Joel Hanrahan returns from the DL, but Andrew Bailey keeps his job

May 1, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s return from the DL today came with a clear statement of boundaries from manager John Ferrell: Andrew Bailey will remain the team’s closer for the foreseeable future. Although Hanrahan might pitch some lower-leverage innings to begin with, he will be certainly be the choice in the 9th if the oft-injured Bailey goes down again. Hierarchy change: Joel Hanrahan to Set-Up, Koji Uehara to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Hanrahan |Uehara |Bailey |5/1/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew another save last night, dropping him to a woeful 5-for-9 on the year. The Diamondbacks have no shortage of options in the bullpen, including strong set-up man David Hernandez, experienced veteran Heath Bell, and impressive lefty Matt Reynolds (who has allowed no runs and only seven baserunners through 13 innings), so although Putz is still the man for now, he should be looking over his shoulder in earnest.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Bell |Putz |5/1/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Hernandez/Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew last night’s save and has pitched in three of the last four games, and four of the last six.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour and Sean Doolittle have each pitched in three straight.

John Axford looming in Milwaukee; JJ Putz hasn’t lost his job… yet

April 25, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Reynolds got his 2nd extra-inning save in as many nights on Wednesday, but JJ Putz hasn’t lost the closer job yet despite a bad start to the season; last night, he was just unavailable due to being overworked.  Also of note in Arizona is the resurgence of Heath Bell, who started the season badly but has now pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in his last six outings, racking up 11 strikeouts (with 0 walks) in the process.  He pitched the 8th inning of a tie game last night.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Ziegler.  JJ Putz to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Bell |Putz |4/25/13

 
Milwaukee Brewers – After an April 9th meltdown that cost him his job and sent his ERA to 24.30, John Axford has been turning things around.  With six straight scoreless outings in which he threw a total of 5.1 innings and only allowed to baserunners, Ron Roenicke said yesterday that it wouldn’t take much for him to return Axford to the closer role.  With that comment, suddenly, the reliable Jim Henderson is now looking over his shoulder, and the Ax Man is on the verge of returning to his old role.  Hierarchy change: John Axford to Set-up, Tom Gorzelanny to 2nd in line.  Jim Henderson to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Gorzelanny |Henderson |4/25/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight.
2. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
3. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey has pitched in four of the last five.

Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard share closer role in Washington; JJ Putz to Hot Seat

May 23, 2012

Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson said before Tuesday’s game that he was moving Henry Rodriguez to a “less demanding” role, and that he’d use a closer-by-committee for the 9th inning.  Johnson said he was going to keep Tyler Clippard as his high-leverage set-up guy, but Johnson ended up giving the first save opportunity to the righty, who expressed a strong desire to close before the game.  ”I want it bad,” he said.  With two saves in the past week and a little experience in the role last year, Sean Burnett (0.71 ERA) still has the inside track to get the most opportunities, and Craig Stammen could also in the mix.  But the next save opportunity will be key; if Clippard is the 9th-inning man again, then it’s probable that Johnson has taken his words to heart, and the long-time set-up man could be the new closer going forward.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to Closer, Tyler Clippard to Set-up, Craig Stammen to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Burnett |Clippard |Stammen |Storen |5/23/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers, who closed for a short time last year but has struggled throughout 2012, was sent to the minors on Tuesday.  Matt Belisle (2.86 ERA, 17 Ks/2 BBs) is the most likely candidate for 8th inning work.  Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to Set-up, Matt Reynolds to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Reynolds |Betancourt |5/23/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz blew his third save of the season on Tuesday, raising his ERA to an ugly 7.20.  David Hernandez (2.25 ERA, 29 Ks in 20 IPs) proved to be a solid fill-in closer last year and would get the first chance to close if the D’Backs look elsewhere.  JJ Putz to Hot Seat

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |5/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard/Craig Stammen, Washington Nationals – As noted above, Sean Burnett is the favorite to get the most opportunities in Washington’s closer by committee, but Tyler Clippard or Craig Stammen could snag a save on any night.
2. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched three days in a row, and in four of the last five.
3. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz blew a save in a 26-pitch outing on Tuesday.  While he won’t lose the job yet, he could get the day off today.
4. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Over the past two days, Santiago Casilla has thrown 3 innings and 43 pitches and could get the night off.