Ronald Belisario and Cody Allen moving up

May 21, 2014

Cleveland Indians — Bryan Shaw pitched the seventh and eighth innings up three runs, yielding to Cody Allen for the ninth — although by then the Indians had scored another run to eliminate the save situation. Without that run, this would have been the second straight save chance for Allen, who hit 100 mph on the radar gun on Tuesday. We interpret this as a sign that he’s the favored option in the committee. He’s pitched on three straight days, though, so don’t lose faith when he doesn’t get called on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Axford.

Chicago White Sox — After Jake Petricka pitched a solid seventh for the Sox, Chicago scored three runs in the top of the eighth — only to see Scott Downs and a horrid Frank Francisco give them right back. After Zach Putnam got out of the jam, it was indeed Ronald Belisario who got the first post-Lindstrom save chance. Belisario gave up one run (on a bizarre passed ball and a single through a shifted infield) before striking out Lorenzo Cain to clinch the win. He’s not likely to be able to go tomorrow, but he’s still our best bet for saves from this pen with Lindstrom out.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle’s first walk in nine months didn’t scare off Bob Melvin Tuesday night. After the lefty finished off the Rays, he was officially anointed Oakland’s closer. “It’s pretty cool, I guess,” was Doolittle’s response — fitting for a man who’s been known to dance like no one is watching to George Michael.

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Gregerson | Johnson.

Colorado Rockies – LaTroy Hawkins blew his first save of the season on Sunday, and he followed it up by giving up the go-ahead run in a tied ninth last night. In his last nine appearances, Hawkins has given up seven earned runs in seven innings — and, more importantly, has surrendered 16 hits with only 2 strikeouts. With Adam Ottavino and Rex Brothers each pitching well, Hawkins might not have many more shots at the ninth.

LaTroy Hawkins to Hot Seat.

St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte, he of the beard and the cancer foundation, returned to the Cardinals roster on Tuesday after Tommy John surgery. Mike Matheny didn’t commit to a role for Motte apart from “right-handed pitcher,” but he also hinted that he wouldn’t be afraid to use Motte in a high-leverage spot right away.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Martinez | Motte.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. John Axford, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched in three straight games and Bryan Shaw threw two innings on Tuesday.
2. Daniel Webb, Chicago White Sox — Belisario has had two straight lengthy outings, while Webb has had two days off.
3. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles haven’t had many save chances lately, but as last night’s usage shows, they can go with either O’Day or Zach Britton in the ninth.

Tommy Hunter could lose his job; Mets and A’s closing by committee

May 14, 2014

Baltimore Orioles — After an overturned call on a Rajai Davis steal, Tommy Hunter blew his second straight save and boasts a 21.60 ERA over his last four appearances. Hunter has allowed 29 baserunners in his 15 IP so far this year, and the cries to replace him are getting louder. Buck Showalter is speaking in generalities thus far: “You’re alert to it, you keep an eye on it. And if there’s some adjustments that need to be made, we’ll make them . . . we’ll constantly see what gives us the best option to pitch nine innings and be competitive and continue to be in first place. And that’s what we’ll do.” Here’s a link to his postgame news conference.

Tommy Hunter to Hot Seat. Hierarchy remains: Hunter | Britton | O’Day.

New York Mets — If you woke up this morning wishing for another ill-defined closer committee, you owe Terry Collins a thank-you note. Kyle Farnsworth is the putative head of a motley crew that also includes Jose Valverde, Jeurys Familia, and Daisuke Matsuzaka — although Dice-K’s 3.2 IP on Tuesday are likely to keep him on the sidelines for a few days. Jenrry Mejia is not yet a candidate to close, according to Collins, but his “swing-and-miss stuff” could change that quickly going forward. As committees go, this one is more Aging than Intelligence.

Hierarchy remains: Farnsworth | Familia | Mejia.

Oakland A’s — Bob Melvin renewed Oakland’s commitment to a closer committee on Tuesday, noting that Sean Doolittle’s value with men on base can sometimes keep him from finishing close games. That acknowledgment suggests to us that Johnson still has a slight edge in the saves race going forward, but it’s anything but a full-throated endorsement.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson |  Doolittle | Gregerson.

New York Yankees — Shawn Kelley was placed on the DL with a lower back injury, retroactive to May 7; this will force Joe Girardi to lean on Adam Warren and Dellin Betances even more.

Hierarchy change: Robertson | Warren | Betances.

Chicago White Sox — Hope you didn’t run out and buy that Frank Francisco White Sox jersey. In his second appearance of the year, he gave up three runs to Oakland, raising his ERA to 13.50. Meanwhile, Matt Lindstrom, who’s supposed to be the class of this outfit, pitched the eighth inning down nine runs and got tagged for two more.  No hierarchy change.

Hierarchy change: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

Los Angeles Angels — Although Joe Smith set up Ernesto Frieri for Tuesday night’s save, it was actually Smith who faced the tougher part of the Phillies lineup. Either man could see a save on a given night.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Cecil/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen, fresh from a DL stint for a back injury, has pitched in two straight games.
2. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Allen and Bryan Shaw may share save chances.
3. Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Chad Qualls has been more effective as of late, but Anthony Bass could get a 9th inning chance at any time.
4. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has been a workhorse this year, but if he gets a day off after pitching three of the last four days, Kintzler is the best-rested alternative.

Chapman back as closer, Joe Smith picks up save

May 11, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — The Reds officially activated Aroldis Chapman from the disabled list before yesterday’s game, and manager Bryan Price has said that he won’t hesitate to go to Chapman in a save opportunity.

Hierarchy change: Chapman | Broxton | LeCure.

