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Sometimes weeks go really well in fantasy baseball bullpens. Middle relievers get their strikeouts, setup men get their holds, and closers get their saves. No one gets hurt or blows games in dramatic fashion. This was not one of those weeks. A lot happened, and there's a lot to talk about.
Injuries swept through bullpens like wildfire this week, as four different closers missed time and a couple could be out for a while. There were also some weird decisions made by managers regarding some late inning relief this week. We'll take a look at all of that and some more this week, so read on, Rotoballers!
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New York Yankees - Bullpen and Closers News
"Will Aroldis Chapman need to go on the injured list?" went from a maybe to a yes very quickly this week, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a press conference that they would "wait another day" before deciding but then ended up putting him on the IL later that same day. An MRI on Chapman's injured Achilles came up clean though, so he isn't expected to miss too much time. With Jonathan Loaisiga also on the IL with shoulder discomfort and Chad Green on his way to Tommy John Surgery, the top three arms in the Yankees bullpen from Opening Day are now on the injured list. That leaves Clay Holmes to do the closing, with Michael King, Miguel Castro, and Wandy Peralta setting up. Holmes needs to be added immediately in any leagues where he remains available. His role as closer could be temporary, but he has the upside to be the best fantasy closer in that span.
Risers: Clay Holmes (add in all formats)
Fallers: Aroldis Chapman (hold), Jonathan Loaisiga, Chad Green (drop in all formats)
Milwaukee Brewers - Bullpen and Closers News
Josh Hader has once again been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. When fantasy managers saw that he was out this week, they may have been concerned that they would be missing their elite closer for a while, but ultimately that was not the case. Hader did go on the Family Emergency Medical List in order to be with his wife while she delivered their first child. According to manager Craig Counsell, “Josh's wife has had complications with her pregnancy and they're at a stage where Josh did not feel comfortable leaving.” All the best to Mrs. Hader and the newborn. Back in the Brewers bullpen though, Devin Williams moved up a spot from primary setup guy to closer while Brad Boxberger and Trevor Gott also moved up an inning to work in setup roles. Hader was reinstated on Thursday and should immediately return to the ninth inning.
Risers: The Hader Baby
Fallers: n/a
Miami Marlins - Bullpen and Closers News
Anthony Bender was outstanding last season. Outstanding enough that he seemed to win the Marlins closer role outright coming out of Spring Training. It...didn't go very well. Bender has three losses and two blown saves to go with a 4.50 ERA and sharply diminished strikeouts. He had some good outings here and there, but more than a few blowups where he ruined any chance for a Marlins win. Still, the stubborn and ever-predictable Don Mattingly kept going to Bender and kept watching him blow games over and over. This week though, Bender was placed on the injured list due to back soreness. No word on whether the injury may have contributed to his poor results recently, but it's hard not to speculate. Without Bender, the Marlins bullpen seems like it could be a wide open committee. Cole Sulser is the slight favorite, although he pitched in a two-run deficit this week. Dylan Floro saved the most games for the Marlins last season, but he's struggled quite a bit since coming off the injured list himself. Tanner Scott is the interesting upside play because of his strikeouts, but his walks have been an issue as well. Finally, Anthony Bass has been very good this year, but seems to have found his home as a setup guy, and the team may not want to mess with that. Until there's more clarity, this may be a bullpen best left alone.
Risers: Elmo fire GIFs
Fallers: Anthony Bender
Tampa Bay Rays - Bullpen and Closers News
The Rays never really have a set closer, we all know that, but the closest thing they've had to a closer in a while, Andrew Kittredge, made his way to the injured list this week. He isn't expected to miss too much more than the required days on the IL, but in the meantime, the Rays are likely to go with even more of a committee approach to end games. Colin Poche picked up a save this week, and Brooks Raley, J.P. Feyereisen, and Jalen Beeks could all find themselves on the mound in the ninth inning for the next few days. This is a bullpen worth picking through in holds leagues, but much harder to predict for saves-only formats.
Risers: Colin Poche, Brooks Raley
Fallers: Andrew Kittredge
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-The Mariners bullpen continues to be a full committee approach, but Drew Steckenrider won't be part of it for now. He was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Paul Sewald, Diego Castillo, and Andres Munoz will continue as the three-headed monster in the Seattle bullpen.
-Hunter Strickland has the most recent save for the somewhat resurgent Reds and may be the most likely Reds reliever to earn a save on any given night.
-Matt Barnes earned a save this week for the Red Sox, his second of the season. The Red Sox pen remains one to mostly avoid, but Barnes finding his stuff could make things interesting again.
-Jordan Romano was out for a bit and ceded closing duties to Adam Cimber, who did well. Romano is back though, moving Cimber back to his customary setup role.
-Jhoan Duran and Emilio Pagan continue to split save chances in Minnesota, but Duran is very clearly the better pitcher and better fantasy option.
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