RELIEVERS: 2023 Opening Day usage

This article is just about Opening Day usage. You will want to take it into account, but give it the weight that it is due. The projections and skills are still your stronger source for making decisions. Why is Opening Day usage important? Well, in some cases it is not important, and game flow dictated something that a manager would not do. Other times, it can tell you a hierarchy for a manager and how he wants to deploy his relievers. Typically, you want to see a variety of game scenarios before you can take usage patterns to the bank, so all caveats on these observations apply.

With that preamble out of the way, first note that without Raisel Iglesias (RHP, ATL) who is currently shelved, the Braves used lefty A.J. Minter (LHP, ATL)...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Relief Pitchers

This column covers relievers who might cost you a lot chasing saves but then fizzle out because of skills or injury risk.
Mar 8 2026 3:07am
This is the annual sleepers column, but let's be honest: There are no sleepers. There are relievers with great skills who are cheaper than they should be ... and that's what you want anyway.
Mar 1 2026 3:03am
Here are your high skills relievers projected to come at a discount and earn a profit, per LIMA grades.
Feb 22 2026 3:04am
These five pens are going to figure out roles during Spring Training. Kevin Ginkel appears to be the favorite in Arizona, but let's look at the known options from a skills perspective.
Feb 15 2026 3:07am
An early February run through closers by NFBC ADP.
Feb 6 2026 3:04am

Tools