Sergio Romo will keep doing it all for the Rays

June 2, 2018

Tampa Bay Rays — As Kevin Cash’s reliever-as-a-starter experiment enters its third week, it doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Last night Sergio Romo pitched a successful first four outs before giving way to Austin Pruitt, although the Rays went on to lose in 13 innings. Romo is still a bullpen arm worth owning (he got the last Rays save) but his usage as a spot starter means he will miss out on save opportunities that he otherwise would get.

Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Romo | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates bullpen has been a disaster as of late. Closer Felipe Vazquez has blown four out of the past five save opportunities he has had, ballooning his ERA to 4.84 in the process. Despite this, Manager Clint Hurdle has said they have not considered removing him from the closer’s role. That is at least partially due to a lack of options behind him, as Michael Feliz has given up runs in four straight outings and the Pirates still don’t seem to trust Richard Rodriguez despite his excellent stat line. The main options behind Vazquez right now are Kyle Crick, who has holds in his last two appearances; and Edgar Santana, who closed out a 4-0 win last night with a clean 9th inning. Hurdle is notoriously stubborn about keeping his closer in place (see: 2017 Tony Watson), so we don’t expect that Vazquez will lose his job soon. However, the bridge to him has certainly shifted.

Updated hierarchy: Vazquez | Crick | Santana.

Cincinnati Reds — Michael Lorenzen pitched the last four innings against the Padres to pick up his first save of the season. He almost maintained his 0.00 ERA, but Billy Hamilton lost a fly ball crashing into the center field wall, allowing Lorenzen’s first two earned runs of the year to score. You know the drill at this point, be the first to prove that you started Lorenzen in your league and you will earn a free year of Closer Monkey Premium!

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

Chicago White Sox – Danny Farquhar returned to the mound last night, throwing out the first pitch before the White Sox-Brewers game. Farquhar has a long recovery ahead of him, but he wants to come back and play. We wish him the best in his recovery and hope that the next time he takes the mound he’s facing a major league hitter.

Hierarchy remains: *Jones | Fry | Rondon.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joe Jimenez — Shane Greene has pitched in three straight games and Jimenez had yesterday off presumably for this reason.
2. Josh Fields — Kenley Jansen has pitched in back-to-back games, including a 24-pitch, four-out performance last night.
3. David Robertson — Arolids Chapman has pitched in three of four and threw 17 pitches last night.

Sunday:
1. Robert Gsellman —  If Jeurys Familia pitches today it will be back-to-back and three of four.
2. Tony Watson/Sam Dyson — Same goes for Hunter Strickland, but also for Watson and Dyson. It’s possible that Mark Melancon will be thrown right into the fire, but expect Bruce Bochy to ease him back in.
3. Alex Colome — Edwin Diaz threw 28 pitches yesterday in a blown save, so if he goes again tonight he may need Sunday off.
4. Steve Cishek/Pedro Strop — The entire Cubs bullpen has been busy lately, with Brandon Morrow, Cishek and Strop all having pitched two straight games entering Saturday. Sunday’s plan will depend on how Saturday goes.

Andrew Miller still a few days away from returning

May 5, 2018

Cleveland Indians — Andrew Miller needs a little more time before he can return to bolster the beleaguered Indians bullpen. In other good news, Nick Goody’s MRI revealed no structural damage to his elbow.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Olson | Otero. 

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers managed to throw a combined no-hitter in Mexico last night, and they didn’t use anyone in their hierarchy to do it. Congratulations to Tony Cingrani, Yimi Garcia, and Adam Liberatore (and rookie starter Walker Buehler) for their historical moments.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Fields | Baez.

Oakland A’s — Bob Melvin talked up Danny Coulombe and Yusmeiro Petit in Ryan Buchter’s absence, but he’s been using Ryan Dull the most.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Casilla | Dull. 

Chicago White Sox — Those rooting for Danny Farquhar — which is to say, all of us — should read this Jeff Passan piece on the challenges that lie ahead for the righthander and the ways he’s already beaten the odds.

