April 24, 2014
Chicago Cubs — Hey, can it be Hector Rondon time yet? The rest of the Cubs bullpen combined for a brutal blown save on Wednesday, with Pedro Strop’s control problems (7 BB in 8.1 IP) the catalyst. We’ve been telling you for two weeks that Rondon’s our guy; for the sake of Jeff Samardzija’s mental health, we hope Rick Renteria agrees soon. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHC | Pedro Strop | Hector Rondon | Justin Grimm | Hector Rondon | 4/24/14 |
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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri is having a terrible April. 5 of the 42 batters he’s faced have hit home runs, and opponents are hitting .359/.405/.769 against him — basically the equivalent of a Babe Ruth who didn’t like to walk. After Wednesday’s four-run meltdown, Mike Scioscia gave Frieri a vote of confidence, but the next nightmare outing is bound to be his last. Joe Smith awaits. Ernesto Frieri to Hot Seat.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAA | Ernesto Frieri | Joe Smith | Michael Kohn | Ernesto Frieri | 4/24/14 |
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New York Mets — Terry Collins sent Mets fans into a tizzy with Wednesday’s offhand comment that Daisuke Matsuzaka was a potential option to close games. Instead, the faithful were treated to classic Farnsworth: three hits, and the tying run thrown out at the plate. A 94 MPH fastball on the last pitch to Matt Holliday may assuage concerns about the closer’s health, at least. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated | |
| NYM | Kyle Farnsworth | Carlos Torres | Gonzalez Germen | Bobby Parnell | 4/24/14 | |||||
| Bobby Parnell (DL) |
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Houston Astros — So much for pleasant bullpen news out of Houston. Pitching for the third straight day, Josh Fields coughed up the lead and the ballgame on two singles and a three-run blast. With Matt Albers unavailable with shoulder tightness, Bo Porter didn’t have many other options. More bad news: Jesse Crain still hasn’t thrown a pitch in rehab, and won’t be up for at least a month. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated | |
| HOU | Josh Fields | Matt Albers | Chad Qualls | Josh Fields | 4/24/14 | |||||
| Jesse Crain (DL) |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs — Even if Pedro Strop doesn’t lose his job on Thursday, he’s not getting the save opportunity after Wednesday’s 31-pitch debacle.
2. Matt Albers/Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Josh Fields can’t go tomorrow, and if Albers is still hurt, Porter will probably turn to Qualls or Bass.
3. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — The next Oakland save could also go to Jim Johnson, Fernando Abad, or Dan Otero.
