Latest news with #DavidBednar
New York Times
5 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Fantasy bullpen report features concern for closers Mason Miller and Tanner Scott
As spring transitions into summer, so do high-leverage roles in fantasy baseball. After Wednesday's loss in Detroit, Giants manager Bob Melvin announced Camilo Doval will resume closer duties, with Ryan Walker returning to a set-up role. Walker has pitched better of late, but his 1.30 WHIP and reduced swinging strike rate necessitated the change. Doval takes over amid a 19-game scoreless streak, during which he has recorded two wins, three saves, seven holds and 18 strikeouts against five walks (21.7 K-BB percentage) over 18 innings. Advertisement Last week, Texas reliever Luke Jackson was featured in my 'Closer Concerns' section and he has since been removed from save situations by Bruce Bochy. Robert Garcia recorded the first save since this occurred, but based on recent usage patterns, he may be deployed as the highest-leverage reliever (HLR) rather than as a traditional closer. Roles may be settling in for the Pirates, with David Bednar recording the past two saves, but I will continue to list them as a shared save situation in my leverage pathways for at least one more week. In Arizona, Justin Martinez returned from the injured list and will be 'eased' into save chances, while A.J. Puk ramps up his return to pitch protocols with an eye on being activated in late June. With all this in mind, my leverage pathways have been updated. Here are the high-leverage pathway identifiers. Each team will receive one of the following labels: Access The Athletic's guide for abbreviations used in fantasy baseball. Robert Garcia (TEX): Despite allowing a run in three straight appearances between May 18 and 25, he recorded a save on May 27 and was used against Toronto's 2-3-4 lineup pocket the following day. This may designate him as the highest-leverage reliever and the preferred save share moving forward. Kumar Rocker will not be used as a reliever, but Jon Gray could return as one by July. Griffin Jax (MIN): Over his past six games, he has recorded 13 strikeouts against one walk (57.1 K-BB percentage) with a 0.50 WHIP and an 18.9 percent swinging strike rate. Seranthony Dominguez (BAL): He struggled early on incorporating a split-finger fastball into his arsenal, but he has surged in recent appearances, posting a save, a hold, and six strikeouts versus zero walks (42.9 K-BB percentage) in his past three games, spanning four innings. Advertisement Mason Miller (ATH): It's been a rough month for the talented reliever. He has allowed at least a run in four of eight May appearances, and multiple runs in three of those contests. It's resulted in 11 runs (10 earned) across 7.2 innings, including two home runs. Contact has been an issue — he's allowed six barrels in his first 34 batted ball events this season (17.6 barrel percentage) versus seven all of last year across 123 events. His hard-hit rate percentage has risen from 32.5 percent in 2024 to its current 50 percent. What is confusing is he has reduced his contact rate by over five percent, but his Z-contact (in the strike zone) has increased by four percentage points. Delving a bit deeper, his strike percentage has decreased by three percent, and his first-strike percentage sits 6.7 percentage points below last season. Count leverage affected Devin Williams earlier this season and could be the culprit in this scenario as well. Baseball-Reference tracks 3-0 count and 0-2 count percentages: All three home runs Miller has allowed this season have been against his four-seam fastball, which has a .373 expected weighted on-base average with a .532 expected slugging percentage. Fine-tuning his command in the strike zone with the fastball can put him in advantageous counts, allowing him to deploy his devastating slider (27.9 swinging strike percentage in 2025). His current 5.79 ERA is accompanied by a 1.94 SIERA and a 3.41 xERA. This is a broad range of predictors, and his rest-of-the-season results probably lie somewhere between them. Trust in his talent while monitoring his results in June. Reed Garrett (NYM): He hasn't been scored upon in his past seven appearances and recorded a save in the past two. He will not be replacing Edwin Díaz anytime soon, but in mixed leagues, he represents a viable stream option for saves. Ben Casparius (LAD): Across his past three relief outings, he has racked up 10 strikeouts against one walk (56.2 K-BB%) in five innings. In 17 appearances as a reliever this season, he has logged 32.2 innings, with 37 strikeouts against six walks (23.8 K-BB percentage), a 15.1 swinging strike percentage and a 0.98 WHIP. Advertisement Randy Rodríguez (SF): Although Doval will garner most of the attention this week, Rodríguez has been racking up strikeouts. Through 11 games in May, he has recorded two wins and four holds across 12 scoreless frames, with 20 strikeouts versus three walks (40.5 K-BB percentage), a 0.58 WHIP and a robust 21.5 swinging strike percentage. Tanner Scott (LAD): He has allowed multiple runs in three of his past five appearances, including Wednesday's loss and blown save in Cleveland. He has experienced a spike in his batting average on balls in play (BABIP), combined with extended outings where injuries have decimated his leverage ladder. This chart breaks down his results from his first 21 games compared to his past five: There are more whiffs available if he ramps up his slider use, though he has not thrown as many this season. Do not overreact to this small sample, but do monitor how he responds during his outings in June. Here is his rolling-game chart from FanGraphs: *Multi-inning or bridge relievers who can vulture wins and help protect ratios. Statistical Credits (through games played on May 28): and Check out my work at Reliever Recon and Closer Monkey for daily updates. (Photo of Mason Miller: Ross Cameron / Imagn Images)
Newsweek
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies' Quest for Bullpen Help May Lead to $87 Million In-State Solution