Los Angeles Angels — Joe Smith picked up the save yesterday, but he made it interesting.  Smith came on with two men on  and nobody out in the 9th inning, with the Angels up four runs.  He gave up a couple run-scoring singles before finally getting Adam Lind to ground into a double play to end the inning.  We think Frieri will get the bulk of the save chances, but Smith could still see some saves from time to time.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox have called up Frank Francisco.  Francisco was dominating Triple-A, having allowed 0 runs with 12 Ks in 8 innings.  Lindstrom has been solid as the closer recently, and it’s not clear how the White Sox will use Francisco immediately, but he could start seeing high-leverage situations if he can continue to pitch as well as he did in Charlotte.

Hierarchy remains: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves have placed Jordan Walden on the DL with a strained hamstring.  David Carpenter should take over Walden’s set-up role, while Anthony Varvaro could see more time in the later innings.

Hierarchy change: Kimbrel | Carpenter | Varvaro.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Carpenter, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in 2 straight, throwing a total of 43 pitches.
2. Zach Britton/Darren O’Day,  Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter has appeared in two straight days and four of the last five.
3. Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays – Cecil got the last save chance so the Blue Jays could turn to Loup for the next save opportunity.
4. Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Bass blew the save yesterday so it would likely be Qualls’s turn today but you never know with the Astros.

J.J. Putz hits the DL; Aroldis Chapman not cut out for Triple-A

May 7, 2014

Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz has been moved to the disabled list due to the dreaded forearm tightness. Oliver Perez and Joe Thatcher should see their roles expand in his absence.

Hierarchy change: Reed | Ziegler | Perez.

Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri enraged the insane Twitter user contingent of the Angel fan base by giving up his sixth home run in 14 1/3 innings to lose to the Yankees. Meanwhile, Joe Smith has been battling tightness in his right side. It’s hard out here for Mike Scioscia.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

Oakland A’s — Down a run late, the Athletics went to Sean Doolittle, Luke Gregerson, and then Jim Johnson, in what appeared to be another attempt to ease Johnson back into the closer’s role. That process may have been derailed after Johnson surrendered four runs (three earned) in 2/3 of an inning. No hierarchy change.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Johnson | Doolittle.

Cincinnati Reds — The Norfolk Tides had Aroldis Chapman’s number on Tuesday afternoon, picking up five runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Chapman was a botched double play away from escaping the inning at 1-0, however, and he could rejoin the Reds this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Broxton | LeCure | Marshall.

Toronto Blue Jays — With Brett Cecil resting, John Gibbons used lefty Aaron Loup for a two-out save against lefties Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Matchups are likely to continue to dictate Toronto save situations until the return of Casey Janssen, possibly early next week.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Delabar | Loup.

Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica’s right oblique felt fine after a Tuesday bullpen session, and he’s likely to avoid the disabled list.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Tazawa | Mujica.

Cleveland Indians — After eight weeks, we finally have a reason to talk about the Indians’ bullpen: Bryan Shaw’s vulture save last night, in lieu of the tired John Axford.

Hierarchy remains: Axford | Allen | Shaw.

Chicago White Sox — Frank Francisco’s stats so far at AAA Charlotte: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Hierarchy remains: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched in three straight games.
2. Michael Kohn, Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri has pitched on four of the last five days, and Joe Smith is day-to-day.
3. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland’s pitch count has been low, but he has worked in three straight games.
4. Fernando Abad/Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics — The A’s have a doubleheader on Wednesday, and both Luke Gregerson and Jim Johnson have been worked heavily.

Doolittle bested by a Trout; seven walks for sorry Brothers

April 16, 2014

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle blew a save late Tuesday night, courtesy of a Mike Trout home run. No instant alert for this one — they were even anyway — but we’re ready to shuffle Luke Gregerson to the top of the Oakland closer committee. Note also the resurgence of Jim Johnson, who’s pitched five scoreless innings since he was moved out of the ninth inning. Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to Closer, Sean Doolittle to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook4/16/14

.

Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers has been awful this year, and Walt Weiss has decided to give the lefty a few days off. Boone Logan, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh on Tuesday night, should reap some high-leverage rewards. For his part, Adam Ottavino has been practically unhittable. Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to Set-up, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoBoone LoganRex Brothers4/16/14

.

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton picked up his first save of the year on Tuesday night, cementing his hold on Cincy’s closer job until the return of Aroldis Chapman. On Monday, Chapman threw off a mound for the first time since his injury, and the Reds are cautiously optimistic. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/16/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

.

Chicago White Sox — The Sox signed ex-closer Frank Francisco on Monday and assigned him to their AAA team in Charlotte. With the struggles in the White Sox pen so far, Francisco has a good shot at being this year’s Kevin Gregg. That might be the saddest sentence I’ve ever typed. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromDaniel WebbMaikel CletoNate Jones4/16/14
Nate Jones (DL)

.

Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless inning for class-A Dunedin on Tuesday; he’s expected to make two more minor league appearances before returning in about a week. What role he’ll have upon his arrival is still unknown. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/16/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Carpenter/Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel is still day-to-day with a sore shoulder.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri has pitched in four of the last five games, as has Joe Smith, who got blasted on Tuesday.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — It’s Houston, what are you gonna do?
4. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria might call on Strop after demoting Jose Veras. Heck, he might call on Kevin Gregg, or Gregg Olson.
5. Ryan Cook/Dan Otero, Oakland Athletics — Luke Gregerson is most likely to get an A’s save on Wednesday, but these two have a shot.
6. Brian Wilson/J.P. Howell, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has thrown in three of the last four games, including a 25-pitch outing yesterday, and Brian Wilson has returned from the disabled list.