Sean Doolittle joins injured closers to watch in spring training

Brad Pinkerton

Sean Doolittle joins injured closers to watch in spring training image

Fantasy baseball owners looking for saves sleepers already have plenty of closer injury updates to track in spring training.  

Add to that list Oakland's Sean Doolittle, who is slated to be the A's closer after missing most of the 2015 season with a shoulder injury. So, not a good start to 2016 for the veteran closer.  

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Hey, no one ever said closers were safe. Here are the injury updates you should be tracking as we try to identify saves sleepers (and busts) with fantasy baseball drafts approaching. 

Sean Doolittle injury update

Doolittle was diagnosed with a slight left triceps strain this past weekend, but he was able to throw off a mound Monday. There doesn't seem to be much concern about the injury or Doolittle's availability for opening day, but you can never be too sure about a guy with a history of arm troubles; last year a shoulder injury cost him most of the season. If Doolittle has a setback, there's no clear replacement option, though veteran/failed closers Ryan Madson and John Axford are lurking in the A's bullpen. I think I speak for everyone when I say get well soon, Sean!

Who will close for the Rays with Brad Boxberger out? 

MORE: 11 saves sleepers | MLB closer depth chart | 2016 Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide

Rays closer Brad Boxberger is sidelined well into May after undergoing core muscle surgery this month. That opens the door for Alex Colome or Danny Farquhar to secure the job, potentially for the rest of the season. Because of the uncertainty here and the likelihood that the Rays may not be winning many games anyway, it may be best for fantasy owners to steer clear of this situation in drafts. 

Who will close for the Brewers? 

Lefty Will Smith has been dominating spring training, while Jeremy Jeffress (hamstring) still hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game. At this point, we have to assume Smith will open as the Brewers' closer even if they won't admit it. We'd much rather draft Smith right now, but Jeffress is worth a late-round stash in case Milwaukee eventually prefers the righthander in the ninth and Smith in the middle innings. 

Who will close for the Phillies? 

It's starting to sound like Andrew Bailey, who's having a great spring, is the favorite to close for the Phillies with David Hernandez still working his way back from triceps tendinitis. That said, Bailey has thrown just 8.2 MLB innings the last two years combined, and the Phillies won't be exchanging handshakes after games very often. More proof that this could be the worst real-life and fantasy bullpen in 2016. 

Saves sleeper in Atlanta?

Here's a sneaky situation to monitor: Jason Grilli, who is working his way back from a ruptured Achilles' tendon, could be ready for opening day. If so, he could be in the mix for saves in a shaky Braves bullpen, though we still think Arodys Vizcaino is the favorite to close in Atlanta. 

Brad Pinkerton