Anthony Swarzak moves to the top of the Mets committee

June 11, 2018

New York Mets – Robert Gsellman got 6 big outs for the Mets last night, but it was Anthony Swarzak who got the ball in the 9th inning — the second straight game that he’s pitched after Gsellman. It wasn’t the most inspiring outing, as Swarzak walked a batter before inducing a game ending line-drive-double-play, and Swarzak only has 5.1 big league innings this year, having been on the shelf for most of the season. But he seems to be Mickey Callaway’s preferred option right now, and could get a few more chances in Jeurys Familia’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: *Swarzak | Gsellman | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Hector Rondon picked up another save on Sunday — his third in five days. It happened rather quickly, but Rondon is now the most likely reliever to get the ball in the 9th inning in Houston. We do expect Ken Giles and Chris Devenski to still mix in from time to time.

Updated hierarchy: *Rondon | Giles | Devenski. 
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Speaking of things that happened quickly, Joakim Soria now has a veritable death grip on the closer role on the South Side, having nabbed 4 saves in 6 days. Quite a turnaround for a guy who was in danger of being DFA’d earlier this season. We’re removing his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Jones | Fry.

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained forearm. Ryan Madson should be Sean Doolittle’s primary handcuff in Kintzler’s absence, but look for the Nats to also mix and match with Sammy Solis, Tim Collins, and Shawn Kelley.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Solis.

Cincinnati Reds – After throwing three straight Wednesday through Friday, the Reds elected to give Raisel Iglesias a second straight day off — probably a smart move given his recent return from the DL. In his stead, Jared Hughes pitched the final two innings for the save, his fourth of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

Philadelphia Phillies – Bullpen Chaos Theory continued its run of moderate success on Sunday, as Seranthony Dominguez and Luis Garcia combined for 8 of the final 9 outs before Garcia gave way to Tommy Hunter, who needed two pitches to record his first save of the season. This bullpen remains wide open.

Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Ramos | Neris. 
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nate Jones – Joakim Soria has pitched in four of the last six, throwing 68 total pitches.

Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome/James Pazos – If Edwin Diaz and/or Alex Colome go tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Craig Stammen – If Brad Hand and/or Kirby Yates go tonight, it’ll be three straight.

2015 AL Central preview

March 6, 2015

Chicago White Sox – Chicago’s bullpen was a mess right from the start in 2014. To ensure that didn’t happen again, the Sox went out and signed former Yankees closer David Robertson. Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam, who split the closer’s job at the end of 2014, should slide into set-up roles in front of Robertson. The White Sox also added veteran lefty Zach Duke in the off-season, and he could see some time in the later innings.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Robertson | Petricka | Putnam.
Holds candidates: Petricka, Putnam.

Cleveland Indians – The Indians return the core of their bullpen for 2015. Cody Allen took over for John Axford in the middle of 2014 and never looked back. Manager Terry Francona has nothing but good things to say about Allen, who will start a season as closer for the first time in his young career. Brian Shaw and Scott Atchison did a nice job in the 7th and 8th innings last year and should return to those roles to start this upcoming season. Nick Hagadone could be a guy to watch, as he is a big, hard-throwing lefty with good strikeout potential.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Atchison.
Holds candidates: Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski.

Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan struggled all year in 2014 and hopes to bounce back in 2015. He’ll start the year as the closer, but Joakim Soria will be right behind him if he slips up. The Tigers brought Joba Chamberlain back, and also signed lefty Tom Gorzelanny. Bruce Rondon is one of the most interesting members of the Tigers bullpen, a young flamethrower coming off Tommy John surgery.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
Holds candidates: Soria, Gorzellany.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals bullpen was one of the main reasons for their successful 2015 season. Closer Greg Holland combined with Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera to form arguably the best relief tandem in baseball. All three guys will return in 2015 and, if that wasn’t good enough, they’ll also get Luke Hochevar back. Hochevar missed all of 2014, but was a dominant set-up man in 2013. Tim Collins was in line to be the Royals’ lefty specialist, but he was pulled from Wednesday’s spring training game and may need Tommy John surgery. Rookie phenom Brandon Finnegan may wind up in the bullpen as a result.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Holds candidates: Davis, Herrera.

Minnesota Twins  – Glen Perkins missed the end of the 2014 season, but he’s healthy now, and ready to close again for the Twins. Righty Casey Fien and lefty Brian Duensing will likely start the season in the back end of the bullpen. Tim Stauffer is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, but if he doesn’t win the job, he could also be an option in the later innings.

Starting 2015 hierarchy: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.
Holds candidates: Fien, Duensing.

