Bullpen Report: April 25, 2019

• The biggest news among the bullpens is that Cody Allen has been removed from the closer’s chair. In his last 5 appearances, Allen has allowed 5 runs with a 6/3 k/bb in 3.1 innings. It’s possible that Allen rights the ship and moves into the 9th again but for now he is out. In his place will be a committee to start but the thought is that Ty Buttrey would be in the lead with Hansel Robles, Cam Bedrosian, Luis Garcia and others behind.

Ty Buttrey is thought of as the closer in waiting and although he blew the lead last night, he was going for a three-inning save, and ended with 2.2 IP, three strikeouts, two baserunners and one run allowed, hard to fault him too much for the performance. Also in the mix is Hanel Robles who has been very good to start the year with a 3.02/2.26/3.90 line and 16/3 k/bb in 11.2 innings.

Luis Garcia has pitched more higher leverage innings than Cam Bedrosian (who actually started last night) but Garcia has more walks than innings pitched and I wouldn’t feel confident owning him. Bedrosian, Noe Ramirez, and Justin Anderson could be featured as well but the bet is Buttrey and Robles. With Buttrey throwing multiple innings last night, he might have a few days off with Robles seeing the next opportunity but we still have Buttrey in the lead.

• No save situation in KC but Wily Peralta threw a scoreless 9th with a big lead. Ian Kennedy got five outs in the 6th and 7th, allowing four hits and a run but also struck out four. Although Kennedy isn’t being held on for saves and is being used in higher leverage innings for more than three outs, he remains the best reliever of the bunch and should continue to see an occasional save with Peralta as the main guy in the committee. On the year, Kennedy’s fastball is at 93 mph which is a tick above last year and he has a1.42/0.90/2.85 ERA/FIP/xFIP with one of the best xwOBA in baseball. It feels weird to say, and it might still be too early, but Kennedy is taking very kindly to his new relief home and might be worth owning regardless if he sees any saves.

• In Miami, Adam Conley struggled again allowing three runs and taking the L with his ERA now at 8.38. Nick Anderson got four outs in the 6th and 7th and could leapfrog Conley in the pecking order. It hurt Al to remove Anderson from the grid but the good thing is that Anderson might find his way back on if Conley doesn’t right the ship. Sergio Romo still is the main guy for saves but how this plays out in the 2nd half of the season is likely a different order.

• Quick Hits: Andrew Miller started the 9th inning with a four run lead but after he struggled, Jordan Hicks was called on for the one-out save (7). Jeremy Jeffress threw a scoreless inning in the losing effort for the Brewers but if he keeps pumping those out he could be featured more heavily in the pen. However, after averaging 95 mph with the heater last year, he’s down to 91.7 this year. That could increase as he gets back into the swing of things but he likely won’t be a reliable closer in lieu of Hader at 92 mph. Blake Treinen pitched around a couple of walks and got the win for the A’s after Chris Martin allowed the go ahead run in the 9th. Leclerc wasn’t used but with his struggles of late and Martin’s as well, Shawn Kelley remains the handcuff for worried Leclerc owners. The Padres have 14 wins and Kirby Yates now has 12 saves, leading the league and doing it in style with a 20/3 k/bb and only one run allowed in 14 innings pitched. A.J. Minter is putting his earlier struggles in the rear window, closing his 3rd game of the year. As we have mentioned, even if he’s not particularly effective the options behind him are so barren his job is pretty secure for now. Finally, Mychal Givens recorded his first save, pitching two innings in the effort. With Brandon Morrow still on the IL, Pedro Strop is still closing for the Cubs and got his 3rd save.