THE BULLPEN

Alex Colome has saved all nine of his chances this season while he’s posted a 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 13.0 innings. He’s been great and is loving his 9th inning work. "I feel comfortable ... It's fun to be the closer for the first time in my career," said Colome. "Makes me feel happy that I can go out and do the best job that I can do." Unfortunately, that run appears likely to end soon.

Brad Boxberger is likely to be out a couple of more weeks as he works his way back from abductor surgery. Boxberger, who saved 41 games last season to lead the American League, seems destined to close when he returns. That is according to the Tampa Bay Times, which also quoted manager Kevin Cash as stating the following.  "When Box gets back … when Box closes games out, Alex is still going to play a huge role. We're so fortunate that he has kind of taken to this role."

The paper says it will be Boxberger.

The manager says it will be Boxberger.

Even Colome knows it will be Boxberger. “He comes in and takes his spot and I take the spot I had last year, the eighth, seventh" innings, Colome said. "Nothing has to change in my mind — I still have to do my job, and every time they give me the chance to pitch I have to do it."

The only ones who didn’t know were us, the fantasy community. Why didn’t they bother to tell us this information sooner? I can go on one of my rants but the fact is the team really doesn’t owe us an explanation, though there’s also no reason whatsoever for them not to share the information with us. That means Colome is about to lose all nearly all of his fantasy value. I’m not going to sit here and tell you to lie to anyone, that wouldn’t be right, but if you were to offer Colome in a deal to another owner, one who doesn’t bother reading Fantasy Alarm, perhaps you would be able to strike a deal?

By the way, Boxberger threw his second batting practice session Monday. He could be headed to extended Spring Training later this week as he continues his progression to return. Boxberger is better than a strikeout an inning arm, but he allowed 4.57 walks per nine last season with a 1.37 WHIP. Also, that 0.92 career GB/FB ratio doesn’t make me feel great. It may not be the worst idea in the world to keep Colome around for a while, even after Boxberger returns.

THE ROTATION

The Rays’ rotation consists of four locks: Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and Matt Moore. That leaves the fifth spot up for grabs in the rotation. The candidates follow.

Matt Andriese, a 26 year old righty, tossed seven innings of one run ball in his first outing this season over the weekend. That effort ran his career major league numbers to 4-5, 3.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 6.44 K/9 and 48.9 GB-rate over 72.2 innings (nine starts, 17 outings of the bullpen). Andriese has gone 18-18 at Triple-A in his career with a 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Alex Cobb, working his way back from Tommy John surgery, figures to be ready to return at some point in July. Given his overall skills, and his performance in the big leagues (3.21 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 2.34 GB/FB ratio), it’s hard to think he’s not starting at some point as long as his arm is healthy.

Erasmo Ramirez went 11-6 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP last season over 163.1 innings and 27 starts (he made 34 appearances). Remove his first two outings last season and you end up with 158 innings of borderline fantasy stardom: 11-5, 3.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP. He began 2016 in the bullpen, though he was always thought likely to take back the 5th spot in the rotation when needed. Alas, he’s had so much success in his bullpen role (1.32 ERA, 0.77 WHIP with six wins and three holds over 27.1 innings) that he appears unlikely to be moved back into the rotation.

Blake Snell is one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in the game. Snell went nuts last season going 15-4 with a 1.41 ERA and 1.02 over 134 innings dominating the minor league game. He also struck out 163 batter with a 3.6 BB/9 rate. This season he’s been well off that pace with a 1-3 record, 4.01 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 5.5 walks per nine innings.

So who gets the call?

According to the Tampa Times it’s going to be… Matt Andriese.

There’s no telling how long Andriese will be the answer, and with veterans Cobb and Ramirez also potential options, well, this is why I warn folks all the time about drafting minor leaguers. Those of you who drafted or added Snell may be waiting a while before he’s a full-time member of the Rays’ rotation.

DAILY DIVE

Stephen Strasburg signed as 7-year, $175 million deal to remain with the Nationals. Ray Flowers breaks down who Strasburg is in this video. 

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).