Two committees adjourned with two weeks of games to go

September 22, 2022

Oakland A’s — Four straight saves, including three in five days, is more than enough to anoint Domingo Acevedo Oakland’s official closer down the stretch. Sam Moll, out with a strained left shoulder, has been replaced in the hierarchy by Joel Payamps.

Updated hierarchy: Acevedo | Puk | Payamps.

Washington Nationals — After a few weeks where Washington played matchups, Kyle Finnegan seems to have fully regained the ninth, allowing us to banish the asterisk from the Nationals’ pen.

Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Anthony Bass (TOR) — Jordan Romano threw 24 pitches yesterday and has a total of 67 over the last five days.
2. Dylan Coleman/Amir Garrett (KC) — All three of the Royals’ top relievers have gone back-to-back, but Scott Barlow has thrown more pitches than Coleman, who has thrown more pitches than Garrett.
3. Rafael Montero (HOU) — Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Friday:
1. Raisel Iglesias (ATL) — If Kenley Jansen pitches Tuesday, it’ll be three outings in four games and four out of six.

Mark Melancon picks up a save; Hunter Strickland on thin ice

August 8, 2022

Cincinnati Reds – Hunter Strickland coughed up a 1-run lead in the 9th, but ended up getting the win after the Reds rallied in the top of the 10th and Ross Detwiler closed the door in the bottom half. It was the first save of the season for Detwiler, who was the 6th reliever to appear in the game for the Reds. Strickland remains on thin ice atop this committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Strickland | Diaz | Sanmartin.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – Torey Lovullo assured us that, despite demoting Mark Melancon, the former closer would still get his opportunities in the 9th inning. Turns out that wasn’t just lip service, as Melancon got — and converted — the save chance on Sunday afternoon. It’s likely that Ian Kennedy would’ve been the top choice had he not pitched two straight, but we’ll still bump Melancon up a slot as a result.

Updated hierarchy: *Kennedy | Melancon | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners have danced back and forth with Paul Sewald this season, sometimes using him as their full-time closer and sometimes as a fireman. Last night, it was the former, and Sewald turned in yet another perfect inning, lowering his WHIP to 0.67 on the season — third among relievers with at least 30 innings pitched [behind only Jason Adam (0.62) and Ryan Helsley (0.64)]. He’s clearly the go-to arm in this bullpen, but the Mariners are maintaining flexibility with his usage, so we’re leaving the committee asterisk on for the time being.

Hierarchy remains: *Sewald | Munoz | Swanson.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Edwin Diaz mowed down the top of the Braves order on Sunday afternoon, striking out Dansby Swanson, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley to lock up his 26th save of the year. The only thing that was maybe surprising is that it took 14 pitches for him to do it. Diaz, a free agent after this season, has now struck out 91 hitters in 45.1 innings, and currently has the best single-season K/9 (18.1) and K% (52.9%) that baseball has ever seen. Relievers come and go like the wind, so sometimes, you just have to stop and admire when you’re seeing something truly special.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Ottavino – Edwin Diaz has gone back to back and three of four (4 IP total).
2. Luis Cessa – Hunter Strickland and Alexis Diaz have gone back to back, while Reiver Sanmartin has gone three straight.

Tomorrow
1. Anthony Bass – If Jordan Romano goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Erik Swanson – Same for Paul Sewald.

Recapping a busy day of trades and back injuries

August 3, 2022

Pittsburgh Pirates – David Bednar hasn’t pitched since Friday, his only appearance since a July 24 outing, which made it a bit surprising that it was Wil Crowe who got the ninth inning on Tuesday. Crowe converted his third save of the year and after the game manager Derek Shelton said that Bednar’s lower back was bothering him again. Shelton added that they’ll determine whether or not he’ll need an IL stint in the next day or two. Expect Crowe to be the first option for saves if Bednar does indeed land on the IL.

Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | de los Santos.

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles traded closer Jorge Lopez to the Twins on Tuesday. Brandon Hyde said that Felix Bautista, Dillon Tate and Cionel Perez are candidates to close depending on matchups. We’ll put an asterisk here for now based on Hyde’s comments, but Bautista should be the clear favorite for save chances most nights.

Updated hierarchy: *Bautista | Tate | Perez.

Minnesota Twins – It was a busy day for the Twins, as they added Baltimore closer Jorge Lopez and Detroit setup man Michael Fulmer. Manager Rocco Baldelli said that he expects Lopez to pitch “a fair amount in the ninth inning.” We expect Lopez to get the bulk of save chances, but that Jhoan Duran and Fulmer will be in the mix as well depending on matchups.