Hierarchy remains: *Soria | Jones | Rondon.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Robertson — Aroldis Chapman has gone in three of four (and was juuuuuust a bit outside a few times last night).
2. Addison Reed — So has Fernando Rodney.
3. Greg Holland — And Bud Norris.
4. Santiago Casilla — Blake Treinen has pitched in two of three (54 pitches).

Sunday:
1. Tyler Olson — Cody Allen has gone in two straight.
2. Robertson — If Chapman pitches today, he won’t go Sunday.
3. George Kontos — Felipe Vazquez got five outs on Friday.
4. Brad Keller/Brian Flynn — Kelvin Herrera has gone in two straight and three of four.

Almost a meaningful Greg Holland sighting, plus Corey Knebel throws a bullpen

April 22, 2018

St. Louis Cardinals — For a minute, it looked like we might finally see a Greg Holland save opportunity.  With the Cardinals clinging to a one-run lead in the 9th inning, rookie Jordan Hicks gave up a couple walks and hit a batter to load the bases with one out.  Holland was warming in the bullpen, but Hicks got a double play to end the inning.  It shouldn’t be too much longer before Greg Holland finally gets a chance to do what he was signed to do.

Hierarchy remains: *Norris | Holland | Lyons.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Corey Knebel threw a bullpen on Saturday, his first time on the mound since injuring his hamstring.  There is still no timetable for Knebel’s return, but it would make one Brewers fan extremely happy if they cut Brent Suter to make room for Knebel on the active roster.

Hierarchy remains: *Hader | Albers | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers – Warwick Saupold picked up his first career save on Saturday.  Saupold recorded the last seven outs of a 12-4 Tigers win.  Although Saupold has a 0.00 ERA so far this season, he isn’t quite ready to crack the Tigers’ hierarchy

Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.

Chicago White Sox — Danny Farquhar suffered a brain hemorrhage during the game on Friday.  Our thought and prayers are with Danny and his family.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Jones | Rondon.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Juan Nicasio – Edwin Diaz threw 40 pitches yesterday in recording the save and also pitched on Friday so he will almost certainly get Sunday off.
2. Robert Gsellman – Jeurys Familia has pitched in back-to-back games, including a blown save yesterday.  AJ Ramos has also pitched in back-to-back games and three of four.
3. Luis Garcia/Adam Morgan – Hector Neris has pitched in two straight, including a four out save yesterday.  Garcia and Morgan have also both pitched in two straight but thrown far fewer pitches so they could still be available today.

Monday
1. Cam Bedrosian – Keynan Middleton needed 28 pitches to get the save on Saturday so if he pitches again today, he will likely get Monday off.
2. Juan Nicasio – Diaz might get Monday off also after throwing 59 pitches over the past two games.

 

Jacob Barnes get first save chance since Knebel injury…and promptly blows it.

April 8, 2018

Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers had their first save chance since Corey Knebel hit the DL, and Jacob Barnes got the call.  Unfortunately for Brewers’ fans (and fantasy owners who just picked him up), Barnes was unable to convert the save.  He was charged with 4 runs, although only two were earned.  Barnes gave up a couple infield singles and was hurt by an error, so it wasn’t quite as bad as the final line made it look.  Matt Albers and Josh Hader were unavailable, and this will likely continue to be a committee based on matchups and availability.

Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Albers | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Bud Norris struck out the side yesterday to record the first save of the season for the Cardinals.  Greg Holland will close as soon as he gets to St. Louis, but Norris was brought in this off-season to help the bullpen and could see a few more save chances before Holland gets called up.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Norris | Hicks.

New York Yankees — David Robertson, not to be confused with INF/P Daniel Robertson, came on in a tight spot in the seventh inning yesterday.  He struck out both batters he faced to protect the Yankees two-run lead.  He also came back out for the eighth and retired the side in order with two more strikeouts.  Robertson had one bad outing this season, but the Yankees still seem to trust him more than Dellin Betances right now.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Robertson | Betances.

