Due to the Yankees and Nationals game ending early due to the rain, we didn’t get to see any relievers in game one of our Opening Day doubleheader. After that, we saw some impressive outings from Pedro Baez and Adam Kolarek, who will need to adapt this season after strictly being a LOOGY in the past. Tyler Rogers was handed a loss after allowing 3 runs in the 7th inning but there’s no need to move him down after one bad outing.
Notes
- Aroldis Chapman is getting closer to returning and just needs to test negative twice before he’s allowed to rejoin the team. That could happen in the next few days or in a few weeks, making this ranking a bit aggressive, but once he is cleared to return, he should be about a week away from pitching in games. He’s still a difference-maker when healthy and on the mound and needs to be stashed in all leagues.
- With the departures of Will Harris and Hector Rondon, as well as Joe Smith opting out, the Astros bullpen has taken a huge hit this year. Bryan Abreu figures to be the first in line to replace those losses, and he should excel in the role. I’ve said it before, but he is definitely my favorite rookie reliever to watch this season (not counting Kwang-hyun Kim).
- With Hunter Harvey landing on the IL, Mychal Givens should have the closer role to himself for as long as he is in Baltimore. With just a 60 game schedule and 16 teams slated to make the postseason this year, I’d expect trade activity at the deadline to be at an all-time low. The Orioles may be one of if not the only team that sells pieces at the deadline, and more than half the league could be interested in adding Givens to their bullpen for a September/October push.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)