2025 MLB AL West Bullpen Update
Houston Astros
Josh Hader, Closer: Hader’s command faltered this spring (eight walks in 6.2 innings), contributing to three runs, two hits, and one home run allowed, alongside five strikeouts. All his pitches dropped by more than three mph, raising concerns about an underlying injury. He might be pacing himself for the regular season, but his March stats carry two warning signs.
Bryan Abreu: Abreu stands out as a Week 1 stash candidate, delivering six shutout innings with six baserunners and six strikeouts. He introduced a sinker and sprinkled in a few show-me changeups this spring.
Los Angeles Angels
Kenley Jansen, Closer: In five spring innings, Jansen gave up two runs, three hits, and three walks, with only two strikeouts. His cutter (91.9 mph) is far from his peak with the Dodgers, complemented by low-volume sinkers and sliders.
Ben Joyce: Joyce’s blazing 101.5 mph fastball hints at elite closer potential, but he must prove his durability and add length to his major league innings. He upped his changeup usage in March, cutting back on sinkers and sliders, and notched 15 strikeouts in 8.0 innings, allowing two runs, five hits, and two walks.
Oakland A’s
Mason Miller: Miller’s strikeout ceiling has vaulted him atop some 2025 closer rankings. In eight spring games, he surrendered three runs, seven baserunners, and one home run in 7.2 innings, with eight strikeouts. His fastball still averages over 100 mph.
José Leclerc: Leclerc’s nine spring outings were shaky (six runs, 14 baserunners, two home runs in 8.2 innings, with 11 strikeouts). His fastball dipped about 1.5 mph, and he leaned more on changeups and cutters.
Seattle Mariners
Andrés Muñoz, Closer: Muñoz pitched seven times this spring, allowing three runs, six hits, and three walks in 7.0 innings, with seven strikeouts. His fastball retains triple-digit potential, and he added a low-volume changeup in March.
Matt Brash: Brash made one spring appearance (no runs, no hits, one walk, two strikeouts in 0.2 innings) before landing on the injured list to start the season due to recovering from right elbow surgery. Seattle hopes to have him back on a major league mound in about a month.
Texas Rangers
Luke Jackson: Recent coach-speak and a stellar spring (no runs, two hits, one walk, nine strikeouts in six innings) have drawn fantasy attention to Jackson for a ninth-inning gig. He is a journeyman arm with 19 career saves over nine seasons, and his walk issues limit his ceiling and long-term save potential.
Chris Martin: Martin’s recent five-year track record (2.66 ERA, 223 strikeouts in 213.0 innings) makes him a viable save option for the Rangers despite having just 14 saves in nine MLB seasons and some injury history. He excelled this spring (one run, two hits, seven strikeouts in six innings), positioning him for early closing opportunities for Texas.
Marc Church: Late high-stakes drafters have taken fliers on Church, who posted four runs, nine baserunners, and one home run in 8.2 spring innings, with 12 strikeouts in spring training. His minor-league command struggles suggest he’s a project, but his 97.4 mph fastball and swing-and-miss slider offer upside.