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  "description": "Navigating the closer carousel is not easy. But guess what, we do it anyway. We aren't in the business of taking the easy way out, so Ray Kuhn takes a look at the recent bullpen news.",
  "path": "/bullpen-banter-hader-is-back-and-theres-unrest-in-multiple-places/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-07T01:16:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.prospectslive.com",
  "tags": [
    "Bullpen Banter - Prospects LiveProspects LiveRay Kuhn",
    "Josh Hader",
    "Carlos Estevez’s",
    "Lucas Erceg",
    "Alex Lange",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "Hold your breath. With respect to closer movement, this was a relatively quiet week. That doesn’t mean every situation is clear and easy to follow, but we’re going to do our best. The good news, is that we did get a top closer back in action this week.\n\nBullpen Banter - Prospects LiveProspects LiveRay Kuhn\n\n### Houston Astros\n\nPhoto Credit: Jason Fochtman\n\nFor once, we can exhale. Josh Hader is back, and we have one of the best closers in the league picking up saves. While fantasy managers might not agree, the Astros played things correctly and cautiously, by bringing Hader back slowly and prudently. Yes, there were some setbacks, but we still have four months left for Hader to strike out batters and pick up saves. In two games this season, Hader has struck out four batters while not allowing a run. Both appearances came in the ninth inning, and the left-hander picked up the save in his first game. Everything appears to be in order here, and that’s not something we get to say often.\n\n### Kansas City Royals\n\nPhoto Credit: mlb.com\n\nWe know all about Carlos Estevez’s struggles early in the season and current stint on the Injured List. The results were ugly, but he wasn’t 100% either. As of about a week ago, Estevez began throwing again, but it is still likely to be another few weeks until the right-hander returns to action. The good news for those counting on Estevez is that there’s a strong possibility that he returns to the closer’s role. The initial thought is that Lucas Erceg would step into the role with ease. From the perspective of Erceg’s 11 saves, that is certainly correct, but there’s also his 6.45 ERA and 1.97 WHIP that are less than ideal. Yes, Erceg has a 4.44 xERA, but you can’t ignore the impact he’s had on your ratios or his 17.3% walk rate. Despite what the Royals are saying, it’s become clear that there’s a shift, at least temporarily, to Alex Lange. While Lange picked up consecutive saves, he’s not exactly an overpowering or particularly explosive option. He did save 26 games in 2023 with the Tigers, so Lange has some experience in the role, but his 4.18 ERA and his 12.6% walk rate aren’t going to generate incredible optimism. However, at this point, it seems as if Lange is the reliever to target, at least for now.\n\n## Sign up for Prospects Live\n\nYour one stop shop for Dynasty Fantasy Baseball, MLB Draft, Baseball Card & MiLB Baseball content. Blending Data & Scouting into our Player Evaluation\n\nSubscribe\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\nNo spam. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Bullpen Banter - Hader is Back and There's Unrest in Multiple Places",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-07T01:16:14.004Z"
}