Ty Buttrey records first save for new Angels committee

August 5, 2020

Los Angeles Angels — In a not-so-surprising move, Joe Maddon announced that Hansel Robles is out as closer and that the Angels will employ a closer-by-committee. We got a first look at that committee on Tuesday, as Hoby Milner, Felix Pena and Ty Buttrey combined to close out a 5-3 victory. Pena, who started the eighth inning against the 2-3-4 hitters, had looked the best of a mediocre bunch so far this season, though he did allow his first run of 2020 on Tuesday and only recorded two outs before Buttrey finished the frame and stayed on for a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up the save. We’ll keep Buttrey at the top of what could be quite a volatile committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Buttrey | Pena | Milner.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – Just when you thought Craig Kimbrel was out, David Ross pulled him back in to try and protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning. That experiment lasted three batters, with Kimbrel recording one out before departing with runners on second and third. Kyle Ryan came in and allowed both runners to score before securing the save. After the game, manager David Ross explained that he wanted to get Kimbrel some work, ideally with his team ahead, and that the Cubs need to get him innings. Ross and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein are publicly supporting Kimbrel, but don’t be shocked if Rowan Wick gets the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: *Kimbrel | Wick | Jeffress.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – The Twins led the Pirates, 7-1, entering the ninth inning, but Pittsburgh mounted a rally and had the tying run on deck when Trevor May came on to record the final two outs. May had previously recorded back-to-back holds, including an impressive eighth inning on Sunday in which he struck out the side. Cody Stashak has been solid for the Twins so far this season and should continue to be a factor for them in the late innings, but we’ll swap him out for May in our hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Rogers | Romo | May.

Miami Marlins – For the first time since July 26, the Marlins actually played a baseball game. After a COVID-19 outbreak put a pause to their season, the Marlins returned to the field with several new faces on the roster. One of those new faces was Richard Bleier, who Miami acquired in a trade with Baltimore. Bleier’s first assignment with the Marlins came Tuesday night against his former club, and he dispatched all three Orioles he faced in a perfect seventh inning. He’ll take over the seventh-inning role vacated by Yimi Garcia, who landed on the IL prior to Tuesday’s game.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Boxberger | Bleier.

Colorado Rockies – Yency Almonte needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play and preserve a 5-2 lead in Tuesday’s eighth inning. He came back out for the ninth and got another double play en route to collecting his first big-league save. Both Jairo Diaz and Carlos Estevez were unavailable, and manager Bud Black wanted to avoid using Daniel Bard unless it was absolutely necessary, which paved the way for Almonte’s opportunity.

Hierarchy remains: *Diaz | Estevez | Bard.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – We’ll hopefully learn more today about when Keone Kela will return to the Pirates’ bullpen. Manager Derek Shelton did confirm yesterday that Kela will close when he comes back. Meanwhile, the Pirates placed Michael Feliz on the 45-day IL.

Updated hierarchy: *Burdi | Rodriguez | Stratton.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Daniel Hudson earned another save on Tuesday, with Javy Guerra picking up an eighth-inning hold after a 67-minute rain delay. Sean Doolittle, who spent the weekend working on his mechanics, had been warming up prior to the delay and would have pitched the eighth if the weather had cooperated.

Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Doolittle | Rainey.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays held a comfortable 5-1 lead in the ninth inning until Ryan Thompson allowed three straight hits to load the bases. Thompson buckled down to record an out before Nick Anderson came on to retire the next two batters and preserve the four-run victory.

Hierarchy remains: *Drake | Anderson | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Nick Goody – Neither Edinson Volquez or Jonathan Hernandez will be available today.
2. Rowan Wick – Craig Kimbrel only threw 11 pitches yesterday but he was once again ineffective.
3. Evan Marshall – Alex Colome has pitched in two straight and Aaron Bummer has appeared in three of the last four.
4. Seth Lugo – Edwin Diaz has looked a lot better in his last two outings, albeit while the Mets were trailing, but may get today off after pitching twice over the last three days.
5. Jake Diekman – Liam Hendriks has pitched in three of the last four.

