Scott Barlow, Aroldis Chapman, Emmanuel Clase, Clay Holmes, Daniel Hudson, Andrew Kittredge, Joel Payamps, David Robertson, and Abner Uribe all have three SV+HLD’s since last Thursday. Hudson and Kittredge feel like the outliers here as neither had value last season in limited innings. Hudson still isn’t back to the velo we saw from him in 2022 (down two mph) but the slider is still a plus pitch and he’s in a good situation with an elite team. Kittredge is likely more of a secondary setup option with the Cardinals but should also be a steady ratio booster even when not racking up holds.
Notes
- Justin Slaten, Tyler Holton, and Kirby Yates all join the list this week. Slaten has three above-average offerings and there’s an argument to be made he has the best stuff of anyone in the Red Sox bullpen right now. Holton is part of a Tigers bullpen that has been suffocating batters through the first week. The lefty doesn’t throw hard, but he does have an interesting six-pitch mix to keep hitters off balance. Yates hasn’t walked anyone yet! But he also could move up the depth chart with José Leclerc struggling.
- Rafael Montero, Will Smith, and Jonathan Loáisiga all fall off the list this week. Montero is still a fringe top-100 option, there’s just not a ton of upside here unless he changes some things and/or the Astros bullpen has a rash of injuries. Smith has been terrible as the Royals closer and his velo is down over two mph. Loaisiga landed on the 60 day IL today and may be out for the season.
- The trio of new closers on the list this week have been impressive, with Jason Foley as the head of the class. Foley continues to see success in the ninth inning for the Tigers, and despite what A.J. Hinch might say, Foley is looking like his full-time closer. Abner Uribe has looked great so far, and as long as he doesn’t get into trouble with walks, he should be a top-15 closer at least as long as Devin Williams is out. Michael Kopech survived his first save attempt, but the positives here are that he is throwing 100 mph again.
- Evan Phillips also has three SV’s to join that group from above (one save came in the Korea series). Of the league leaders in SV+HLD’s, since the season technically started a few weeks ago, Phillips would be my favorite of the group.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series.
Injured List
| PITCHER | TIER | INJURY. NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Williams | 1-2 | Back. Likely out until after the All-Star break, and maybe longer. |
| Jhoan Duran | 2 | Oblique. Moderate strains typically take 6-8 weeks, so Durans likely out until about mid-May. |
| Robert Stephenson | 3-4 | Shoulder. He’s throwing but still has no timetable to return. Hopeful for late April/early May. |
| Matt Brash | 3-4 | Elbow. Able to complete bullpens at this point, so a late April return is possible. |
| Jordan Romano | 3-4 | Elbow. Already ramping up bullpens and could return in two weeks. |
| Paul Sewald | 3-4 | Oblique. Similar to Duran, grade 2 strain likely keeps Sewald out until late May/early June. |
| Erik Swanson | 5 | Forearm. Behind Romano in his recovery, but could still return by late April. |
| Orion Kerkering | 5-6 | Illness. Labeled as a “forearm” injury, Kerkering is just working on building up strength. Should return in April. |
| Tommy Kahnle | 6 | Shoulder. Could be close to facing hitters and has a chance to return later in April. |
| Gregory Santos | 6 | Lat. Could begin throwing again soon, but an April return at this point seems unlikely still. |
| Brusdar Graterol | 6-7 | Shoulder. Dave Roberts confirmed Graterol isn’t close to returning, but there’s been no talk of a 60 day IL stint yet. |
| Keynan Middleton | 6-7 | Forearm. Should begin throwing again soon, and could return in early May. |
| Justin Topa | 7-8 | Knee. Sounds like its a minor injury Topa actually wanted to pitch through. He could be back later this month. |
| Colin Holderman | 7-8 | Illness. Throwing live batting practice soon and could return in April. |
| Blake Treinen | 7-8 | Lung. Facing an extended absence after being hit in the chest with a line drive. |