With Jake McGee flaming out in San Francisco, the closer role is now firmly Camilo Doval’s to lose moving forward so those who took Doval early in drafts this year can breathe a sigh of relief. Doval’s first outing this seasons did not go well (3 earned) but since then, he has not allowed a run while striking out 14 over 9.1 innings. He only has four saves, but those should come as the Giants haven’t given him many opportunities yet. We’ve seen Doval’s upside as recent as last September, so I think it’s safe to say Doval is back being a top 12-15 closer in baseball again, as his ADP suggested this winter.
Notes
- While it’s hard to have value as a reliever on a team that is currently 3-22 on the season, but Lucas Sims and Art Warren have just not pitched well this season anyway. Sims has only appeared in four games, but currently holds an ERA of 15.75 and has looked awfully rusty with a 20% walk rate and down 2 MPH on his fastball. Warren hasn’t been much better with a 10.29 ERA and 2.29 WHIP over seven innings. I’m still holding out hope for them to turn things around as it’s still a month into the season, but I understand if you want to move on.
- Lou Trivino returned from the Covid IL this week and proceeded to allow five runs while only producing two outs. He was clearly rusty after missing two weeks, but this could potentially open the door for Dany Jiménez to hang on to the closer role in Oakland a little while longer. Don’t go dropping Jiménez just yet.
- I wondered last week if maybe the new Matt Barnes can get away with his stuff being so down this season, and was quickly proven wrong as he went on to allow four runs against the Angels this past week in a losing effort. His ERA now stands at 8.64 and if the huge drop in velocity isn’t injury related (meaning they won’t IL him) then you have to wonder at what point does this struggling Red Sox team DFA him. I’ll give him another week or two, but this could be the last time he’s on this list.
- Ryan Pressly returned yesterday from his knee injury and was immediately thrown into a save situation, which he proceed to blow as he allowed a game tying home run to Jeimer Candelario. The velocity is still down a bit but with a talent like this, I’m willing to give him another two weeks or so before being really worried.
- The Anthony Bender experience continues to be one heck of a roller coaster, as we’ve seen the bad Bender this week following last weeks four save performance. With Dylan Floro inching closer to a return, it seems like Bender’s days as the Marlins closer may be numbered, especially with him working in the 8th inning last night down a run.
- Daniel Bard, Joe Barlow, Liam Hendriks, Ian Kennedy, Tyler Kinley, Tim Mayza, Jordan Romano and Taylor Rogers each had 3 SV+HLD’s over the past week. Kinley and Kennedy have moved into the top setup roles for their respective teams and while I do like Kinley a lot, I worry about the whole Coors effect there.
Injured List
| PITCHER | TIER | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Pomeranz | 3-5 | Flexor Tendon. Starting the year on the 60 day IL so don’t expect to see him until June/July. |
| Nick Anderson | 3-5 | UCL. It’s looking like another potential short season for Nick Anderson, who will be out until (at least) the All-Star break. |
| Ken Giles | 3-5 | Finger tendon injury. Giles was making his way back from TJS this spring before a finger injury derailed him. Expect him back by June |
| Kirby Yates | 3-5 | TJS. Don’t expect to see Yates until after the All-Star break (at the earliest). If he’s back to his normal self, he should be a top 50 RP. |
| Blake Treinen | 3-5 | Shoulder. It was originally deemed as a minor issue, but Treinen still has yet to resume throwing. |
| José Leclerc | 4-6 | TJS. Similar story to Yates, but he has a higher chance to close out games despite a lower overall floor. |
| Jonathan Hernández | 4-6 | TJS. Should also return at some point this season to help boost the Rangers pen, but likely not as a closer. |
| Pete Fairbanks | 4-6 | Torn Lat. Tough break for Fairbanks who will now miss at least 3 months of the season. Look for him to be back around the All-Star break. |
| Trevor May | 4-6 | Arm. Stress reaction will cause May to miss a minimum of 8-12 weeks. |
| Tommy Kahnle | 4-6 | TJS. Kahnle should be ready to go early in the 2022 season, but how he looks or what his role will be remains to be seen. Started rehab assignment this week |
| James Karinchak | 5-6 | Shoulder. A teres muscle strain has shut down Karinchak for the time being, with no timetable to date. Perhaps late May is realistic. |
| Pierce Johnson | 5-6 | Elbow. Elbow’s are never a good injury for a pitcher, so this could be a while. |
| Joe Kelly | 5-7 | Biceps. Kelly is still recovering from the nerve issue injury he sustained in last years NLCS. He should be available at some point in May. |
| Jorge Alcala | 5-7 | Elbow. Alcala landed on the IL after a significant drop in velo during his latest outing. Remains to be seen how long he will be out. |
| Jake Cousins | 5-7 | Elbow Effusion. No timetable yet for Cousins return |
| Josh Taylor | 5-7 | Back. Was one of the Sox best relievers last year and could be back soon. |
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Hi, thanks for publishing these lists each week. Why is Jorge Lopez ranked so low? He seems to be crushing it right now.
How do you Rafael montero so low?
Why do you have Rafael montero so low?
No Anthony Bass?
IP W H BB K SVH ERA WHIP
13 0 7 3 14 6 1.38 0.769
Why is Paul Sewald ranked higher than Devin Williams? Is it worth dropping Williams for it.