Bullpen Report: June 4, 2015

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June 5, 2015

The Dodgers’ failed to make closer Kenley Jansen available for their season finale in Colorado against the Rockies last evening, raising a fair share of eyebrows — and concern — for the right-hander. Throughout the evening and into today, the team shed a bit more light into Jansen’s situation. Due to a history of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), team trainers and a consulting doctor administered a series of tests to rule out the heart issue when Jansen complained of a stomach/headache in the first frame. After receiving intravenous fluids, it was determined that Jansen’s high blood pressure could have been at the root of the other symptoms. At any rate, Jansen was better today and cleared for action by team doctors. He’s 5-of-6 in save chances on the season with a 0.00 ERA (-0.55 FIP) and a 55% K-BB% in six appearances. Wishing the best of health for Kenley.

Also out of the Dodgers’ camp: Old friend David Aardsma was granted his release today by the team after failing to add him to the active roster. The 33-year-old right-hander exercised an opt-out clause in his contract after appearing in 20 games for Oklahoma City (AAA) in which he went 0-1, 15-for-15 in save chances, posted a 2.41 ERA (2.24 FIP) and a 21.3% K-BB%. Sure Aardsma hasn’t pitched in the league since ‘13, but he put together a couple of decent seasons in Seattle..ah nevermind. Not going down this road right now. At any rate, there are a handful of teams that could use a right-handed reliever and may give the veteran a look.

Just a day after surrendering a game-tying homer off the bat of Maikel Franco to notch his first blown save of the ‘15 campaign, Aroldis Chapman returned to the hill in the ninth-inning of a save situation with a much different result. Chapman fanned Maikel Franco, Cody Asche and Freddy Galvis in order on 14 pitches to finish off the Phillies 6-4 and earn his 10th save of the year. Chapman is now 10-of-11 in save situations, with a 2.22 ERA (2.32 FIP) and a 3.23 xFIP.

Quick Hits: Hector Rondon surrendered a free pass and a hit, but picked up his 10th save on the year in a 2-1 win for the Cubs over the Nationals. Zach Britton earned the five-out save, his 14th of ‘15, fanning three along the way on 17 pitches. Glen Perkins dished a clean inning of work in a non-save situation. The Athletics needed Tyler Clippard to come in and stop the bleeding that Dan Otero caused in the ninth. Otero yielded four earned on four hits while striking out one in just a third of an inning of work. Clippard entered and immediately induced two fly ball outs off the bats of Nick Castellanos and James McCann to seal the victory and his ninth save of the year. Rough outing for Koji Uehara today. Uehara allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits without recording an out to earn his third loss on the season.

Closer Grid:

Closer First Second DL/Minors
Arizona Brad Ziegler Addison Reed Daniel Hudson Enrique Burgos
Atlanta Jason Grilli Jim Johnson Luis Avilan
Baltimore Zach Britton Darren O’Day Tommy Hunter
Boston Koji Uehara Junichi Tazawa Alexi Ogando
CHI (NL) Hector Rondon Jason Motte Pedro Strop
CHI (AL) David Robertson Jacob Petricka Zach Duke
Cincy Aroldis Chapman Jumbo Diaz Tony Cingrani Sean Marshall
Cleveland Cody Allen Bryan Shaw Zach McAllister
Colorado John Axford Rafael Betancourt Boone Logan Adam Ottavino
Detroit Joakim Soria Joba Chamberlain Angel Nesbitt Joe Nathan
Houston Luke Gregerson Chad Qualls Pat Neshek
KC Greg Holland Wade Davis Kelvin Herrera
LAA Huston Street Joe Smith Fernando Salas
LAD Kenley Jansen Yimi Garcia Chris Hatcher Pedro Baez
Miami A.J. Ramos Bryan Morris Carter Capps Steve Cishek
Milwaukee Francisco Rodriguez Jeremy Jeffress Will Smith
Minnesota Glen Perkins Blaine Boyer Brian Duensing Casey Fien
NY (NL) Jeurys Familia Carlos Torres Sean Gilmartin Jenrry Mejia
NY (AL) Andrew Miller Dellin Betances Justin Wilson Chris Martin
Oakland Tyler Clippard Evan Scribner Dan Otero Sean Doolittle
Philly Jonathan Papelbon Ken Giles Luis Garcia
Pittsburgh Mark Melancon Tony Watson Arquimedes Caminero
St. Louis Trevor Rosenthal Seth Maness Matt Belisle Jordan Walden
SD Craig Kimbrel Joaquin Benoit Dale Thayer
SF Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo Jeremy Affeldt
Seattle Fernando Rodney Carson Smith Tom Wilhelmsen Danny Farquhar
TB Brad Boxberger Jake McGee Kevin Jepsen
Texas Shawn Tolleson Keone Kela Ross Ohlendorf Neftali Feliz
Toronto Brett Cecil Roberto Osuna Steve Delabar Miguel Castro
Wash. Drew Storen Aaron Barrett Casey Janssen Casey Janssen

[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.

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Jon
8 years ago

with Boxberger unavailable, Jepsen gets the save for the Rays (with McGee pitching the 8th).

1
danny c
8 years ago
Reply to  Jon

with this, is mcgee droppable in shallow leagues w/o holds?

0
Norm
8 years ago
Reply to  danny c

Probably droppable in a league without holds but he’s still next in line for saves.

The Ray’s coach, Kevin Cash, isn’t afraid to mix and match with his RPs. Seattle’s 2nd most dangerous hitter, Kyle Seager was first up to bat in the 8th and he’s a lefty so McGee was brought in instead of Jepsen.

0
Mike W.
8 years ago
Reply to  danny c

If you can hold him, I would until we see if Boxberger can smooth things out on his end. If Boxberger continues his struggles, McGee could still factor heavily into late game situations for the Rays. I would try and hold him until Boxberger has a couple clean outings in a row again, then you can probably look to move on.

0