Diamondbacks to discuss how bad Greg Holland is before today’s game

July 27, 2019

Arizona Diamondbacks — Greg Holland’s struggles continued as he blew a save and took the loss last night. This follows a Wednesday outing where he walked the only two hitters he faced, and has led to some speculation that Arizona may either replace him at closer or trade for a more reliable arm. After the game, manager Torey Lovullo indicated that they would make any change in the closer’s spot prior to a game, not in the middle of it. Speaking of which, Lovullo and his staff will discuss Holland’s role prior to today’s game. Holland has three blown saves in July, and with Arizona at a decision point of whether to compete this year or not, Holland may be on thin ice as the closer. Yoshihisa Hirano would be the immediate beneficiary if Holland is removed, but keep an eye on the trade market, as Arizona may find themselves buying before the deadline. 

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

Texas Rangers – The first save of the Rangers’ committee went to Chris Martin, who closed out a three-run game for his fourth save of the year. Martin looked a bit shaky, giving up a leadoff double and a walk before retiring the next three hitters. Josh Leclerc pitched the eighth ahead of Martin, facing the top of the order. It’s clear that Martin and Leclerc are the top two choices in the Texas bullpen until Shawn Kelley returns, though Martin may get more looks at saves to further boost his value ahead of the deadline.

Hierarchy remains: *C.Martin | Leclerc | B.Martin.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — A day after Edwin Diaz left the a game with a foot injury, Mickey Callaway decided to give him another night of rest. Instead, Seth Lugo pitched a clean ninth inning for his first save of the year. Diaz’s X-rays came back negative, but in a three-run game the Mets decided not to take a chance with his landing foot. Look for Diaz to be available tonight in perhaps one of his final few outings in a Mets uniform this season.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Tampa Bay Rays – True to their form, the Rays are using every reliever everywhere. Diego Castillo served as the opener last night, Chaz Roe locked up his 15th hold and Colin Poche pitched a clean ninth inning in a two-run game to earn his first save of the year. Poche is a strikeout machine whose overall stats have been hampered by some bad luck (0.97 WHIP vs. 6.46 ERA), while Oliver Drake hasn’t pitched since July 20. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado played catch with no issues and is close to throwing off a mound.

Updated hierarchy: *Pagan | Castillo | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — Kyle Barraclough was called up from AA yesterday and immediately found himself in a high-leverage spot. Needing to get just one out in a tie game with runners on first and second, Barraclough immediately threw a wild pitch before giving up a three-run homer to hang Tony Sipp with the loss. Back to Double-A for you, Kyle!

Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Rodney | Suero.

Chicago Cubs — A Holland was on the move yesterday, although it was Derek and not Greg. Derek Holland was traded from the Giants to the Cubs to shore up their left-handed relief options. Holland hasn’t been great this year, but his stats against lefties are solid enough to make him a LOOGY option in Chicago. Holland may be in the mix for holds, but probably won’t be a target for clear save chances unless Joe Maddon gets real cute.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Strop | Kintzler.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Yoshihisa Hirano — Not only has Greg Holland struggled lately, but he’s pitched in three of five.
2. Joe Kelly — Kenley Jansen threw 34 pitches last night and 25 on Thursday, so he will likely get a break tonight. 

Sunday:
1. Jeremy Jeffress — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Josh Hader. 
2. Anthony Bass /Cory Gearrin — The same is true for Roenis Elias and Anthony Bass.
3. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand was held out of Friday’s game, but he threw 34 pitches on Thursday so a long outing today could earn him Sunday off. 
4. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian – Hansel Robles was also held out yesterday, but today would make four of five for him. Look for whoever doesn’t pitch today to get any save chance on Sunday. 
5. Andrew Miller/John Gant – Today would be three in a row for the entire St. Louis hierarchy, so expect anyone who rests today to get the ball on Sunday. 

Ken Giles taking his talents to Chukchansi Park

July 12, 2018

Houston Astros — A few hours after Ken Giles met his manager on the mound with a less-than-friendly salutation, GM Jeff Luhnow greeted Giles with his own F-word: Fresno. Yes, the once-dominant closer will be punching his ticket in the minors for the first time since his breakout rookie year in 2014. You really can’t go wrong with anyone else in the Astros’ stable of middle relievers: Will Harris has good K numbers and an ERA inflated by a high BABIP; Joe Smith has fashioned four scoreless outings since his return from the DL; Tony Sipp is an effective lefty; and even Brad Peacock’s recent struggles haven’t wrecked a very good season. But for second in line, we’ll bet on converted starter Collin McHugh, whose ERA has hovered around 1.00 all season, while he’s struck out 57 in 44 innings.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Devenski | McHugh.

Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene will be activated on Thursday and should immediately resume his role as the Tigers’ closer. If Greene can prove that he’s healthy, he could wind up moving to a contender in need of bullpen help.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson. 

Minnesota Twins — An MRI on Wednesday revealed inflammation and swelling around Addison Reed’s triceps, so he’ll rest on the DL through the All-Star break. Ryan Pressly (13.08 K/9) — in Rochester exile no longer — should get more looks in the seventh inning; he picked up a sixth-inning hold last night.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hildenberger | Pressly.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jose Alvarado was unfortunately placed on family medical emergency leave and will be out through the All-Star break. Stepping up in his place in the eighth inning on Wednesday was Diego Castillo, who could also be in line for a vulture save on Thursday. In Alvarado’s absence, Ryne Stanek (1.99 ERA; 39 K in 31.2 IP) could be called upon occasionally in the late innings when he’s not serving as a lights-out “opener.”

Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Castillo | Stanek.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians — The only pitcher from either team in Cleveland’s 19-4 victory to leave without allowing a run was knuckleballing Reds third baseman Alex Blandino. Far less effective was Adam Plutko, who entered with a 16-run lead, gave up three runs and eight baserunners, and yet came away with a save because Jerome Holtzman said so.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Ramirez | Perez.

Colorado Rockies — Bryan Shaw is back from the disabled list and predicting a return to form commensurate with his large contract.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Ottavino | McGee.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Diego Castillo — Romo has pitched in three straight and four of five.
2. Kyle Crick — Felipe Vazquez has also pitched in four of five.

Friday:
1. Victor Arano — If Seranthony Dominguez pitches Thursday, he’ll have gone in three of four.
2. Anthony Swarzak — Same is true of Jeurys Familia.
3. Josh Hader — And Corey Knebel.
4. Brad Brach — And Zach Britton.
5. Lou Trivino — And Blake Treinen.

Shawn Tolleson on thin ice in Texas

May 18, 2016

Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson blew his fourth save of the season on Tuesday, but despite a 9.20 ERA, Jeff Bannister did not want to make a reactionary decision. Tolleson is clearly on the thinnest of ice, however, and Sam Dyson is even closer to taking over the 9th inning for the Rangers.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Dyson | Diekman.

Colorado Rockies — Carlos Estevez converted his fifth straight hold on Tuesday while Chad Qualls has not pitched since a blown save on May 11. Estevez, who has closing experience from over two decades ago, has allowed just two hits and one earned run in his last six appearances.

Updated hierarchy: McGee | Logan | Estevez.

Seattle Mariners — Joaquin Benoit has been activated from the disabled list and rejoined the Mariners in Baltimore on Tuesday night.

Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Benoit | Peralta.

Houston Astros — Tony Sipp stumbled his way into an extra-inning save after Luke Gregerson’s third blown save of the season. Sipp is not a prominent factor in the Astros’ late-inning plans. Meanwhile, Ken Giles looked strong with a pair of strikeouts in the seventh inning to preserve a tie game.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Harris | Giles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson may get the night, or the next few weeks, off.
2. John Axford, Oakland Athletics – Ryan Madson blew his first save of the season on Tuesday and has pitched in three straight games while Axford had last night off after two straight outings.
3. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson only threw 21 pitches on Tuesday and has seen little work of late, but last night’s performance was two innings.
4. Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds  – Tony Cingrani needed 33 pitches yesterday in a blowout loss, though he managed to strike out two and walk only one without giving up a run.
5. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched each of the last three days.

2016 AL West preview

February 29, 2016

Houston Astros — Ken Giles finally became the closer in Philadelphia after the Jonathan Papelbon trade, and he excelled, collecting 15 saves and striking out 87 hitters in 70 innings. Now the 25-year-old should get the chance at his first full season as a closer — although Luke Gregerson isn’t too pleased about losing his job. Gregerson hasn’t thrown off a mound yet this spring due to a sore oblique. Pat Neshek could grab some vulture saves during the season.

