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For a season chock full of bullpen changes and injuries already, this week was a slight cool down period. In other words, this would still probably have been a bigger bullpen news week during a normal season, but for this particular season, it seemed like a much-welcomed downswing.
There were still depth chart changes, there were still injuries, and there were still saves (and blown saves of course.) The season pretty much just started (especially for the Cardinals), but the trade deadline is already coming up in about two weeks. Lots has changed in almost every bullpen, and it's a safe bet to say plenty of more changes are coming.
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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.
Bullpen News for Week 4
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates finally got their closer back, as Keone Kela was activated off the injured list, where he'd been since before the season began due to COVID-19. Kyle Crick was meant to be the closer without Kela, but he ended up on the IL as well. Then Nick Burdi was up next, and he was exciting, but quickly got hurt as well and is now out for the season. Kela is basically the only reliable, experienced arm left in the Pirates bullpen, and he'll take over the closer's role right away. He's a prime trade candidate, though, so he may not end up staying on the Pirates for too long. Still, he could be a decent saves option short term, although the Pirates may have a hard time handing him too many leads.
Kansas City Royals
I made a bet with a Twitter user before the season started because I did not believe that Trevor Rosenthal would be any good this year. I was wrong. "Rosie" has been solid and has taken over the closer's role in KC. He's thrown nine innings, collecting four saves while allowing just one run. He's struck out 10 and walked three. Small sample size warning of course, but his SIERA sits at 3.26 so while he hasn't been 1.00 ERA good, he's been very good and should be owned in all eligible formats. Scott Barlow and Greg Holland have been working the later innings ahead of Rosenthal.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have had pretty bad luck with pitching injuries this season, but they have gotten a pitcher back who could be a strong closer option for the rest of the season. They started the season with Jose Leclerc in the ninth, but after he got hurt, they went with Jonathan Hernandez and Edinson Volquez in the later innings. Neither guy inspired much confidence (and now Volquez is hurt and done for the year), so when former top Mets prospect Rafael Montero came off the IL, he was given a chance to close and has done well so far. He's only thrown four innings so far, but that's counted for four saves, and he's yet to allow a run. Montero is a definite injury risk, but he's in a good spot and has the stuff to be a good closer.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies chose to give Wade Davis a second chance after his horrifying 2019 performance, but he didn't get too much time to show anything before he got hurt. With Davis on the IL now, Jairo Diaz has taken over the ninth. It's not a full-time role yet, with Carlos Estevez and Daniel Bard (yes, that same Daniel Bard) likely to mix in for save chances too. It's unclear when Davis will be ready to return, but if his replacements do well, the ninth inning may not be waiting for Davis when he gets back.
Short Relief
- The Mariners bullpen is a mess, but Taylor Williams seems like the top choice for now. Carl Edwards Jr. landed on the IL, making things just a tiny bit clearer in Seattle, but not much. This will likely be a committee throughout the season.
- Aroldis Chapman is on his way back, finally. He'll pitch a simulated game on Friday and should be activated soon after. Despite how well Zack Britton is doing this year, Chapman is sure to take over the ninth inning once he's ready.
- Oliver Drake landed on the IL this week, so the Rays bullpen is back to a committee again, with Nick Anderson probably up top.
- It's been a gradual change, but Seth Lugo has taken over in the Mets bullpen. Edwin Diaz has been much better lately, so we may see some mixing and matching, especially with Lugo requiring more time off than some other relievers.
- Craig Kimbrel continues to be bad and Rowan Wick continues to be good enough, so another gradual change may be taking place in the Cubs bullpen.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Rafael Montero, Texas Rangers- Montero is finally healthy and has fully taken over the closer's role in Texas. He's appeared in four games so far and earned a save in every single one. He should be owned in all formats.
Trevor Rosenthal, Kansas City Royals- Rosie's back! After injuries destroyed his 2019 and forced him to miss all of 2018, I honestly did not think he'd be any good this year. I was wrong, and not only is he pitching well, he's also earned the closer's role for the Royals.
Keone Kela, Pittsburgh Pirates- Kela should make his 2020 debut this weekend, and while the Pirates likely won't have many leads for him to save, he'll put up decent enough numbers to help fantasy teams and could be traded before the August 31 trade deadline.
Drops
Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals- I thought Ian Kennedy could repeat his success from 2019. I was wrong. Kennedy doesn't even seem to be on the radar for the ninth inning right now, with Rosenthal, Scott Barlow, and Greg Holland ahead of him at least.
Jonathan Hernandez, Texas Rangers- For a little bit, it looked like Hernandez would be the guy in Texas, but then Montero came off the IL and has been great since.
Anyone in the Pirates Bullpen Besides Kela, Pittsburgh Pirates- With Kela back and with the Pirates unlikely to win much, there are no strong fantasy options in this bullpen behind Kela.
Best of the Week
Rafael Montero, Texas Rangers- 4 IP, 4 SV, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 0 BB
Montero came off the IL, faced 12 batters, and got them all out this week, earning four saves. That's...that's literally the best he could have done.
Trevor Rosenthal, Kansas City Royals- 4 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 5 K, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 3 BB
"Rosie" was given the closer's role this week and responded by saving three games and striking out as many batters as he allowed to reach base.
Alex Colome, Chicago White Sox- 3 IP, 2 SV, 4 K, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 0 BB (1 HBP)
White Sox closer Alex Colome allowed just one base runner this week, on a hit by pitch. He struck out four and saved two ball games.
More closers with two saves this week:
Zack Britton, Liam Hendriks, Archie Bradley, Drew Pomeranz (Pomeranz was filling in for Kirby Yates, who was dealing with a back issue)
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