Bullpen Report: September 12, 2014
Notes from Friday:
Koji Uehara made his first appearance since being pulled from the closer’s role on September 4th. In a clean inning off work, Uehara dished 15 pitches — 11 fastballs and four splitters — while facing the minimum to notch the hold. Prior to last evening’s game, Uehara indicated to reporters that he didn’t feel like the life on his splitter “still wasn’t there,” but also noted he may be able to “get it back once he gets into a game and faces a hitter.” Of the four splitters used, Uehara averaged just over 81 mph and induced one swing-and-miss. The results are a step in the right direction for the Red Sox former closer.
And until Uehara returns to the ninth-inning role, Edward Mujica will continue to get the looks in save situations. Last night, Mujica needed just nine pitches — seven of which were strikes — to retire three consecutive Royals and seal his sixth save of the season. Uehara appears to be working towards grabbing his former role, which could happen as early as today (Saturday), since Mujica has pitched in each of the last three days. However, Mujica — owned in just 25 percent of Yahoo! leagues — should be rostered for your fake playoff run or last season rotisserie push.
After hitting Chase Headley in the mouth and surrendering a three-run walk-off homer to Chris Young Thursday, Jake McGee found himself on the bump in the eighth-inning on Friday with a 1-0 lead over the Blue Jays. McGee apparently shook off the previous night’s mishaps by pitching a clean frame of work on 10 pitches (seven strikes) to pick up his 14th hold of the year. Grant Balfour took the ball in the ninth and finished off the Jays with two strikeouts and a fly ball out on 17 pitches to collect his 12th save of the ‘14 campaign. Despite the order of usage here, McGee should retain his role as the closer in Tampa.
Quick Hitters: Fernando Rodney (45), Jenrry Mejia (26), Neftali Feliz (9) and Kevin Quackenbush (3) each notched saves last night. Quackenbush’s save was his third while replacing injured Joaquin Benoit in San Diego. Benoit is scheduled for a bullpen session on Sunday in an effort to get back into game shape, because he is determined to return to the mound and finish out the season strong. But, similar to Mujica, Quackenbush — available in 87% of Yahoo! leagues — should be owned to finish out the 2014 fantasy baseball season.
Closer Grid:
[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.
Don’t give up on me now Bullpen Report! No more daily posts. Not a word on why Fields has so many saves for Houston lately. Somebody get it together for the September push!
Looks like the new manager likes Josh. Makes sense to find out what they have in him, since Qualls & Veras are not the future of this franchise.
Of course, Qualls is hurt right now, but Veras seems to be OK. So I think they just want to check out what Josh can do.
Been burned by Josh many times in the past, so I would steer clear of him if he faces a team that can actually hit. Last 3 series of the year are Seattle Texas & Mets. That looks safe. CUrrent & next series, Angels & Cleveland, could hurt him, though.