Anderson struck out both the batters he faced and did not allow a baserunner to earn the save Tuesday against the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays led comfortably from the fifth inning on, with their bullpen hardly running into trouble until the final frame. In the ninth inning, Anderson was called upon with the bases loaded and a 5-1 lead. He responded by striking out both of the batters he faced to earn his first save of the campaign. It appeared early on this season that the Rays preferred to use Anderson in the highest-leverage situations -- not necessarily as the closer -- but even if that remains the case, he should run into a number of save opportunities throughout the season. His ability to rack up strikeouts and produce solid ratios are also useful, as he has yet to allow an earned run while also letting only two runners reach base through 3.1 innings.

Anderson (1-0) fired 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Saturday's victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one hit and no walks.

EDGE Analysis

A modest total of 14 pitches, 11 which got into the strike zone, is all it took for Anderson to record four outs and preserve a 1-1 tie. The 30-year-old inherited a high-leverage situation when he came on with two on and two out in the seventh, but he induced an inning-ending popup from Lourdes Gurriel to strand Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio. Anderson could certainly be in line for closing opportunities at times this season, but his above-average stuff and control also make him a natural fit for a role akin to the one he filled Saturday.

Anderson struck out two of the three batters he faced in the final half-inning of Sunday's intrasquad game, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

He looked strong and pitched as the team's closer in the informal scrimmage. The Rays are not naming a closer, and they will likely give multiple relievers save chances this season, but there is a decent chance Anderson leads the team in saves.

The Rays are specifically not naming Anderson (or anyone else) the closer, John Romano of The Tampa Bay Times reports. "We've tried to stay away from naming specific roles because we think it's a benefit to our club to be able to be versatile and prioritize matchups," manager Kevin Cash said. "But there's no way you can doubt the value of how challenging getting the last three outs of the game is."

EDGE Analysis

The Rays had 11 pitchers record saves last year, but Anderson wasn't one of them. Yet following the Emilio Pagan trade, he's the favorite to inherit at least the majority part of the role, but given the Rays' approach to the role, perhaps a little caution is advised, despite his excellent skills.

Anderson was able to get long-toss work in at Tropicana Field on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson was joined by bullpen mates such as Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo at the Trop for some informal, small-group workouts. The hard-throwing right-hander had high expectations for the 2020 season in spring training; however, with what appears to be a modest 60-game campaign realistically on the horizon as of late Monday night, Anderson may share closing duties frequently with Alvarado and perhaps even Castillo depending on how manager Kevin Cash opts to manage his relievers under the unique circumstances.

Anderson was "in line to get the bulk of the save opportunities" for the Rays this season before spring training was suspended, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's worth noting that the above quote is an observation from Topkin and not a comment from manager Kevin Cash, but the report is probably the clearest indication we'll get that Anderson is the top Rays reliever to own for fantasy purposes. Cash's tendency to play matchups in the ninth inning means that the likes of Diego Castillo and Jose Alvarado could still scoop the occasional save chance, though Anderson's presumed status as Option 1A for closing situations should help alleviate some of the reservations fantasy managers may have had in investing in him. Anderson didn't record a save after coming over from Miami in a July 31 trade last season, but he was arguably the majors' best reliever over the final two months, posting a ridiculous 45.5 K-BB% and 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings with the Rays.

Anderson, who's projected to have a part in closing duties this season, has fired four scoreless, one-hit innings across four appearances in Grapefruit League play.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander saw his path to closing opportunities open when Emilio Pagan was traded to the Padres, and his performance during the first half of spring training has only reinforced the notion that he's up to the task of high-leverage work. Anderson boasts a high-90s fastball that dovetails nicely with ninth-inning duties, and his elite 110:18 K:BB across 65 innings with the Rays and Marlins last season underscores the excellent control he also brings to the table.

Anderson will be an option to close after the Rays traded Emilio Pagan to San Diego last weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson reached a new level after joining Tampa Bay from Miami at last year's deadline, posting a 2.11 ERA and 41:2 K:BB in 21.1 innings. He was a fairly popular speculative pick in fantasy even before the Pagan trade, and his price will likely soar from here, though it's important to keep in mind the team's tendency to mix and match in the late innings -- 11 players earned saves for the Rays last year, with six earning multiple saves. Diego Castillo, Chaz Roe, Oliver Drake, Colin Poche, Jose Alvarado and Peter Fairbanks will all be in the mix as well.

Anderson (3-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson continues to mow through the opposition at a highly efficient clip, with Saturday's 17-pitch effort the latest evidence of such. The right-hander got 14 of those offerings into the strike zone while serving as the setup man behind Oliver Drake, who subsequently recorded his second save. The 29-year-old Anderson has three consecutive scoreless outings and has already amassed five holds along with his three victories since his trade-deadline acquisition from the Marlins.

Anderson struck out all four batters he faced en route to collecting his 12th hold of the season Tuesday in the Rays' 2-0 win over the Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles hitters couldn't touch Anderson, who induced swings and misses on seven of his 14 strikes in the 18-pitch appearance. The right-hander has quietly been one of the more valuable trade-deadline additions for any team this season, allowing just one run while posting a 0.38 WHIP and 26:0 K:BB in 13 innings with the Rays. Anderson doesn't look like a threat to unseat Emilio Pagan as closer, but the elite ratios he provides can still make him an asset in mixed leagues even if he's not in the mix for saves.