Sam Dyson on thin ice in Texas

April 12, 2017

Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson’s struggles continued on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs in the ninth to send the game to extra innings, with the Rangers eventually losing in the 10th. That’s now 11 earned runs in four appearances for Dyson, three of which have been bad. After the game, Jeff Banister said that the team will need to consider its options regarding the closer role. Those options are either Matt Bush or Jeremy Jeffress. We still like Bush over Jeffress, despite Bush being “unavailable” on Tuesday, but we’ll hopefully get more clarity from Banister on Wednesday. If Bush can’t go, expect Jeffress to get the call.

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Bush | Jeffress.

Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna made his season debut on Tuesday, pitching the ninth in a 4-3 loss. He’ll resume his closing duties immediately, and John Gibbons said that he won’t hesitate to use Osuna on back-to-back days,

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon was sent to Triple-A to work on getting in shape. While Rondon works on his conditioning, Shane Greene and lefty Kyle Ryan will work ahead of Justin Wilson and K-Rod. This isn’t the first time Rondon has needed a stint in the minors to get right, and we’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes for him to get back to Detroit this time.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Greene.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Randall Delgado has been used mostly in long relief duty so far this season, which means his days in the Arizona hierarchy are done. Who replaces him? Right now, nobody has emerged as a clear favorite. Archie Bradley was the last Diamondback to pitch in a tight game ahead of Fernando Rodney, though he may transition back into a starter. Tom Wilhelmsen has ample experience in the late innings as well. We’ll need the 7-2 D-Backs to play a close game to really see how the bullpen lines up, but we’ll give the edge to Wilhelmsen at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hoover | Wilhelmsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – Both K-Rod and Justin Wilson have gone in two straight games, so Greene may get the nod if a save situation arises.
2. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Ken Giles needed 31 pitches to finish off Tuesday’s game, so he may get a night off.

Thursday
1. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays – While Osuna should be available Wednesday, Thursday may be a different story if he does go back-to-back days.
2. Carlos Torres/Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers – Neftali Feliz may need a breather if he pitches Wednesday. If Corey Knebel pitches on Wednesday as well, he’ll have joined Feliz on back-to-back outings.
3. Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian may have thrown on two straight days entering Thursday.
4. Justin Wilson/Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – If K-Rod does pitch Wednesday, don’t expect him on Thursday.
5. Adam Ottavino/Mike Dunn, Colorado Rockies – We don’t expect Greg Holland to pitch three straight days, so if he gets the call Wednesday we expect Ottavino to get the ninth on Thursday. Mike Dunn may get tabbed as well if Ottavino goes on Wednesday as well.

A.J. Ramos battling finger injury

September 11, 2016

Miami Marlins — A.J. Ramos is dealing with discomfort in the finger he fractured in early August.  Fernando Rodney hasn’t been pitching well, but the injury to Ramos means both All-Stars should be in the mix for saves the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.
*  = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen returned from the disabled list yesterday.  He pitched in a Mariners’ blowout victory and gave up a couple runs.  Nick Vincent hasn’t allowed a run since Wilhelmsen went on the disabled list in late August and has picked up three holds during that time.  We will leave Vincent on the hierarchy for now and watch how the Mariners use the veteran Wilhelmsen down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Cishek | Vincent.

Milwaukee Brewers – Corey Knebel got the call in the eighth inning last night to protect a one run lead.  Unfortunately for Brewers’ fans (and fans of any other NL team battling with the Cardinals for the wild card), Knebel was unable to get the job done, as he gave up four runs while only recording one out.  Knebel has really struggled recently and Carlos Torres will likely see more time in the set-up role as a result.

Updated hierarchy: Thornburg  | Torres | Knebel.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney, Miami Marlins – Manager Don Mattingly has said he doesn’t know who will get the call for the next save chance and while Ramos has been pitching better than Rodney, the injury to Ramos complicates things
2. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight.  Shawn Kelley has as well but he has only been asked to get one out each night.
3. Anybody but Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants – Bruce Bochy will likely mix and match in the ninth inning so it could be a righty in Sergio Romo, Joe Nathan, or Hunter Strickland, or a lefty in Will Smith or Javier Lopez, who ends up getting the last out in a save opportunity.  It won’t be Santiago Casilla.

 

Feliz and Quackenbush record saves

August 28, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Tony Watson got the day off on Saturday and Neftali Feliz picked up the save.  Feliz should continue to fill in as closer when Watson is unavailable.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Feliz | Rivero.

San Diego Padres — Kevin Quackenbush pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for his first save of the season.  The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted that Brandon Maurer would have Saturday off and that Quackenbush would get the save.  However, Brad Hand was available and pitched the eighth inning.  Quackenbush saved six games for the Padres down the stretch in 2014 and it looks like he has moved ahead of Hand in the Padres bullpen and could continue to see save chances when Maurer is not able to go.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Quackenbush | Hand. 

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners have placed Tom Wilhelmsen on the disabled list with back spasms.  Steve Cishek and Nick Vincent should help set-up Edwin Diaz while Wilhemsen is out.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Cishek | Vincent.

Colorado Rockies – Up until yesterday, Adam Ottavino’s ERA for 2015 and 2016 matched his jersey number; 0.  Ottavino blew the save on Saturday while giving up his first run since September 2014.  Ottavino had the longest active scoreless streak in the majors, but it was ended by the Washington Nationals, who ended Zach Britton’s streak just a few days earlier.