Tomorrow
1. Jake Diekman – If Liam Hendriks pitches today, that would be two straight and four of the last five.
2. Aaron Bummer/Evan Marshall – Should Alex Colome pitch today, that would be his third consecutive day of work.

Jeurys Familia off to a positive start in his return from the IL

May 18, 2019

New York Mets — Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless eighth inning with the Mets down two, and it looks like the Mets are working him back towards the late innings front of Edwin Diaz. Mickey Callaway has said that Familia will have to earn his way into the back end of the bullpen with Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman pitching well, but the last two outings have been encouraging for the Mets’ big-money setup man. He will still have to fight past Lugo and Gsellman, but last night was another positive step for Familia. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners designated Zac Rosscup for assignment yesterday as the Mariners shook up their roster in response to a 4-13 slump. Rosscup hasn’t been bad this year, posting a 3.21 ERA over 20 innings, but manager Scott Servais said that Rosscup wasn’t really built for how the Mariners are planning to use their bullpen. With Rosscup gone, the Mariners will likely lean on a combination of Connor Sadzeck, Cory Gearrin and even Anthony Swarzak to get the ball to Brandon Brennan and Roenis Elias.

Updated hierarchy: *Elias | Brennan | Sadzeck.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — Jose Leclerc was excellent as the Rangers’ opener on Friday, setting down the Cardinals’ top three hitters in order. Ariel Jurado will start today’s game, and he’s expected to go multiple innings. Jesse Chavez has had a resurgence over his last six appearances, not allowing a run over his last 7.2 IP. He’ll have to help get the Rangers to the ninth inning now that Shawn Kelley is still a couple days away from being activated.

Updated hierarchy: Martin | Leclerc | Chavez.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead, which allowed Javy Guerra to pitch the last three innings to earn his first save of the year. Guerra spent some time as the Dodgers’ closer in 2011 and was the subject of one of the first posts in Closer Monkey history, giving up a vulture save to young fireballer Kenley Jansen. He lost the job permanently to Jansen in 2012 and has only recorded a handful of saves since. He isn’t a normal part of the Jays’ late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Biagini | Mayza.

Houston Astros — Ryan Pressly turned in a web gem to set a MLB record with his 39th consecutive scoreless appearance, breaking Craig Kimbrel’s mark of 38 set in 2011. Pressly has been the best reliever in baseball thus far this year, but still has 20 games to go if he wants to break Kimbrel’s single-season record. 

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Pressly | Rondon.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Ian Kennedy— Wily Peralta has thrown 31 pitches over two straight appearances.
2. Kyle Crick — Felipe Vazquez has also made two consecutive appearances.
3. Emilio Pagan — Jose Alvarado threw 28 pitches last night and has pitched in two of the last three. Diego Castillo has pitched in three of four while Pagan is well rested. 

Sunday:
1. Dan Winkler — Today would be back to back and three of four for Luke Jackson. 
2. Ryan Pressly/Hector Rondon — The same is true for Roberto Osuna and Pressly.
3. Pat Neshek — And Hector Neris.
4. Jose Leclerc — And Chris Martin.
5. Adam Conley — Sergio Romo threw 28 pitches over two innings last night, so any work today means he would probably get Sunday off. 

Zach Britton records first save as a Yankee against his former team

August 25, 2018

New York Yankees — Aaron Boone said he would mix and match and that’s exactly what happened last night. In a tie game, David Robertson pitched the 7th inning and gave up a pair of unearned runs. The Yankees tied it back up, and Dellin Betances came on to face the 4-5-6 hitters for Baltimore in the 8th inning spot and threw a scoreless inning. Chad Greene took the 9th with the game still tied, and when the Yankees scored 3 in the 10th, it was Zach Britton who got the save opportunity. He gave up a solo homer but got the job done. Without Aroldis Chapman, this bullpen could go anywhere. We still think that Betances is the best arm in the bullpen, and would likely get any close save opportunities, but with the Yankees holding Britton out as the visitors, he moves to first in line and could move to head of the committee if the Yankees do it again.