Starting 2016 hierarchy: Giles | Gregerson | Neshek.
Holds candidates: Gregerson, Neshek, Tony Sipp.

Los Angeles Angels — The consistent Huston Street returns as Angels closer after another 40-save season. The 32-year-old didn’t have his strongest season in 2015, as his ERA, WHIP, and BAA all rose above career averages, while his K/9 number dropped. Behind Street is Joe Smith, who will be entering his third year in LA and the final year of his contract. Also entering his third year with the team is Fernando Salas, who’s coming off an up-and-down campaign.

Starting 2016 hierarchy: Street | Smith | Salas.
Holds candidates: Smith, Salas, Mike Morin, Al Alburquerque.

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle, who missed the majority of last season with a shoulder injury, will begin 2016 as the A’s closer. He flashed some promising signs at the end of 2015, collecting four saves over his final six appearances. Oakland also signed two veteran relievers to add some depth behind Doolittle — Ryan Madson and John Axford. Watch out for Australian flame-thrower Liam Hendriks, who found success in Toronto as a relief pitcher after years as a mediocre starter.

Starting 2016 hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Axford.
Holds candidates: Madson, Axford, Marc Rzepczynski.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners traded away Carson Smith and Tom Wilhelmsen in the offseason, leaving an already fragile bullpen in shambles. Steve Cishek will close for now; he has closing experience, but struggled in Miami last year and lost his job quickly. 38-year-old Joaquin Benoit will back up Cishek; he comes off a strong season setting up Craig Kimbrel in San Diego. Keep an eye on September call-up Tony Zych, whom the Mariners received from the Cubs for only $1 last year. Zych, 25, has a fastball that can touch 99 and a wicked slider. His star will rise if he can calm his control issues.

Starting 2016 hierarchy: Cishek | Benoit | Zych.
Holds candidates: Benoit, Charlie Furbush, Evan Scribner.

Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson returns to the fold after a very solid 2015 season, which included 35 saves and 3 scoreless innings in the ALDS. Tolleson is followed closely by Keone Kela, who turns 23 in April and will likely close in Texas one day. For now, he’s a filthy setup man in a strong bullpen. In the offseason, the Rangers picked up former closer Tom Wilhelmsen, who has had tremendous success against division rivals, including the Angels (Mike Trout is 1-12, Albert Pujols is 3-16) and Astros (Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Evan Gattis and George Springer are a combined 1-21).

Starting 2016 hierarchy: Tolleson | Kela | Wilhelmsen.
Holds candidates: Kela, Wilhelmsen, Sam Dyson.

 

Chad Qualls will fill in for Luke Gregerson for a few days

May 9, 2015

Houston Astros — As we retweeted on Friday evening, Luke Gregerson has been placed on the family emergency list to deal with a private matter. Gregerson cannot return until Monday and could be out until next Friday. Chad Qualls will see the save opportunities until Gregerson comes back.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Neshek | Sipp.

New York Yankees — After Andrew Miller shut the Orioles down in order on his way to his 13th save, Joe Girardi reluctantly (and sarcastically) admitted that Miller is New York’s closer. The Yankee bullpen continues to be the best in baseball, with the one-two punch of Miller and Dellin Betances combining for 32 innings pitched with no earned runs, 52 strikeouts, and only 11 hits.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Martin.

Los Angeles Angels — As we suspected, Huston Street and Joe Smith got the night off on Friday. Although the Angels let Jared Weaver finish a 120-pitch shutout, it was Fernando Salas (not Mike Morin) warming in the bullpen for the possible vulture save.

Updated hierarchy: Street | Smith | Salas.

Colorado Rockies — Two-year-old Jameson Axford, still recovering from what his doctors called the worst rattlesnake bite they had ever seen, threw out the first pitch at Friday night’s game. Jameson has the stuff to challenge for a late-inning role in 2036, when the rest of us will all be so, so impossibly old.

Hierarchy remains: Axford | Betancourt | Logan.

San Francisco Giants — Yusmeiro Petit earned a three-inning save in a 6-0 Giants win.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Seth Maness/Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals 
— Trevor Rosenthal has now appeared on two straight days, three of four, and six of eight.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon has thrown 52 pitches since Wednesday, including Friday’s three-run, 32-pitch debacle.
3. Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds — Chicago and Cincinnati were rained out on Friday and will play a doubleheader on Saturday.
4. Zach Duke, Chicago White Sox — See above.