More of the usual Astro madness

August 27, 2013

Houston Astros — With Josh Fields (three straight appearances) and Chia-Jen Lo (31 pitches) unavailable on Monday, Josh Zeid was first out of the bullpen in a save situation. Zeid was used ahead of Kevin Chapman, who is still being wielded mostly as a lefty matchup guy — which is precisely why he was summoned after Zeid put runners on second and third. Jordan Lyles, who threw 115 pitches against the Blue Jays just last Friday, wound up with the save after Chapman walked his man, but Chapman holds his spot in the Houston hierarchy: Astros relievers are likelier than most to need matchup help in save situations. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/27/13

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Kevin Jepsen and J.J. Putz return to the disabled list

August 26, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ struggling bullpen took another blow on Sunday, as Kevin Jepsen underwent appendix surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Michael Kohn, who picked up his 6th hold of the season on Saturday, should see more high-leverage innings in Jepsen’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Michael Kohn to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Jepsen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaMichael KohnErnesto Frieri8/26/13

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Houston Astros – After picking up the save on Saturday, Chia-Jen Lo was summoned in the 9th inning on Sunday, ready to tighten his grip on the Houston closer role.  However, Lo had an absolutely miserable outing, as the first four hitters he faced reached base, including three by walk.  After walking in the game-tying run, Lo faced one more hitter, then was yanked, and eventually was saddled with the loss, as the Astros continue to look for someone to seize hold of the closer role.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/26/13

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Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz hit the disabled list again yesterday, which means — sorry, D-Backs fans — more high-leverage innings for Heath Bell.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Joe Thatcher to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIBrad ZieglerHeath BellJoe ThatcherJ.J. Putz8/26/13
J.J. Putz (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chia-Jen Lo, Houston Astros – Josh Fields has pitched in three straight, so Lo will likely get the save chance tonight.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg has pitched in back to back games and three of the past four.

Ernesto Frieri back to being primary closer, Chia-Jen Lo picks up save

August 25, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – Mike Scioscia said yesterday that Ernesto Frieri will go back to being the primary closer.  Scioscia said that Dane de la Rosa may still get the occasional save but it looks like Frieri will be the guy moving forward. Hierarchy change: Ernesto Frieri to Closer, Dane de la Rosa to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/25/13

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Houston Astros – Chia-Jen Lo picked up his second save of the season on Saturday night.  Since the Veras trade the Astros have alternated between Josh Fields and Lo. Fields picked up saves on 8/5 and 8/14 and Lo picked up saves on 8/13 and 8/24.  Both guys are worth owning right now if you are desperate for saves and the next couple save opportunities could clarify whether or not one of these guys will become the primary closer.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chia-Jen Lo, Houston Astros – Josh Fields has pitched in two straight and Lo could get the save on any night.

Ernesto Frieri and Jim Johnson close to winning their jobs back

August 24, 2013

Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson picked up the save on Friday night as he pitched a perfect inning with 1 strikeout.  Right now it looks like both Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson are worth owning.  If Jim Johnson is able to string together a couple good outings he should reclaim his role as closer.  However, with the Orioles in the midst of a playoff chase they cannot afford any more blown saves from Johnson so if he struggles in his next outing, Tommy Hunter could continue to see save opportunities. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/24/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri struck out the side on Friday for his 27th save of the season.  Mike Scioscia has not come out and anointed Frieri his closer again but with five straight scoreless outings, he should be very close to getting his job back as the full time closer. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAADane de la RosaErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/24/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in four straight.
2. Ernesto Frieri, Los Angeles Angels – Dane de la Rosa and Ernesto Frieri are sharing the closing duties.
3. Jim Johnson, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson got the save last night and could get the call again tonight.

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.