4 years agoColorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard has been named the team's closer, according to manager Bud Black. Nick Groke of The Athletic said that the 35-year-old right-hander will be used as the team's primary ninth-inning man "at least to start the season." Fellow reliever Scott Oberg, who was a dark horse candidate to win the job, only made his Cactus League debut on Friday as he's working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Relievers Carlos Estevez and Mychal Givens have both struggled this spring as well. So this move doesn't really come as a surprise. Bard had a resurgent 2020 for Colorado, operating as the team's closer over the final month and a half of the season. He finished the year with a 4-2 record, 3.65 ERA, 1.297 WHIP, 27:10 K/BB ratio, and six saves over 24 2/3 innings. Bard hadn't pitched in the majors since 2013 and won the NL Comeback Player of the Year award after the season. This official designation should move him up draft boards in standard mixed leagues but there tends to be a lot of turnover at the closer position so bear that in mind.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBaller
Source: Nick Groke of The Athletic MLB