Someone needs to stop Brandon League; Marmol and Herrera disappear

June 26, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to quickly make it a one-run game. Paco Rodriguez took over and allowed another single before retiring the next three hitters to earn his first career save. This outing will almost certainly end League’s reign of terror in late/close situations; Don Mattingly says he will use League in easier spots until and unless he improves. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to Set-Up, Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen6/26/13

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Chicago Cubs — 23 revelers were arrested Tuesday in Wrigleyville; we assume their riotous celebration was inspired by early word of Carlos Marmol’s demotion. With James Russell still the only lefty in the Cubs pen and Dale Sveum loath to use him in the ninth, we’re ready to predict that Blake Parker — with seven saves at AAA Iowa and great numbers in eight June appearances with the big club — takes on a larger role. Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerJames RussellKevin Gregg6/26/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Garrett Richards has not collected a hold in the month of June, and he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last five outings (10.1 IP). Scott Downs has 14 holds and saved nine games for the Angels last year; he’s been facing more than just lefties too, although his splits against right-handed hitters are unimpressive. Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to 2nd in line, replacing Garrett Richards.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenScott DownsErnesto Frieri6/26/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was sent to Omaha on Tuesday; fans of the mercurial righthander are advised to turn their tickets in and get their money back at the door. Ned Yost says that Herrera will pitch in a starting role at the AAA club, in the hope that he can “slow the game down” and start threading the needle again with all of his pitches. Yost added that Herrera’s eighth-inning role, truly the heart of matters, would be filled by Aaron Crow and lefty Tim Collins going forward. Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowTim CollinsGreg Holland6/26/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night, and a return to the Indians should follow very shortly. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/26/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, throwing 23 pitches in each of them.

Brandon Kintzler, Francisco Rodriguez best bets to close in Jim Henderson’s absence

May 25, 2013

(UPDATE: Ron Roenicke has confirmed that Jim Henderson will be out for “a while,” and that he intends to use a committee of closers in Henderson’s absence.) Milwaukee Brewers – After recording two outs, Jim Henderson went down with a hamstring injury, and the recently-returning Francisco Rodriguez got the last out for his first save of the season.  Henderson isn’t certain of the severity of the injury, saying after the game that he was hoping it was just a cramp.  Ron Roenicke was less optimistic though, offering that Henderson could miss a few days, and said that he could play matchups and go with a closer-by-committee until Henderson is back.  The Brewers have three pitchers with 9th inning experience: Rodriguez, Mike Gonzalez, and John Axford, but it’s been righty Brandon Kintzler who has gotten the 8th inning over the last few weeks.  If Henderson is missing time, we’ll handicap the race as follows until we hear more: Kintzler (30%), Rodriguez (30%), Axford (25%), Gonzalez (15%).  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Closer, Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Jim Henderson injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILBrandon KintzlerFrancisco RodriguezJohn AxfordJim Henderson5/25/13
Jim Henderson (INJ)Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri got a night off last night after throwing 35 pitches on Thursday, and Garrett Richards picked up a 1.2 inning save in his absence.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriScott DownsGarrett RichardsErnesto Frieri5/25/13
Ryan Madson (DL)Kevin Jepsen (DL)

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Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera was sent to the minors earlier this week to sort himself out.  Luke Hochevar and Tim Collins are likely to share the 7th inning role ahead of set-up man Aaron Crow.  Hierarchy change: Luke Hochevar to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowLuke HochevarGreg Holland5/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros – Jose Veras threw 29 pitches in a rough outing last night and could get the day off today.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League could get a save on any night if Kenley Jansen is needed before the 9th.

Carlos Marmol wins closer job back; Koji Uehara injured

June 16, 2012

Texas Rangers – The Rangers placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list yesterday.  Young lefty Robbie Ross is having an outstanding season and is the most likely candidate to inherit the 7th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Robbie Ross to 2nd in line, Koji Uehara to DL.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ross |Nathan |6/16/12 |Uehara(DL) |

 
Oakland A’s – Evan Scribner earned a 3-inning save on Friday.  He does not factor in to the A’s normal late inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |6/16/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow pitched the 8th inning on Friday, three days after being summoned in a close game in the 7th.  After Jonathon Broxton and Greg Holland, the Royals bullpen is pretty fluid, with Crow, Kelvin Herrera, and Tim Collins all being used in the 6th and 7th innings.  But recently, it’s been Crow who has seen the majority of the late-innings work.  Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |6/16/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol on Friday got his first save since returning from the minors, and Dale Sveum said after the game that Marmol was his closer again. Marmol is immediately on the Hot Seat, as it’s easy to picture Sveum yanking him out of the role again if he blows his next couple opportunities (and his save on Friday was far from smooth).  But he’ll see the majority of save chances going forward. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Marmol |6/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three games in a row.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in three straight.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 6 of the last 9 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.