Scott Downs picks up rare save; Jose Valverde released

May 27, 2014

New York Mets — They say that if you love something, you should let it go; apparently, the Mets have a thing for mediocre relievers on the high side of 35. On the heels of turning Kyle Farnsworth into Inigo Montoya, New York axed Jose Valverde on Monday for giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning. Even after his successful spot start on Sunday, Dice-K still appears to be the next guy up in the bullpen — but if Vic Black, freshly recalled from AAA, can improve his command, the Mets might be able to leave thirtysomethings behind them for good.

Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Familia | Matsuzaka.

Los Angeles Dodgers — After Hyun-Jin Ryu lost his perfect game and shutout in the eighth inning, Brian Wilson entered and loaded the bases while yielding two inherited runs. Kenley Jansen bailed everyone out with a four-out save, but the rest of the Dodgers’ bullpen has become a series of question marks. Wilson has allowed an astonishing 36 baserunners in 16.2 innings, and Chris Perez’s ERA over the last three weeks is 17.35. On the whole, LA relievers are 4-12 with a 1.42 WHIP. Brandon League and J.P. Howell have been pitching the best, if only by default, but Howell is limited by his status as the only non-Paul Maholm lefty in the pen. We think Wilson’s last outing has dropped him below these two, but in this bullpen right now, nothing is certain.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | League | Howell.

Chicago White Sox — After Zach Putnam loaded the bases with a four-run lead in the eighth, Scott Downs came in and retired his fellow lefty, pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy. Downs stayed on to pitch the ninth and earn his first save of the year. As the only lefty in the White Sox pen, Downs is likely to see continued use in a matchup role.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Pittsburgh Pirates — As predicted in Monday’s Vulture Save Watch, Mark Melancon earned another save on Monday as Jason Grilli is eased back into the closer role.

Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Melancon | Watson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Adam Warren, New York Yankees — David Robertson has pitched on three of the last four days.
2. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has pitched on two straight days, including a 21-pitch blown save on Monday.

Jason Grilli back with Pittsburgh; Jordan Walden out another week

September 4, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Nearly eight years ago, Jason Grilli pitched 7.2 solid innings to lead the Toledo Mud Hens to their first AAA championship in 38 years. But his dream of recapturing Governors’ Cup glory was put on hold today when Pittsburgh summoned him to the big leagues for some boring old regular season action. Clint Hurdle confirmed that he will use Grilli in some non-save situations before transitioning him back into the closer role. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Tony Watson to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconJason GrilliTony WatsonJason Grilli9/4/13

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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden hasn’t pitched in two weeks, and after a five-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, word is he’ll be out at least another week. Luis Ayala and Scott Downs are each getting a lot of late-inning work, but we think Ayala, as a righty, will be slightly more likely to grab any super-vulture saves down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Luis Ayala to 2nd in line, Jordan Walden to Set-up (INJ).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanLuis AyalaCraig Kimbrel9/4/13
Jordan Walden (INJ)

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Philadelphia Phillies — After two straight poor outings, Justin De Fratus came on in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s loss to Washington. B.J. Rosenberg, who finished Tuesday’s game, has 10 straight scoreless appearances since coming up in mid-August, and several have come in close eighth innings. Hierarchy change: B.J. Rosenberg to Set-up, replacing Justin De Fratus.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon9/4/13

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Cleveland Indians — On a night where Chris Perez gave up a three-run homer and barely held on for the victory, it was Cody Allen, not Bryan Shaw, who pitched the seventh in front of Joe Smith. Shaw has been pitching as early as the fifth inning in recent days. In other news, Vinnie Pestano was recalled from Columbus on Tuesday and could also get a shot at some high-leverage innings down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Cody Allen to 2nd in line, replacing Bryan Shaw.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez9/4/13

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Houston Astros — The one positive story in Houston’s bullpen — Kevin Chapman beginning his career with a streak of no earned runs in 13 appearances — came to its eventual end on Tuesday night. As a competent lefty, Chapman likely has several good seasons ahead of him. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/4/13

