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Alex Reyes 2022 Player Outlook: Injury And Control Issues Look Set To Limit Fantasy Value
3 years agoAlex Reyes picked up 29 saves in 2021 but is set to miss the first two to three months of the season with a shoulder injury that saw him placed on the 60-day IL. That leaves Reyes unable to return until June (more likely July), assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks. It's a blow for Reyes, coming off his first full season in which he tallied 72.1 IP, almost the same amount as he managed between 2016 – 2020 combined (72.2 IP). While Reyes was able to collect 29 saves last year, his career-long control issues remained. Coming into last season, Reyes had a career 14.7% BB% and things got worse in 2021 with a 16.4% BB% which was in the first percentile. His 30.0% K% was in the 87th percentile while his .185 xBA and .304 xSLG ranked in the 95th and 96th percentile, respectively. When Reyes returns from his shoulder injury, it remains to be seen if Reyes can regain the closer role which he lost late last year. The Cardinals should be contending for a playoff spot and have no shortage of closing options so it's unlikely Reyes will be able to just return straight back into the late innings role regularly, if at all. Especially if his control issues don't get addressed.
