RADIO
Another quiet bullpen week in the fantasy playoffs (for most leagues) leading up to the real playoffs (for both leagues). There were some changes in bullpen hierarchies this week, but they mostly affected setup men and seventh inning guys. Fantasy managers in holds leagues may have seen some things happen this week, but in standard leagues there was really only one big piece of news, and it was an MRI on the arm of a Hand.
Here's hoping all regular readers of this article are killing it in the fantasy playoffs or hanging onto first place in their rotisserie leagues. It's a long season and baseball makes for the most involved fantasy sport, so cheers to all of you who have been here for the ride all along.
Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.
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Bullpen News for Week 24
Cleveland Indians
Cleveland had a bit of a scare in their bullpen, as closer Brad Hand had to go in for an MRI on his arm. They received good news, though, as the MRI came out clean. Hand will likely take a couple of games off and will then need to build back up a bit. In Wednesday's game, the Cleveland bullpen used three different pitchers to get the last three outs of the game. Nick Wittgren started the ninth inning and got one out. Oliver Perez then came in and got the second out of the inning. Adam Cimber followed, getting the last out and earning the official save for the game. Hand isn't expected to miss too much time, but there doesn't look like there will be anyone worth picking up in the meantime. The most desperate of fantasy managers would probably be best off with Wittgren if a Cleveland pitcher is the last possible option.
Seattle Mariners
Matt Magill was heading the Seattle closer committee for a while, but Sam Tuivailala got a save chance on Wednesday and was replaced by Anthony Bass when he started to struggle. Bass seems to have perhaps jumped to the committee throne, but despite a much less temporary timeline, the recommendation for the Seattle bullpen is similar to that of the Hand-less Cleveland bullpen: avoid if at all possible.
New York Mets
Justin Wilson earned a save this week, and a four-out one at that. It was only his second save of the year, but he seems like he could mix into the ninth inning for the Mets. Seth Lugo is still the best arm in the bullpen, but he'll pitch multiple innings and needs time off. Edwin Diaz should still factor in as well, but he's shown more than enough for even the Mets to know he can't be relied upon on his own. Wilson makes for a decent desperation grab but isn't anywhere close to a must-own in any format. He's a decent enough grab in holds leagues, though.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies bullpen has been a disaster all season, but it looks like Jairo Diaz has taken his opportunity as a member of a closer committee and turned himself into their full-time closer. There may still be other mixing in on occasion, but it looks like Diaz is the closer in Denver until the end of the season.
Short Relief
- Kyle Crick is done for the season in Pittsburgh after injuring his hand in a fight with his team's closer, Felipe Vazquez. That leaves Richard Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano as the main setup guys to work behind Vazquez.
- Jose Urena, who was bad as a starter, is surprising no one except Marlins manager Don Mattingly by being bad as a closer. The Fish will likely give him the rest of the season to figure it out, but he's not a reliable fantasy option.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - Diaz has seemingly taken over as closer for the Rockies, shedding his committee mates and leaving them all in setup roles. Diaz is the only widely-available option this week who is likely to collect more than a save or two for the rest of the season.
Mariners Relievers?, Seattle Mariners - Fantasy players absolutely desperate for saves should keep an eye on the Mariners bullpen to see if Matt Magill, Anthony Bass, or Sam Tuivailala end up taking over the ninth. If anyone happens to take over, he'd be worth picking up only in deeper leagues.
Drops
Rockies Relievers Not Named Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - With Diaz taking over, (see above. Like, seriously right above this.) all other Rockies relievers will slide back into setup and middle relief roles. Diaz is the only Rockies reliever worth picking up.
Best of the Week
Jairo Diaz, Colorado Rockies - 5 IP, 3 SV, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
Diaz is all over this week's article, but he's definitely earned his spot here: a scoreless week with three saves and four strikeouts while allowing just three hits and a walk will do that.
Felipe Vázquez, Pittsburgh Pirates - 3 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP
Not only did Vazquez presumably win a fight against Kyle Crick this week, but he also saved three games while striking out six and not allowing a run.
Jose Leclerc, Texas Rangers - 4 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 2.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Leclerc wasn't great this week as shown by the four hits and two walks he allowed, but he earned a save in all three of his chances and struck out six batters while only allowing one run to cross the plate.
More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
