April 15, 2012
San Francisco Giants – Brian Wilson’s season is likely over. After complaining of elbow soreness on Friday night, the Giants sent him for tests, where an MRI showed structural damage to his right elbow. Bruce Bochy said that the Giants will go closer-by-committee at first; on Friday, Santiago Casilla came on and pitched a clean 8th inning in a tie game, then pitched part of the 9th before Javier Lopez finished the inning. The Giants walked off in the bottom half, so there was no save opportunity, but based on their usage both tonight and earlier this season, Sergio Romo is the best bet to seize the permanent job. Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Closer, Santiago Casilla to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Casilla |Lopez |Wilson |4/15/12 |Wilson(DL) |
Seattle Mariners – George Sherrill was placed on the disabled list yesterday with elbow soreness. Lefthander Lucas Luetge, reliable in three outings so far, moves up on the depth chart. Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line, replacing George Sherrill.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Luetge |League |4/15/12
Minnesota Twins – Jeff Gray has established himself as the go-to lefty in the Twins bullpen, and has surpassed Alex Burnett on the depth chart, who thus far is mostly being used in long relief. Hierarchy change: Jeff Gray to 2nd in line, replacing Alex Burnett.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Gray |Capps |4/15/12
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Rodriguez, who is the co-closer for the Nats, may get the next save opp. As noted before, he should be owned in all leagues in case he wins the permanent job.
2. Jonny Venters, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched on back-to-back nights, and in four of the last five days. Venters’s usage has been similar, but he hasn’t thrown as many pitches and could get a save opp if the Braves rest Kimbrel.
3. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew the save last night and has pitched on two consecutive days, throwing 46 pitches. The Marlins will probably go to Bell again tonight, but only because the rest of the Marlins’ top relievers are equally taxed; Edward Mujica and Steve Cishek have both pitched on three consecutive nights, though they’ve both thrown fewer pitches than Bell.