Chicago Cubs – It took nine games, but Brandon Morrow finally recorded his first out as a Cub (and also made his first appearance prior to the 17th inning).  Morrow struck out a pair en route to his first save of the season.  There was some concern from Cubs’ fans after Morrow had only thrown two pitches this season, but he looked great on Saturday, hitting 97 mph with his fastball.

Hierarchy remains: Morrow | Cishek | Edwards.

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya walked all four batters he faced on Saturday and got sent down after the game.  Veteran Danny Farquhar should take over the seventh inning duties ahead of Nate Jones and Joakim Soria.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Jones | Farquhar.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres – Kirby Yates left the game after just one pitch last night.  Yates is hoping to avoid a trip to the disabled list, but if he does miss an extended period of time, Kazuhisa Makita could see more time in the later innings.

Hierarchy remains: Hand | Yates | Stammen.

Los Angeles Angels — Blake Parker pitched yesterday with the Angels losing and gave up two runs.  It’s still very early, but Parker’s ERA is over 7.00 and Mike Scioscia is not shy about trying different guys in the ninth inning.  We would not be surprised if Keynan Middleton got the next save chance, but we also wouldn’t be surprised if he still gave Parker a shot (and because it’s Scioscia, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised by whatever happens).  Jim Johnson is another guy who could get a shot as he has pitched well to start the season, while Cam Bedrosian has probably worked himself out of the conversation with an ERA north of 7.00 to start the season.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Middleton | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Albers – Jacob Barnes threw 24 pitches in the blown save yesterday so Albers could get the call today.
2. Liam Hendriks – Blake Treinen has pitched in two in a row, including 2 innings yesterday, and thrown a total of 40 pitches.

Monday
1. Chris Devenski – It will be three in a row for Ken Giles if he pitches Sunday
2. AJ Ramos – Jeurys Familia pitched 1.2 innings Saturday so he is needed again on Sunday, he will likely be rested on Monday.
3. Darren O’Day – Brad Brach got Saturday off, but if he pitches Sunday, that will make four of the past five.
4. Jake McGee – If Wade Davis pitches Sunday, that will be two in a row, and four of five.
5. AJ Minter – Arodys Vizcaino threw 23 pitches yesterday and if pitches again on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.

Brandon Kintzler can’t get save number 30 while Juan Minaya might be closer of the future for White Sox

October 1, 2017

Chicago White Sox – Juan Minaya picked up his ninth save of the season on Saturday night.  Minaya was a perfect 6-for-6 on save chances in the month of September, and after struggling with walks in August, he only gave up two walks in September.  A lot can happen in the offseason, but with Minaya getting more comfortable in the ninth inning, he could be an option to close for the White Sox in 2018.

Hierarchy remains: Minaya | Farquhar | Alburquerque.

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler got the call in the ninth inning last night to protect a one run lead.  Kintzler was seeking his 30th save of the season, but unfortunately he gave up four runs and took the loss instead.  With one more regular season game, it’s possible that Kintzler gets another shot, but it’s more likely he will fall just short of the 30 save mark this season.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Kintzler | Madson. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joe Kelly/Matt Barnes – Craig Kimbrel, Addison Reed, and David Price have all pitched two in a row.
2. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman should get Sunday off, and the Yankees might try to get Betances back on track with a save chance.
3. Hector Rondon – The Cubs could rest Davis, Edwards, Strop and Wilson after they all pitched yesterday,
4. Bryan Shaw – The Indians will likely rest closer Cody Allen on Sunday after they clinched home field in the AL.
5. Joe Musgrove – Ken Giles got yesterday off but after pitching the two games prior, he will likely get another day off.  Youngster Joe Musgrove hasn’t pitched in a couple days so the Astros might plan on using him if there is a save chance.
6. Josh Fields – Kenley Jansen will almost certainly be rested on Sunday after getting a four out save yesterday.  However, with the Dodgers having nothing to play for, it’s tough to know who else will be rested.  We will throw out a long shot in Josh Fields, who is well rested.