Seung Hwan Oh leaves with groin trouble again

September 29, 2016

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Boston Red Sox — Boston clinched a division title when Toronto lost to Baltimore, but Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly couldn’t protect a three-run lead in the ninth, allowing the Yankees to remain barely alive in the wild card race. Kimbrel really struggled, yielding a line-drive single before sprinkling three walks around a wild pitch. John Farrell retains confidence in all three of his top relievers, and Kimbrel could be used in a more unorthodox, stopper-type role in the playoffs. But with the team’s playoff fate sealed, he might get some more rest.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Uehara | Ziegler.

St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh left last night’s game as a precaution to avoid further injury to his balky groin. Consider him day-to-day, with Kevin Siegrist ready to fill in if needed.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Siegrist | Bowman.

Los Angeles Angels — Just when we thought it was safe to remove Andrew Bailey’s committee asterisk, the Angels turned to J.C. Ramirez in the ninth inning. The asterisk stays, but the next chance should still go to Bailey.

Hierarchy remains: *Bailey | Ramirez | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — Boone Logan got the first shot at Wednesday’s save, against a lefty-heavy lineup, but when he put two men on, Adam Ottavino was summoned for the last out.

Hierarchy remains: Ottavino | Logan | McGee.

San Diego Padres — Ryan Buchter hasn’t pitched in nine days, and although there’s been no explanation that we can find, it’s possible the rookie might be done for the season.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Quackenbush.

Seattle Mariners — If the Mariners miss the playoffs, it certainly won’t be Evan Scribner’s fault. After missing the first five months of the season with a strained right lat, he joined the team in the September roster expansion and has been fantastic — 12.1 scoreless IP over 10 games, with 14 Ks and only eight baserunners. Wednesday afternoon, Scribner escaped a Nick Vincent jam on his way to two more scoreless innings. He can’t crack the hierarchy, but he deserves a little love.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Cishek | Vincent.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs — Aroldis Chapman has gone in three of four, and the Cubs are home free.
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna blew a save yesterday, his fourth day of work in the last five.
3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — It’s been four of five for Wade Davis as well.
4. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — See above.
5. Koji Uehara/Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox — Kimbrel struggled through 28 pitches Wednesday night.

Carlos Estevez is back in the bigs

August 23, 2016

Colorado Rockies – Right-hander Scott Oberg was placed on the 15-day disabled list with the very scary sounding condition “axillary artery thrombosis.” Carlos Estevez, who closed for the Rockies for a time despite a 5+ ERA, was recalled from Triple-A to replace Oberg. Boone Logan has been fantastic this year, so we expect him to get the 8th ahead of Ottavino going forward, while Estevez’s former experience in the closer role pushes him on to the depth chart right away.

Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Logan | Estevez.

Cleveland Indians – As mentioned in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Andrew Miller got the save opportunity last night — pitching a perfect ninth with three strikeouts — while Cody Allen got a rest. Aside from a bad outing last Wednesday, Allen has been efficient and effective lately, and with Miller pitching out of his mind, there’s a lot to like about the Cleveland bullpen. However, regardless of which player you own, Tito Francona still doesn’t seem all that committed to your fantasy team’s success.

Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Miller | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers – Tyler Thornburg has pitched three innings in the last two days.

Jonathan Papelbon could return to the Red Sox Thursday

August 18, 2016

Exile — Just when you thought you were safe from the DL DC Strangler, the Red Sox look like they’re ready to bring him home. John Farrell evidently called him. David Ortiz wants to give him a hug. GM Mike Hazen was good for a backhanded compliment on the radio (“a little crazy goes a long way”). Although the Cubs are also in the mix, the Red Sox have the bigger need and valuable years of experience handling Papelbon’s, uh, quirks. If he does sign with Boston, Papelbon is likely to share the set-up role with Brad Ziegler.

