June 27, 2015
Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt was activated from the disabled list and immediately pitched the seventh inning in a close game. He will immediately return to high-leverage setup work in front of John Axford, and should soon be considered for vulture save work.
Updated hierarchy: Axford | Betancourt | Logan.
Tampa Bay Rays — After yet another conventional Jepsen-McGee-Boxberger use of the Tampa bullpen, we’re ready to pull the plug on the closer committee asterisk and acknowledge that Brad Boxberger has earned the job.
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.
Houston Astros — Chad Qualls was placed on the disabled list Friday with a pinched nerve in his neck. Josh Fields has been excellent this year, with a 0.90 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 22.1 IP.
Updated hierarchy: Gregerson | Neshek | Fields.
Seattle Mariners — With Mike Trout and Albert Pujols up in the eighth inning, Lloyd McClendon called on Carson Smith, leaving Fernando Rodney to face his first save situation since early June. Smith has done nothing wrong in his short term as head of Seattle’s closer committee, but we know McClendon is rooting for “proven closer” Rodney to earn his job back.
Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Rodney | Lowe.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia has pitched in two straight games since battling groin tightness.
2. Joba Chamberlain, Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria has pitched in the last two games (41 total pitches).
3. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton has gone in three of four…
4. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates — …as has Mark Melancon.
