Fansided

Rockies Jake McGee Placed on 15-Day DL

By Bill Pivetz

May 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee (51) pitches during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Rockies won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee (51) pitches during the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Rockies won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Rockies closer Jake McGee was placed on the 15-day DL with a left knee strain. With the shallow closer pool, your replacement options are limited.

The Colorado Rockies are competitive in the National League West, only 7.5 games back of first place. The offense is killing the ball, especially with Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado in the heart of the lineup, even with the struggling starting rotation. The team took a hit to its bullpen as closer Jake McGee was placed on the DL.

According to Nick Groke of the Denver Post, McGee tweaked his knee on the final pitch of his Friday relief appearance. He then underwent an MRI on Saturday, and the results apparently were worse than expected.

Jake McGee was a successful relief pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays, racking up 26 saves in two and a half seasons. He was a part of the Corey Dickerson trade during the offseason.

In 24 games this season, he has 15 saves with a 4.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 6.2 K/9. We all know about the “Coors Effect” and how the field inflates pitchers’ numbers. McGee is a perfect example. He has an 8.44 ERA and 1.78 WHIP at home and 1.64 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.

More from Fantasy Baseball

His most recent outing was another disaster. In 0.2 innings, he allowed four runs on four hits and struck out one. He ended up with a loss and blown save.

The Rockies offense wasn’t supporting the pitchers recently. He only made three appearances in June and recording one save in the process. He racked up nine saves in 13 appearances last month.

Moving forward, the likely replacement are Jason Motte and Carlos Estevez. No other relief pitcher in the Rockies bullpen has a save. Unless you play in a 16-team league, I would avoid these pitchers and look elsewhere for saves.

Sam Dyson is available in 44 percent of ESPN leagues, seven saves and 2.13 ERA in the last 30 days. Jeremy Jeffress, owned in 67.9 percent, has eight saves and a 3.00 ERA and his teammate Will Smith is healthy and could also get some save opportunities.

Next: White Sox Tim Anderson: Must-Add Prospect

As for Jake McGee, he is worth dropping standard leagues. I mentioned three closers available that you can pick up in his place. There is no timetable for his return, and he isn’t a big enough name to slot in your DL.

Home/Fantasy Baseball