Rockies: Adam Ottavino Takes Over Closer Job

By Bill Pivetz | Aug 10, 2016

Jul 7, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Adam Ottavino (0) delivers a pitch in ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rockies made a switch to their closer. Adam Ottavino will now be pitching in the ninth inning. Is he worth adding for some late-season saves?

The Colorado Rockies have used two different closers this season. After the first one didn’t work out, many thought that the team had something special with the second guy. Turns out, it was only a matter of time before he imploded, too. The Rockies said Adam Ottavino will take over as the team’s new closer for the time being.

The Rockies began the season with Jake McGee closing. He was decent, but a couple of multi-run outings and an injury cost him his job. Carlos Estevez was the next man up. He had a 2.84 ERA and 1.00 ERA with 11 saves between June 11 and July 28. His last two appearances, though, forced Rockies manager Walt Weiss to pull the plug.

In 0.2 innings, he has allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks. With the team not making any moves at the trade deadline, management expected this current team to compete until the end. With appearances like that, the team won’t be winning many games.

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Ottavino comes in to the role having limited closing experience. He has four career saves, three of which came last season. He did miss about a year and a half recovering from Tommy John surgery. He looks to be pitching fine since being activated off the disabled list. In 11.2 innings, he hasn’t given up a run and struck out 12.

Weiss also mentioned that Ottavino could make an appearance earlier in the game.

“That’s not to say I won’t use him in the eighth if it’s a right-handed inning,” Weiss said. “There’s some pieces we can move around, but for the most part it will be Ottavino.”

I would still pick up Ottavino for the probability he can get you a save or two each week. Him pitching in the eighth isn’t the best for fantasy owners, but it’ll still give you a chance to lower your ratio stats.

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Ottavino has been added in 11.6 percent of ESPN leagues over the last week. With four more weeks left to most fantasy baseball leagues, every move counts. Ottavino is a very good relief pitcher, which is hard to find on the waiver wire. The Rockies offense is good enough to score runs, the team just needs a solid pitcher in the ninth inning.

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