August 22, 2018
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman left Tuesday’s tilt after throwing just six pitches, which left Tommy Kahnle to convert the 12th-inning save. After the game, Aaron Boone said that Chapman called for the trainer because he felt pain in his left knee. Chapman, who will undergo an MRI today, said it’s worrisome and Boone is calling this a huge concern. If Dellin Betances is still available in your league, now is the time to get him, as he is likely to get a bulk of the save chances should Chapman need a stint on the DL. Meanwhile, David Robertson was unavailable on Tuesday because of a sore shoulder, but Boone is not overly concerned about it and Robertson said he should be available today if needed.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Britton.
Houston Astros — AJ Hinch announced on MLB Network Radio yesterday that he’ll start using Hector Rondon in the seventh and eighth innings while relying on Roberto Osuna as the team’s primary closer. Hinch holds no regard for your fantasy team, however, as Rondon picked up the save on Tuesday while Osuna pitched the eighth. After the game, Hinch said that he had Osuna warming for the seventh in case he was needed to bail the Astros out of a jam. He also said that Osuna might have pitched the ninth as well had he not thrown 28 pitches in the previous inning. We think Hinch will stick to his word and keep Osuna as his primary closer, but be prepared for situations like tonight to arise where Rondon gets a save chance after Osuna is forced into a high-leverage spot in the seventh or eighth.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Rondon | McHugh.
Washington Nationals — Kelvin Herrera returned from the DL on Tuesday and finished off a 10-4 win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. With Sean Doolittle still not close to returning from his injury, Herrera has a strong chance to finish the season as the Nationals’ closer.
Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Glover | Miller.
Minnesota Twins — In our last Twins update, we said that Taylor Rogers may snag a couple more save opportunities if the matchups were right. Well, with the Twins breaking a 2-2 tie in the top half of ninth and a pair of lefties due up for the White Sox, Rogers got the call again and recorded two strikeouts en route to his second save of the season. Trevor May preserved the tie against the top of the White Sox order in the eighth. Rogers is more likely to earn a save when a team has a couple of lefties due up. He is also more likely to earn a save than Addison Reed, who hasn’t recorded a hold since August 10.
Updated hierarchy: *Hildenberger | May | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dellin Betances – Even if Aroldis Chapman doesn’t head to the DL, he may get Wednesday night off anyway.
2. Jordan Hicks – Bud Norris has thrown 39 pitches over the last two days. Hicks had Tuesday off after a 33-pitch effort on Monday.
3. Jared Hughes – Raisel Iglesias threw 29 pitches to record five outs last night. Hughes had Tuesday off following a tough outing on Monday.
4. Hector Rondon – Roberto Osuna hurled 28 pitches last night while Rondon threw only nine. Even with the Astros off on Thursday, AJ Hinch may choose to rest Osuna.
Tomorrow
1. Adam Conley – Drew Steckenrider threw 20 pitches on Tuesday, so a lengthy outing on Wednesday may earn him an off day on Thursday.
2. Craig Stammen/Matt Strahm – An appearance today for Kirby Yates will be his third in four days. Stammen enters today having pitched in three of four.