “The Cat” Albers, who earned the save in game 2 and has a sub-1 ERA, is lurking.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Glover | Albers. 
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Brandon Maurer was given just about the hardest assignment imaginable on Sunday, summoned in the 8th inning with the bases loaded, 1 out, and just a one-run lead. But after giving up the go-ahead single — which would have been perfectly forgivable — Maurer allowed two other baserunners to reach, and was eventually charged with 3 earned runs. That makes two bad outings in his last three appearances for Maurer, who we will watch to make sure he rebounds this week.

Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Buchter | Hand.

St. Louis Cardinals – After picking up a 7th inning hold last Wednesday, Kevin Siegrist closed out a 5-0 win for the Cardinals. The control issues that were plaguing him early this year are gone, as he’s now gone 10 straight appearances (11 Ks, 1 BB) without allowing a run. Welcome back to the hierarchy, Kevin.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Rosenthal | Siegrist.

Texas Rangers – Sam Dyson got through a shaky 8th inning on Sunday, allowing two hits but escaping without allowing a run to pick up his second hold of the season. We don’t know WHY the Rangers are giving Dyson high-leverage spots again — he still has just 2 Ks on the SEASON compared with 8 BBs, indicating his recent stretch of not-awfulness is much more luck than skill — we just know that they are doing it, so we’re reluctantly giving him a spot back on the hierarchy. Keone Kela remains ahead of him, while Jeremy Jeffress (who would be our choice for 2nd in line if we were Jeff Banister) should still nab an occasional hold now and again.

Updated hierarchy: Bush | Kela | Dyson.

New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman will head to the 10-day DL with rotator cuff inflammation. Dellin Betances will close in Chapman’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Betances | Clippard | Warren.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. David Hernandez – Bud Norris has pitched in back to back games.

Tomorrow
1. Hansel Robles – Addison Reed threw 22 pitches yesterday; another long outing and he’d need Tuesday off.
2. Archie Bradley – Likewise for Fernando Rodney, who threw 23 yesterday.

Corey Knebel might be stuck in a committee in Milwaukee

May 13, 2017

Milwaukee Brewers — When managers begin to use their relievers more optimally, their teams improve, but the result can be fantasy chaos. The latest example could be Craig Counsell’s Brewers, who demoted disappointing offseason acquisition Neftali Feliz from the closer role, but want to retain the flexibility to use the impressive Corey Knebel when needed most. This approach could open up opportunities for Jacob Barnes, Carlos Torres, and others. Last night, with Knebel unavailable after a 41-pitch outing on Thursday, Barnes got the ninth with a five-run lead. His poor performance created a save opportunity for Jared Hughes, who’s probably the fifth or sixth option going forward.

Updated hierarchy: *Knebel | Barnes | Torres.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — Wholesale substitutions in the Washington bullpen, as both Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover returned from the disabled list on a rainy Friday. With both guys coming back at the same time, it looks like Kelley will take over the ninth, with Glover taking the eighth.

Updated hierarchy: Kelley | Glover | Albers.

New York Mets — One tingling finger led to some precautionary tests and, 48 hours later, Jeurys Familia was having surgery to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder. Familia is expected to miss several months of action, reopening the door for Addison Reed to establish himself as New York’s closer. It will be a combination of Hansel Robles, Jerry Blevins, and Fernando Salas setting Reed up.

Hierarchy remains: Reed | Robles | Blevins.

New York Yankees — Two straight rough outings for Aroldis Chapman, who shook his arm in discomfort shortly before being pulled in the middle of the ninth inning. Chapman denied feeling any pain, but his owners — and Dellin Betances’s — should be aware.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Clippard.

Los Angeles Angels — It’s been David Hernandez and his sub-1 ERA with the eighth inning on lockdown lately for LA. Things have gone pretty smoothly for the Angels given the number of relief arms they have missing. Cam Bedrosian hasn’t been able to throw off a mound yet, but may get there next week. Huston Street is still on track for a June 1 return, while Andrew Bailey has hit a snag.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Hernandez | Parker.

Tampa Bay Rays — Erasmo Ramirez has returned from his stint as a spot starter and seems to have reclaimed his role as the Rays’ middle-inning specialist.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Farquhar | Ramirez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dellin Betances — It’s not terribly likely, but there’s a chance Chapman gets a day off.

Sunday:
1. Joe Smith — Roberto Osuna hasn’t thrown many pitches, but he’s pitched a lot lately. If he goes Saturday, he’ll probably get Sunday off.
2, Matt Belisle — Brandon Kintzler has gone in two straight and won’t make it to four.
3. Ryan Buchter — Same for Brandon Maurer.
4. Hunter Strickland — Derek Law has gone in two of three and four of six.
5. Hector Rondon — Wade Davis needed 24 pitches on Friday night; another long night would probably earn him some rest.
6. Ryan Madson — Santiago Casilla blew the save last night and has gone in two of three.

