Bullpen Report: April 2, 2014
-Reds’ Manager Bryan Price indicated that Jonathan Broxton could be activated from the 15-day disabled list sometime next week, potentially during the St. Louis series. Broxton has been on the disabled list since last August when the veteran needed surgery on his right forearm to repair a torn flexor mass. Broxton, in the second year of a three-year, $21 million contract, could hold down ninth-inning duties until Aroldis Chapman is cleared to return to the bump. The veteran right-hander is the owner of 111 saves in 153 career chances with a 3.16 ERA (2.88 FIP) and a 28.5% K%. Chapman suffered fractures above his eye, nose and sustained a concussion after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez. Initial report suggested that Chapman would be sidelined up to six-to-eight weeks, but reports today suggest he may be able to start throwing next week. In the meantime, those speculating for saves should snag Jonathan Broxton (9% owned in Yahoo!) off the waiver wire until Chapman’s return.
–LaTroy Hawkins secured his first save of the young season in a 6-5 Rockies victory over the Marlins. Hawkins surrendered two hits and a walk, one earned run and struck out one on 36 pitches during the ninth-inning. While the 41-year old is currently tabbed as the Rockies closer, some feel that set-up man Rex Brothers is better suited for the high-leveraged closing situations. And while I am one of those who believe that Brothers will eventually hold down the the closing duties in Colorado, I’ll have to admit he didn’t look sharp this evening. Brothers entered in the eighth and surrendered two free passes, but escaped unharmed after striking out Marcel Ozuna with runners on first and second.
-The Blue Jays had Brett Cecil warming in the bullpen last night while Sergio Santos fought for his first save of the season, just in case the right-hander faltered. The same happened tonight, but in this case, the Jays called on Cecil after Santos issued a walk to Evan Longoria. The left-hander was brought in to face pinch-hitter Matt Joyce and fanned him on four pitches to earn his second career save. Sergio Santos still feels like the closer to own in Toronto with Casey Janssen on the disabled list, but those desperate for saves in deeper leagues should consider Cecil to take advantage of more situational opportunities going forward.
-Quick Hits: Craig Kimbrel retired the Brewers in order in the bottom of the ninth-frame to notch his second save of the twenty-fourteen season. Josh Fields earned his first save of the season for the Astros in a 3-1 victory over the Yankees. Jose Veras and Jonathan Papelbon each blew saves this evening. Because the tear in Bobby Parnell’s MCL “occurred at a thicker part of the ligament” he may not need Tommy John. He’ll rest for two weeks before trying to throw again, and in the meantime, Jose Valverde will hold down the ninth in Flushing.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
In addition to contributing to the RotoGraphs blog, you can find Alan at his own site, TheFantasyFix.com and follow his nonsense on Twitter @TheFantasyFix.
It’s time to move Jim Johnson to the “yellow” category. He can’t get anybody out and, I believe, has *zero* swings and misses vs 10 or so batters.