July 24, 2014
Texas Rangers — 26-year-old Neftali Feliz, an All-Star closer in 2010, will get the first shot at the ninth with Joakim Soria headed to Detroit. “We’ll give him a shot,” Ron Washington said. “He is the only one with experience.” Shawn Tolleson and Neal Cotts will back him up.
Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have acquired Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers. Joe Nathan will hang onto his job for now, but his Hot Seat is glowing white with his former set-up guy looming.
Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
Houston Astros — Although he admits that he’s been burned before and remains “very guarded,” Houston GM Jeff Luhnow still hopes Jesse Crain and Matt Albers will return to give the Astros a few innings this year in exchange for their combined $5.5 million in salary. Finding the saddest part of that sentence is left as an exercise for the reader. In far less depressing news, Josh Fields has struck out 18 men and allowed only three baserunners in 9.1 innings since his return from the DL. He has the edge over Tony Sipp.
Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.
Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger to Jake McGee: two perfect innings with five strikeouts. A fella could get used to this. And get well soon, Joel Peralta; hope you don’t have that nasty chikungunya virus.
Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Boxberger.
Chicago White Sox — Chicago’s bullpen may soon become crowded if Nate Jones and Matt Lindstrom can return as planned early next month. Jones has been throwing on flat ground for some time now. Lindstrom will pitch batting practice this weekend, then start a minor league rehab assignment if all goes well.
Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Belisario.
Toronto Blue Jays — First, Sergio Santos’s stuff went south; now he will, to AAA Buffalo, after clearing waivers.
Hierarchy remains: Janssen | McGowan | Loup.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight games.
2. Ken Giles/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies — With Jonathan Papelbon likely unavailable after throwing 55 pitches in the last two days, Ryne Sandberg might have to choose between preparing his closer of the future or showcasing a promising trade chip.
3. Luke Gregerson, Oakland Athletics — Sean Doolittle has pitched in three of four games, including last night, and the A’s play a day game on Thursday.
