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
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonWill SmithJim Henderson4/14/14
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
TBGrant BalfourJoel PeraltaHeath BellGrant Balfour4/14/14

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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
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/14/14

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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.

2014 AL East bullpen preview

March 11, 2014

Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter has the inside track to the closer role to begin the season after the Orioles traded away Jim Johnson during the offseason. Darren O’Day will be right on his heels however, as will former Marlin Ryan Webb. Webb didn’t wow anyone last year, but he does have a good sinker and can also baffle hitters with a slider and change-up. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Tommy Hunter, Set-up – Darren O’Day, 2nd in line – Ryan Webb.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayRyan WebbTommy Hunter3/11/14

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Boston Red Sox – The World Series champs appeared destined for another mess in the bullpen last year until Koji Uehara came in and righted the ship en route to a spectacular season. He’ll start 2014 as the Sox closer, but time will tell if he can maintain the numbers he boasted last year. Waiting in the wings will be former Cardinals closer Edward Mujica, whom the Sox signed in December. He’ll likely begin the year as the primary eighth-inning guy, with reliable lefty Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa as seventh-inning options. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Koji Uehara, Set-up – Edward Mujica, 2nd in line – Craig Breslow.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaEdward MujicaCraig BreslowKoji Uehara3/11/14

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New York Yankees – The ninth inning for the Yankees will look decidedly different in 2014 with the retirement of the legendary Mariano Rivera, and David Robertson will have some giant shoes to fill as the team’s new closer. The rest of the bullpen is full of question marks, with Shawn Kelley seemingly favored by manager Joe Girardi as the eight-inning option. Matt Thornton will be the team’s lefty specialist and will see time in the seventh. Dellin Betances has impressed this spring and Preston Claiborne will also be someone to watch. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – David Robertson, Set-up – Shawn Kelley, 2nd in line – Matt Thornton.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYDavid RobertsonShawn KelleyMatt ThorntonDavid Robertson3/11/14

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Tampa Bay Rays –Almost an Oriole, Grant Balfour returns to the Rays this season as the team’s closer. He was 38-of-41 in save opportunities last season in Oakland and will replace Fernando Rodney, who departed for Seattle. The Rays feel they have the best bullpen in baseball, and they have plenty of options behind Balfour. Juan Carlos Oviedo, Heath Bell, Joel Peralta and Jake McGee all figure to factor in Joe Maddon’s late-inning plans. Bell struggled last season, but if Peralta struggles Bell may see his more high-leverage time. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Grant Balfour, Set-up – Joel Peralta, 2nd in line – Heath Bell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBGrant BalfourJoel PeraltaHeath BellGrant Balfour3/11/14

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Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen finds himself entrenched as the Blue Jays’ closer, and he’ll have a familiar cast of characters behind him. Sergio Santos will begin the season in the set-up role, while righty Steve Delabar should be called upon again in the seventh. Expect the Jays to use Brett Cecil again as a left-handed option out of the pen along with Delabar. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Casey Janssen, Set-up – Sergio Santos, 2nd in line – Casey Janssen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSergio SantosSteve DelabarCasey Janssen3/11/14

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Josh Zeid, David Hernandez rising

September 12, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – Kyle Farnsworth picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, on a night when Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli were unavailable.  Farnsworth would have been far from our first choice, as the 37-year-old righty was out of a job just a few weeks ago.  But his usage yesterday suggests Clint Hurdle will value his 9th inning experience on nights where his top two relievers can’t pitch.  Hierarchy change: Kyle Farnsworth to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Watson.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliKyle FarnsworthJason Grilli9/12/13

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Houston Astros – The ever-in-flux Astros bullpen went to Josh Zeid for the last out of the 8th inning on Wednesday, and then left him out there for the 9th, where he picked up his first career save.  After a rough stretch in August, Zeid has only allowed four earned runs in his last 13 innings, which is good enough for a prominent role in Houston.  Hierarchy change: Josh Zeid to Set-up, Kevin Chapman to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsJosh ZeidKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/12/13

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San Francisco Giants – With Sergio Romo unavailable, Santiago Casilla got the save in his absence, as mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoSantiago CasillaJavier LopezSergio Romo9/12/13

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New York Yankees – David Robertson returned to action yesterday, pitching the 8th inning and picking up a win.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up, Shawn Kelley to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonShawn KelleyDavid Robertson9/12/13
Boone Logan (INJ)

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Arizona Diamondbacks – David Hernandez, who returned earlier this month after being sidelined for much of August, pitched the 8th inning ahead of Brad Ziegler on Wednesday.  With five scoreless outings since his return, Hernandez stands to see more high-leverage innings.  Hierarchy change: David Hernandez to Set-up, Heath Bell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezHeath BellJ.J. Putz9/12/13
J.J. Putz (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in back to back games and three of four, throwing a total of 4.1 innings and 74 pitches.

Kevin Jepsen and J.J. Putz return to the disabled list

August 26, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ struggling bullpen took another blow on Sunday, as Kevin Jepsen underwent appendix surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Michael Kohn, who picked up his 6th hold of the season on Saturday, should see more high-leverage innings in Jepsen’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Michael Kohn to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Jepsen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/26/13

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Houston Astros – After picking up the save on Saturday, Chia-Jen Lo was summoned in the 9th inning on Sunday, ready to tighten his grip on the Houston closer role.  However, Lo had an absolutely miserable outing, as the first four hitters he faced reached base, including three by walk.  After walking in the game-tying run, Lo faced one more hitter, then was yanked, and eventually was saddled with the loss, as the Astros continue to look for someone to seize hold of the closer role.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/26/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz hit the disabled list again yesterday, which means — sorry, D-Backs fans — more high-leverage innings for Heath Bell.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Joe Thatcher to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerHeath BellJoe ThatcherJ.J. Putz8/26/13
J.J. Putz (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chia-Jen Lo, Houston Astros – Josh Fields has pitched in three straight, so Lo will likely get the save chance tonight.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg has pitched in back to back games and three of the past four.

David Hernandez and Cody Allen record saves

July 13, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – As expected, Brad Ziegler was given the night off on Friday.  However, it was David Hernandez, and not J.J. Putz, who got the save.  J.J. Putz and Heath Bell were used to get through the 8th inning.  Manager Kirk Gibson told Hernandez before the game that he was going to get the call in the 9th so it appears he is ahead of Putz and Bell for saves.   Hierarchy change: David Hernandez to Set-up, J.J. Putz to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/12/13

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Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen picked up his second save of the season last night as Chris Perez was given the night off after pitching in 5 of the past 6 games.  Cody Allen has 52 ks in 39.2 innings this season and should continue to see save opportunities if Perez is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Cody Allen to Set-up, Joe Smith to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezCody AllenJoe SmithChris Perez7/12/13

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Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton has been traded to the Boston Red Sox.  Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones should see time in the set-up role with Thornton gone.  Hierarchy change: Matt Lindstrom to Set-up, Nate Jones to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt LindstromNate JonesAddison Reed7/12/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and three of the past four games.