Updated hierarchy: *Lopez | Duran | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies upgraded their bullpen by adding Cubs closer David Robertson on Tuesday. We expect Robertson to be the leader for saves in Philadelphia, but apparently Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand will still get plenty of save opportunities while Robertson “figures into the late-inning mix.” You don’t say.

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Dominguez | Hand.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs traded both David Robertson and Mychal Givens on Tuesday, leaving Rowan Wick as the man for the ninth inning. 

Updated hierarchy: Wick | Hughes | Uelman.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves added depth to their bullpen by trading for Angels closer Raisel Iglesias on Tuesday. Manager Brian Snitker said that Kenley Jansen will remain as the team’s primary closer and that Iglesias will be the “secondary closer.” 

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Iglesias | Minter.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels dealt Raisel Iglesias and his multi-year deal to Atlanta on Tuesday. The first save chance in the post-Iglesias era went to lefty Jose Quijada, who tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his third MLB save (and second this season). Manager Phil Nevin said before the game that Quijada, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup would be his three options to pitch the ninth going forward. The A’s had two lefties due up in the ninth last night, so Quijada’s usage makes sense. We’ll leave Tepera at the top of this committee for now and see how Nevin deploys his relievers in other situations.

Updated hierarchy: *Tepera | Quijada | Loup.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays added a familiar face to their roster when they traded for Anthony Bass, who pitched for the club in 2020 when they were based in Buffalo. We expect Bass to be one of the main setup men for closer Jordan Romano.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Bass | Garcia.

Miami Marlins – The Marlins traded Anthony Bass traded to Toronto, but they did also add to their bullpen on Tuesday with the return of Anthony Bender from the IL. Pitching for the first time since May 18, Bender was sharp last night, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning. We’ll slot Bender into Bass’ spot in the hierarchy for now.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Bender | Floro.

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers traded setup man Michael Fulmer to Minnesota and then proceeded to defeat the Twins later that night. After Andrew Chafin tossed a perfect seventh inning, Joe Jimenez took Fulmer’s usual eighth-inning role, pitching a scoreless frame ahead of Gregory Soto.

Updated hierarchy: Soto | Jimenez | Chafin.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners deployed Paul Sewald in the seventh inning to face the top of the Yankees’ order and protect a 7-6 lead. Sewald was perfect with two strikeouts, which paved the way for Andres Munoz to pitch the ninth. After he struck out the first two hitters he faced, the Yankees were able to load the bases, but Munoz battled back with a strikeout to end the game and earn the save.

Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Munoz | Swanson.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – A night after Hunter Strickland secured a save, it was Alexis Diaz’s turn to close out a Reds win. Expect Cincinnati to continue to utilize both Strickland and Diaz in the ninth inning, though Diaz has more long-term upside.

Hierarchy remains: *Strickland | Diaz | Sanmartin.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – The Yankees acquired A’s closer Lou Trivino and Cubs’ setup man Scott Effross at the deadline. Both additions made their Yankee debuts on Tuesday; we’ll slot Effross into the hierarchy for now and see if he can continue his strong rookie campaign.

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Peralta | Effross.

New York Mets – The Mets traded for Mychal Givens on Tuesday and are expected to activate Trevor May from the IL later today, giving their bullpen some more depth heading into the stretch run. We’ll see how Buck Showalter, who managed Givens in Baltimore, deploys Givens, May and Seth Lugo going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Ian Kennedy struck out all three batters he faced to earn his fifth save of the season. Hopefully you read yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch!

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Kennedy | Mantiply.

Heaven – The Celestials added one of the all time greats when Vin Scully passed away at the age of 94 yesterday. The best to ever do it, and maybe the best there ever will be. Rest in Peace Vin Scully, we were glad to spend a part of so many days with you. 

Updated hierarchy: Scully | Caray | Harwell.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andres Munoz/Matt Festa (SEA) — Paul Sewald and Erik Swanson have both pitched in three of four and Munoz threw 25 pitches last night, which could open the door for Matt Festa to steal a save opp. 
2. Garrett Whitlock (BOS) — Tanner Houck has thrown back-to-back and a combined 35 pitches. 
3. Joe Jimenez/Andrew Chafin (DET) — Gregory Soto is still a Tiger, but he has pitched back to back and thrown 43 pitches over that span. Jimenez has gone back-to-back as well, but kept his pitch count low.
4. Wil Crowe (PIT) — As mentioned at the top, David Bednar has a sore back and may end up on the IL.

Tomorrow
1. Anthony Bass/Yimi Garcia (TOR) — Today would be two straight and four of five for Jordan Romano, although he has kept his pitch counts low. 

