B.J. Rosenberg – Closer Monkey

Craig Kimbrel out with sore shoulder; Phillies get an arm back

April 15, 2015

Atlanta Braves – David Carpenter got the save in a wild 9-6 win at Philadelphia – unexpected to everyone except Fredi Gonzalez, who held closer Craig Kimbrel out due to right shoulder soreness that crept up over the weekend. Kimbrel plans to rest for a few days, which means Carpenter is the best bet for saves in the interim. Jordan Walden, who has prior experience as a closer, will also be in the mix. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		David Carpenter		Jordan Walden		Craig Kimbrel		4/3/14

Philadelphia Phillies – With both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo unavailable, Jacob Diekman blew the save last night in a wild game against Atlanta that no team seemed to want to win. Before Diekman’s implosion, B.J. Rosenberg made history in the eighth inning when he became the first pitcher in major league history to face three batters and allow three home runs. The Phillies did get some good bullpen news yesterday, however, as Mike Adams is set to be activated off the DL today. He’ll likely slide into the seventh inning for the time being. Hierarchy change: Mike Adams to 2nd in line, replacing B.J. Rosenberg.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
PHI		Jonathan Papelbon		Antonio Bastardo		Mike Adams		Jonathan Papelbon		4/15/14

Oakland A’s –After the Angels’ Ernesto Frieri blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth, Luke Gregerson earned his second save of the season in the bottom half of the inning. Oakland’s committee continues to shine, with Gregerson likely getting the call thanks to the pair of righties due up in the ninth. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
OAK		Sean Doolittle		Luke Gregerson		Ryan Cook		Ryan Cook		4/13/14

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson picked up his second save of the season on Monday. We’ve still got Doolittle as our listed closer, but until the A’s decide to give Jim Johnson another chance, either of these two could get the call on any given night.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Nearly any Astros reliever could get a 9th inning chance at this point.

Heath Bell struggles; Oakland committee humming along

April 14, 2014

Milwaukee Brewers – With Francisco Rodriguez and Jim Henderson both getting the night off, lefty Will Smith was summoned for the one-out save chance, striking out the only man he faced on three pitches. He’s the slickest they is, but he’s unlikely to get any more save opportunities while K-Rod and Henderson are both sporting 0.00 ERAs. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
MIL		Francisco Rodriguez		Jim Henderson		Will Smith		Jim Henderson		4/14/14
						Brandon Kintzler (DL)

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Tampa Bay Rays – A day after Jake McGee got an 8th hold inning for the Rays, Heath Bell was called upon to pitch in the 7th of a game that the Rays were losing by four. Bell didn’t help matters, allowing two earned runs and raising his season ERA to 5.40. His peripherals aren’t great so far, either, and at age 36, he’s got to start proving that he still belongs. Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Heath Bell.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
TB		Grant Balfour		Joel Peralta		Heath Bell		Grant Balfour		4/14/14

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Texas Rangers – Joakim Soria was unavailable after pitching in back to back games, so Alexi Ogando got the save in his place. With Neftali Feliz still in the minors, Ogando would have little competition for the closer gig should something happen to Soria. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
TEX		Joakim Soria		Alexi Ogando		Neal Cotts		Joakim Soria		4/14/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – On Saturday, Sean Doolittle got the 8th and Luke Gregerson got the 9th. Roles were reversed on Sunday, and both times, the duo got it done. We’ve still got Doolittle as our listed closer, but until the A’s decide to give Jim Johnson another chance, either of these two could get the call on any given night.
2. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies – Both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo have pitched in three straight.

A’s call on Gregerson, Bass gets save for Astros

April 13, 2014

Oakland A’s –Luke Gregerson picked up the first save for Oakland since Jim Johnson was removed as closer. Sean Doolittle pitched a perfect 8th and also got the first out of the 9th before Gregerson came on to finish the game. Tonight’s usage was likely matchup-driven, as there were 2 lefties and a switch hitter due up in the 8th inning. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
OAK		Sean Doolittle		Luke Gregerson		Ryan Cook		Ryan Cook		4/13/14

Houston Astros – It seems like every pitcher in the Astros bullpen (except, of course, Matt Albers, who has pitched the best) gets a chance to close out games. Manager Bo Porter went to Kevin Chapman for the 9th inning with the Astros up 1, and he promptly gave up the game-tying home run on his 2nd pitch. Anthony Bass ended up getting the save in the 10th inning. Bass now has 2 saves (which is more than the 1 K he has on the season), but it’s hard to say that he is the guy moving forward. If you have a bunch of free roster spots, go ahead and pick up everybody in the Astros bullpen. Otherwise, pick your favorite and hope for the best. Hierarchy change: Anthony Bass to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Albers.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
HOU		Josh Fields		Chad Qualls		Anthony Bass		Josh Fields		4/11/14
				Jesse Crain (DL)

Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara was unavailable yesterday, but could attempt long toss today before the Red Sox decide if he needs to go back to Boston for further tests. Edward Mujica will be the closer while Uehara is out. No Hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
BOS		Koji Uehara		Edward Mujica		Junichi Tazawa		Koji Uehara		4/13/14

Philadelphia Phillies – Antonio Bastardo pitched a scoreless 8th inning in a tie game last night. His numbers aren’t very impressive on the young season (6 walks vs. only 4 Ks, in 6.1 innings) but he has pitched the 8th in each of his last 3 appearances. If anything happens to Papelbon, it looks like Bastardo could get the first shot to close. Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, B.J. Rosenberg to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
PHI		Jonathan Papelbon		Antonio Bastardo		B.J. Rosenberg		Jonathan Papelbon		4/13/14
				Mike Adams (DL)

