4 years agoPittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez made his spring debut on Sunday afternoon, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in the Pirates' 13-1 victory. After surrendering a leadoff single followed by a wild pitch that advanced the runner to second, Rodriguez got back-to-back swinging strikeouts before a single to left drove in the Orioles' lone run of the day. For now Rodriguez appears to be the likely Opening Day closer in Pittsburgh, but The Athletic's Rob Biertempful wrote last week that Rodriguez could be traded away either this spring or early into the season. Assuming Rodriguez stays in Pittsburgh he remains a low-end closer in fantasy, but managers may want to start keeping an eye on other possible closer candidates in the Pirates bullpen like David Bednar, or a potential deep sleeper in non-roster invite Shea Spitzbarth.--Michael Grennell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com