Fantasy Baseball 2017: Zach Britton back on 10-day DL

By Bill Pivetz | May 6, 2017

Apr 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /

The Orioles had the services of their closer Zach Britton for just two days before he found himself back on the 10-day DL.

The Baltimore Orioles started the season with one of the best bullpens, on paper at least. With his 2016 performance, Zach Britton was one of the top three closers drafted. Unfortunately, he hasn’t pitched up to that value and lands on the disabled list for the second time already.

Britton found himself on the 10-day DL on April 15 with a forearm strain and missed about two weeks before returning on May 2. He made two appearances before suffering a setback. Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com tweeted that he underwent an MRI Friday night. Britton was placed on the 10-day DL Saturday morning and Brad Brach will remain as the Orioles closer.

On the season, Britton has a 1.00 ERA, 1.78 ERA, five saves, seven strikeouts and four walks. He allowed two hits and a walk in his two innings since returning. He wasn’t his normal self and a second stint on the DL is required.

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If you are Britton owner, hopefully, you added Brach the first time. If not, this could be your last chance. Brach has a 43.8 percent ownership in ESPN leagues. I can’t speak to his ownership on other sites but I can assume it will be a little higher.

Brach had a couple of bad outings but still has six saves. Brach currently has a 2.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and a 17:6 K:BB ratio. However, looking at some of the other relievers with closer jobs, Brach is a pretty good option.

Back to Britton, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com tweeted that Britton will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Even though Rotoworld said there was no structural damage, this doesn’t sound good. He will be sidelined for a couple of weeks to let the inflammation subside.

Britton now joins Shawn Kelley and Cam Bedrosian as valuable closers on the DL. It’s been a season of injuries and now owners have to find another replacement.

If you can’t get Brach, Santiago Casilla is splitting time as Oakland’s closer. Despite the blown save on Friday, Brandon Kintzler is still Minnesota’s closer. There is little to no competition behind him. Bud Norris is also racking up saves in Los Angeles. He also has no one gunning for his job.

Next: Phillies Aaron Altherr worth a waiver add?

Britton’s injury is a big loss for his owners. He was a seventh-round pick in ESPN leagues. Drafting a closer that early comes with a lot of risks. Not even counting the injury, there was no way Britton was going to repeat his performance from last season. Now that he’s out for another two weeks, he won’t even get close to it.

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