Bullpen Report: May 15, 2015

• After some struggles this year, Addison Reed’s (7.20/3.64/4.43 ERA/FIP/xFIP) hold on the closer’s role has loosened. While Chip Hale thinks that Reed will get the job back, he will be used in earlier innings for now as he works through “mechanical changes.” Expect Brad Ziegler to get the first save opportunity that arises, so if he’s available on the wire be sure to get in your claims ASAP. Additionally, Dan Hudson could see some higher leverage work as well with Reed displaced and everyone moving up a step. Hudson is kind of toiling in between relieving and possibly starting but he struggled today, allowing two runs, ballooning his ERA to 6.00. Evan Marshall who figured to play a more prominent role in the pen is now pitching in AAA. Other intriguing names are Randall Delgado who looks a bit better out of the pen and Enrique Burgos, who’s control might prevent him from being trusted much but has massive swing and miss stuff, showing it off today with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Oliver Perez blew the lead and received the loss today, but with his 6.52 ERA he’s still likely more of a LOOGY long term.

• As you all know, Kenley Jansen has been on the shelf all year. Still, as Joel Sherman notes, the Dodgers bullpen has been pretty darn good without their closer. The Dodgers’ bullpen ERA (2.24) is fourth in the majors, they have the highest K/9 (10.44) and the highest WAR total (2.4). Kenley Jansen was activated today which should only strengthen what is already a top pen. While Jansen might be eased back into the role, it will surely be his before too long. If you could buy low-ish on him as an injury risk or not assured the closing gig I would pounce.

• Hector Rondon struck out two batters in the ninth today but allowed a run as well to the Pirates, blowing his second save of the season. With a 2.79 FIP and 2.92 xFIP and 17 strikeouts in as many innings, Rondon’s job is safe and remains a solid second tier closing option. On the Pirates side of things in this game, there was no save opportunity but Mark Melancon pitched around four base runners for two scoreless innings. Melancon has struggled this year and isn’t the pitcher he once was but looking on the bright side of things, his ERA dipped below 4.00! Tony Watson is probably the best of the bunch in the Pirates pen, but Melancon will continue to see the save opportunities.  Also of note, Jared Hughes gave up a few runs in his two innings today, which could help cement Arquimedes Caminero as the preferred right handed setup man in Pittsburgh.

• Quick Hits: Luis Garcia threw two scoreless innings for his first save for the Phillies. Ken Giles is the man to own if/when Papelbon is moved but Garcia could see more higher leverage opportunities. Huston Street picked up two strikeouts and his 12th save for the Angels. After dealing with some back spasms, Grilli seems back on track, throwing a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the year. A.J. Ramos‘ stock is up after recording a save last night and with Bryan Morris and Mike Dunn giving up runs today. Glen Perkins pitched around a couple hits for his 12th save as well.

Closer Grid:

	Closer	First	Second	DL/Minors
Arizona	Brad Ziegler	Daniel Hudson	Addison Reed	Evan Marshall
Atlanta	Jason Grilli	Jim Johnson	Cody Martin
Baltimore	Zach Britton	Darren O’Day	Tommy Hunter
Boston	Koji Uehara	Alexi Ogando	Junichi Tazawa
CHI (NL)	Hector Rondon	Pedro Strop	Jason Motte
CHI (AL)	David Robertson	Jacob Petricka	Zach Duke
Cincy	Aroldis Chapman	Jumbo Diaz	Tony Cingrani	Sean Marshall
Cleveland	Cody Allen	Bryan Shaw	Scott Atchison
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	Vinnie Pestano
LAD	Yimi Garcia	Chris Hatcher	Pedro Baez	Kenley Jansen
Miami	A.J. Ramos	Bryan Morris	Mike Dunn	Steve Cishek
Milwaukee	Francisco Rodriguez	Jonathan Broxton	Will Smith
Minnesota	Glen Perkins	Brian Duensing	Blaine Boyer	Casey Fien
NY (NL)	Jeurys Familia	Carlos Torres	Sean Gilmartin	Jenrry Mejia
NY (AL)	Andrew Miller	Dellin Betances	Esmil Rogers	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	Danny Farquhar	Carson Smith
TB	Brad Boxberger	Jake McGee	Kevin Jepsen
Texas	Neftali Feliz	Shawn Tolleson	Keone Kela	Tanner Scheppers
Toronto	Brett Cecil	Roberto Osuna	Steve Delabar	Miguel Castro
Wash.	Drew Storen	Aaron Barrett	Tanner Roark	Casey Janssen

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