Closer Monkey's Leverage Ledger | 3.19.2026
Wednesday's recaps from the spring slate.
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Fantasy players will tolerate a reliever not throwing at maximum velocity during spring appearances, but it’s been pervasive with the long buildup to Opening Day caused by the WBC competition. However, concerns linger regarding Carlos Estévez. Last night, he navigated around three walks with two flyouts and an inning-ending comebacker while working with reduced velocity (maximum velocity 90.7 MPH and average was 89).
He threw 28 pitches (9 strikes - 32.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff in this outing.
This marked his first game since March 9, and he has recorded a 52 strike percentage (51 strikes in 98 pitches) in his combined spring and WBC contests, with one strikeout against four walks and a 2.00 WHIP through five innings.
Recalling this chart from his player profile:
And noting his outings this spring:
With the velocity by game:
With Opening Day just over a week away, can he be trusted?
Also in this contest, Matt Strahm allowed a hit and an eventual earned run after being hit by a comebacker at the bottom of the fifth. He’s day-to-day with a contusion on his left leg.
Here are the remaining results of interest from Wednesday’s contests.
Spring Vibes
American League
Texas Rangers
Entering at the top of the fifth. Chris Martin retired the side and recorded two strikeouts. He returned for the sixth, giving up a lead-off single by Abraham Toro, who later scored, prompting his removal. Martin finished with a hit against an earned run while facing four batters in a combined inning of work. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%):
After five games this spring, he has a 1.20 WHIP with five strikeouts against one walk (19.1 K-BB%).
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks
Facing minor league hitters, Paul Sewald retired the side on 14 pitches (8 strikes - 57.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
His velocity dipped slightly in this appearance, but through six outings, he owns a 0.83 WHIP with four strikeouts and no walks (16 K-BB%).
Atlanta Braves
At the top of the fifth, Robert Suarez issued a one-out walk, followed by a stolen base, and an RBI single by Dylan Moore, putting an earned run on his ledger. Suarez finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two, throwing 12 strikes of his 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Through four appearances, he owns a 69.5 strike percentage and a 7:1 K:BB (37.5 K-BB%) with a 1.00 WHIP over four innings.
Colorado Rockies
Turning in a much-needed scoreless outing, Victor Vodnik navigated around a lead-off walk of TJ Friedl and a Matt McLain single with a baserunning snafu and consecutive strikeouts. He threw 20 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
Following six spring outings, he’s posted a 3.175 WHIP with four strikeouts against six walks over 5.2 innings.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Back from the WBC, Dennis Santana fired a clean top of the seventh and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
Across his combined spring and WBC outings, he’s posted a 1.058 WHIP with four strikeouts versus three walks over 5.2 innings.
St. Louis Cardinals
After retiring the side at the top of the eighth, Matt Svanson returned for the ninth and collected his third spring win. He logged two clean frames and recorded a strikeout on 27 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
Including this outing, he’s posted a 0.75 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk (20 K-BB%) over eight innings.
JoJo Romero fired a clean seventh, striking out two. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs. This lowered his spring WHIP to 0.75, and he’s recorded nine strikeouts versus two walks (24.1 K-BB%) through eight innings.
Ryne Stanek suffered his first blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run in the sixth.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.