Tyler Clippard new favorite for saves in Washington; Heath Bell struggles

May 26, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs recorded the save on Friday, pitching a clean 9th inning.  Ernesto Frieri will still get the majority of saves in the Angels’ closer-by-committee.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |5/26/12 |Hawkins(DL) |

 
New York Yankees – With a three-run lead on Friday, the Yankees turned to Boone Logan, who pitched a breezy 8th inning ahead of Rafael Soriano.  Logan (2.95 ERA, 28 Ks in 18.1 IPs) is establishing himself as the go-to set-up man in the Yankees beleaguered bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Boone Logan to Set-up, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Logan |Wade |Robertson |5/26/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell struggled in the 9th inning on Friday and was lifted for Steve Cishek, who got the final two outs and picked up his first save of the season.  “Bell’s my closer,” Ozzie Guillen said after the game. “But I had a bad feeling.”  Bell has pitched much better since winning the job back two weeks ago, but still hasn’t completely earned his manager’s trust.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/26/12

 
Washington Nationals – The Nationals have had two save opportunities since demoting Henry Rodriguez, and both have gone to Tyler Clippard.  When announcing Rodriguez’s demotion and the team’s subsequent plans for a closer-by-committee, Davey Johnson specifically said that Tyler Clippard would remain in a high-leverage set-up role.  But that same day, Clippard expressed a strong desire for the job, and Johnson, thought of by many as the ultimate player’s coach, may have been moved by the young righty’s words.  Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Closer, Sean Burnett to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Stammen |Storen |5/26/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three consecutive games.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten the first two save opportunities, but Davey Johnson has yet to declare that he’s moved away from the closer-by-committee he originally announced.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.

Rafael Soriano closing in New York; Jose Valverde day-to-day

May 16, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago pitched in the 9th inning on Tuesday when the White Sox were down 4 runs.  Though he’s supposedly part of a closer-by-committee in Chicago, Addison Reed and Matt Thornton both seem positioned to get more opportunities than the young lefty.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Hector Santiago to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Santiago |Reed |5/16/12

 
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde pitched to five hitters in the 9th inning on Tuesday before exiting with a sore back.  Octavio Dotel got a one-out save in his place, and Valverde said after the game that he was day-to-day.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |5/16/12

 
New York Yankees – David Robertson was placed on the 15-day DL with a left oblique strain.  Rafael Soriano will close until he returns.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to Closer, Cory Wade to Setup, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Wade |Logan |Robertson |5/16/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde tweaked his back in Tuesday’s game and is day-to-day.
2. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in back-to-back games- throwing 41 pitches total- and in three of the last four.  The Giants could play match-ups in the 9th inning tonight.

David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to closer

May 15, 2012

New York Yankees – David Robertson was placed on the 15 day DL with a left oblique strain.  Rafael Soriano will take over as closer with Robertson on the DL.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to DL, Rafael Soriano to Closer, Cory Wade to Setup, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Wade |Logan |Robertson |5/15/12 |Robertson(DL) |

Rafael Dolis, David Robertson inherit jobs; Heath Bell still the closer in Miami

May 4, 2012

Miami Marlins – Edward Mujica got the save Thursday afternoon, as Heath Bell was unavailable.  Ozzie Guillen insisted before the game that Bell, despite a disastrous first month, is still the closer in Miami.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/4/12

 
New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera tore his ACL while shagging fly balls during warmups before Thursday’s game. He’s out for the year and his career may be over. Rafael Soriano was used in the 8th inning yesterday with the Yankees down by a run, leaving little doubt that it will be David Robertson who steps in and attempts to fill Rivera’s big shoes. Hierarchy change: Mariano Rivera to DL, David Robertson to Closer, Rafael Soriano to Setup, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/4/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol had another terrible outing today and after the game Manager Dale Sveum said he is definitely thinking about removing Marmol as closer. Sveum mentioned Rafael Dolis and James Russell as potential replacements.  Dolis should get the first shot as he was brought on today to try and clean up Marmol’s mess. Hierarchy change: Rafael Dolis to Closer, James Russell to set-up, Carlos Marmol to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Marmol |Marmol |5/4/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Ryan Cook/Brian Fuentes, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour was held out of Wednesday’s game due to heavy use and a nagging back injury. If his back is still keeping him out, the A’s will look to Ryan Cook or Brian Fuentes for the save opportunity.

Mariano Rivera injured; David Robertson to close

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera injured his knee shagging fly balls during warmups before a game with Kansas City. The early diagnosis is a sprained knee, and he will have an MRI tonight. David Robertson is likely to step in and take the first save opportunities if Rivera misses time. Rafael Soriano has closing experience and could step in if needed as well. Hierarchy change: Mariano Rivera injured, David Robertson to Closer, Rafael Soriano to Setup, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/3/12 |Rivera(INJ) |