MLB closer report: Saves hard to come by

Some of our questions have been answered as the closer picture is starting to become clearer. Only a few bullpens seem to be sporting a closer by committee.

A few injuries and poor performances have caused some shakeups across the league’s bullpens. Also, there are some older veterans who still seem have a lock on the job despite their below average performances.

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Fernando Rodney 7.36 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 11.05 K/9, 5 Saves

Fernando Rodney hurled three shutout innings this week and still boasts an extremely high WHIP and ERA. The saves and strikeout rate are the only statistics that make Rodney fantasy relevant. Rodney is five for five in save opportunities, but he just simply has not been good.

JJ Hoover and Archie Bradley are waiting to take his job, with Hoover most likely to get the nod. Stay tuned before adding anyone.

Atlanta Braves

• Jim Johnson 3.52 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 11.74 K/9, 3 Saves

Johnson surrendered two runs and blew a save on Saturday. However, there is no need to worry about his job security.

Baltimore Orioles

Zach Britton’s MRI showed no damage, so he should be ready to come back very soon. Brach’s limited chances at saves should last a couple more days.

Boston Red Sox

• Craig Kimbrel 1.93 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, 16.39 K/9, 7 Saves

Kimbrel is throwing it back to the Atlanta days as he looks like an elite closer at the moment. He’ll never lose his job, all his owners can do is pray for health.

Chicago Cubs

• Wade Davis 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 9.72 K/9 , Saves

Despite his velocity dropping, Davis has still been impressive. Just wait until the Cubs start racking up those wins.

Chicago White Sox

• David Robertson 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 16.20 K/9, 4 Saves

Robertson is getting up there in age and he’s shown it by throwing a heavy amount of curveballs (50 percent curveballs according to FanGraphs). So, he’s not the dominant, overpowering hurler he once was, but he is still getting the job done effectively.

Cincinnati Reds

• Raisel Iglesias 1.59 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 11.12 K/9 3 saves
• Michael Lorenzen 5.73 ERA, 1.36 ERA, 9.82 K/9, 1 save

Michael Lorenzen blew a 2 inning save chance on Friday, so it looks like we might have a closing committee here. Iglesias has proven to be more effective so far, but when the Reds use him for multiple inning appearances he is unlikely to pitch the next game.

Cleveland Indians

• Cody Allen 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 20.25 K/9, 3 Saves

A strikeout machine and top quality closer, nothing else to see here.

Colorado Rockies

• Greg Holland 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.00 K/9, 9 Saves

Holland is on fire to start the season and leads the MLB in saves.

Detroit Tigers

• Francisco Rodriguez 5.87 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 9.39 K/9, 6 Saves

2.2 IP and two earned runs for K-Rod this week while picking up a win (with a blown save) and two saves. He’s just not the same pitcher anymore, but the vet will hold off Justin Wilson for quite a while.

Houston Astros

• Ken Giles 5.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 14.00 K./9, 5 Saves

The true super reliever Chris Devenski picked up a seven out save on Thursday. However, Giles picked up saves Thursday and Sunday. Giles has now pitched four straight shutout innings.

Kansas City Royals

• Kelvin Herrera 2.57 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 5.14 K/9, 3 Saves

The strikeouts aren’t there, but Herrera has twirled four straight hitless innings and will hold done the job all year.

Los Angeles Angels

• Cam Bedrosian (Injury)
• Bud Norris 3.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP,

Cam Bedrosian’s injury isn’t too serious so he should be available after his 10 day DL stint. Norris pitched a clean inning and picked up a save Saturday. Don’t bid more than 2% of your FAAB budget on this short-term option. Also, Anderlton Simmons defensive gem saved Bud Norris Saturday night, you don’t to miss it!

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Kenley Jansen 3.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 12.00 K/9, 4 Saves

Nothing new here, the saves will roll in soon.

Miami Marlins

• AJ Ramos 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 10.13 K/9, 3 Saves

Ramos isn’t untouchable, but he’s a steady closer. He’s locked in as Miami’s closer.

Milwaukee Brewers

• Neftali Feliz 5.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 10.57 K/9, 5 Saves

A walk off three run homer by Addison Russell on Wednesday makes his stat line unimpressive. if you throw that outing away, he’s pitched six scoreless innings.

Minnesota Twins

• Brandon Kintzler 0.00 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 4.32 K/9, 4 Saves

Kintzler still hasn’t given up an earned run despite his low strikeout rate and should not lose his job whenever Glen Perkins comes back.

New York Mets

• Jeurys Familia 0.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 20.25 K/9

Familia has returned and is getting eased into the closing role. He will be the ninth inning man early into this week.

New York Yankees

• Aroldis Chapman 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 12.79 K/9, 4 Saves

Everything is still the same in the Bronx as Chapman continues to mow down batters.

Oakland Athletics

• Santiago Casilla 3.38 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 7.88 K/9, 3 Saves

Casilla tallied two saves in a span of four days. It looks as if Casilla is emerging as the lead guy in the bullpen as I predicted. He’s definitely the A’s arm that you want to own.

Philadelphia Phillies

• Hector Neris 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.58 K/9, 2 Saves
• Joaquin Benoit 3.12 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 1 Save

Welp, Benoit’s time as closer certainly didn’t last long and you can thank Bryce Harper for that. Although the Phillies won’t fully commit to Neris as the lead guy he seems to be the front-runner. Neris has given up two earned runs in his last two appearances.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Tony Watson 1.13 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 5.63 K/9, 6 Saves

Watson may not have the cleanest innings, but he has only allowed one run in his last eight innings pitched.

San Diego Padres

• Brandon Maurer 3.52 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 11.74 K/9, 3 Saves

Maurer seems to have the job secured, especially after allowing only one hit in his last three outings.

San Francisco Giants

• Mark Melancon 3.86 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 11.57 K/9, 3 Saves

After a shaky start Melancon has posted four straight shutout innings and quieted the doubters.

Seattle Mariners

• Edwin Diaz 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 9.45 K/9, 2 Saves

Diaz pitched one scoreless inning this week, it’s hard for closers to get appearances when their team either loses or wins by a large margin. Diaz should be fine when he gets his chances.

St. Louis Cardinals

• Seung-Hwan Oh 5.59 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 7.45 K/9, 5 Saves

Oh recorded four saves this week while not allowing a run. Things are starting to turn the corner quickly for him.

Tampa Bay Rays

• Alex Colome 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 4.00 K/9, 4 Saves

Colome blew a save thanks to an error behind him. He’s still yet to allow an earned run and his job is solidified.

Texas Rangers

• Matt Bush 2.35 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 14.09 K.9, 1 Save

Finally some clarity in this bullpen. Bush earned a win and a save while tossing three innings with only one hit this week. Matt Bush should be the closer as long as he continues to perform. If he’s still available in your league go after him aggressively.

Toronto Blue Jays

• Roberto Osuna 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 9.00 K/9, 1 Save

Osuna is easing his way back from injury and should be fine this year.

Washington Nationals

• Shawn Kelley 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 12.38 K/9, 3 Saves
• Koda Glover 2.35 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 7.04 K/9, 2 Saves

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Well Shawn Kelley is the lead man now, but the Nationals are being cautious with the two  Tommy John surgeries he has had. Koda Glover will see some save chances depending on how much Kelley has been used.

I would monitor how Philadelphia handles their bullpen this week. In addition see if players like Fernando Rodney and Francisco Rodriguez have more poor outings.