Just two days ago, the Bullpen Report team alongside colleague Paul Sporer ranked Andrew Miller the top relief pitcher in our May/June update. We’re doubtful the news is a curse of the Bullpen Report, but Andrew Miller landed on the disabled list today with a strained forearm muscle. An MRI on Wednesday did in fact reveal a strain in the flexor mass, a muscle in his left forearm. When discussing Miller’s injury with the media, skipper Joe Girardi mentioned that fatigue could be an issue with the left-hander appearing in 26 of the Yankees’ 59 games, so upon his return from the disabled list, maybe we’ll see more of a balance between Betances and Miller in save situations. Or, we could just be falling into the manager’s trap and Miller will get all the chances when healthy, but I’m guessing the former. In said 26 trips ot the bump, Andrew Miller is 0-1, a perfect 17-for-17 in save chances, a 1.03 ERA (1.93 FIP) and a 32% K-BB%. Get well, Andrew.

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Sorry for the delay on this folks, but here’s a recap from last night…

• In case you felt that the Cubs bullpen situation wasn’t confusing enough, the Cubs decided to bring Rafael Soriano into the mix. We are less interested in the contract particulars here at the Bullpen Report and instead are curious how he will play out in Chicago’s pen. Soriano has yet to pitch this season so he will start off in the minors but speculation is he could be in Chicago around July 1st.  Rafael Soriano wasn’t particularly thrilling last year for Nationals, which helps explain why he wasn’t picked up this offseason but a 3.19/3.08/3.92 ERA/FIP/xFIP pitching line last year is useful. It’s also similar to what Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop have done this year. When Soriano is ready the Cubs are looking at three similarly talented right-handed relievers with Jason Motte lingering as well. However, it should be noted that Soriano seemed to break down towards the end of last year. Whether that’s a sign of what to expect from Soriano moving forward or whether the time off should help him, we will have to wait and see to find out.

I’m inclined to think that while Soriano is toiling in the minors, one of Rondon, Strop or Motte will grab a hold on the ninth inning but maybe this is setting up to be a real committee.

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Before we talk tonight’s news and notes, please check our updated consensus rankings for Relief Pitchers.

• I’m upgrading the Cubs situation to Def Con 3, also known as red, as Joe Maddon says he is not locked on one closer for the ninth. We might be entering semi-official committee status in Chicago. Hector Rondon will still be a major fixture in the back of the bullpen, he did pitch the eighth inning last night, but it doesn’t look as though he will consistently see the ninth as he had previously. Pedro Strop will also see save situations, and should be picked up in all leagues. Jason Motte is also an intriguing option for those in need of saves but I would expect Strop or Rondon to be called on next. Strop and Rondon have been similarly effective out of the bullpen this year, with Strop exhibiting more swing and miss stuff (17.4% SwStr%!) than Rondon, even though it’s Rondon who actually throws harder. Consider this situation fluid, but whoever can record a few clean innings in the upcoming games could end up providing save totals for your fantasy team.

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We did it! We made it all the way around the diamond. We’re finishing, fittingly, with our closers and middle relievers and for that we brought the Bullpen Report crew aboard. Alan, Darren, Colin, and Benjamin join myself to tackle the bullpens. Here are the other positions and you can also access them via the Positional Rankings in the right sidebar:

• Catchers
• First Basemen
• Second Basemen
• Shortstops
• Third Baseman
• Outfielders
• Starting Pitchers

If a ranker didn’t rank someone that one of the others did, he was given a +1 of their last rank as I’m sure you noticed in the other positions.

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Pedro Strop replaced Hector Rondon on Saturday after Rondon walked the leadoff hitter in the ninth. Joe Maddon refused to anoint Strop as the Cubs new closer, but you should definitely monitor this situation and don’t be shy about picking up Strop if he’s available.

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Now is likely the time to pick up Rafael Soriano. The Blue Jays have reportedly been sniffing around him, and while watching the Braves bullpen give up another fistful of runs, you’d think they’d be in the mix as well if the price is right. The Braves pen has the worst ERA in the majors and didn’t help their case on Friday, as they combined to give up six runs in four innings of work. Mark Melancon induced a game-ending double play out of A.J. Pierzynski, but he threw the comebacker into center field to put runners on the corners. He was able to get another game-ending double play, but this time made sure it was hit at an infielder, notching his 17th save.

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The Dodgers’ failed to make closer Kenley Jansen available for their season finale in Colorado against the Rockies last evening, raising a fair share of eyebrows — and concern — for the right-hander. Throughout the evening and into today, the team shed a bit more light into Jansen’s situation. Due to a history of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), team trainers and a consulting doctor administered a series of tests to rule out the heart issue when Jansen complained of a stomach/headache in the first frame. After receiving intravenous fluids, it was determined that Jansen’s high blood pressure could have been at the root of the other symptoms. At any rate, Jansen was better today and cleared for action by team doctors. He’s 5-of-6 in save chances on the season with a 0.00 ERA (-0.55 FIP) and a 55% K-BB% in six appearances. Wishing the best of health for Kenley.
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• Fernando Rodney blew his third save of the season in pretty sloppy fashion last night. The righty’s ERA is now up to 6.85. While his xFIP is a slightly better 4.90, a 19% K% isn’t going to cut it if you are walking 12% of the batters you face. Captain Crooked Hat’s velocity and SwStr% haven’t fallen off a cliff, so there is still some positive signs here, but the footsteps of Carson Smith might be growing just a bit louder. Speaking of Smith, the setup man tossed another scoreless inning yesterday evening and now owns a 2.20 xFIP. He can help your rates in all leagues, but if saves are at a major premium in your deeper formats, speculate away.

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• Steve Cishek has been demoted to the minors to work on his mechanics. Specifically, he’ll be moving to Double-A Jacksonville where the Marlins are “hoping pitching coordinator Charlie Corbell (Cishek’s minor-league pitching coach) can help him find his groove.” The Marlins are trying to get Cishek back on track but considering the way A.J. Ramos is pitching, I wouldn’t bet on Cishek returning to the ninth inning quite yet. Ramos allowed three base runners in today’s outing but struck out two en route to a scoreless inning for his fifth save of the year.
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Hoping you all had a nice Monday, enjoying my birthday. Here are a few quick updates from the weekend before we get into tonight’s action:

• Since being removed from the closer’s role, Addison Reed has made a few adjustments, leading to increased velocity on his slider. He’s put up zeroes in his last four appearances and he might be inching his way back into saves in Arizona.  Brad Ziegler has been a little shaky of late, and while he’s still closing in Arizona at the moment, it might not be long before a change is made as Chip Hale hinted at using Reed in the ninth again. This situation has now been upgraded to Code Red.

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