“He’s been as good as any reliever in baseball from the day that we acquired him.” The Rays are specifically not naming Anderson (or anyone else) the closer, John Romano of The Tampa Bay Times reports. "But there's no way you can doubt the value of how challenging getting the last three outs of the game is.".
Anderson (forearm) threw a scoreless ninth inning against the Marlins on Friday to earn his fourth save of the season.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that Anderson is now on track to be activated when the Rays return home to face the Marlins in a series starting next Friday. Anderson had been dominant at the back of the Tampa Bay bullpen prior to hitting the shelf, converting three saves while turning in a 0.54 WHIP and a 15:1 K:BB over 9.1 scoreless innings. And it was the decision to have him replace Snell that loomed largest after the Rays’ season ended with a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Anderson becomes the ninth key Rays pitcher to head to the IL, and the most significant bullpen arm. “Once Austin got that hit and they went to the 'pen, I think that Mookie [Betts] looked at me with a little smile,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Anderson struck out two of the three batters he faced in the final half-inning of Sunday's intrasquad game, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. The Rays are not naming a closer, and they will likely give multiple relievers save chances this season, but there is a decent chance Anderson leads the team in saves. And it’s not just me.
Anderson doesn’t have an official title, but the man with a 1.43 ERA in 42 appearances with the Rays over the past two seasons does have a job description. According to Cash, Anderson was given Thursday off after appearing in games the previous two days, but the right-hander informed the coaching staff he didn't feel right while playing catch Friday. The Official Site of Minor League Baseball.
“I was going out there, still confident. ... the movement of a pitch is compared to ‘average’ movement by comparing it to other MLB pitch types within +/- 2 MPH and from within +/- 0.5 feet of extension and release. Tampa Bay Rays activated RHP Nick Anderson from the 10-day injured list. Nick Anderson profile page, biographical information, injury history and news Anderson struck out both the batters he faced and did not allow a baserunner to earn the save Tuesday against the Red Sox.
Justin Turner hit a fly ball to deep left, which Arozarena fielded, and that was the end of Anderson’s night. But he clearly was not himself in the postseason, and he admitted afterward to feeling some fatigue. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy (updated 09.02.2015) | About Our Ads.
In the ninth inning, Anderson was called upon with the bases loaded and a 5-1 lead. Despite the stumble, Anderson now has an eye-popping 22:2 K:BB across 13 innings, with just 23 of the 47 batters he's faced successfully putting the ball in play against him. Anderson was the strongest horse in The Stable all season long, arguably the best reliever in baseball. Anderson rebounded to mow down Victor Robles, Michael Taylor and Jake Noll on swinging strikeouts, but he was ultimately saddled with the loss when the Nationals' Kyle McGowin returned the favor against a trio of Rays in the home half of the frame. It really was. Anderson is clearly one of manager Kevin Cash's most trusted relievers, but early on in 2020 that's meant he's been utilized in the most important situations, not necessarily as the closer. Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Mayville State University in the 32nd round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign. Anderson (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Why did Anderson take a step back at the worst possible moment? “I guess I regret it because it didn't work out.
For five innings on Tuesday night, the Rays got what they wanted.
Blake Snell pitched like the 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner he was, shutting out Los Angeles’ powerful lineup. • Snell pulled in 6th after dominant start. The right-hander could potentially return for the Rays' weekend series against the Marlins as long as he continues to respond well. Anderson immediately fell behind Betts, 2-0, and gave up a double that put two runners in scoring position. For most of last season, Anderson was a 28-year-old rookie non-closer pitching for the Marlins (he turned 29 in July).
Manager Kevin Cash expressed optimism that Anderson (forearm) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list Sunday when first eligible, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Debate: Any defense of pulling Snell in G6? They won a lot of games by going to their bullpen early and often. Anderson (2-1) was credited with the win against the Phillies on Friday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed no hits and issued one walk. Anderson could certainly be in line for closing opportunities at times this season, but his above-average stuff and control also make him a natural fit for a role akin to the one he filled Saturday.
As much as Cash will bear the brunt of the criticism for his decision, he was doing what the Rays had done all year. Manager Kevin Cash was fairly optimistic Wednesday that Anderson would be able to come off the 10-day injured list when first eligible Sunday. Either way, I still should’ve been able to get the job done,” Anderson said. He responded by striking out both of the batters he faced to earn his first save of the campaign. Anderson, 2019-20 with Rays: 42 games, 37 2/3 innings, 17 hits, seven runs (six earned), four homers, five walks, 67 strikeouts, Anderson, 2020 postseason: 10 games, 14 2/3 innings, 16 hits, nine runs, three homers, four walks, nine strikeouts, “It has been a little bit of a challenging run for him, but over the last two years, there's an argument to be made that he's been the best reliever in baseball,” Cash said.
The 30-year-old inherited a high-leverage situation when he came on with two on and two out in the seventh, but he induced an inning-ending popup from Lourdes Gurriel to strand Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio. Anderson said he “definitely” didn’t feel as strong as he did during the regular season, chalking it up to his workload and a “crazy” year that interrupted so many pitchers’ routines. Everybody is [tired].”. Whether you’re running out of gas or not, you should be able to go out and get the job done. February 23, 2018: RHP Nick Anderson assigned to Minnesota Twins. Tampa Bay held a 5-1 lead entering the final frame, but New York rallied for two runs, prompting Anderson to be called upon to face Aaron Judge with a runner on second base. All Rights Reserved. Then World Series Most Valuable Player Award winner Corey Seager smacked a grounder to first baseman Ji-Man Choi, whose throw home was too late to get Betts. Manager Kevin Cash said that Anderson's bullpen session Monday was "very encouraging," and he had another positive update regarding his throwing session Wednesday.