Your Astros closer of the day: Josh Fields

August 6, 2013

Houston Astros — Houston’s bullpen situation isn’t getting any clearer. Monday night, Bo Porter played matchups in the ninth, using Wesley Wright to start the eighth, then summoning Josh Fields to face Mike Napoli with two outs. Fields, who was selected from Boston this offseason in the Rule 5 draft, struck out Napoli, then stuck around for the ninth; all he did there was strike out the side for his first career save. Although some on Twitter are ready to anoint him the new closer, we suspect this is just what an actual closer-by-committee approach looks like — note that Fields has a 6.00+ ERA, has allowed baserunners in six straight appearances, and pitched the eighth down a run on Sunday. Four strikeouts in four at-bats is quite a statement, though, and if Porter wants to return to a more conventional ninth-inning approach, Fields has a strong case. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Set-up, Chia-Jen Lo to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJose Cisnero8/6/13

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Philadelphia Phillies — Antonio Bastardo was handed a 50-game suspension on Monday for his connection to performance-enhancing drugs. Justin De Fratus has been effective since mid-July, not allowing a run in his last six appearances — and the Phils will need him, with Mike Adams out until 2014 after shoulder surgery. Hierarchy change: Justin De Fratus to Set-up, replacing Antonio Bastardo.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonJustin De FratusJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon8/6/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen got the night off, so Paco Rodriguez nailed down a strong two-inning vulture save in a tight game. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen8/6/13

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Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden did indeed grab a vulture save Monday with Craig Kimbrel unavailable. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenLuis AvilanCraig Kimbrel8/6/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Long-injured Ryan Madson got only as far as one single-A rehab appearance this year; it appears that this will be his second straight season out of the majors after the Angels released him on MondayNo hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/6/13

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Seattle Mariners — A triceps injury will shut down Stephen Pryor for the remainder of the year. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/6/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez and Joe Smith have each pitched in three straight games.