May 14, 2015
Arizona Diamondbacks –Addison Reed has had a woeful start to the year, and yesterday was no different. He came in to protect a one-run lead, and left after giving up a grand slam, blowing the save and boosting his ERA to an ugly 7.20. Reed has just two saves this year, but after the game he got a half-hearted vote of confidence from Chip Hale. For now, with Hale backing his man, Reed still has the job but is on a blazing hot seat, especially with Brad Ziegler sporting a tidy 1.26 ERA after another scoreless inning on Tuesday.
Hierarchy remains: Reed | Ziegler | Perez.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen was due back on Saturday, but his return may get moved up a day after Pedro Baez left Wednesday’s game with a right pectoral injury. Don Mattingly said Jansen won’t be activated Thursday, but if Baez’s MRI on Thursday isn’t promising, that Friday return seems extremely likely. If Baez does indeed hit the DL, keep an eye on rookie Adam Liberatore. He took the loss on Wednesday, but had entered the game with 9.2 scoreless innings, retiring 28 of the first 29 batters he faced.
Hierarchy remains: *Garcia | Hatcher | Baez.
* = closer-by-committee.
Miami Marlins -A.J. Ramos picked up his first save as the head of the Marlins committee, pitching a scoreless ninth inning and striking out two. Dunn and Morris both got holds in the game, so the new committee is off to a great start. It’s a committee that won’t be adding Rafael Soriano, however, as the Marlins are no longer considering Soriano for their bullpen despite multiple reports earlier in the week.
Hierarchy remains: *Ramos | Dunn | Morris.
Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera returned from his six-game suspension on Wednesday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He will slide back into his usual seventh-inning role.
Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Oakland A’s –Sean Doolittle is set to begin a rehab assignment today. Manager Bob Melvin didn’t say how many minor-league outings Doolittle will need, but the sooner the A’s bullpen can get him back, the better. He should slide back into the closer’s role upon his return.
Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Scribner | Otero.
Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day picked up his first save of the season in a 6-1 Baltimore win.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Hunter.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Steve Geltz, Tampa Bay Rays – Both Brad Boxberger and Kelvin Jepsen have pitched in back-to-back games, and Geltz may snag a save in the Rays’ committee.
