Injury News
Hanley Ramirez could be out 2-10 weeks with an injured thumb sustained during the Dominican Republic’s win over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. A specific timeline is expected once Ramirez has an MRI on the thumb. Can’t be good news for the Dodgers, who will use Luis Cruz at third until Hanley returns. If your league hasn’t drafted yet, you might want to adjust your ranking accordingly.
This is a regular section I intend to do once a week to provide fantasy players with an updated on the closer situation around the league. Last year MLB experienced a high turnover in closers (whether the player was relieved of duties and/or lost to injury), but I don’t think this will happen this season. This list is most helpful for those who didn’t draft a closer and/or those looking to add a “handcuff” to their roster.
|
TEAM |
CLOSER |
UNDERSTUDY 1 |
UNDERSTUDY 2 |
ANALYSIS |
| Arizona | J.J. Putz | David Hernandez | Heath Bell | Putz is as consistent as they come. If Putz strugged both Hernandez and Bell are capable of filling in. |
| Atlanta | Craig Kimbrel | Jonny Venters | Jordan Walden | Kimbrel is the only closer worth taking in the first 5 rounds of any fantasy league. Some teams may be looking to acquire Jonny Venters and/or Walden to fill their closer spot. |
| Baltimore | Jim Johnson | Pedro Strop | Darren O’Day | Johnson was spectacular in 2012, as was the rest of the Baltimore bullpen. Is a repeat possible? |
| Boston | Joel Hanrahan | Andrew Bailey | Koji Uehara | It was Bailey’s job in 2012, which he lost…now it’s Hanrahan’s job to lose going into 2013. |
| Chicago (NL) | Carlos Marmol | Kyuji Fujikawa | James Russell | Marmol has the closer role for now, but I expect to see Fujikawa in the role before the end of May. |
| Chicago (AL) | Addison Reed | Matt Thornton | Jesse Crain | Reed posted 29 saves for the White Sox in 2012 and may improve in 2013 thanks to Bobby Thigpen’s advice. If Reed falters, the White Sox have options in Thornton and Crain. |
| Cincinnati | Aroldis Chapman | Jonathan Broxton | Sean Marshall | The decision hasn’t been made by Dusty Baker yet, but I’ll pencil Aroldis Chapman as the Reds closer. This would be the right move for Dusty Baker to make for the Reds, but really sidelines Broxton. |
| Cleveland | Chris Perez | Vinnie Pestano | Matt Albers | Chris Perez is working through some issues during the spring, but should be good to go for opening day. If not, look for Pestano to fill in temporarily. |
| Colorado | Rafael Betancourt | Rex Brothers | Wilton Lopez | Betancourt has one of the hardest closer jobs…earning saves in Colorado. Betancourt’s job is pretty secure. |
| Detroit | Bruce Rondon | Phil Coke | Joaquin Benoit | The Tigers are hoping that their young prospect can come in and take the role, but so far has struggled in Spring Training. I expect that Coke and Benoit will take over the role sometime in May. |
| Houston | Jose Veras | Wesley Wright | Hector Ambriz | Veras is the closer, but will he have any opportunities in Houston? |
| Kansas City | Greg Holland | Aaron Crow | Tim Collins | Holland took over for Broxton last season and did a good job…but could easily lose the job to Aaron Crow. |
| Los Angeles (AL) | Ernesto Frieri | Scott Downs | Kevin Jepsen | With Ryan Madson likely starting the season on the DL, Ernesto Frieri once again assumes the closer duties for the Angels. |
| Los Angeles (NL) | Brandon League | Kenley Jansen | Ronald Belisario | Brandon League is the closer for the Dodgers, but I personally think Jansen has the better stuff to be a closer. |
| Miami | Steve Cishek | Jon Rauch | Mike Dunn | Cishek will probably the first of many Miami pitchers to fill this role for the Marlins this season. |
| Milwaukee | John Axford | Mike Gonzalez | Jim Henderson | Axford is as solid as they come…plus the guy tweets some hilarious things. |
| Minnesota | Glen Perkins | Jared Burton | Alex Burnett | Perkins emerged to be the Twins closer in 2012 and should hold onto it for 2013. |
| New York (NL) | Bobby Parnell | Brandon Lyon | Josh Edgin | Parnell has been designated the replacement for Frank Fancisco who will likely start the season on the DL. While Lyon and Edgin are listed as replacements, look for the Mets to consider Zach Wheeler to potentially fill this role in 2013. |
| New York (AL) | Mariano Rivera | David Robertson | Joba Chamberlain | Rivera is on a farewell tour in 2013…unless he goes down with an injury, don’t expect to see Robertson or Chamberlain to get many opportunities. |
| Oakland | Grant Balfour | Ryan Cook | Sean Doolittle | Balfour has had some nagging issues so far in spring which could open the door for Cook or Doolittle to fill in temporarily. |
| Philadelphia | Jonathan Papelbon | Mike Adams | Phillippe Aumont | Papelbon is about as good as they come. Barring injury the job is his, and Adams and Aumont will be working 7th and 8th innings. |
| Pittsburgh | Jason Grilli | Mark Melancon | Jared Hughes | Grilli is old and emerged in 2012. Melancon could easily replace Grilli if he struggles to start the season. |
| St. Louis | Jason Motte | Mitchell Boggs | Edward Mujica | I don’t expect Motte to be replaced in 2013. |
| San Diego | Houston Street | Luke Gregerson | Dale Thayer | Street should be solid, if not Gregerson is waiting to take his place. |
| San Francisco | Sergio Romo | Javier Lopez | Santiago Casilla | After years setting up Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo gets his chance to close for the Giants. |
| Seattle | Tom Wilhemsen | Stephen Pryor | Lucas Luetge | Wilhemsen is ok, but Stephen Pryor has is a flamethrower with more of the attributes of a closer. |
| Tampa Bay | Fernando Rodney | Joel Peralta | Jake McGee | I think Rodney’s 2012 was a fluke…but if you feel otherwise you’ll be taking Rodney in the middle rounds of most drafts. |
| Texas | Joe Nathan | Jason Frasor | Tanner Scheppers | Joe Nathan has earned his place as the closer in Texas. If he fails, Frasor and Scheppers could be considered for the role. But the Rangers also have former closer Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria in their system. |
| Toronto | Sergio Santos | Casey Janssen | Steve Delabar | Both Janssen and Santos are working their way back from off season procedures. Right now Santos looks to have the inside track for the closer role to begin the season. |
| Washington | Rafael Soriano | Drew Storen | Tyler Clippard | Washington has the benefit of having three guys who can legitimately close for any team. Soriano will close for now, but Storen could easily win his job back. |
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photo credit: cmaybourne via photopin cc