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies were already short in the bullpen after Jordan Romano struggled at the start of the season. With Jose Alvarado's suspension, the bullpen is one man shorter. A solution for the Phillies could be across the state in Pittsburgh as the Pirates continue to struggle. David Bednar is reportedly being eyed up by several teams, according to Bob Nightengale. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 14: David Bednar #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 14, 2025 in New York City. The Pirates defeated... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 14: David Bednar #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 14, 2025 in New York City. The Pirates defeated Mets 4-0. More"Teams are scrambling to bolster their bullpens with the influx of injuries around baseball," wrote Nightengale. "The top targets: Kyle Finnegan of the Nationals; Felix Bautista, Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto of the Orioles; David Bednar and Dennis Santana of the Pirates and Anthony Bender of the Marlins." While Santana is mentioned as well for the Pirates, Bednar is expected to be the bigger prize as a result of being a two-time All-Star. The Pirates closer holds a 5.17 ERA entering Monday, but that is largely due to being awful earlier in the season. Bednar has allowed just five runs in his last 11 outings, totaling 9 2/3 innings. Being sent to Triple-A Indianapolis allowed him to reset, and the Pirates are seeing performances they are used to seeing from Bednar. The 30-year-old closer would be owed the remainder of $5.9 million by the Phillies this season before heading to his final year of arbitration next season. With the market likely to shift to a sellers' market once again, the Phillies may have to give up more than they would like for Bednar or any closer. Pittsburgh would love to pry away Mick Abel from the Phillies, but the Pirates have a plethora of pitching depth in the minors themselves. Expect the Pirates to be asking for outfielder Justin Crawford (Phillies No. 3 prospect) as the starting piece. More MLB: Phillies Slugger Kyle Schwarber Turning Into 'Lefty Killer' in Contract Year
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates Preview: Can Bailey Falter Lead Bucs to Series Win Over Brewers?
This article originally appeared on The Pittsburgh Pirates squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday for their second-straight win. Oneil Cruz had a clutch RBI triple in the seventh after Mitch Keller delivered another strong start. David Bednar converted his fifth save of the season. Advertisement The Pirates (19-34) will look to take the four-game series on Sunday afternoon against the Brewers (25-28). Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Oneil Cruz powers Pirates to another 1-run win over Brewers
May 24 - Oneil Cruz recorded two hits, including a go-ahead RBI triple, to propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday afternoon. One day after hitting two home runs to help the Pirates defeat the Brewers by one run, Cruz was instrumental in making that happen again. He roped a line drive off reliever Tyler Alexander (2-5) in the seventh that reached the right-center wall to drive in Isiah Kiner-Falefa with the eventual winning run. The Brewers mounted a rally in the ninth. Third baseman Caleb Durbin entered the inning with three hits, but reached base as the leadoff man by getting hit on the hand by David Bednar's 96-mph fastball. Two batters later, Joey Ortiz singled for his third hit of the game. Bednar recovered by inducing Brice Turang to hit into a game-ending 6-3 double play to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Brewers, who lost for the third time in four games, mustered 11 hits but few in clutch situations. Milwaukee loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and the game 1-1, but could not score. Turang grounded into a fielder's choice as Sal Frelick was forced out at home. Chase Shugart (3-3) relieved Caleb Ferguson and induced an inning-ending fly out to right by Jackson Chourio. The Brewers left nine on base for the game. Neither starter factored in the decision, but both put together quality starts. Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller allowed one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings. Milwaukee's Quinn Priester, who made his first career start against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2019, gave up one run on six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over six innings. Bryan Reynolds singled with two outs in the bottom of the first and Spencer Horwitz, who had two hits, followed with an RBI double to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The Brewers tied the game in the top of the second when Durbin singled to center to drive in Christian Yelich, who singled and stole second with two outs. --Field Level Media
Associated Press
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Oneil Cruz's late RBI triple gives Pirates 2-1 victory over Milwaukee
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Oneil Cruz tripled home Isiah Kiner-Falefa with two outs in the seventh inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Saturday. Kiner-Falefa singled off Tyler Alexander (2-5) with one out and Cruz followed two batters later by sending a shot to the gap in right-center field. The 6-foot-7 Cruz — coming off the first multihomer game of his career in a victory Friday night — slid head-first into third, then popped up to celebrate. Spencer Horwitz added two hits and drove in a run for the Pirates, who have won four of five. Chase Shugart (3-3) came on with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and got Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio on a fly ball to right to end the threat. David Bednar worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the ninth for his fifth save. Caleb Durbin had three hits for the Brewers. Christian Yelich added two singles, but Milwaukee left nine men on base to lose for the third time in four games. Pirates starter Mitch Keller pitched six stellar innings, allowing a run and seven hits with seven strikeouts. Yet Pittsburgh, as it has done consistently this season when Keller is on the mound, struggled to take advantage. Keller has received the lowest run support of any starter in the majors, and when he left, the game was tied at 1 thanks to a solid effort by Quinn Priester. Priester, taken with the 18th overall selection by Pittsburgh in 2019 before being sent to Boston at last year's trade deadline, kept his former team in check over a season-high six innings. Key moment Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier made a slick spinning throw home for a force-out with the bases loaded in the seventh to keep the game tied. Key stat 364 — The number of career strikeouts by Keller at PNC Park, the most by a Pirates pitcher since the ballpark tucked against the Allegheny River opened in 2001. Up next The series wraps up Sunday. Pittsburgh's Bailey Falter (3-3, 3.50) has allowed just one earned run in his last 23 1/3 innings. Rookie Logan Henderson (3-0, 1.69) gets the nod for the Brewers. ___ AP MLB:
