Bullpen Report: June 5, 2013

• Downright “weird baseball” outing from Addison Reed today. Robin Ventura held him as closer-in-reserve as a scoreless game ticked into the 11th, the 12th, the 13th… well, you get the picture. Finally the White Sox broke through in the 14th… for five runs. OK, not exactly a save situation, but Reed was pretty much the last guy in the pen so he might as well come in to finish the game, right? Yes, but Reed proceeded to implode and… give all five runs back (the last four coming on a granny from Kyle Seager). Because Reed was the last man standing, he pitched the 15th and had to save his own win in the 16th after the White Sox went ahead again. His line? 3 IP, 5 ER, W. Wow. Reed tossed 55 pitches and is certain to be unavailable tomorrow, and possibly Friday as well. I’m betting on Matt Thornton (20 pitches today) for the save situation tomorrow if one should arise.

Ironically, Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen had the day off after working five of the last seven games, so he’s one of the few relievers from this game ready for the M’s tilt tomorrow night against the Yankees.

• Fernando Rodney may have climbed a couple notches back up the rope the last week or so, but I’m not ready give him the green light yet. He continues to struggle with free passes, and again frustrated Rays fans by walking the leadoff batter tonight. Before all was said and done, the tying run was at the plate in the easiest of save situations (3-0). Rodney’s 18% BB% is ugly and unless his K% is 50%, there is little chance he’ll be an effective (let alone elite) reliever with that rate. His SwStr% and velocity are right where they were last year, so if he starts finding the plate, I’ll quickly jump back on the bandwagon, but I need to see him throw a few strikes first.

• Few tidbits on the transaction front. Kelvin Herrera is back. Kansas City’s hard throwing setup man worked scoreless innings in AAA, striking out one-third of his 18 batters. Unfortunately, his control issues may not be 100% behind him; he still handed out three free passes. Regardless, he has a live arm and I’d still gamble on him in holds leagues; the ERA/WHIP may be an adventure, but he has elite stuff if he’s throwing (at least some) strikes. Scott Elbert’s lost season is officially over. The lefty had to deal with a couple offseason elbow surgeries but appeared to be on the road back to the majors a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, after a latest setback, the team announced he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of this season and likely a large chunk of next. He wasn’t near any fantasy rosters, but still a bummer for the 27-year-old.

Closer Grid:

[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]