Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: May 23

2016 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report

Closers & Saves

When last we left off, we were talking about how Sam Dyson and Jake Diekman were among the top relievers in the game for holds. There were only four relievers in the game with double-digit holds and they were both there. Well, now after yet another disastrous outing from Shawn Tolleson, Diekman is on his own in the holds world as Dyson moves into the ninth inning for the Rangers. He had a bit of a rough night Friday when he allowed a run on two hits, but he did earn the save and came back the very next night to lock down another, this time with a scoreless frame. There’s been no indication as to how long the leash will be with Dyson moving forward, but considering just how bad Tolleson was, we imagine that it’s got some nice length to it.

It looks like Kevin Jepsen gets a stay of execution as Glen Perkins has suffered a setback during his rehab work. Apparently the team cancelled a bullpen session this week after Perkins reported some stiffness in his shoulder after a long-toss session Friday and the team is now deciding how long he’s going to have to be shut down before trying to throw again. Jepsen has had his struggles, for sure, but Trevor May hasn’t exactly been lights-out, so it looks like the Twins will just stay the course for now.

In what seems to be our weekly Brad Ziegler watch, the 36-year old righthander has made just two appearances since last week’s column and, of course, because so many of you hate him, he allowed a run in one of those outings. Unfortunately for you, though, it wasn’t in a save situation and he is in no danger of losing his job as his other opportunity was, in fact, a save situation which he successfully converted with a scoreless frame. Just sayin’…

Speaking of weekly watches, here’s this week’s Reds bullpen analysis: They still suck. If you believe ANYTHING else, you’re losing in all your leagues.

Huston Street, on the 15-day DL for the last month with an oblique strain, threw a successful bullpen session Friday and is scheduled to throw one more early this week. If he makes it through without issue, the team will have him throw a simulated game and from there, a possible rehab assignment. He may not need the rehab work, though, so monitor what he does this week and see just how soon the team is looking to activate him. Joe Smith owners, you are officially on notice.

As if you needed me to tell you this – despite back-to-back blown saves this past weekend for Kenley Jansen, there is absolutely no way the Dodgers will make any kind of a change. They won’t even rest him. When you’re using guys like Chris Hatcher and Joe Blanton as your set-up men, you know you have no one else to even consider for the ninth inning.

The Brewers are expected to start Will Smith’s rehab work from a torn LCL in his knee this week at High-A Brevard County and are hoping to have him back early on in June. He’s thrown successful bullpen sessions and batting practice without issues so far and, barring any unforeseen setbacks, it looks like the team ‘s goals will be met. The way Jeremy Jeffress has thrown the ball, though, it looks like Smith will return as a set-up man. That’s not to say he’s out completely as the closer, but he’ll need Jeffress to blow up first.

I’m sure I’m going to jinx it right now, but I wouldn’t be doing my job is I didn’t point out that Fernando Rodney still has not given up an earned run this season (18 innings) and has 10 saves and almost a strikeout per inning. If you’re a Rodney owner, maybe dangle him to a guy who is struggling for saves, so you can cash out from him while on top.

Relievers & Holds

Looks like it’s time to grab Junichi Tazawa once again in leagues that score holds. Carson Smith is back on the DL with the same forearm issue that plagued him during spring training and put him on the shelf well into May. He’s being looked at by specialists right now, but considering what we know about what forearm issues are a precursor for, it’s tough to imagine Smith returning to action anytime soon. Tazawa was among the top guys for holds early on in the season and given the Red Sox current level of performance, he could be once again.

Jason Grilli recorded his very first hold of the season this past Saturday. Mazel tov! Don’t get too used to it though. The biggest issue with Grilli at this point is that he is the handcuff for closer Arodys Vizcaino and while you like to hold onto a shaky closer’s handcuff, he doesn’t offer you anything else and is virtually unusable right now. The Braves rarely have a lead to hold onto so the holds aren’t abundant by any stretch of the imagination and he’s been spotty, at best, with regard to his ability to keep the runs off the board. Even if you’re a Vizcaino owner, you’re best to leave Grilli to the waiver wire and only grab when you absolutely have to.

It looks like Cubs manager Joe Maddon is starting to trust Pedro Strop again. Earlier in the month, he was racking up holds left and right, but after a May 11 blow-up in which he allowed three runs without recording an out, Maddon started turning more and more to Justin Grimm and Travis Wood. Well, after a pair of scoreless appearances, one of which was a two-inning effort, it looks like Maddon is going to start going back to his veteran set-up man. With a 6:1 K:BB over his last four innings, he’s worth using as a potential strikeout supplement, but also, the holds should start coming in again soon.

The Rockies have gotten a little bullpen boost with the return of Miguel Castro and while he may need a few scoreless appearances before he is trusted as an eighth-inning set-up man, he could prove to be a good source for holds moving forward. I’m only trusting him on the road for now, but if he can consistently produce a strong ground ball rate, I’ll leave him in at Coors as well. Stay tuned.

Houston’s Ken Giles just picked up his eighth hold of the season Wednesday and should be a solid own in all leagues that count holds. However, he’s also starting to make a case for himself in the ninth inning, once again, as he’s now made seven-straight scoreless appearances with a 7:2 K:BB while closer Luke Gregerson has allowed runs in three of his last six appearances and has been charged with three blown saves in that span. Manager A.J. Hinch hasn’t said anything about making a potential switch, but that doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about it.

While he may be struggling right now, Drew Storen could be returning value sooner than you think. The Blue Jays have put teams on notice that Storen is officially on the trading block. There aren’t a whole lot of teams looking for a closer, but of the teams that are, the Reds seem like a nice landing spot. They’re rebuilding, yes, but Storen is just 28-years old and just might be worth the investment if they can lock him down on a multi-year deal. Again, just sayin’…

Strength of Bullpen

Closer Grid