Bullpen Report: May 6, 2014
• Ernesto Frieri received the save opportunity last night but before we anoint him the closer again, it’s important to note that he Joe Smith was throwing up in the bullpen but more importantly, felt tightness in his right side. The Angels plan is likely for Frieri to regain the role again but Joe Smith has also been effective in the role thus far. If anyone let Frieri go in your league I would be sure to use your waiver wire on him if need be. I don’t think Scioscia intended to throw Frieri in the ninth inning right away but this injury might have forced his hand. The situation is obviously in flux and both guys are worth owning but I’d put my money on Frieri finishing with more saves from here on out.
• Aroldis Chapman is currently pitching on a rehab assignment. The good: There hasn’t been a setback. The bad: He only threw two-thirds of an inning allowing four hits, five runs, a walk and a HBP. Chapman likely will have some rust as he works himself into form but I’d focus more on the health without a setback than the results. Johnathan Broxton will still receive the save opps with Aroldis on the shelf, but it shouldn’t be too long before Chapman is back in his familiar role.
• Cody Allen and John Axford have pitched in the last few days and it was Bryan Shaw that received the save opportunity for the Indians tonight. Shaw allowed a hit and an unearned run for his first save of the season. As of now, John Axford is still the closer in Cleveland but a change could be imminent as Axford hasn’t left Francona with much wiggle room. Bryan Shaw has been sneaky effective over the last couple of years and has a 1.65/1.89/3.32 ERA/FIP/xFIP line on the season. Cody Allen is still the best reliever in the pen if the Indians were to make a move, but he’s likely already owned in your league, taking a flier on Bryan Shaw couldn’t hurt for a team in need of saves as the Indians could rationalize keeping Allen in his setup spot.
• Marcus Stroman is expected to see the Blue Jays rotation at some point this season but for now he’s in Toronto to fortify the bullpen. In his first outing Stroman threw two-thirds allowing a run on a triple but he looked better tonight, throwing 1.1 innings allowing a single while striking out a batter for his first win of the year. Aaron Loup came on to get the last two outs for his second save of the year. Loup is a lefty and I would imagine he’s still behind Cecil in the pecking order but this all might be for naught when Casey Janssen returns. If you’re desperate for saves, feel free to chase Loup if you have the roster spot and Cecil isn’t available but I wouldn’t expect a big save return on the investment rest of season.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
For what it’s worth, Angels beat reporter said last night that Frieri came in because Joe Smith was throwing up in the bullpen.
Was that not in the article originally?
Everyone knew that Axford had the day off from throwing 3 days in a row, however there is nothing out there saying that Allen had day off from from throwing back to back games….unless he all of sudden became Koji Uehara. Looks like Shaw is the handcuff, much to the chagrin of fantasy baseball experts everywhere.
Allen had pitched in 3 of the last 4 and likely wouldve pitched at least the 8th if he was really available
Yeah, it’s tough to say for sure what’s going on here. Axford was certainly a no go before the game and Allen was available. But, he did pitch a good amount lately. We’ll have to wait and see here but both guys are ownable.
Jim Johnson currently getting BABIPed to death in Oakland.
Gregerson going to get th enext save opp? Someone dropped him recently and he’s available to pick up. If so, would you drop Beckett or Cody Allen?
Its Smith with the tightness in his side and throwing up, not Frieri…and also, no mention of Frieri taking the loss last night after Brian Roberts’ heroics? That would seem relevant to the situation at hand.
Article was written well before the frieri’s L
Yes…the paragraph now says Frieri felt the tightness. And it wasn’t a save situation he came into–the game was tied.
Wondering if the A’s continue with a committee given Johnson performance last night (although apparently there was at least 1 weak hit)…should I drop Johnson for Janssen in anticipation of that?
Thats a tuff call, Johnson looked terrible last night and I have always been skeptical of a control pitcher in a closer roll. Janssen is also a control pitcher so more or less the same as Johnson. What I do know is Janssen will have the Closer job to lose. The Jays bullpen is lost right now and the hope is Janssen will solidify the bull pen again. OAK looks like they will continue the committee approach until someone runs with it. Gibbons is loyal so Janssen will have a long leash in the CL role. I would pick him up based on he has the CL job.
Thanks for the analysis. Should I consider dropping Melancon instead of Johnson for Janssen?
I would hold on to Melancon over Johnson. He’s certainly getting saves while Grilli is out and provides more value when not receiving save opportunities.
Thanks for the update. I’m in a holds league and don’t want to pick up Shawn Kelley. Should I grab Betances or Warren? Betances will give a boost in ERA WHIP and Ks, but I don’t know how many holds he will get with Warren above him on the depth chart.
Can I get an update on Jansen? Does anyone know why he doesn’t look good? Can anyone explain why Dave Cameron wrote on April 7th that Kenley’s velocity was up and caution be had, but there has been no follow-up? Dude ain’t right!