Jeurys Familia likely out for a while with arterial clot in throwing shoulder

May 12, 2017

New York Mets — Mets closer Jeurys Familia has an arterial clot in his throwing shoulder and will likely be out for a while, if not the rest of the season. According to the team, Familia will see Dr. Robert Thompson, who performed season-ending surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome on Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey last season, on Friday for further tests and possibly surgery. Addison Reed will fill in while Familia is out, though don’t be surprised if the Mets go shopping.

Updated hierarchy: Reed | Robles | Blevins.

Milwaukee Brewers – Closer Neftali Feliz had a forgettable series against the Red Sox, allowing four runs (3 ER) in 1.1 IP Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the damage was done on one swing – a three-run shot by Mookie Betts to turn a 1-1 game into 4-1. The outing sent Feliz’s ERA to 6.19, though for now, he’s still the team’s closer, as he has converted eight of nine save opportunities. Still, fantasy owners are starting to notice how poor Feliz has pitched and are picking up Corey Knebel, who owns a 1.00 ERA with 29 Ks in just 18 IP. Knebel is likely the next guy up for the Brewers, who may go in that direction sooner rather than later.

Hierarchy remains: Feliz | Knebel | Barnes.

Washington Nationals — The Nationals’ bullpen is about to get a much-needed boost. Koda Glover has said since earlier this week that he’s ready go, and manager Dusty Baker said there’s a real possibility he is activated Friday. Washington tends to take its time with healing relief pitchers — they did so with Glover — but if they feel they need more help, Shawn Kelley is eligible to return from the DL Friday, too.

Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Romero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Will Harris — Ken Giles has gone in two straight and he nearly blew the save Thursday (19 pitches). Chris Devenski tossed 37 pitches over two innings yesterday, so expect Will Harris (or perhaps even Luke Gregerson) to get the opportunity if Giles needs a break.

Friday
1. Chris Devenski/Will Harris –If Giles pitches again Friday, he’ll definitely need Saturday off.
2. Matt Belisle — If Brandon Kintzler labors a bit on Friday, that’ll be two straight games with a high pitch count (24 pitches over 1.2 IP Thursday).
3. Adam Ottavino — Greg Holland hasn’t pitched in three straight games yet this season, but he’s had a light pitch count over two straight appearances (23 pitches) and would probably pitch Friday if needed. If that happens, he definitely won’t be available Saturday.
4. Drew Storen — Raisel Iglesias has appeared in two of the last three days, throwing 51 pitches (just 16 on Thursday after an off day Wednesday). He’s probably available Friday, and if he pitches, he’s definitely out of consideration for Saturday.

The Orioles might try a committee with Zach Britton out through July

May 11, 2017

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles are preparing to be without Zach Britton through the All-Star break, but Brad Brach’s hold on the interim job is getting ever more tenuous. Even before last night’s demoralizing blown save, Buck Showalter was talking about using a committee of Brach, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens, and lefthander Donnie Hart. We’ll believe that when we see it, but Brach owners should be concerned.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley threw a successful simulated game on Wednesday; both he and Koda Glover could be back with the Nationals by this weekend. Matt Albers pitched nicely in their stead today, striking out the side and earning the walk-off win.

Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Romero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — The rule of Law has begun for the Giants, but Derek didn’t make it easy, giving back two runs from the team’s three-run lead. He probably won’t pitch on Thursday, so a Hunter Strickland appearance won’t mean anything has changed in the San Fran committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Law | Strickland | Osich.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Will Harris relieved Luke Gregerson in a tight eighth inning on Wednesday and appears to be ahead of Gregerson in the Houston hierarchy. Harris earned 12 saves for the Astros last season and has eight strikeouts over his last four appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Harris.

Kansas City Royals — It’s been quite a while since we’ve talked about Kansas City, and Peter Moylan has had two five-run meltdowns to run his ERA to 7.62. The latest came last night in a blowout loss. Former first-round pick Mike Minor has been out of the league with injuries since 2014, but he seems to have hit his stride in relief, and could continue to get higher-leverage opportunities.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Minor.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has gone in three of the last four games.
2. Hunter Strickland — Derek Law has pitched in three out of four (71 pitches).
3. Jason Grilli — Both Roberto Osuna and Joe Smith have been used in three out of four.

Friday
1. Joe Smith — If Osuna does go Thursday, he’ll get Friday off.
2. Enny Romero — Matt Albers hasn’t thrown a lot of pitches, but he has thrown in three of four. Another appearance would probably require some rest.

Matt Albers could fill in as Nationals closer until Koda Glover returns

May 5, 2017

Washington Nationals — After a battle with illness, Shawn Kelley is headed to the disabled list with a back strain. With Koda Glover’s return apparently still a few days off, the Nationals will be forced to choose from among Matt Albers, Joe Blanton, Enny Romero, and Blake Treinen. The guy who’ll finish with the most saves for this team probably isn’t on the roster yet, but if you have to own one Washington reliever, we’d still recommend Glover.

Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Treinen | Romero.
* = closer-by-committee