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Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins got within one out of collecting his 33rd save, but then put two men on and gave up a game-tying home run. Josh Roenicke eventually picked up the twelfth-inning save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins9/4/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers — With Kenley Jansen indeed unavailable on Tuesday, Don Mattingly used Paco Rodriguez up two in the eighth, presumably holding Ronald Belisario or Brian Wilson back for a save situation. When Rodriguez gave up a homer and a walk, Belisario entered and escaped further trouble — then stayed on for the ninth after LA’s lead grew to four. But Belisario gave up a run and put another guy on, so it was young Chris Withrow who got the call for his first major league save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen9/4/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — Starter Roberto Hernandez picked up the first save of his eight-year major league career with 3.2 scoreless innings in a 7-1 win. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney9/4/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has three saves in the last three days.
2. Matt Belisle, Colorado Rockies — Rex Brothers needed 30 pitches to get through the ninth on Tuesday, after throwing 21 on Sunday.

Gonzalez Germen could see a few save opps here and there

August 30, 2013

New York Mets – The Mets don’t necessarily see Gonzalez Germen as a closer, but they think he could develop into a strong set-up man, and might start giving him a few 9th inning opportunities, to get him used to pitching in pressure spots.  Unless LaTroy Hawkins has a few more meltdowns like the one last weekend, he probably won’t challenge for the full time job, but he could be good for a save or two over the next few weeks.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsGonzalez GermenDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell8/30/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – As expected, it was Jim Johnson who got the call in the 9th for the Orioles last night, officially bringing to a close Tommy Hunter’s reign at closer.  Johnson should see all of the save opps going forward, unless he falters again.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/30/13

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Tommy Hunter’s reign as O’s closer appears over

August 29, 2013

Oakland A’s – Brett Anderson picked up a three-inning save on Wednesday.  The former starter does not factor in to the A’s usual late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleRyan Cook8/29/13

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Baltimore Orioles – Though Jim Johnson made a strong case for reclaiming his closer job in his last outing, it took five days before either he or Tommy Hunter appeared in a game again.  It finally happened tonight, with Hunter being summoned in the middle of the 8th inning, whereupon he promptly gave up the go-ahead run and took the loss.  Though Buck Showalter was far from supportive of Johnson a week ago (on the night that he used Hunter to get the save), the Orioles former closer appears to have won his old job back.  He does, however, immediately land on the Hot Seat, and will need a few saves in a row to get off of it.  Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Closer, Tommy Hunter to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/28/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – Both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have pitched in back-to-back games, and four of the last five.
2. Scott Downs, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four; Luis Avilan has pitched in two straight and four of five; and Jordan Walden is dealing with a lingering leg issue.  If they’re all unavailable, Downs would likely be the next man up for the save opp.

Still unsettled in the Angels ‘pen; Fernando Rodney to the Hot Seat

August 28, 2013

Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia is not helping our trust issues. Every time we think we can relax and open up a little, the guy goes back on his word. Take last night, for instance! Just a few days after he said he could be ready to settle down and commit to Ernesto Frieri as closer again, he goes and sends Frieri out to pitch the eighth — in a game the Angels trailed! — because he “needed work.” And then OF COURSE Fernando Rodney blows the save, and out trots that Dane de la Rosa for the save again just like a few weeks ago, and Scioscia’s all like, “I told you this could happen. Don’t blame me.” We don’t, Mike. We blame ourselves. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/28/13

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Tampa Bay Rays — After Joel Peralta struck out the side in the eighth inning, Fernando Rodney entered and blew his eighth save of the season. The Rays fell to 3-12 in games where they have blown leads in the seventh inning or later. With the Rays in the heart of a pennant race, they can’t afford to keep losing this way. Fernando Rodney to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney8/28/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden hasn’t pitched in a week, and Luis Avilan and Scott Downs have been working late in games for Atlanta. We don’t think Walden is out of the picture yet, but the Braves are being careful with him for some reason — possibly connected to the line drive he took off his pitching hand on August 10th. Hierarchy change: Luis Avilan to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelLuis AvilanJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel8/28/13

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Minnesota Twins — Jared Burton picked up his second straight loss and eighth of the season by entering a tied game and surrendering three singles and a walk. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins8/28/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney needed 31 pitches in a blown save on Monday, and has thrown on three of the last four days.
2. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — Addison Reed has pitched in three straight games.
3. Dane de la Rosa, Los Angeles Angels — You just never know with this Scioscia character.