Latest news with #Clase
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Blue Jays quick hits: Tampa bandbox isn't so hitter friendly for visitors at the 50-game mark
The Blue Jays might have won the Grapefruit League title earlier this spring, but wins in Florida are a lot harder to come by during the regular season. With Tropicana Field still not operational following damage to the roof during last year's hurricane, the Jays made their first trip this season to nearby George Steinbrenner Field for a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The minor-league park is known as very hitter friendly, but someone forgot to tell the Jays, who had their three-game win streak snapped with a 3-1 loss on Friday night. That dropped the Jays' record to 25-25 and moved them back into a tie with the Boston Red Sox for second place in the American League East. Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen struck out three across six scoreless innings to earn the victory. The loss went to Jays lefty Eric Lauer, who surrendered three runs on six hits and a pair of walks during his second official start of the season. Here's everything you need to know about the game: The Jays appeared to have something going in the top of the third when Jonatan Clase hit a one-out double off Rasmussen. Nathan Lukes followed with a single to left that was hit too hard to score the speedy Clase. That should have put runners on the corners for the top of the order, but Lukes made an ill-advised decision to make a run for second. Catcher Danny Jansen threw a strike to second baseman Brandon Lowe for the easy out. Bo Bichette then stepped into the box and flew out to right, which ended the inning without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting to the plate. Lauer escaped a couple of early jams but got into more trouble in the third. Lowe, who homered twice in last week's series against the Jays, went deep again on a 2-and-1 slider. The two-run shot was Lowe's ninth of the season and put the Rays in front by two. Curtis Mead added a solo homer in the fourth when he lifted a 2-and-0 cutter over the wall in left. Lauer has made five appearances for the Jays this season and has yet to complete five innings in any of them. The Jays had opportunities to score in almost every inning; they just didn't do anything with them. In the fourth, Addison Barger struck out to strand a pair of runners. In the fifth, two runners were on when Bichette hit a scorching 110-m.p.h. grounder to third. Junior Caminero made a highlight-reel grab, then started a double-play to end the inning. In the seventh, Rays reliever Mason Montgomery walked the bases loaded with nobody out and yet the Jays settled for just one run, after Clase hit into a double-play and Lukes flew out to centre. In the eighth, they had two runners on before Alejandro Kirk grounded out to second. The Jays finished 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners.
NBC Sports
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Phillies turn back to Jordan Romano following suspension to José Alvarado
In this week's Closer Report, Jordan Romano is thrust back into the closer role in Philadelphia following José Alvarado's 80-game suspension. Meanwhile, the Yankees aren't ready to hand ninth-inning opportunities back to Devin Williams yet with Luke Weaver holding things down. All that and more as we break down the week in saves. Tier 1: At the Top Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners Josh Hader - Houston Astros Mason Miller - Athletics Muñoz struck out one batter while recording a four-out save on Saturday against the Padres, then struck out the only batter he faced for his 15th save Monday against the White Sox. He collected save number 16 with a scoreless outing on Wednesday. The 26-year-old right-hander has started the season on a 21 2/3-inning scoreless streak with a 28/8 K/BB ratio. Hader recorded saves on back-to-back days this week against the Rangers and Rays. The 31-year-old left-hander is up to 12 on the season to go with a 1.71 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and a 29/5 K/BB ratio across 21 innings. Miller took the loss in extra innings on Saturday against the Giants, issuing three walks to end the game in the bottom of the tenth. He's struggled a bit with command of late, walking seven batters over his last four outings. Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers Jhoan Duran - Minnesota Twins Edwin Díaz - New York Mets No action for Suarez this week. He remains at 15 saves with a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a 21/8 K/BB ratio across 19 innings. Elsewhere in the NL West, Scott had given up just one run since April 1 before allowing three runs on a pair of homers against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He then bounced back with two strikeouts in a clean inning for his tenth save on Wednesday. Duran was charged with a blown save on Wednesday, giving up a run on two hits against the Guardians. He fell in line for the win when Minnesota walked it off in the bottom of the ninth. He had gone into Wednesday's outing on a 12-game scoreless streak, collecting six of his eight saves in May. Díaz struck out two batters in a clean inning against the Yankees on Saturday for his tenth save of the season. He's made nine straight scoreless appearances, recording a 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 27/9 K/BB ratio over 19 innings this season. Emmanuel Clase - Cleveland Guardians Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals Luke Weaver - New York Yankees Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves Ryan Walker - San Francisco Giants Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals Félix Bautista - Baltimore Orioles Will Vest/Tommy Kahnle - Detroit Tigers Clase struck out two batters in a non-save situation against the Reds on Saturday. The Guardians then put a save chance just out of reach on Wednesday, with Clase pitching the ninth with a four-run lead. Helsley tossed a clean inning against the Royals on Saturday for his ninth save. After struggling to limit walks for a stretch, he's now walked zero batters in seven of his last eight outings. Weaver got the easiest two saves a closer could ask for this week, needing only two pitches to record the final out in each of his two save opportunities. He then picked up a win with a clean inning against the Rangers on Wednesday. He's up to six saves with a 0.42 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, and a 22/6 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings. Despite Devin Williams pitching much better of late, the team has stated there are no plans to put him back in the closer role, for now. Hoffman fell in line for a win Saturday with a scoreless inning against the Tigers. He then struck out one batter in a clean frame against the Padres on Tuesday for his tenth save. It's a start on the right track after giving up five runs against the Rays on May 13. It was a productive week for Chapman as he earned a win Saturday, followed by back-to-back saves on Monday and Tuesday against the Mets. The 37-year-old veteran left-hander is up to eight saves with a 1.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 26/7 K/BB ratio across 19 frames. Megill worked two scoreless innings for a pair of saves this week against the Twins and Orioles. He then pitched the tenth against Baltimore on Wednesday and gave up an unearned run. The 31-year-old right-hander has been solid in his first season as a closer, recording seven saves with a 2.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 17/8 K/BB ratio across 15 1/3 innings. Fairbanks made two scoreless appearances this week in non-save situations. He hasn't recorded a save since May 4. However, it's been mostly situational with the team putting save chances just out of reach as they did Wednesday, taking a four-run lead into the ninth. Iglesias has struggled a bit with a 7.84 ERA over the last month, going 4-for-6 in save chances in that stretch. He picked up two in the last week with back-to-back saves against the Nationals and Red Sox. Walker picked up two saves this week, giving him nine on the season with a 5.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 16/7 K/BB ratio across 18 innings. He's been much better over the last week with three perfect outings. Finnegan continues to get things done for the Nationals. He added two saves over the last week. The 33-year-old right-hander is up to 15 with a 2.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 17/7 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings. Bautista blew a save chance Wednesday against the Brewers, giving up one run on two walks and a hit. It was his fourth consecutive outing with at least one run allowed after a nine-game scoreless streak. