Many major league managers have moved on from their designated closer since the season began, playing musical chairs in their bullpen. You’ve probably had to do the same thing as the year has progressed.
So unless you’re savvy enough to have two or three of the solid saves leaders, let’s jump into the season’s second installment of “Who’s Closing Now?”
The Texas Rangers are removing Jose Leclerc from the closer role, at least temporarily. Leclerc is 5-for-7 in save opportunities with an 8.44 ERA, giving up 10 earned runs in 10⅔ innings.
The benefactors of this move are right-handers Chris Martin and Shawn Kelley. Martin has one career save and owns a 3.97 ERA this season. Kelley has more experience with 16 saves in his 11-year-career, and has a 1.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 12 innings this season.
As a stopgap measure, Kelley is the one you want, though if he and Martin struggle, the Rangers will probably slide Leclerc back into the role, because they signed him to a four-year, $14.75 million contract extension before the season.
The Los Angeles Angels demoted closer Cody Allen, who ended up on the injured list with a back strain. It appears the pecking order now is Ty Buttrey will pitch the eighth inning and Hansel Robles will pitch the ninth. Grab Robles off the waiver wire if he’s available.
Atlanta closer Arodys Vizcaino is out for the season after shoulder surgery, opening the door for A.J. Minter. The left-hander, originally drafted by Detroit in 2012, has a 9.35 ERA and blew his first save Saturday. The 25-year-old has a tenuous hold on the job, with right-handers Luke Jackson and Jacob Webb other possibilities. Minter is still the guy to have, but this will all change if the Braves sign Craig Kimbrel.
Sergio Romo is holding down the closer role in Miami, but he has challengers in Drew Steckenrider and Nick Anderson. If the 36-year-old Romo fades or gets traded, Anderson is the pitcher who stands out. He has an amazing 27 strikeouts in 13 innings, and has had a better start to the season than Steckenrider, the presumptive replacement. Pluck Anderson off waivers, and hang on to Steckenrider.
A fun bullpen to watch is in Tampa Bay. The closer-by-committee approach is now a three-headed monster. Right-hander Emilio Pagan has picked up the bulk of saves recently, but Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo are still very much in the picture.
Pagan, 27, who started the season in Triple-A, has worked on throwing strikes and changed his diet to become more effective. Alvarado and Castillo will get save opportunities, and all three will help you across the board with statistics. Own one, two, or all three of these relievers.
Right-hander Blake Parker still appears to be the main closer with Minnesota, though Taylor Rogers has converted two save chances recently. Trevor Hildenberger will be the seventh- or eighth-inning reliever, followed by Rogers and Parker, but continue to monitor the situation.
It’s still a group effort out of the Philadelphia bullpen, with right-hander Hector Neris getting the team’s most recent three saves. Since he has a propensity to blow up, don’t put all your chips in on him. David Robertson could return from the IL soon, and Seranthony Dominguez and Pat Neshek are hanging around. If you’re feeling lucky, stick with Neris.
In Seattle, right-hander Anthony Swarzak has been touched up in his past four outings. The current designated closer in on thin ice, and left-hander Roenis Elias has been getting opportunities. This is probably a situational decision for the Mariners, but Elias would be your best bet until Hunter Strickland returns in a few weeks.
The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen has been getting better. Pedro Strop is 3-for-4 in save opportunities with a 2.79 ERA, and Steve Cishek recently closed out a game. With presumed closer Brandon Morrow’s return date uncertain, it’s time to insert Strop into your lineup and hope for the best.
First Published May 1, 2019, 8:39 p.m.
