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David Marcillo's fantasy baseball closers and saves to pick up or monitor on the Week 3 waiver wire. These are the most intriguing bullpen situations around MLB.
Only Week 3 and we're already looking at a pretty wild season, bullpen-wise at least. We have our first "out for the season" injury for a team's closer, and we have a legitimate top closer back on the mound after coming off the injured list. And also: Craig Kimbrel.
Week 3 brought bat flips, petulant pitchers, and of course saves, holds, strikeouts, and wins.
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 3
Atlanta Braves
Fantasy managers were struggling with the decision of Arodys Vizcaino vs. A.J. Minter in the Braves bullpen. Which reliever was the better bet? Would this be yet another committee situation, or would one of them take over as closer full-time? We got a sudden and certain answer this week, as Vizcaino was placed on the IL after undergoing surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum. He's expected to miss the rest of the 2019 season, making Minter the full-time closer in Atlanta. He needs to be picked up in all formats immediately, and should be a solid source of strikeouts and saves for the remainder of the season.
Milwaukee Brewers
Before the season, the Brewers had plans of Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress starting off in the bullpen with Josh Hader. Up until this week, Hader was the only one to take the mound, as Knebel underwent Tommy John Surgery and is out for the season. Jeffress, meanwhile, started the season on the IL as well, but he's back on the roster now after recovering from a shoulder injury. Brewers manager Craig Counsell has said that Jeffress won't be thrown into high-leverage situations right away, but it shouldn't be long before he works his way back into a late-inning role. It will be interesting to see if Counsell starts using Jeffress as a more traditional closer and leaves Hader back in his fireman role. It's something to watch for, but in the meantime, Jeffress should be added in most formats and in absolutely every holds league.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies bullpen has been one of the most unpredictable ones in baseball (likely still lagging behind the wild Mariners bullpen). Heading into the season, it was assumed that the Phillies ninth inning would be handled by a committee featuring mostly David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez. Here we are, in Week 3, and neither Dominguez nor Robertson have a save, but four other Phillies relievers do. This week, Robertson was placed on the injured list, but the Phillies bullpen hasn't become any easier to predict. It's starting to look like, despite the talented arms present, this might be a bullpen best left alone in standard leagues this season.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins made us all think they had a committee in their bullpen, but Blake Parker has gone ahead and taken over as closer. Parker has coughed up just one run this season and has four saves. He had the "head of committee" title for a bit, but he can confidently be called the full-time closer in Minnesota at this point.
Short Relief
- Roenis Elias picked up a save on Thursday, after Anthony Swarzak allowed the tying run to score in the eighth inning. He then collected another save on Friday, tossing a scoreless ninth to lock down a two-run game. Elias, Swarzak, Connor Sadzeck, and even Brandon Brennan should keep getting save chances on a Mariners team that should provide plenty of save opportunities.
- Wily Peralta seems set for the ninth inning in Kansas City, as Ian Kennedy has been used more in a fireman's role lately. It's still a committee for Ned Yost's club, but Peralta has moved a tick above the rest in terms of fantasy value for now.
- Raisel Iglesias had a strong outing on Thursday, striking out the side to earn his third save of the season. He's still sporting a 5.87 ERA and has looked rough at times, but this last outing showed the upside Iglesias can have. There may be a buy-low window right now.
- Hector Neris came into a tough situation on Wednesday, entering with two runners on in the ninth inning. He quickly made it worse, allowing an infield single and hitting a batter with a pitch. He was able to work his way out of it after that, earning the two-out save and giving the Phillies the 3-2 win. Neris was trusted with the toughest assignment in the game and may be moving up on the Phillies committee list. It should remain one of the least predictable bullpens in the league, though.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves- Minter is almost certainly already owned, but maybe in some of the shallower leagues with some of the shallower-minded owners, Minter will still be on the wire. Look for him, and if he's there, add him immediately.
Blake Parker, Minnesota Twins- Now that Parker is the full-time closer in Minnesota, he's worth picking up in all formats. He won't light the world on fire with elite strikeout numbers, but he won't hurt in any categories and provide consistent save numbers going forward.
Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers- There's no way Jeffress is still available on your waiver wire, right? Take a look and check, just in case!
Drops
Arodys Vizcaino, Atlanta Braves- Vizcaino is out for the year after labrum surgery, so there's no need to hang onto him, even if you have a spare IL spot.
Twins Relievers Not Named Blake Parker- In standard leagues, Parker is the only arm worth owning from the Minnesota bullpen right now. There are solid arms in there for holds leagues, but in standard it's just Parker.
Best of the Week
Blake Treinen, Oakland A's- 3 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
A's closer Blake Treinen had a strong week, saving three games and striking out six while allowing just two hits and a walk. Treinen remains one of the best closers in the American League, both in fantasy and in real life.
Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros- 2 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP
Astros closer Roberto Osuna had a perfect week, saving three games and striking out three. Granted, he only pitched 2 1/3 innings, but they were significant innings, as he managed three saves with only seven outs total.
Greg Holland, Arizona Diamondbacks- 4 IP, 2 SV, 8 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland only saved two games this week, but he racked up the strikeouts, punching out eight batters in his four innings of work. In the meantime, he only allowed one hit and two walks.
More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
