The Cincinnati Rays record another save

August 6, 2021

Cincinnati Reds — Reds gonna Rays. Say what? Mychal Givens on Thursday became the 10th Reds pitcher to record a save this year, just two shy of the record set in last year’s shortened season by Tampa Bay. The Rays have only had eight such relievers with a save in 2021. Saves leader Heath Hembree (eight) has struggled as of late, so we’ll keep a close eye on the situation to see if Givens seizes the role. Meanwhile, Tejay Antone is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the next day or two. 

Hierarchy remains: *Hembree | Givens | Lorenzen.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – The Vulture Save Watch correctly called for some rest for Ian Kennedy, but it was Archie Bradley who took advantage of the opportunity on Thursday to nail down his second save of the year. José Alvarado pitched earlier in the game and Hector Neris did not appear. Let’s speculatively slide Bradley (2.81 ERA) into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Alvarado | Bradley.

Miami Marlins – The Vulture Save Watch nailed this one. Anthony Bender picked up the save after he allowed an unearned run in the ninth while Dylan Floro had the night off. 

Hierarchy remains: *Floro | Bender | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — Jordan Romano did get Thursday off, as called by the Vulture Save Watch, but the save opportunity did not go to Brad Hand (he was also off). It instead was given to Adam Cimber, who converted for his first Blue Jays save. Rafael Dolis has pitched better as of late after a rough stretch, but Cimber’s save shows he might have some staying power in this hierarchy. 

Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Hand | Cimber.
*=closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — Jake Brentz earned his first career save, locking down the ninth on Thursday for the Royals. KC had already used Josh Staumont (sixth), Greg Holland (seventh) and Scott Barlow (eighth) in the game. Brentz has been solid this year (3.21 ERA, 54 Ks in 47.2 IP), but he’ll likely be behind this group in the saves pecking order moving forward.

Hierarchy remains: *Barlow | Holland | Staumont.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Trevor May (NYM) — Edwin Diaz just welcomed his child and could need Friday off.
2. Mike Mayers (LAA) — Raisel Iglesias and Steve Cishek have gone in two straight, though Iglesias did only throw four pitches on Thursday. 
3. Brett de Geus (ARI) — Tyler Clippard has pitched in three of four. De Geus has been just as busy, but he only threw three pitches Thursday.
4. Chris Martin (ATL) — Will Smith and Richard Rodriguez have each gone in two straight.

Saturday:
1. Carlos Estevez (COL) – The entire Rockies hierarchy has pitched in two straight. Daniel Bard has thrown the fewest pitches (23), so we suspect he’s available Friday while Estevez (25 pitches over the last two) and Jhoulys Chacin (44 pitches over the last two) would possibly be unavailable. If Bard goes Friday, that would be three straight for him. 
2. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – An outing Friday would be three of four for Alex Colome.
3. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) – Alex Reyes couldn’t find the strike zone on Thursday (0 IP, 3 ER, 4 BB) and threw 21 pitches. If he goes Friday, he’ll need some rest Saturday. 

Mychal Givens, Rafael Dolis activated

July 7, 2021

Colorado Rockies – Mychal Givens has been activated from the injured list and will move right back into high-leverage work for the Rockies.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Givens | Estevez.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays have acquired reliever Trevor Richards from the Milwaukee Brewers. They gave up an intriguing bat (Rowdy Tellez) to get him, so they clearly like the pitcher. He’ll join a bullpen corps that has been ravaged by injuries. Speaking of, Rafael Dolis recently returned from the IL, but he allowed three runs in one-third of an inning on Sunday to send his ERA north of 6.00. Eek.

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Mayza | Cimber.

St. Louis Cardinals – On Tuesday, both Alex Reyes and Geovanny Gallegos were unavailable, so on came Genesis Cabrera for the save chance. He ran into some trouble, allowing a run on three hits and a walk to make way for Justin Miller, who recorded the final two outs for his first save. Miller has a 9.64 ERA this season and won’t factor into regular late-inning work.

