Akinori Otsuka returns to the closer role which he handled quite well last season, recording 32 saves in 36 opps with a 7.0/9 K rate, 4.27 K/BB and an 0.4 HR/9. All of those peripherals are good enough to do the job.
His K rate isn't ideal (which, along with a lack of history to back up his strong indicators in 2006 probably pushed to the Rangers to take a chance on Gagne) but last year he limited his walks (1.6/9), threw groundballs (1.8 GB ratio) and he was stingy with the gophers (0.4/9).
To this point this year, all those peripherals have remained solid and he entered last night with a clean 0.00 ERA in 8 appearances over 6 IP with 2 saves and 2 holds. Otsuka is up for the closers role and will do well in Eric's absence. He is a worthwhile claim, if only for the short term, in leagues where he is available. And of course with Gagne's injury history, and spotty start to this season. Otsuka is a nice guy to have around just in case. There is a clear possibility that Otsuka will make a strong push for the job.
As for Gagne's injury, the prognosis is good. He should be able to return when eligible and it is of course unrelated to his surgical history. The question is whether he will have to compete for his save opps when he does.
If you haven't been following the situation in Florida you'll probably be surprised to find that Henry Owens didn't get his first save opp in relief of Jorge Julio until Monday of this week. He struggled with that opp allowing a homer and two doubles before Renyel Pinto came in to strikeout Brian McCann (lefty on lefty) and collect the save. Owens came back last night to collect a win after pitching a perfect 9th inning in a tie game.
Owens remains the Marlin's primary closer by a fairly solid margin, but his grip on the job isn't such that he can string together bad outings in save situations and survive. Hang on to him at this point, but if you own Taylor Tankersley it's not time for you to bail either.
In Cleveland Joe Borowski whipped a walk, stolen base, and a double into his first blow save of the season on Wednesday, further undermining his hold on closing duties for the Tribe.
In 10 IP this year, opponents have hit Joe at a .317 with a .908 OOPS. He does have 12 Ks in those 10 IP but he's also allowed 13 hits and 6 walks (1.90 WHIP), that's not going to work.
Raphael Betancourt has been much more effective in his 8 IP of work this year, striking out 7.8/9 while walking just one hitter. His ERA sits at a nice 2.25 and while he's allowed a .296 OBA to this point and a .692 OOPS, his numbers for the last two seasons have been .224/.611 and .241/662. Raphael will be 32 on Sunday and the Indians comfort level with him has been rising. He's knocking on the door at this point.
Joakim Soria converted his third save of the year last night going 1.2 IP (with the help of a pickoff). This follows the loss he suffered on Tuesday after coming into a tie game in the ninth against the White Sox. Despite that hiccup, he is 3- for -3 in save opps and he remains the teams 1st option at the end of the pen.
Speaking (sort of) of Octavio Dotel (oblique), the press in KC says that his return estimate seems to be settling around mid-May for now.
Salomon Torres is now just 2- for -5 in save opps for the Pirates after blowing last nights save against the Astros.
Enter 6-4, 240lb Matt Capps into the picture. He has allowed just 1 run in 11.1 IP this season holding hitters to a .188 OBA and .379 OOPS. The problem here is a sub-par K-rate for the job. He's fanned 6 for a 4.7 K/9. matt fanned 6.2/9 last year over 80 IP which is better but still only border line for closers and his OBA last year was .299. The bottom line is that the Pirates would like to have Matt build more of a resume before they hand over any save opps, and they'd like Salomon Torres to not force their hand.
Finally Eddie Guardado, the erstwhile Reds closer, recovering from TJS, is expected to throw breaking ball from flat ground today and hopefully from a mound tomorrow. He's expected to make a June return to the big club.