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 4.30 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and a 17/11 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 innings while converting 7-of-8 save chances. Vest was charged with a blown save, allowing an inherited runner to score in the eighth inning on Saturday against the Blue Jays. He then locked down a save with a scoreless inning Sunday and earned the win after pitching the eighth Tuesday against the Cardinals. Kahnle pitched the ninth on Tuesday and is up to six saves to Vest's five, though Vest seems to be the preferred option over the last month. Jordan Romano - Philadelphia Phillies Emilio Pagan - Cincinnati Reds Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals Shelby Miller - Arizona Diamondbacks David Bednar/Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates Luke Jackson - Texas Rangers We got some shocking news this week when José Alvarado was handed an 80-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy. The suspension will keep the 30-year-old left-hander out until August and make him ineligible for the postseason. Romano seems to have fixed his issues just in time to take over as the team's closer. He's picked up three saves over the last two weeks and has not allowed a run over his last eight appearances. After giving up three runs and taking the loss on May 13 against the White Sox, Pagán bounced back this week with three consecutive saves against the Guardians. He's up to 12 on the year with a 3.52 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 26/6 K/BB ratio across 23 innings. Jansen had a busy week on the mound, pitching in four out of five games and collecting three saves. Three of the four outings were scoreless. The 37-year-old right-hander is up to ten saves with a 5.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 15/3 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings. Estévez worked a pair of scoreless outings for two saves this week to give him 14 this season. The 32-year-old right-hander has pitched well over the last month, issuing just one walk over his last 11 outings. Miller got save chances on three consecutive days this week. He pitched a scoreless inning against the Rockies on Sunday, then recorded the final out against the Dodgers on Monday before blowing the save in extra innings on Tuesday. It hasn't come easily for the Diamondbacks in the late innings, but they should be getting some help with Justin Martinez set to return from the injured list by the end of the week. Bednar and Santana have operated as a closer duo in Pittsburgh. Bednar recorded a save on Tuesday against the Reds before Santana got the opportunity on Wednesday, with both locking down saves. Jackson returned after missing nearly a week recovering from a hand injury after getting hit by a comebacker. He worked around a walk with one strikeout in a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Astros on Sunday before giving up a walk-off homer in a tie game Wednesday against the Yankees. Ryan Pressly/Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs Jesus Tinoco - Miami Marlins Zach Agnos - Colorado Rockies Jordan Leasure - Chicago White Sox Just as we thought Porter Hodge would be getting his opportunity to take over as the Cubs' closer, he landed on the 15-day injured list with an oblique injury. Palencia got two save chances on Monday and Wednesday. He blew the opportunity Monday before locking down his first save Wednesday against the Marlins. Pressly could also factor back into the ninth-inning mix until Hodge returns. Ronny Henriquez is quietly putting together an excellent season in the Marlins' bullpen. The 24-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Twins in February after posting a 3.26 ERA over 19 1/3 innings in Minnesota last season. The young righty has found something that's clicked for him this season as he's seen a drastic increase in his strikeout rate behind higher usage of his slider. After posting an 18.3% strikeout rate last season, he's striking out 30% of batters this year while recording a 1.99 ERA and six holds over 22 2/3 innings in Miami. With so much in flux in their bullpen, it wouldn't be shocking to see Henriquez put his name into the closer mix if he keeps up this level of production. In Milwaukee, Abner Uribe has been one of the best setup men in baseball, recording 12 holds with a 1.19 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 32/10 K/BB ratio across 22 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old right-hander had a busy week on the mound, picking up a hold, a win, and a save for the Brewers while striking out the side in back-to-back outings.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Brief: Will the top closer by ADP bounce back?
Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don scans for save sources and provides updates to unsettled or intriguing bullpens. Justin Martinez seemingly solidified his role as Arizona's closer after A.J. Puk went on the IL, but Martinez's status should be monitored after he was unavailable Sunday due to 'fatigue.' He ranks third in SIERA (1.06) and eighth in CSW (36.3%) among 215 qualified relievers, and Puk is sidelined with left elbow inflammation. Martinez can be a top 10 (if not top five) fantasy closer if he's good to go. Aroldis Chapman remains effective and the favorite for saves in Boston, but he's been used in high-leverage situations during the Red Sox's last two wins. Justin Slaten will continue to pick up ancillary saves when matchups dictate, but Chapman is still the preferred fantasy option. Boston is second in the league in save chances, so there will be ample opportunities. Ryan Pressly's leash on Chicago's closer's role likely lengthened after Porter Hodge surrendered six earned runs while recording just two outs during Friday's appearance. Pressly owns an ugly -2.1 K-BB%, so regression will come if he doesn't start pitching better. But Pressly hasn't allowed an earned run over eight straight appearances and is on pace to finish with 14 wins and 27 saves in the early going. The White Sox have remarkably yet to record a save this season (with an MLB-low two opportunities), and their bullpen can continue to be ignored in fantasy leagues. Emilio Pagán suffered his first blown save last week, but Alexis Díaz was hit hard Monday (three earned runs allowed) during his third appearance since returning off the IL. Díaz now sports a hideous -10.0 K-BB% and a disgusting 7.68 SIERA. Meanwhile, Pagán sports a 0.48 WHIP and a 22.2 K-BB%. Manager Terry Francona has previously stated he prefers Díaz to close, but Pagán looks like the clear favorite for saves in Cincinnati. He's available in 65% of Yahoo leagues. It took fewer than seven innings for Emmanuel Clase to allow more earned runs this season (six) than he did all of 2024 (74.1 innings). There are many factors involving Clase's rough start, highlighted by last season's .195 BABIP skyrocketing to .487. That's top five to bottom three. Considering his career BABIP is .259, and his expected BABIP is .302, regression should hit hard. Clase's K% is also down from 24.4 last year to 17.0 in 2025, so don't expect a league-leading ERA like last season, but he's due for much better fortune moving forward. Cade Smith, who picked up a save Monday with Clase unavailable having thrown three consecutive days, looms as an alternative if needed. But Clase's job security likely remains strong, so he's a buy-low candidate in fantasy trades. Tommy Kahnle was brought in during the eighth inning Sunday to face the Royals' 2-3-4 hitters, so he's still used in high-leverage situations and not just closing. But he's emerged as the clear favorite for saves in Detroit's bullpen, especially after Jason Foley (who was pitching well in Triple-A) was forced to the IL with a right shoulder strain. Kahnle has durability concerns himself (he was held out of Monday's save opportunity having pitched three of the previous four days), and he's thrown his changeup a whopping 85.5% of his pitches, but he remains highly effective (2.28 SIERA) when healthy. Kahnle is available in nearly 70% of Yahoo leagues. The Marlins have recorded just four saves all season combined by three different relievers. Anthony Bender (5.3 K-BB%), Calvin Faucher (3.0%) and Jesús Tinoco (-4.2%) are all uninspiring options in a committee, so most fantasy managers can ignore this situation. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Trevor Megill converted a save opportunity over the weekend after undergoing an MRI and receiving a second opinion on a knee injury. Megill remains the clear favorite for saves in Milwaukee, but his velocity has been a bit down, and it's possible the knee issues return. Future closer Craig Yoho was called up Monday, while Abner Uribe has emerged as the Brewers' most likely next option to close should they need an alternative. Uribe entered 2025 far healthier than last season, and he's responded with a 2.08 SIERA and a 34.1% CSW. Uribe is available in more than 90% of Yahoo leagues, but he has real fantasy upside should his role change. Devin Williams has struggled mightily after getting traded to the Yankees, as he sports a 9.00 ERA (5.20 SIERA) with a 2.4 K-BB%. Both his K% (19.5) and his BB% (17.1) are easily career worsts. Williams' .423 BABIP is sure to come down significantly, but his velocity (93.8 mph) and Stuff+ (104) are also career lows, and his poor start has come with a 0.0 HR/FB%. Williams' SwStr% on his changeup has dropped from 23.3% last season down to 10.8% this year. Yankees fans are already concerned that Williams is struggling to handle the New York media, but his problems look correctable, and we are still talking about just 8.0 innings. Luke Weaver (35%) is the alternative, but Williams' role as closer appears secure. Dennis Santana (18%) looks like the current favorite for saves in Pittsburgh's pen, but David Bednar (39%) is the better long-term add/stash. Santana owns a 5.4 K-BB% and a 4.65 SIERA, while Bednar is one season removed from recording a National League-high 39 saves with a 2.00 ERA. Bednar struggled last season and early in 2025, but his defense deserved some of the blame for his trip back to the minors. Bednar fired five scoreless innings with a 0.20 WHIP and a 43.8 K-BB% in Triple-A, so he's seemingly 'reset.' Bednar will likely get an opportunity to close again in Pittsburgh soon, and he's available in more than 60% of Yahoo leagues.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Brief: Will the top closer by ADP bounce back?
