Bullpen Report: May 26, 2015

• Fernando Rodney does not look good right now. “Captain Crooked Hat” gave up three runs on three hits and a walk to blow what should have been an easy save and force extra innings (The Mariners later took the lead off Brad Boxberger — lucky them). Some might argue Rodney should have escaped if not for a Robinson Cano errant double play throw, but it’s not like Cano put all those runners on to start. Rodney now owns a 4.57 xFIP, but, hey, at least it’s better than his 6.98 ERA. While Rodney’s walk rate is hovering at the cusp of acceptable (10%), that his whiff rate has dropped precipitously (down to 21%) is a big problem. His HardHit% is a bit elevated at 23%, but he’s been around those marks the last few years. Aside from the batted ball profile, owners might want to hang their hat on the fact his velocity is the same as last year and his SwStr% is still a fairly healthy 11%. Maybe there’s a rebound in store, but he’s going to need to turn it around fairly soon as the leash is getting shorter.

With Danny Farquhar demoted the other day, Twitter fave Carson Smith appears to be gaining steam as Seattle’s best reliever. The righty’s heavy sinker isn’t otherworldly (92-93 mph) but he’s getting big whiff numbers on the slider and curveball (both 19% SwStr%). The sinker is generating the grounders (66% career mark) which will help keep big hits to a minimum and double plays an option. His LOB% (95%) and BABIP (.174) both scream regression, but his 1.97 SIERA isn’t a terrible mark to regress, too. He’s probably still a low-key enough guy that he’s around in your league so if you need the help, make the speculative add today.

• Sean Doolittle is back, baby. Oakland activated their lefty “closer” before tonight’s game and he should be available if needed. I put closer in quotes because it appears the A’s would favor a committee at first, at least until Doolittle shows he’s (at least) most of the way back from his shoulder injury. The one concern with Doolittle appears to be velocity, with reports stating he was topping out around 90 mph during his minor league rehab assignment. The lefty sat at 94 last season, so topping out at 90 means he’s probably a good 5-6 mph off where he was last year. But it’s worth remembering that he is likely still working up arm strength, so don’t make any rash decisions based on those Twitter reports yet. He needs to be scooped up wherever he was dropped but I’d hold off on activating him right away. Don’t drop Tyler Clippard just yet, either. Seems like a “hold” type of situation, at least for the next week or so — I’ll leave it red until we see how everything shakes out.

• Carter Capps was somewhat quietly been recalled a week ago in Miami. The now jump-stepping righty wore out his prospect status in Seattle, but now owns a 12/0 K/BB in 7 innings with Dan Jennings‘ Marlins. Perhaps the 24-year-old is a late bloomer (ha, 24 years old and “late bloomer”) but he certainly looks like the real deal right now, coupling a 97 mph fastball with a slider (21% SwStr%) and, apparently a knuckle-curve (at least according to our classifications). His one roadblock to success might be, well, A.J. Ramos is really good — but Capps is one of those guys with the upside to help your rates and gather a few holds in the process, so pick him up where needed.

• Quick hits: Shawn Tolleson pitched a kinda clean (HBP and Andrus error) inning in Cleveland tonight. I’ve moved him to yellow, but he could easily be green pretty soon. 1.71 SIERA shows he has the skills for the job, now he just needs a for more saves to get the “proven closer(TM)” moniker. David Roberton had a messy, messy game against the Blue Jays tonight. Sub-2.00 DIPS predictors and I’m not worried. But sucks for weekly leaguers. Seth Maness covered for a tired Trevor Rosenthal today, retiring the only batter he faced for save number 3. TR will be back next save opp, but another sign Maness is number two right now. Aroldis Chapman picked up a win tonight, striking out the side around a walk and a hit. He’s been a bit shaky over the last couple weeks, but while a bit off his usually elite numbers, the peripherals don’t imply meltdown imminent. I’d keep him locked and loaded. Enrique Burgos was placed on the DL today, which is unfortunate since he actually had the best xFIP in this pen in 2015. Those speculating can probably let him go. Brad Ziegler seems to be taking this job at the moment (he’s been bumped to yellow).

Closer Grid:

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