Bullpen Report: April 6, 2019

During a night, which mostly went to plan with the shrinking herd of closers, a newly muddled, yet reported time share will ensue in Atlanta. Arodys Vizcaino flirted with disaster walking lead-off hitter Peter O’Brien, then allowing a double to Martin Prado. Vizcaino recovered to strikeout Curtis Granderson and Brian Anderson prior to issuing a walk to Neil Walker before inducing Starlin Castro to fly out to left field. This preserved a shutout win for the Braves, but no relief to Vizcaino owners in the WHIP department. He’s working about two MPH below his numbers from last year with his fastball and slider, plus reports suggest the health of his shoulder will need to be managed. A.J. Minter should not be on many waiver wires after this weekend, even in a shared role, he provides potential upside.

Two teams in the National League Central need to get their bullpens in order. Chicago’s presently ranks 29th in bullpen ERA (8.32) after 57.1 innings over seven games. As a group, the 4.76 xFIP, 4.2 strikeouts minus walks percentage and 2.13 WHIP do not suggest immediate positive migration to the mean. If this occurred in mid-May, it may not be as noticeable. However, as it stands, the Cubs usage and performance in early high leverage situations leave much to be desired. Perhaps there’s hope if Brandon Morrow can return in early May, but his past health issues make him tough to trust. On a positive note, Pedro Strop did fire a clean inning with a strikeout on Friday night.

It felt like Alex Reyes could do well in short stints as a reliever. However, he’s yet to gain traction this year. Reyes allowed three earned runs on a hit and three walks, including a two-run home run by Fernando Tatis Jr. Again, due to the early struggles, it seems exacerbated, but Reyes so far owns an ERA of 15, a 11.13 xFIP, 2.67 WHIP and he’s walked six in three innings of work. With only Dakota Hudson and John Gant owning a save so far for St. Louis, now seems like a perfect time to kick the tires of a Jordan Hicks owner who may be frustrated. Unless of course the owner reads this.

Getting Anthony Swarzak helped Seattle’s bullpen giving it a veteran to close out games. However, the bridge to him did not fare well in Chicago during Friday’s game. Yes, Matt Festa did notch his third hold working around a walk in a scoreless inning. But, Cory Gearrin lost command issuing two walks and hitting a batter before being lifted. He did get charged with three earned runs without recording an out. Zac Rosscup inherited three runners, letting two of them score giving up a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning. Chasen Bradford finished the game working 1.2 innings allowing a home run to Tim Anderson with two strikeouts. While Swarzak will assume the closer duties, keep tabs on Shawn Armstrong in leagues with deeper benches. He could be worth a stash.

After the Seattle meltdown, Alex Colome owners laughed last en route to his second save. Colome racked up two strikeouts in a clean ninth. Kelvin Herrera notched his first hold giving up a hit. Ryan Burr won his first major league game limiting the Mariners to a hit over 1.1 innings with a strikeout.

Due to concerns about his role, many fantasy owners overlooked Jose Alvarado in drafts this preseason. Despite his strong 2018 peripheral statistics and actual results, Alvarado remained an upside play in the double digit rounds. He recorded his third save after giving up an infield hit and a walk while striking out one. But, the movement he gets on his pitches continues to baffle hitters:

Alvarado and Diego Castillo represent a very strong tandem in high leverage for the Rays as they try to shorten games this year. Castillo recorded his second hold retiring both hitters he faced and Castillo owns a 17.9 swinging strike percentage with a 64.7 contact rate to start the year. Alvarado’s generated a 18.7 swinging strike rate and limited opponents to a 56.8 contact percentage. Pretty, pretty good.

Roberto Osuna held on for his second save this year and tied an Astros record of 14 straight save conversions since joining the team. Osuna did give up a lead-off single to Kendrys Morales, who left for pinch runner Mark Canha. After striking out Marcus Semien and Jurickson Profar, Osuna fired a wild pitch over the head of Ramon Laureano advancing the runner. Laureano then singled up the middle to cut the lead to one, but Osuna induced a grounder to short by Chad Pinder to end the game. Ryan Pressly worked around a hit in the eighth inning for his second hold of the year.

Quick Hits: Save number four for Kirby Yates with a clean ninth inning and a strikeout. Teammate Craig Stammen recorded his fourth hold with two strikeouts…Joe Kelly retired the only batter he faced in Colorado, but left the game after fielding a comebacker awkwardly. His wrist showed no damage in X-rays, but monitor his health status going forward…Felipe Vazquez flashed his upside striking out two in a clean ninth en route to his second save…Minnesota used Trevor Hildenberger and Trevor May in a six run loss…Joe Biagini absorbed the loss in Cleveland serving up a walk-off home run to Carlos Santana. Biagini’s pitched well so far with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings and a 0.64 WHIP, but saving Ken Giles for the save did not work out…Adam Cimber benefited from this for his first win after firing a clean top of the ninth with two strikeouts. Cleveland needs him to pitch well setting up Brad Hand…Fantasy tease, Tayron Guerrero, hit 100 MPH or higher 11 times on the radar last night according to Marlins beat writer, Joe Frisaro. Guerrero walked one and struck out one in his outing…Working in long relief, Chase Anderson only allowed a home run to Willson Contreras while striking out five over three innings of relief…Cody Allen gets his first save with the Angels recording a clean ninth inning against the Rangers. Ty Buttrey notched his second hold giving up a hit and striking out two in the eighth…On the rehab trail, Jeremy Jeffress pitched 1.1 innings at Triple-A allowing a two run home run, striking out one and throwing 25 pitches, 18 for strikes.