Bell likely to replace Putz, while Tazawa is confirmed in Boston; Marmol back up, Axford back down

May 8, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz gave up a four-pitch walk to start the ninth Tuesday night, then immediately exited with elbow stiffness. Although Heath Bell is allowing 1.5 baserunners per inning, he has significant experience as a closer and has probably outpitched David Hernandez so far this year. Kirk Gibson might give lip service to a closer-by-committee system, but we see him moving Bell into the ninth, while Hernandez keeps his set-up role. Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Brad Ziegler to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Bell |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |5/8/13 |Putz(INJ) |

 
Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan was officially placed on the DL with a forearm strain, and it will indeed be Junichi Tazawa closing in his stead — at least for now. In a rare piece of good news, Andrew Bailey’s MRI was clean, and he will be eligible again on May 13. Craig Breslow had a rough night on Tuesday, but John Farrell has spoken highly of him, and frankly, there aren’t a ton of other options right now. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/8/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 
Chicago Cubs — Though Chicago fans greeted him with anticipatory boos, Carlos Marmol regained some confidence by holding a one-run lead for 1 1/3 innings, setting up Kevin Gregg for his fifth save in five chances. Dale Sveum clearly intends to ride or die with his $9.8 million man. Kyuji Fujikawa will throw another rehab appearance on Wednesday, then join the Cubs this weekend, likely sliding back into the set-up role behind Gregg. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line, replacing Shawn Camp.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Russell |Marmol |Fujikawa |5/8/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
Milwaukee Brewers — Although John Axford was jettisoned as Milwaukee’s set-up man last week, the ever-mercurial Ron Roenicke left his options open by saying that he would play the matchups. Now that Axford was bypassed in Tuesday’s 8th in favor of mediocre Brandon Kintzler, it seems this demotion might actually stick. Hierarchy change: Tom Gorzellany to Set-up, Burke Badenhop to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Gorzelanny |Badenhop |Henderson |5/8/13

 
Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar has been pitching more effectively than Aaron Loup lately, and in more important spots. Sergio Santos, meanwhile, expects to be out for about two more weeks. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to 2nd in line, replacing Aaron Loup.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Delabar |Santos |5/8/13 |Santos(DL) |

 
Baltimore Orioles — Pedro Strop continues to slide down the Baltimore bullpen hierarchy, while Tommy Hunter was summoned again in a late/close situation and picked up his second vulture win in four days.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to 2nd in line, replacing Pedro Strop.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |O'Day |Hunter |Johnson |5/8/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Although Craig Kimbrel’s job is not in any danger, he has blown three of his last five save attempts, and might get tomorrow afternoon off after two straight nights of work. Set-up man Eric O’Flaherty has pitched in three straight games himself.

Another meltdown for Marmol

May 5, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol was summoned for the 8th inning with the Cubs up 2.  He proceeded to walk 2 batters and hit another before being pulled without recording an out.  All three runners ended up scoring and Marmol was charged with the loss.  Dale Sveum may have finally lost all confidence in Marmol.   It’s hard to imagine the Cubs using Marmol in any meaningful situations moving forward.  Hierarchy change: James Russell to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Russell |Camp |Fujikawa |5/5/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Hanrahan, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey is day-to-day with biceps soreness.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back to back games, including a 32 pitch outing on Friday.

 

Tony Watson picks up 2-inning save; Joba Chamberlain coming around

April 26, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – With both Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon getting a day off, Tony Watson picked up a 2-inning save on Thursday.  Barring injuries, Watson won’t get too many opportunities like this one.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Grilli |Melancon |Watson |Grilli |4/26/13

 
New York Yankees – After a rough start to the season, Joba Chamberlain has now put together six straight scoreless outings, spanning 5.2 innings.  He earned his second hold of the season yesterday, pitching the 7th inning ahead of David Robertson and Mariano Rivera.  Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Rivera |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |4/26/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. James Russell/Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol has pitched in three of the last four games, totaling 67 pitches over 3.2 innings.

Valverde and Marmol, no strangers to the hot seat

April 24, 2013

Detroit Tigers – After a short stint in the minors, Jose Valverde has been called up to the big leagues and will close starting today.  Joaquin Benoit will return to his familiar 8th inning role. Three innings of class-A ball might have been enough to wow Jim Leyland, but in our book, Valverde starts out on the Hot Seat. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up, Phil Coke to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Rondon |4/24/13

 
Los Angeles Angels — With Kevin Jepsen on the disabled list with a strained triceps, Scott Downs has been pitching the eighth inning in front of Ernesto Frieri. Downs blew a save last night, the result of an error, but Dane De La Rosa earned the win with two perfect innings of work.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to DL, Scott Downs to Set-Up, Dane De La Rosa to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |De La Rosa |Frieri |4/24/13 |Madson(INJ) |Jepsen (DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs — With a runner on second and lefty slugger Joey Votto at the plate with one out in a tight ninth inning, Dale Sveum inexplicably passed over James Russell and put his faith in Votto’s 15 at bats against . . . Carlos Marmol. “Those numbers don’t lie,” Sveum later explained, incorrectly. Marmol gave up a single, the Reds tied the game, and (as predicted, somehow) Kevin Gregg picked up the vulture save. When will the sample size of Sveum’s bullpen mismanagement grow too large to ignore? Carlos Marmol to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Fujikawa |4/24/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
New York Mets – In both of Bobby Parnell’s saves this year, Scott Rice proved a competent 8th inning bridge. After Brandon Lyon’s debacle in the 7th inning of last night’s loss, we believe Rice will hold on to that position.  Hierarchy change: Scott Rice to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rice |Lyon |Parnell |4/24/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp/James Russell, Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol has had two straight long outings and Kevin Gregg remains Kevin Gregg.
2. Sean Burnett, Los Angeles Angels — The top three Angel relievers have each pitched in three straight games, leaving the lefty as the most trustworthy option.

Marmol likely to close again until Fujikawa’s return

April 23, 2013

Chicago Cubs — James Russell came on in the 7th and gave up a tying triple. He stayed on for a scoreless 8th, then was relieved by Carlos Marmol, who pitched a passable 9th and 10th, finishing with a strikeout of Joey Votto. The seas are turning blood red, frogs are falling from the sky, and Carlos Marmol is probably the Cubs’ closer again — for now. Beware. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-Up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Fujikawa |4/23/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox — John Farrell is running Andrew Bailey into the ground, sending him out for a third straight game to capture a low-leverage three-run save. Bailey hasn’t had two days of rest in two weeks, but surely must be off tomorrow.
2. Shawn Camp/Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has pitched in two straight games and is often saved for lefty matchups, while Carlos Marmol had a lengthy outing yesterday. If the Cubs need a save tomorrow, the options will be even less promising than normal.
3. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano have each pitched in the last two games.