Disappointing season for Wilton Lopez

September 19, 2013

Colorado Rockies – With the game still close in the 8th inning yesterday, the Rockies went to lefty Adam Ottavino, who pitched a clean inning to lower his ERA to 2.77, nearly a point and a half lower than Wilton Lopez.  Lopez, the former closer for the Astros, never really got it together this year and has been a disappointment for Colorado all year long.  Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleAdam OttavinoRex Brothers9/19/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Francisco Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles – The Baltimore bullpen has been heavily taxed as of late, with Jim Johnson having pitched in two straight and five of the last seven, and Tommy Hunter accumulating 5.2 innings in the last six games. In the wild race for the AL wild card, the O’s will probably throw their top guys if they’ve got anything left, but if not, Francisco Rodriguez is the best bet for the save opp.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has a tired arm and has pitched in back to back games.
3. Santiago Casilla, San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight and four of six, throwing 98 pitches in that span.

Edward Mujica dealing with nagging injuries; Rex Brothers closing again

August 23, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica, who has been pressed into several 2-inning outings over the past several weeks, is dealing with some nagging injuries, including a sore back and dead arm.  The Cardinals think he’ll be OK, but Mujica owners might want to add Trevor Rosenthal just in case.  In deeper leagues, the hard-throwing righty certainly won’t hurt, as he boasts among the most strikeouts of any reliever in baseball.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte8/23/13

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New York Yankees – As mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch, David Robertson picked up a save in Mariano Rivera’s absence on Thursday.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson8/23/13

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Cincinnati Reds – Despite listing two Cincinnati relievers in the Vulture Save Watch space yesterday, we missed on the Reds one-night closer, as Sam LeCure got the call in the 9th inning.  Before the game, it was revealed that Jonathan Broxton was experiencing forearm soreness, and is likely out for the season.  J.J. Hoover, meanwhile, got the night off after pitching in three straight, leaving the job to LeCure, who may see more late-inning work with Broxton out.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to Set-up, Sam LeCure to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverSam LeCureJonathan Broxton8/23/13

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Washington Nationals – Drew Storen picked up an extra inning save on Thursday night.  Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
WASRafael SorianoTyler ClippardDrew StorenRafael Soriano8/23/13

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Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt left Thursday’s game with an elbow injury and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Rex Brothers will resume closing in his place.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRex Brothers8/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in three straight and on six of the last seven days, while Nate Jones has pitched three innings over the last two days.
2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Both Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have pitched in three straight.

Rex Brothers re-inherits closer role after Betancourt leaves with injury

August 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt left Thursday’s game with an elbow injury and is likely headed back to the disabled list.  Rex Brothers will resume closing in his place.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRex Brothers8/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

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Pedro Strop and Mitchell Boggs are relevant again

July 22, 2013

Chicago Cubs – For a “good time on the mound,” Dale Sveum plans to call on Pedro Strop to be the Cubs’ new closer if Kevin Gregg heads elsewhere this month, as expected. Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Set-up, Blake Parker to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggPedro StropBlake ParkerPedro Strop7/22/13

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Colorado Rockies — The Rockies responded to Rafael Betancourt’s incapacitation by summoning a blast from the National League past: Mitchell Boggs. Reports suggest that Colorado will use him in front of Matt Belisle, and Boggs insists that his time in double-A exile has helped him return to last season’s impressive form. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleMitchell BoggsRafael Betancourt7/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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New York Yankees — Joba Chamberlain’s continued struggles have once again dropped him below Boone Logan on the Yankees’ depth chart; Logan struck out the side in a tied seventh inning on Sunday at Fenway. Hierarchy change: Boone Logan to 2nd in line, replacing Joba Chamberlain.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson7/22/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – After Brad Ziegler picked up his fourth save in as many opportunities, Kirk Gibson gave him a half-vote of confidence, saying that he will handle the closer role “for now . . . but that could change.” Gibson also admitted that Ziegler’s propensity to induce groundouts makes him a valuable arm at other points, which does nothing to dispel the long-term uncertainty in this bullpen. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/22/13

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Detroit Tigers — Jim Leyland might be bluffing, but he sounds like a man who’s satisfied with his bullpen. Joaquin Benoit has converted all nine of his save opportunities, and Bruce Rondon is on a hot streak as well, retiring 11 straight batters over three scoreless outings. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitDrew Smyly Bruce RondonBruce Rondon7/22/13

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Baltimore Orioles — After Jim Johnson was used in two straight games, Darren O’Day picked up the save on Sunday night. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterDarren O’DayJim Johnson7/22/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay Rays — Rodney threw 35 pitches last night in his second straight day of work.

Rafael Betancourt hits DL with appendicitis; Rex Brothers to close

July 20, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has been placed on the DL with appendicitis.  The move is retroactive to July 15.  Rex Brothers will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRafael Betancourt7/20/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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