Hierarchy remains: Reyes | Gallegos | Cabrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Burr – Liam Hendriks went 2 innings yesterday.

Tomorrow
1. Noe Ramirez – If Joakim Soria goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Kyle Crick – Same for Richard Rodriguez.

Paul Sewald, Joakim Soria pick up their first saves of the season

July 2, 2021

Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald recorded the final four outs Thursday for the surging Seattle Mariners (22-13 in their last 35 games) to earn his first save. Kendall Graveman did not pitch, and there was no indication postgame that Sewald is now “the guy.” But a look at the numbers shows just how good Sewald has been: 1.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 38 Ks in just 21.2 IP. Could Seattle continue riding the hot hand? We shall see…

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Sewald | Misiewicz.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Joakim Soria has finally picked up his first save for the Diamondbacks, who are now just 23-60 on the season. Save chances will be few and far between, but with Stefan Crichton and Chris Devenski out of the picture, the job is Soria’s to lose. 

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Ramirez | Buchter.

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies have activated Brandon Kintzler to help their beleaguered bullpen and designated Neftalí Feliz for assignment. We’ll monitor Kintzler’s usage and give updates as necessary, but don’t be surprised if he finds his way into the hierarchy sooner rather than later. 

Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Bradley | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays could soon get more bullpen reinforcements. Rafael Dolis will join Triple-A Buffalo on a rehab assignment on Friday. 

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Chatwood | Mayza.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Ryan Burr (CHW) — Liam Hendriks threw 23 pitches Thursday and has pitched in two of three and four of six.
2. Emilio Pagan (SD) – Mark Melancon had a rough and taxing outing Thursday (28 pitches) and has gone in three of five.
3. Carlos Estevez (COL) – Daniel Bard has gone in two straight and three of four. 

Saturday:
1. Noe Ramirez (ARI) – A Friday outing would be three in a row for Joakim Soria. 
2. Adam Ottavino (BOS) – Matt Barnes threw in three straight earlier this week. A Friday appearance would be four of five for him. 
3. Austin Voth (WAS) – If Brad Hand pitches Friday, that would be four of six for him.
4. Mike Mayers (LAA) – Same above for Raisel Iglesias.
5. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Alex Reyes.
6. Blake Treinen (LAD) – A Friday outing would be three of five for Kenley Jansen, and the Dodgers usually don’t like to overwork their closer this time of year (or ever, really). 

Setup men for Blue Jays, Rockies hit IL

June 18, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis was placed on the injured list Thursday with a finger strain. He left Wednesday’s game after just four pitches with “no sensation in his hand.” That doesn’t sound good. 

Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Chatwood | Mayza.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – Mychal Givens has a lower back strain and was placed on the IL on Thursday. 

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Estevez | Kinley.

Cincinnati Reds —  As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Lucas Sims and most of the top late-inning arms needed a break Thursday. After the Reds surprisingly took a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning, Ryan Hendrix was called into the game for the save chance, but he allowed a walk and a home run to blow it. Amir Garrett was called in to preserve the tie, but his nightmare season continued. He allowed a single and a home run to end it. Garrett allowed five earned runs in 18.1 IP in 2020. In 19.1 IP in 2021, he has already allowed 20 ER for a 9.31 ERA. Yikes! Tejay Antone, meanwhile, will throw a bullpen Friday as he works his way back from the IL. He could be back as early as Sunday. 

Hierarchy remains: *Sims | Hembree | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Martin (ATL) – Will Smith has pitched in two straight.
2. Carlos Estevez (COL) – Daniel Bard has gone in three of four.

Tomorrow
1. James Karinchak (CLE) – A Friday outing would be four of six for Emmanuel Clase.
2. Heath Hembree (CIN) – Same as above for Lucas Sims. 
3. Zack Britton (NYY) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Aroldis Chapman. 
4. Emilio Pagan (SD) – Mark Melancon threw 30 pitches in a blown save Thursday. If he goes Friday, he would likely need a breather Saturday.
5. Mike Mayers (LAA) – Raisel Iglesias threw 30 pitches in a two-inning save Thursday. He could need rest Saturday if he appears again on Friday. 