Fantasy baseball analyst Dalton Del Don scans for save sources and provides updates to unsettled or intriguing bullpens. Justin Martinez seemingly solidified his role as Arizona's closer after A.J. Puk went on the IL, but Martinez's status should be monitored after he was unavailable Sunday due to 'fatigue.' He ranks third in SIERA (1.06) and eighth in CSW (36.3%) among 215 qualified relievers, and Puk is sidelined with left elbow inflammation. Martinez can be a top 10 (if not top five) fantasy closer if he's good to go. Aroldis Chapman remains effective and the favorite for saves in Boston, but he's been used in high-leverage situations during the Red Sox's last two wins. Justin Slaten will continue to pick up ancillary saves when matchups dictate, but Chapman is still the preferred fantasy option. Boston is second in the league in save chances, so there will be ample opportunities. Ryan Pressly's leash on Chicago's closer's role likely lengthened after Porter Hodge surrendered six earned runs while recording just two outs during Friday's appearance. Pressly owns an ugly -2.1 K-BB%, so regression will come if he doesn't start pitching better. But Pressly hasn't allowed an earned run over eight straight appearances and is on pace to finish with 14 wins and 27 saves in the early going. The White Sox have remarkably yet to record a save this season (with an MLB-low two opportunities), and their bullpen can continue to be ignored in fantasy leagues. Emilio Pagán suffered his first blown save last week, but Alexis Díaz was hit hard Monday (three earned runs allowed) during his third appearance since returning off the IL. Díaz now sports a hideous -10.0 K-BB% and a disgusting 7.68 SIERA. Meanwhile, Pagán sports a 0.48 WHIP and a 22.2 K-BB%. Manager Terry Francona has previously stated he prefers Díaz to close, but Pagán looks like the clear favorite for saves in Cincinnati. He's available in 65% of Yahoo leagues. It took fewer than seven innings for Emmanuel Clase to allow more earned runs this season (six) than he did all of 2024 (74.1 innings). There are many factors involving Clase's rough start, highlighted by last season's .195 BABIP skyrocketing to .487. That's top five to bottom three. Considering his career BABIP is .259, and his expected BABIP is .302, regression should hit hard. Clase's K% is also down from 24.4 last year to 17.0 in 2025, so don't expect a league-leading ERA like last season, but he's due for much better fortune moving forward. Cade Smith, who picked up a save Monday with Clase unavailable having thrown three consecutive days, looms as an alternative if needed. But Clase's job security likely remains strong, so he's a buy-low candidate in fantasy trades. Tommy Kahnle was brought in during the eighth inning Sunday to face the Royals' 2-3-4 hitters, so he's still used in high-leverage situations and not just closing. But he's emerged as the clear favorite for saves in Detroit's bullpen, especially after Jason Foley (who was pitching well in Triple-A) was forced to the IL with a right shoulder strain. Kahnle has durability concerns himself (he was held out of Monday's save opportunity having pitched three of the previous four days), and he's thrown his changeup a whopping 85.5% of his pitches, but he remains highly effective (2.28 SIERA) when healthy. Kahnle is available in nearly 70% of Yahoo leagues. The Marlins have recorded just four saves all season combined by three different relievers. Anthony Bender (5.3 K-BB%), Calvin Faucher (3.0%) and Jesús Tinoco (-4.2%) are all uninspiring options in a committee, so most fantasy managers can ignore this situation. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Trevor Megill converted a save opportunity over the weekend after undergoing an MRI and receiving a second opinion on a knee injury. Megill remains the clear favorite for saves in Milwaukee, but his velocity has been a bit down, and it's possible the knee issues return. Future closer Craig Yoho was called up Monday, while Abner Uribe has emerged as the Brewers' most likely next option to close should they need an alternative. Uribe entered 2025 far healthier than last season, and he's responded with a 2.08 SIERA and a 34.1% CSW. Uribe is available in more than 90% of Yahoo leagues, but he has real fantasy upside should his role change. Devin Williams has struggled mightily after getting traded to the Yankees, as he sports a 9.00 ERA (5.20 SIERA) with a 2.4 K-BB%. Both his K% (19.5) and his BB% (17.1) are easily career worsts. Williams' .423 BABIP is sure to come down significantly, but his velocity (93.8 mph) and Stuff+ (104) are also career lows, and his poor start has come with a 0.0 HR/FB%. Williams' SwStr% on his changeup has dropped from 23.3% last season down to 10.8% this year. Yankees fans are already concerned that Williams is struggling to handle the New York media, but his problems look correctable, and we are still talking about just 8.0 innings. Luke Weaver (35%) is the alternative, but Williams' role as closer appears secure. Dennis Santana (18%) looks like the current favorite for saves in Pittsburgh's pen, but David Bednar (39%) is the better long-term add/stash. Santana owns a 5.4 K-BB% and a 4.65 SIERA, while Bednar is one season removed from recording a National League-high 39 saves with a 2.00 ERA. Bednar struggled last season and early in 2025, but his defense deserved some of the blame for his trip back to the minors. Bednar fired five scoreless innings with a 0.20 WHIP and a 43.8 K-BB% in Triple-A, so he's seemingly 'reset.' Bednar will likely get an opportunity to close again in Pittsburgh soon, and he's available in more than 60% of Yahoo leagues.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emmanuel Clase looks like All-Star self in Guardians walk-off win over Minnesota Twins
CLEVELAND — Lost amid the Guardians' 2-1 walk-off win over the Minnesota Twins on April 29 was the return to form of closer Emmanuel Clase. While fans celebrated Kyle Manzardo's home run to right to end things, Clase looked more like the two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year and less like the 27-year old who struggled at the beginning of the 2025 season. Advertisement 'He's our closer,' Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. 'I've been saying it all year and I'm going to continue to say it.' Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase has looked solid in his last two outings. Vogt didn't need to reiterate it as much as Clase, who had been fighting discomfort in his right shoulder, showed it. On April 20, Clase gave up four hits, a walk and three runs, all earned, in an inning of work against Pittsburgh during a 5-4 win. What a week of rest has done for Emmanuel Clase Guardians brass decided to let him heal a bit and put Cade Smith in the closer role while Clase recovered. While it's just a small sample size, the returns have been solid. Clase pitched one inning of scoreless ball on April 26 and notched two strikeouts in the eighth inning of a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. Advertisement On April 29, Clase (4-0) picked up the win when he came on in the ninth of a one-all game. 'Being able to have him out there, it puts a lot of ease of the guys in the field's minds,' catcher Bo Naylor said. 'Just being able to see him work, continue to go out there, pound the zone and be the guy that we've come to know in this game, it's huge. I was super happy for him.' Defense comes through for Guards reliever Emmanuel Clase That feeling was probably mutual for Clase. Ty France put a runner on first with one out on a single to left, prompting Twins manager Rocco Baldelli to bring in DaShawn Keirsey Jr. as a pinch runner. Naylor threw out Keirsey trying to steal on the next pitch and Jonah Bride fouled out to end the threat. Advertisement That allowed Clase to work his fifth outing in the last six without allowing a run as the Guardians look to the right-hander to return to his All-Star ways. 'It was a great team win, defensively,' Vogt said. 'We obviously got the two homers (Naylor hit one in the third inning). It was a really fun game.' Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@ and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Emmanuel Clase works second straight scoreless inning for Guardians