Hierarchy remains: Ottavino | Logan | Estevez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Mark Melancon has gone in three straight.
2. Joe Blanton, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in back-to-back games and four of the past five.
3. A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins – Fernando Rodney has appeared in three of the past four games.
4. Randall Delgado, Arizona Diamondbacks – Daniel Hudson got the last save opportunity but was unable to convert it so Delgado could get the next shot.

Alex Reyes could get some St. Louis holds down the stretch

August 20, 2016

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs bullpen lost yet another arm when Hector Rondon was placed on the DL with a triceps injury. Rondon joins Joe Smith and Pedro Strop on Chicago’s crowded disabled list. In the meantime, look for the Cubs to hold the line with Travis Wood and C.J. Edwards, although that combination managed to blow a four-run lead last night. If they continue to falter, keep an eye on 2013 second-round pick Rob Zastryzny, who — in addition to having a 33-point Scrabble name — pitched a scoreless inning in his MLB debut last night.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Edwards | Wood.

Seattle Mariners — Steve Cishek didn’t get into a close game after he returned from the DL Friday. Meanwhile, Edwin Diaz struggled (three walks, two runs) but managed to pick up his ninth save of the year. The Mariners are likely to be cautious with Cishek coming off a hip injury, but he should be back into the late-inning mix before long.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Cishek.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Adam Liberatore returned from the DL and pitched a scoreless inning in a loss last night. He’ll replace Pedro Baez, who has had a rough stretch of games, giving up seven runs over his last five appearances. Don’t be surprised if Liberatore presses Joe Blanton for the eighth inning; before his injury, Liberatore had put in an excellent season.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Blanton | Liberatore.

St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh pitched two scoreless innings in a tie game, so when the Cardinals took the lead in the eleventh, it fell to 21-year-old rookie Alex Reyes to close the game out. He worked around a single and a walk to lock up his first career save. Reyes is one of the best starting pitching prospects in baseball, and the Cardinals have a history of using prospects as relievers early in their careers (see Adam Wainwright and Carlos Martinez). Mike Matheny trusts the youngster and, with Reyes living up to the hype so far (0.00 ERA, 9 K, 7 IP), we will slot him into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Siegrist | Reyes.

Cincinnati Reds — Seventh-inning man Michael Lorenzen returned from bereavement leave on Friday following the death of his father. Lorenzen escaped a bit of a jam in the seventh, hit his first career home run on a 97 MPH fastball, and then finished the night off with a scoreless eighth. MVP.

Hierarchy remains: *Cingrani | Iglesias | Lorenzen.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. C.J. Edwards, Chicago Cubs — Aroldis Chapman has gone in two straight and three of four.
2. Tom Wilhelmsen/Steve Cishek, Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz needed 34 pitches to close out the game last night, and this may be Cishek’s chance to re-establish himself.
3. Mauricio Cabrera, Atlanta Braves — Jim Johnson has been used in two straight (43 pitches).
4. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — Mark Melancon has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 41 pitches.
5. Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies — Jeanmar Gomez has also gone back-to-back (31 pitches).

Pedro Strop injures his knee; Ken Giles will go on paternity leave soon

August 11, 2016

Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon hasn’t pitched in nine days (sore triceps), but Joe Maddon remains confident that he’ll return soon and avoid the DL. The need became more dire when Pedro Strop left Wednesday’s game with an apparent knee injury, unable to support his own weight. Filling in admirably was 24-year-old C.J. Edwards, who has a 0.58 WHIP and the stuff to retire Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in a tight spot. Joe Maddon doesn’t want to overload the kid, so Joe Smith will take on the bulk of Strop’s duties — but don’t sleep on C.J.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Smith.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Jake Barrett is not exactly running away with the D-Backs’ closer job. Since Tyler Clippard left town, Barrett has given up six earned runs and seven walks in four innings (five appearances). Wednesday’s blown save could open the door for Enrique Burgos — who has a 0.98 ERA since being recalled from Reno in early July — or Randall Delgado.

Updated hierarchy: *Barrett | Burgos | Delgado.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz had pitched in four of five games, and Tom Wilhelmsen had gone in three of four, so out came Nick Vincent to face the heart of Detroit’s order in a save situation. Arquimedes Caminero hasn’t done anything wrong — he earned the win with a perfect eighth — but Scott Servais evidently loves what Vincent can do against righties.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Vincent.

Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, so the Astros are hoping Ken Giles’s baby holds off until then also. If not, Pat Neshek will probably get the call in Giles’s absence.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Neshek | Harris.

Minnesota Twins — Not only were the Twins rained out on Umbrella Night, but they also sent Trevor May to the disabled list with a low back strain. Lefthander Taylor Rogers, a rookie, has three holds in the last week, and should benefit from May’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Pressly | Rogers.

Chicago White Sox — In his last six outings, Matt Albers has given up nine runs in 6.2 IP, and he took the loss in the 14th last night. Pitching two scoreless innings ahead of him was Dan Jennings, who gave up a leadoff triple in the 13th, then struck out the side.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Jones | Jennings.

Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson and Jeremy Jeffress had each pitched in three of four games, and after Jake Diekman gave up the go-ahead runs in the eighth, Jeff Banister called on Matt Bush for the save (his first). Bush won’t crack the hierarchy again just yet, though; Texas has seven high-quality options in the bullpen, and Bush remains a pretty clear fourth.

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Jeffress | Diekman.

Oakland A’s — After two straight days of use, Ryan Madson got Wednesday off. John Axford picked up the save. If you’re still reading this, we’re so sorry.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Axford | Dull.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia pitched the tenth and eleventh Wednesday night (38 pitches).
2. Enrique Burgos, Arizona Diamondbacks — It’s a committee of sorts in Arizona, and Jake Barrett blew the save last night and has gone in two straight.