Bullpen Banter - Scott is ready...a year later

At what point do you just throw up your hands? Giving up isn’t an option or the answer, but things aren’t getting any easier. Bullpens are just a mess. The hierarchies are as clear as mud, and situations change at the drop of a hat. And then we have the injuries.

Bullpen Banter - Prospects LiveProspects LiveRay Kuhn

Since we last met, much has changed. Let’s take a spin through baseball and dig into some closer situations that have attracted my attention. Just be aware that all it takes is the wind to blow for everything to get turned on its head. That’s why it’s important to stay up to date with all the news through X and our great Playing Time tracker.

Atlanta Braves

Robert Suarez (Photo Credit: Dale Zanine)

I guess it’s a good thing to have an All-Star closer in reserve. That’s the prevailing sentiment in Atlanta after Raisel Iglesias seemingly slept wrong and injured his shoulder. It was bad enough to require a stint on the Injured List, but the good news is that an MRI didn’t reveal any structural issues. That means it’s inflammation we have to worry about, which should lead to a relatively short time in the closer’s role for Robert Suarez.

From the perspective of Suarez, that’s the only thing that should keep the investment down to a relatively manageable number. If Iglesias was going to be out longer, or there was the thought he would be, then Suarez would really be an easy addition. That doesn’t mean we should ignore him, but what level of investment do we put on two or three weeks of saves? Of course, that all changes, though, if Iglesias has a setback. The track of success is clear for Suarez. That has continued into 2026, as Suarez had a 0.93 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings entering play on Wednesday. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue, as he picked up his second save of the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Tanner Scott (Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times)

Will we ever get nice things? Drafting Edwin Diaz in the early rounds should have been an easy decision while locking down 30-35 saves and one of the top closers in the game. Instead, Diaz is now rehabbing from elbow surgery and is likely going to be out for the next two to three months. When Diaz was previously struggling and dealing with health issues, before heading to the Injured List, it was Alex Vesia who stepped in. Now that this is a long-term situation, it figures to be a commitment between Vesia and last year’s failed closer acquisition.

Things are going a lot better for Tanner Scott this season. Through 9.2 innings, Scott has a 0.93 ERA while striking out nine batters. That pairs well with Vesia, who has two saves on the season and has yet to allow a run in 8.2 innings of work. The issue, though, is that both are left-handed, although Scott has more overall closing experience. That gives him the edge, but if the Dodgers decide to play the matchups, Blake Treinen might factor in as well. Scott picked up the save on Thursday, and that’s where the initial focus should be.

Chicago Cubs

Caleb Thielbar (Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski)

Although he only picked up one save, it was a smooth start to the season for Daniel Palencia. In five innings, Palencia has yet to allow a run while picking up a save and striking out five batters. While he was the clear closer in Chicago and a popular rising commodity late in draft season, Palencia was also the last man standing in the Cubs' bullpen. With Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton also on the Injured List, that means options for saves are limited. On Saturday, Caleb Thielbar picked up the first available save as two left-handed hitters were due up for the New York Mets in the ninth inning. While both were pinch-hit for, Thielbar still locked down the save.

Despite that, Ben Brown was still thought of as the favorite for saves. Chicago’s next save opportunity came on Tuesday, and again, it was Thielbar who got the call. He entered mid-inning after Jacob Webb got into trouble in a non-save situation. The veteran now has two wins and two saves with a 2.08 ERA over 11.2 innings. With a 2.70 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, Brown has also found success this season with 15 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Brown pick up a save or two until Palencia returns, but the latter’s absence isn’t expected to be lengthy as he’s already progressing well. If you added Brown, I’m not sure I’d move on just for the sake of moving on. Thielbar is also worth an investment, but a modest one.

The problem with that logic, though, is that Brown was used as a bulk reliever on Wednesday behind Matt Boyd. Brown pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out five. It continues to be a successful season for Brown, but it’s becoming clear the Cubs value him more in a multi-inning capacity, while the veteran Thielbar handles the ninth inning on a temporary basis. In what has become a walking contradiction, it might be a very temporary situation for Thielbar. After allowing a tie-breaking home run in the ninth inning on Thursday, the left-hander left with a trainer. To what degree his leg injury will keep him sidelined remains to be seen, but by default, it almost has to be Brown.

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