Bullpen Report: August 28th, 2016 by Paul Kastava August 29, 2016 Although we had a long weekend, there were no major news stories from the bullpen, so we’ll keep this short and sweet. A couple of middle relievers had some role changes and one big name could be coming back soon. Clay Buccholz pitched in the 8th inning on Saturday (not a hold/save opportunity), but it appears he may be line for the set-up role up in Boston. He has been effective as a reliever throwing 20.2 innings with a 3.05 ERA (3.15 FIP), but his xFIP is at 5.59 mainly because he hasn’t really struck anybody out in the pen (5.23 K/9). His BABIP is down to .213 in the pen versus a .288 career mark, so I would be cautious adding him in your holds leagues just yet even with the increase in opportunities it seems. Jeremey Jeffress was arrested for a DWI this weekend and is placed on the restricted list while the MLB investigates. As a result, Jeffress moves into our DL/Minor League slot while Diekman is back to next in line for saves. Jeffress in his 9 innings of work for the Rangers has a 4.00 ERA (3.48 FIP) and has struggled with his control a bit (5 BB/9). Not sure how long this investigation will last, but at this point Jeffress really only held value in holds leagues and that value may be pretty diminished after recent events. Giants’ reliever Derek Law has been placed on the DL with a forearm strain this weekend, which is always scary to hear. Law has been excellent this season posting a 1.94 ERA (2.34 FIP) and was really becoming an important arm out of the Giants pen. To replace him on the grid is familiar friend Hunter Strickland who is posting similar numbers in regards to his Ks and BBs, but has given up slightly more homers. Still, Strickland has a 2.65 ERA (3.31 FIP) and may become a nice source of holds down the stretch. Wade Davis started his rehab assignment last week and reportedly felt good. Ned Yost has indicated that he will have a few more rehab appearances and could be back as early as next week. Closer Grid: Closer First Second DL/Minors Arizona Daniel Hudson Randall Delgado Jake Barrett Atlanta Jim Johnson Mauricio Cabrera Arodys Vizcaino Baltimore Zach Britton Brad Brach Mychal Givens Darren O’Day Boston Craig Kimbrel Brad Ziegler Clay Buchholz Koji Uehara CHI (NL) Aroldis Chapman Carl Edwards Jr. Travis Wood Hector Rondon CHI (AL) David Robertson Nate Jones Matt Albers Cincy Tony Cingrani Raisel Iglesias Michael Lorenzen Cleveland Cody Allen Andrew Miller Bryan Shaw Colorado Adam Ottavino Jake McGee Carlos Estevez Scott Oberg Detroit Francisco Rodriguez Justin Wilson Alex Wilson Houston Ken Giles Will Harris Luke Gregerson KC Kelvin Herrera Joakim Soria Matt Strahm Wade Davis LAA Fernando Salas Deolis Guerra J.C. Ramirez Cam Bedrosian LAD Kenley Jansen Joe Blanton Adam Liberatore Miami Fernando Rodney A.J. Ramos Kyle Barraclough Milwaukee Tyler Thornburg Corey Knebel Blaine Boyer Minnesota Brandon Kintzler Ryan Pressly Taylor Rogers Glen Perkins NY (NL) Jeurys Familia Addison Reed Hansel Robles NY (AL) Dellin Betances Tyler Clippard Adam Warren Oakland Ryan Madson John Axford Ryan Dull Sean Doolittle Philly Jeanmar Gomez Hector Neris Edubray Ramos Pittsburgh Tony Watson Neftali Feliz Felipe Rivero St. Louis Seung Hwan Oh Kevin Siegrist Jonathan Broxton SD Brandon Maurer Kevin Quackenbush Brad Hand Ryan Buchter SF Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo Hunter Strickland Derek Law Seattle Edwin Diaz Steve Cishek Arquimedes Caminero Tom Wilhelmsen TB Alex Colome Brad Boxberger Xavier Cedeno Texas Sam Dyson Jake Diekman Matt Bush Jeremy Jeffress Toronto Roberto Osuna Jason Grilli Joaquin Benoit Wash. Mark Melancon Shawn Kelley Blake Treinen [Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]