Ryan Pressly back from paternity leave; Corey Knebel pitching well

July 25, 2022

Philadelphia Phillies – A disheartening sweep at the hands of the lowly Cubs dropped the Phillies out of the final Wild Card spot, but perhaps a minor silver lining is that former closer Corey Knebel had two more solid outings, extending his scoreless streak to 10.1 innings. The Phillies would certainly love if he could reclaim this job, so we’ll creep him back on to this hierarchy and see if it sticks.

Updated hierarchy: *Dominguez | Hand | Knebel.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Anthony Bass, filling in for a resting Tanner Scott, couldn’t close out the Pirates in the 9th inning on Sunday afternoon. However, after the Marlins scored two in the top of the 10th, on came Jeff Brigham, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2020. Brigham allowed only the automatic runner to score, locking down just his second career save.

Hierarchy remains: Scott | Bass | Floro.

New York Yankees – Clarke Schmidt threw the final three innings of a 6-0 Yankee victory on Sunday afternoon to earn his first career save. He’s having a fine year, but is almost always used across several innings, meaning he’s likely to be an inconsistent source of holds, even with the injury to Michael King.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | Peralta | Luetge.

Kansas City Royals – With Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont both appearing Saturday — and with the Royals perhaps looking to showcase an additional bullpen arm before the trade deadline — Taylor Clarke was tasked with the 9th inning of a two-run game. The hard-throwing righty converted, and has now allowed runs in just 2 of his past 17 appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Clarke.

Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly returned from the paternity list on Sunday and picked right back up with a clean 9th inning. Rafael Montero returns to his handcuff role.

Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Montero | Neris.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Rowan Wick – David Robertson has gone back to back.
2. Wil Crowe – David Bednar has gone back to back.
3. Devin Williams – Josh Hader pitched Friday and Sunday (44 total pitches) and could get the night off.
4. Reyes Moronta – The Dodgers bullpen has been heavily taxed since the break, with Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia all pitching in three of four.

Tomorrow
1. AJ Minter – If Kenley Jansen goes tonight, it’s back to back.

Two saves in two days for Lou Trivino; Tanner Houck won’t pitch in Toronto

June 27, 2022

Tampa Bay Rays – Brooks Raley picked up his 4th save of the season with a clean 9th, after a scoreless 8th from Jason Adam. It’s his first save since May 11 so he’s probably still in about the right place on this hierarchy, but it’s the Rays so, you know, whatever.

Hierarchy remains: *Poche | Adam | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s – Two saves in two days for Lou Trivino? That… really wasn’t expected, nor was this type of usage deserved, but given that the A’s are surely going to be selling off parts in the near future, maybe they’re seeing if Trivino can built enough value to net some random AA player at the deadline. We’ll shuffle him up a spot.

Updated hierarchy: *Puk | Trivino | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – The unvaccinated Tanner Houck won’t be making the trip to Toronto with the rest of the team, so we’ll remove him from the hierarchy for the next couple days. The Red Sox will likely give the keys to the 9th inning to John Schreiber during their time in Canada.

Updated hierarchy: Schreiber | Strahm | Robles.

Los Angeles Angels – After Raisel Iglesias and Ryan Tepera both got ejected in an early-inning fracas, Oliver Ortega was tasked with the final two innings of a one-run game. Ortega delivered two scoreless innings, earning his first save of the season in the process.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Tepera | Loup.

Philadelphia Phillies – Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand had gone two of the past three days, so after Corey Knebel and Jose Alvarado put up zeroes in the 7th and 8th innings, Andrew Bellatti got the 9th inning and retired the side in order. Bellatti now has 35 Ks in just 23.2 innings and could see more late-inning action.

Updated hierarchy: *Dominguez | Hand | Bellatti.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brusdar Graterol got an 11th inning save on Sunday night after Craig Kimbrel had pitched earlier in the game. Also, keep an eye here on Reyes Moronta, who pitched two scoreless innings in this one and has been stellar when healthy this season.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Graterol | Phillips.

Cincinnati Reds – While he wasn’t needed during Cincinnati’s 7-run blowout victory on Sunday, Hunter Strickland is now the man for the Reds for the time being, David Bell confirmed. There are a lot of injured relievers in this pen right now, so this could change as guys come off the IL, but for now, we’re removing Strickland’s asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Strickland | Hoffman | Kuhnel.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Evan Phillips – Craig Kimbrel threw 25 pitches last night and has appeared in three of the last five, while Brusdar Graterol has gone three straight.

Tomorrow
1. Brusdar Graterol – If Craig Kimbrel is able to go, however, he’ll certainly be off Tuesday.
2. Anthony Bass – If Tanner Scott goes tonight, it’s back to back.
3. Kyle Finnegan – If Tanner Rainey goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.