Injuries and ineffectiveness have shuffled the deck in a couple of MLB bullpens as we take a post-July 4th Closer Look.
Devil Ray's closer Al Reyes was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday with a "mildly"strained rotator cuff. The move was retroactive to July 3rd, which makes Al eligible to return on July 18th. The Rays are hopeful that Reyes will be able to return when eligible but it will be a week or so before we have a solid ETR. It would make sense at this point, based on Al's extensive injury history, to work under the assumption that he will be out longer.
That leaves manager Joe Maddon with Gary Glover as the first option for save opps for now. The 30-year-old, 7-year veteran is an "if I have to option"for the Rays with 1 save and 1 blown save in 182 career appearances. Gary has struck out 5.4/9 over his career and 5.1 this year so far. He has walked 3.1/9 and 3.0 this year. In 2005 with the Brewers, Glover posted an 8.0 K rate over 64.2 IP, by far a career high, so much so that it is hard to see where that came from and how. His career GB ratio is almost flat at .99 and his career WHIP is 1.44 ... No that doesn't spell closer to me either but the Rays can't be picky.
The fact remains that Glover will get whatever save opps the Rays produce between now and the 18th unless he pitches himself out of the role. (The Rays produced 5 save opps in June). If you need saves there will be less than a handful here, for the price of a claim.
In Colorado it looks like Manny Corpas will be the first option out of the pen in save situations for the Rockies during Brian Fuentes' mini-exile. The 24-year-old right-hander is still in his first 100 MLB IP but he has been effective this year posting a 2.63 ERA in 41 IP over 42 appearances.
That ERA is probably better than it should be. Manny has a 1.24 WHIP as a result of a .242 OBA and more importantly a 3.0 BB rate. That should produce something like a 3.70 ERA but he has benefited from a nearly 80% strand percentage. To be fair his strand percentage last year was 79% and his excellent GB ratio, 1.3 in 2005 and an extraordinary 2.4 this year supports that case that he can sustain a higher than average rate. His .290 BHIP percentage is a bit favorable as well, but not worrisome.
Manny also owns a 7.0 K rate. A pitcher that can strikeout guys and throw ground balls effectively is somewhat rare and this all bodes well for his chances to succeed in a closer's role. His 3.0 walk rate is higher than you would like to see but his BB rate was just 2.2 last year with the Rockies (32.1 IP), and 0.98 in 36.2 AA IP last year. You almost have to expect that rate to rebound a bit the rest of the way.
The bottom line again is that Corpas is the guy in line to get the saves and saves are a stat which we are often forced to chase regardless of other columns. It's hard to imagine the Rockies not returning Fuentes to the closer's role as soon as his vital signs stabilize but Corpas has the capability to take the ball and run in this situation. He is worth a claim and only Jorge Julio pressures him from behind. I know where my money is.
Elsewhere ... Phillies closer Brett Myers (shoulder) will work a side session for the big club in Colorado on Saturday in hopes of getting an idea where he is in his rehab. Right now the team expects to have him back with the big club shortly after the ASB, but we'll know more Sunday afternoon ...
Ryan Dempster (strained left oblique) is eligible to return from the DL on Sunday and he says he could be ready. The Cubs however do not seem interested in bringing him back until after the ASB. Ryan says he is past the pain of the injury but the oblique still tugs at him a bit.
Huston Street is throwing, although he hasn't worked from the rubber yet. There is a specific ETR (July 20th) but that date remains fluid at this point. We will keep you posted in our daily reports.
Brad Lidge hoped he would be back by now but his right knee acted up on him and his return has been delayed until at least at the ASB.