Colorado Rockies — We knew Adam Ottavino was likely to get a night off, but it was a bit surprising to see Scott Oberg earn the save. It’s been a revolving door in front of Ottavino, with Oberg, Jake McGee, and Carlos Estevez each pitching an eighth inning in front of the closer this past week. Oberg’s numbers aren’t great — and he gave up a home run on Wednesday night — but we’ve got to put him somewhere. Just know that we don’t recommend anyone in this pen past Ottavino.

Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Oberg | Logan.

Chicago Cubs — Joe Smith went to the DL Wednesday with a strained hamstring. C.J. Edwards had one terrible outing last Friday, but we still give him the edge over Justin Grimm and Travis Wood.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Edwards.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched on four of the last five days, including a bubblicious blown save on Wednesday night.
2. Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds — Tony Cingrani has gone in two straight and three of four.

Closer changes aplenty highlight tumultuous Tuesday

August 10, 2016

Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, and later that night Fernando Rodney picked up the save. One name to keep an eye on is Brian Ellington, who picked up his first hold of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.61. He may see more high-leverage chances with Ramos on the DL.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Barraclough | Dunn.

Colorado Rockies — As we had been predicting for a while, Walt Weiss decided to go back to Adam Ottavino “for the most part” in the closer’s role. Carlos Estevez will slip back to at least fourth-chair, behind Ottavino, Boone Logan, and Jake McGee.

Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Logan | McGee.

Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with middle finger tendinitis. With Joe Smith shipped off to the Cubs and Huston Street still hurting, we think Fernando Salas is the best bet for saves for the time being. JC Ramirez could also factor in to the mix, though a 5-1 loss on Tuesday night did little to clarify who may pitch where.

Updated hierarchy: *Salas | Ramirez | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Don’t say we didn’t warn you. With a runner on second and Cleveland holding on to a 2-0 lead, Andrew Miller was summoned in the seventh inning. He got out of the jam, and despite allowing a leadoff home run in the eighth, he retired the next hitter before Cody Allen picked up the save in the ninth. It’s become quite clear that Terry Francona and his staff are not afraid to use Miller in unconventional spots if deemed necessary to win.

Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias earned his first career save on Tuesday night, just as the Vulture Save Watch predicted. It probably won’t be his last this season, as not only does Iglesias want the job, but manager Bryan Price seemed comfortable with the idea of Iglesias closing more games. The job is still Tony Cingrani’s for now, but his seat is getting warmer.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Iglesias | Lorenzen.  

Atlanta Braves — The Vulture Save Watch completed a 2-for-3 night Tuesday when Jim Johnson got a night off, which paved the way for Mauricio Cabrera to collect his third save of the season. Ian Krol was sharp in the eighth inning, retiring both batters he faced. In other news, Shae Simmons was activated off the DL and placed on the Triple-A roster.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Cabrera | Krol.

Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel retired two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth, but four walks and one run allowed led John Farrell to pull him in favor of Matt Barnes, who struck out Mark Teixeira to record his first career save. Kimbrel did get a hold for his troubles, though he has just one save in three appearances since returning from the DL and claims his sore knee is not affecting his performance.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Tazawa.

Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene hasn’t pitched since Saturday thanks to a posterior oblique injury. The Tigers have been trying to get through it without sending Greene to the DL. If Greene does miss an extended period of time, Alex Wilson may get more high-leverage looks. He has thrown 14 straight scoreless innings, including last night when he inherited a bases-loaded, no-out jam and retired all three hitters he faced to keep the Tigers in front.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.

Chicago White Sox – After a David Robertson blown save, Lieutenant Dan Jennings recorded the final out of the 10th inning to pick up his first career save. And hopefully some ice cream.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Albers.

Tampa Bay Rays — Erasmo Ramirez collected his first career save by pitching the final three innings in a 9-2 victory. While he’s appeared in our hierarchy in the past, he won’t factor in the Rays’ late-inning plans unless Brad Boxberger gets hurt again.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Boxberger.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kyle Barraclough, Miami Marlins – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight and four of the last five games.
2. Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel struggled through a 37-pitch outing on Tuesday.