Impact Analysis: J.J. Putz, Seattle Mariners

June 16, 2008 @ 13:54:21

By Joe Loncarich
Edited by Richard Garcia

Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz (elbow) is on the disabled list again, this time with a hyper-extended elbow. This injury is a classic example of a player hurrying back from an injury before his body is ready to handle the demands of a baseball season. Putz admitted to as much when he said that he was putting more strain on the rest of his body to make up for the rib injury that he suffered earlier in the season.

Luckily for the Mariners and fantasy owners alike, this is not nearly as serious of an injury as it could have been. An MRI exam Thursday, June 12, revealed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament or the flexor bundle in his right elbow. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated Monday, June 16.

The team recalled reliever Roy Corcoran from Triple-A Tacoma Friday, June 13. He had four saves with a 5.02 ERA at the Triple-A level and could be used in some late-inning situations if needed. In eight appearances earlier this season with the Mariners, he posted a 1.69 ERA.

Elbow injuries are always a concern for pitchers, but Putz should be able to come back from this without any long-term issues as long as he gives his body the time it needs to heal. Putz admitted that he rushed back from his first stint on the DL but acknowledged that this time he will try to do what the team and doctors recommend.

Putz's production this season is far from what he accomplished as one of the best closers in the majors in 2006 and 2007. His strikeouts per nine innings have been down this season, but his biggest problem has been his control. He has walked 17 batters in just 19 innings of work this season; he only walked 13 batters in each of the past two seasons. The good news is that his control problems appear to be from his injuries. Putz admitted that he has not been 100 percent healthy since his first appearance of the season.

Relief options

Brandon Morrow, who has been absolutely lights out this season, is expected to receive the majority of opportunities as the team's closer. He has posted a miniscule 1.00 ERA while striking out 25 batters and walking just six in 18 innings. Fantasy owners in need of saves should immediately look to acquire Morrow. Manager John McLaren has noted that while Morrow will likely pick up the majority of save opportunities, he is not the team's closer. Pitcher Miguel Batista, who was moved out of the rotation, notched 31 saves with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005, and he could see some opportunities.

If you are still looking for saves in your league, an excellent pickup could be reliever Mike Gonzalez (elbow) of the Atlanta Braves. He is coming off Tommy John surgery; he has allowed just one earned run while fanning 12 in nine rehab appearances (11 innings) in the minors. He could be brought up as early as Wednesday, June 18. Gonzalez is not guaranteed save opportunities, but the Braves did trade for him to be a late-inning reliever. With closer Rafael Soriano (elbow) hurt, reliever John Smoltz (shoulder) out for the season and default closer Manny Acosta proving to be unreliable, Gonzalez could take over the full-time closer role. He is likely available in mixed leagues and should be acquired in all formats, especially by those desperate for saves.

In addition, Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Taylor Buchholz has been solid in relief and has posted a 1.51 ERA in 31 appearances this season. He hasn't picked up a save opportunity since May 4, but he is the setup man for closer Brian Fuentes, whose name has been circulating in trade rumors. In Buchholz's last 15 appearances, he has allowed just two earned runs while striking out 14 batters in 17 innings.

Fantasy outlook

Expect the Mariners to be cautious with Putz. The team has greatly underperformed thus far this season and does not plan on having Putz return until it's certain he's 100 percent.

Putz should be able to come back from this injury and could return to his 2006-07 form as long as he is fully healthy. Keep in mind that the Mariners have been a poor team, a disappointment to many prognosticators who seemed to overrate them based on last year's surprise run; team save chances could continue to be sparse. This is not the time to trade Putz, though, as his value is at its lowest point. Fantasy owners need to hold a spot for him on their rosters in all league types.

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Joe Loncarich
Joe has been a contributor to KFFL since 2007.

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