Bullpen Report: September 24, 2017

Here’s everything you need to know about an unusually quiet weekend of bullpen activity around the major leagues:

Jeurys Familia has been moved back to the closer position on the grid for the Mets. A.J. Ramos has struggled as of late, and it was always assumed that Familia would at some point find his way back to the ninth inning for New York. Familia picked up his first save since May 5 on Friday (pitching 1/3 of an inning), then the following day he pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game at home, as closers often do. Familia’s track record and projections indicate that he should have no problem being a very good closer again. He induces a ton of ground balls and limits the home run ball very well. Meanwhile, Ramos’s days as a must-own fantasy asset may be over if Familia has indeed regained the role of closer. Ramos could still have some value in holds leagues, but there are better options out there.

Before this season, Wade Davis had allowed just three home runs over 182.2 innings since 2014. He coughed up two long balls against the Brewers on Saturday, one in the ninth that tied the game, and a walk-off two-run shot in the 10th. Davis still holds a firm grasp on closing duties in Chicago, but his walk rate (12 percent) and and HR/FB ratio (12.8 percent) this year are easily career worsts. His 2.38 ERA is fantastic, but his 3.49 FIP and 3.59 xFIP indicate that it could be something of a mirage.

Kyle Barraclough has been moved to the closer position on the grid for Miami. In the team’s most recent win, Drew Steckenrider pitched the seventh, Brad Ziegler got two outs in the eighth, and Barraclough closed it out in the ninth. On Sunday, Ziegler blew a a one-run lead in the eighth, so he’s pretty clearly not the closer anymore. Barraclough has command issues, and his strikeout rate has taken a step back this year, but he could be a solid closer if given the opportunity. The rookie Steckenrider is another player to watch, as he’s basically having the same outstanding season Barraclough had last year. He gets a ton of strikeouts, limits the home run, and has some command issues.

A.J. Minter is someone to watch in the Braves bullpen. He has a 41 percent strikeout rate (in 12 innings) and has yet to talk a batter. Arodys Vizcaino seems to have a firm grasp on the closer role, but the other guys on the grid for Atlanta haven’t exactly been getting it done lately. Minter, a lefty, could easily find his way onto the grid and into Atlanta’s long-term plans with a solid final week of the season.

Other closer activity: Felipe Rivero struck out two in a perfect ninth to notch his 19th save. Roberto Osuna struck out three in a perfect ninth in a non-save situation. Craig Kimbrel struck out one en route to his 35th save. Raisel Iglesias inherited a two-on, no-out situation in the eighth with a three-run lead, and he allowed both runners to score and two more of his own. He was charged with a blown save and a loss. Hector Neris allowed two hits but struck out three as he notched his 24th save. Cody Allen struck out two as he secured his 29th save. Brandon Kintzler induced five ground balls (including two singles) as held onto a one-run, ninth-inning lead for his 29th save. It looked like just a normal day of rest for Sean Doolittle, who secured a save for the Nationals on Saturday. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Nationals manager Dusty Baker has made it clear that he intends to give Kintzler a shot at recording 30 saves this year. Brandon Morrow struck out two and notched a save over the Giants. It looked like just a day off for ace closer Kenley Jansen. Greg Holland struck out the side in the ninth in a non-save situation.

Closer Grid:

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