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Houston Astros’ Bullpen Problems, What’s New?

By Colin Gay

May 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (left) and relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (44) celebrate a victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (left) and relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (44) celebrate a victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros Need a Shutdown Closer…Not This Again!

Apr 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Ken Giles (53) pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Ken Giles (53) pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The question around Spring Training this season was who is going to close games for the Houston Astros come regular season play? The answer going into Opening Day was right-handed reliever Luke Gregerson, who saved 31 games for the Astros a year ago with a 3.10 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.

His first outings in 2016 were solid saving his first seven games in seven save opportunities and only giving up five earned runs and striking out 11 in his 13.2 innings pitched.

However, since May 7th, Gregerson has blown 3 of his last four save opportunities and has given up three earned runs on six hits in his last four innings pitched.

So with an ERA of 6.23 in May so far for Gregerson, should the Astros be ready for a change in the back end of the bullpen? If so, here are three options that could be good options to close games until Gregerson is successful again out of the bullpen.

Next: Option 1

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