Closer Report for Week 3

Going forward, I will publish the Closer Report on Monday mornings in addition to the Roto Roundup, but the Closer Report will be my first priority.

There were a few injuries among the closers and middle relievers last week, along with a few bullpen situations that appear to be up for grabs at the moment leaving fantasy owners to wonder what to do with the closers they drafted. Let's take a look at some of the situations that are unsettled.

Rockies

Jake McGee is the clear cut closer in Colorado as he has converted all three of his save chances to date, including yesterday vs the Cubs. The change in the pecking order behind McGee has changed though as Miguel Castro, who I highlighted in last week's Closer Report has taken over the set up role for the Rockies. Castro currently owns an 8-2 strikeout to walk rate in his six innings of work thus far. I drafted him in a few of my NL only leagues, including one of my keeper  leagues as I think he is a future closer. And apparently, Rockes beat writer Patrick Saunders agrees:

Miguel Castro, lesser-known part of Tulo trade, has been outstanding for #Rockies. Future closer if healthy.

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) April 17, 2016

Athletics

A's manager Bob Melvin has been using Sean Doolittle in the eighth inning in recent games, with Ryan Madson earning the save opportunities, including two over the weekend vs the Royals. Melvin used Dollittle twice over the weekend, once in the ninth inning with the A's down by two, and once in the eighth inning to get the last out vs Alex Gordon, with Madson pitching the ninth. After the game yesterday, Melvin stated that he will use both Madson and Doolittle in save opportunities going forward, so this situation bears watching for fantasy owners. I would own Madson right now though.

Marlins

A.J. Ramos is set in the closer role at the moment, but last week the Marlins moved David Phelps into the  set up role. Phelps has shown to pitch better in a reliever role than as a starter, striking out more than a batter per inning. On Sunday, the Marlins called up relief prospect Kyle Barraclough, and he struck out the side in the seventh inning vs the Braves, so he is one to watch in the Marlins pen going forward.

Braves

The Braves are apparently keeping a watchful eye on closer Arodys Vizcaino right now, as Jason Grilli took on two save opportunities over the weekend, converting one and blowing the second on Sunday afternoon. Vizcaino threw 35 pitches to get four outs on Friday night, so manager Fredi Gonzalez decided to play it safe with Grilli getting the opportunities on Saturday and Sunday. This could also be a way to improve Grilli's trade value for later in the season, but it appears Vizcaino is the closer going forward, so no need to panic.

Twins

Closer Glen Perkins landed on the disabled list last week with a shoulder injury. Initially, the news sounded like Perkins would be out for an extended period of time, but we heard later in the week that he should be back soon after his disabled list stint expires. Until then, Kevin Jepsen has assumed the closer role and converted two save opportunities. Perkins should take back the role once he returns, and assuming he is healthy.

Reds

The Reds closer situation is as bad as it gets as both the closer and the set up man, J.J. Hoover and Jumbo Diaz, struggled in high leverage situations last week. Hoover blew up in a game vs the Cubs last Thursday, giving up 5 runs, 4 earned on 3 hits and 3 walks. He converted a save opportunity vs the Cardinals on Saturday but still gave up two runs in the process. Lucky for him that Jumbo Diaz has also struggled of late, giving up runs in two of his last three outings. One of the Reds beat writers wrote over the weekend that Michael Lorenzen could help the back end of the Reds bullpen once he returns from the disabled list, so I listed him as a sleeper going forward.

Week 3 Closer Rankings

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