Updated hierarchy: *Betances | Britton | Robertson.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Drew Steckinrider pitched a clean 8th inning, and with three lefties due up to start the ninth, that opened the door for Adam Conley to get the save opportunity in a 1 run game. Conley pitched a clean 9th and earned his 2nd save on the year. Conley has been good, outside of a 5 run meltdown on August 14, but he would need at least one more clear save chance before he moves to the top of the committee. In other news, Kyle Barraclough was activated from the DL, and will be used in high leverage spots “gradually.” He will likely return to the hierarchy soon, but we want to see how Don Mattingly deploys him

Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Conley | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers got Joakim Soria back from the DL and threw him right into the 8th inning of a 1 run game. He struck out the side on 13 pitches and will immediately jump back into the hierarchy. Josh Hader was used in the 6th and 7th innings, which left Jeremy Jeffress to try to protect a 1 run lead. Jeffress couldn’t convert the save, and set up a dramatic finish 6 innings later. After giving up 2 runs in the 15th, (and sending even the diehard fans to bed), the Brewers scored 3 off of Clay Holmes to stay in the 2nd NL wildcard spot.

Updated hierarchy: *Hader | Jeffress | Soria.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Jeremy Jeffress threw 31 pitches last night, and Josh Hader threw 27, so both may get a night off, leaving Soria the best-rested arm there.
2. Kyle Crick – The Same is true for Felipe Vazquez and Keone Kela (yes, even the pitch count)
3. Tony Watson – Will Smith has pitched in back to back games.

Sunday
1. Brandon Kintzler – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Pedro Strop
2. Cory Gearrin/Alex Claudio – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Josh LeClerc and Cory Gearrin, so if either pitch today, they would likely get Sunday off.

Wade Davis converts save while Drew Steckenrider blows save

August 19, 2018

Miami Marlins – Drew Steckenrider got his first save chance since Kyle Barraclough was removed from the closer’s role, but he couldn’t convert.  He gave up a game-tying home run to the first batter he faced but was able to get out the inning without any further damage to keep the game tied.  Steckenrider ended up with the win after the Marlins took the lead back in the top of the 10th and Brett Graves picked up his first career save with a scoreless bottom of the inning.  Graves has made eleven appearances and the Marlins have 9 losses and 2 wins in those games.  In the 2 wins, Graves has a win and a save so he is certainly making the most of his appearances in Marlins’ wins.  Adam Conley threw 1.2 scoreless innings earlier in the game and could be an option for future save chances, but he gave up 5 runs in his previous outing so we will see where the Marlins turn next.

Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Conley | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — Wade Davis converted his 34th save of the season on Saturday night.  Since giving up three runs on August 9th, Davis has strung together four straight scoreless appearances, picking up a win and two saves during that time.  He may be back on track and seems to have cooled down his hot seat for now.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | Oh. 

Atlanta Braves — AJ Minter blew the save on Saturday, giving up three runs in the ninth inning.  Minter has been so good recently, only one run in his previous twelve innings, that one blown save probably isn’t much cause for concern.  However, a cut on his finger could be cause for concern.  Minter said the cut did not affect his pitches, but this is something worth monitoring to see if it becomes a bigger issue.

Hierarchy remains: Minter | Brach | Winkler.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Brach – Brach could see a save chance if AJ Minter’s cut on his finger is bothering him today.

Monday
1. Kevin McCarthy/Brandon Maurer – If Wily Peralta goes on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. The same will be true for McCarthy and Maurer so if one of them is rested on Sunday, he could get the save chance on Monday.