Milwaukee Brewers – Brandon Kintzler has been placed on the DL. Will Smith has been getting jiggy with it so far this year, throwing 6 scoreless innings with 8 Ks, and could see more time in the later innings. Hierarchy change: Will Smith to 2nd in line, Brandon Kintzler to DL

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
MIL		Francisco Rodriguez		Jim Henderson		Will Smith		Jim Henderson		4/13/14
						Brandon Kintzler (DL)

Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria announced that Jose Veras will be moved from the closer role, and Cubs save situations going forward will be matchup-dependent. As we mentioned earlier today, Hector Rondon has been pitching great and would be our pick to close — but unfortunately for him, he’s pitched the last three days (and four of the last five), and is almost certainly unavailable today. If there’s a save situation today that goes to Pedro Strop, Strop just might get the opportunity to make the job his own. We’ll be watching closely. Hierarchy change: Hector Rondon to Closer, Pedro Strop to Set-Up, Justin Grimm to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2015 Closer	.	Updated
CHC		Hector Rondon		Pedro Strop		Justin Grimm		Hector Rondon		4/12/14

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara is day-to-day with shoulder tightness, and Mujica will close if Uehara can’t go today.
2. Luke Gregerson, Oakland Athletics — Luke Gregerson could get the call based on matchups.
3. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has pitched three games in a row.
4. Pedro Strop/Justin Grimm, Chicago Cubs — The Cubs will could use Rondon, Strop or Grimm based on the matchup.
5. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – The Astros have made it pretty clear so far that anybody in their bullpen could be used to close out a game.

2014 NL East bullpen preview

March 11, 2014

Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has been a dominant force for the Braves over the last three years, and Atlanta still has plenty of quality arms surrounding him. Jordan Walden, a competent closer in his own right for the Angels in 2011, should be Kimbrel’s right-hand man, with David Carpenter and lefty Luis Avilan providing valuable late-inning help. Jonny Venters isn’t expected to return from his Tommy John rehab until May or June. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Craig Kimbrel; Set-up — Jordan Walden; 2nd in line — David Carpenter.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		Jordan Walden		David Carpenter		Craig Kimbrel		3/11/14

Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek pitched admirably down the stretch for a lousy team, and he’ll open 2014 in the closer role. A.J. Ramos and Mike Dunn are the only other sure things in the Fish pen — unless you count the incorrigible Carlos Marmol. We don’t. Mike Redmond isn’t yet sold on Carter Capps, but the ex-Mariner could work his way into a high-leverage role on the other side of the waves. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Steve Cishek; Set-up — A.J. Ramos; 2nd in line — Mike Dunn.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
MIA		Steve Cishek		A.J. Ramos		Mike Dunn		Steve Cishek		3/11/14

New York Mets – Pencil a healthy Bobby Parnell into the closer’s role, but after that, things get messy in Flushing. Young Vic Black received a vote of confidence at the end of 2013, but in the offseason, the team signed two aging ex-closers: Jose Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth. Neither veteran is a lock to make the roster out of spring training, but with Terry Collins’s affinity for experience in the late innings, we see Valverde and Francisco with an (undeserved) edge over Black and Gonzalez Germen. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Bobby Parnell; Set-up — Kyle Farnsworth; 2nd in line — Jose Valverde.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
NYM		Bobby Parnell		Kyle Farnsworth		Jose Valverde		Bobby Parnell		3/11/14

Philadelphia Phillies – This pen will go from bottom-five to top-five if Jonathan Papelbon is to be believed. On Thursday, Mike Adams will face hitters for the first time since his shoulder surgery, and Antonio Bastardo is coming off a 50-game PED suspension, so if the Phils are to see drastic improvement, it will have to start with the likes of B.J. Rosenberg, Justin De Fratus, and Jake Diekman. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Jonathan Papelbon; Set-up — B.J. Rosenberg (Mike Adams injured); 2nd in line — Justin De Fratus.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
PHI		Jonathan Papelbon		B.J. Rosenberg		Justin De Fratus		Jonathan Papelbon		3/11/14
				Mike Adams (DL)

Washington Nationals – The Nats enjoy the rare luxury of bringing back every member of an unchanged hierarchy. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer — Rafael Soriano; Set-up — Tyler Clippard; 2nd in line — Drew Storen.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
WAS		Rafael Soriano		Tyler Clippard		Drew Storen		Rafael Soriano		3/11/14

Craig Kimbrel: human after all

September 18, 2013

Atlanta Braves — A blown save on Tuesday and three earned runs in his last two appearances should eliminate Craig Kimbrel from any misguided Cy Young consideration. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ATL		Craig Kimbrel		David Carpenter		Jordan Walden		Craig Kimbrel		9/18/13

San Diego Padres — With Huston Street on bereavement leave, Luke Gregerson picked up the save. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
SD		Huston Street		Luke Gregerson		Nick Vincent		Huston Street		9/18/13

Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Joaquin Benoit was unavailable — but Carter Capps’s ineffectiveness for Seattle robbed Jose Veras of his vulture save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
DET		Joaquin Benoit		Jose Veras		Drew Smyly		Jose Veras		9/18/13

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. B.J. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon needed 32 pitches to get Tuesday’s save.

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