The committee in Toronto remains unclear while Brad Hand’s struggles continue

May 22, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — The committee in Toronto continues to be murky, with Jordan Romano pitching the seventh inning of a tie game last night and Tyler Chatwood taking the ninth at home, where typically you would see a closer. Rafael Dolis was held out of the game after his long outing on Thursday. It’s safe to say that the closer spot is wide open for the Blue Jays, and whoever converts the next save might just run away with the job. We will be monitoring the situation closely, and Dolis being rested will likely give him an inside track if a save chance comes today. 

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals —  With the Nationals holding a four-run lead in the ninth inning they turned the ball over to Brad Hand in a non-save situation. He gave up two runs but managed to finish the game. Hand has struggled recently, giving up runs in five of his last six appearances. Daniel Hudson, who pitched a clean eighth ahead of him yesterday, has yet to give up a run in May. Because it wasn’t a save situation and because Hand did finish the game, we aren’t ready to remove him from the closer spot just yet, but Hudson makes for a good speculative add in case Hand’s struggles continue.

Hierarchy remains: Hand  | Hudson | Harris.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers traded JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen to the Tampa Bay Rays for Trevor Richards and shortstop Willy Adames. Feyereisen had been pitching well for Milwaukee until giving up 6 runs over his last two outings, and his place in the hierarchy will be filled by Brad Boxberger.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.

Tampa Bay Rays — The other side of the trade sees the Rays bolstering their bullpen with JP Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen. The Rays say they plan for Feyereisen to be a late-inning reliever for them, but that description could apply to any reliever on the team. Feyereisen did start the year with 17 scoreless appearances before struggling a bit recently, so he has the talent to get high leverage spots in Tampa. We will wait to see how they use him before making a hierarchy move. 

Hierarchy remains: *Castillo | Fairbanks | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Chalk another one up for the vulture save watch.  Kenley Jansen got the night off so it was Blake Treinen who got the save opportunity in a 1 run game. He converted for his second save of the year. The recently acquired Nate Jones got his first appearance for the Dodgers and threw 5 outs to nab a hold. Jones has closing experience and could make an impact in LA at some point, but he won’t crack the hierarchy just yet. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Gonzalez.

New York Mets – After the Mets ran through their entire hierarchy earlier in the game the 12th inning save was left to Aaron Loup protecting a 3 run lead. He gave up a pair of singles to give 2 of them back before getting a crucial double play and getting pulled for Jacob Barnes. Barnes got the last out to snag his first save of the year. The Mets had an off day on Thursday so last night’s heavy usage probably won’t affect their plans for today. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | May | Familia.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners made a flurry of moves after a report of a positive COVID test among their relievers, sending Anthony Misiewicz, Drew Steckenrider, Robert Duggar, and Will Vest to the IL. They brought up a few arms to fill the holes, but most notably activated Keynan Middleton from the IL after a 3-week absence with a bicep injury. Middleton got some work in immediately, pitching a clean 4th inning, and should return to the later innings soon. 

Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Montero | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jonathan Loaisiga (NYY) – Aroldis Chapman has pitched back to back and 3 of 4.
2. Gregory Soto (DET) – Michael Fulmer converted the save chance last night, but has now pitched in 2 of 3 and 3 of 5
3. Ryan Stanek (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in back-to-back games, but has only thrown 15 pitches. Even so, Stanek is well-rested and could snag a chance today. 
4. Joely Rodriguez (TEX) – Ian Kennedy threw 31 pitches yesterday and could get a rest today. 

Sunday:
1. Mike Mayers/Tony Watson(LAA) – Raisel Iglesias had a 20 pitch outing last night, while Mayers threw 31, so if either go today they will definitely get Sunday off. 
2. Dylan Floro/Anthony Bass(MIA) – Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Yimi Garcia.
3. Pete Fairbanks/Ryan Thompson(TB) – the same is true for Diego Castillo and Pete Fairbanks, so whoever gets rest today will likely get the call on Sunday.