Neftali Feliz and Aaron Crow record saves

July 26, 2014

Texas Rangers — With their first save opportunity since trading closer Joakim Soria, the Rangers stayed true to their word and went to Neftali Feliz.  Feliz gave up a hit and a walk, and had to throw 26 pitches to get through the inning, but he pitched a scoreless frame for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Kansas City Royals — With Greg Holland and Wade Davis unavailable after pitching three days in a row, the Royals went to Aaron Crow to protect a two run lead in the 9th. Crow pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his second save of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Crow.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Ernesto Frieri had been pitching pretty well recently, but last night he gave up 4 runs in one inning of work.  The outing raised Frieri’s ERA to 7.38 for the season.  Jared Hughes, on the other hand, has an ERA under 2.00.  The change of scenery hasn’t helped Frieri as much as the Pirates’ hoped and it’s likely that he will be relegated to middle relief at this point.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Morris/A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
2. Adam Warren, New York Yankees – David Robertson and Dellin Betances have both pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Chad Qualls unlikely to be traded; Jake Petricka now full-time

July 25, 2014

Houston Astros – Though seemingly a prime trade candidate, Chad Qualls is extremely unlikely to be moved, according to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow. Qualls, who is signed through 2015 and has a team option for 2016, has been a wonderful surprise for both Houston and his fantasy owners, and appears to still be a reliable bet for saves for the remainder of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Miami Marlins – The A’s finally sent ole’ Jim Johnson out to pasture prior to Thursday’s game. We initially weren’t going to mention this, but Johnson is somehow still owned in 13 percent of leagues. And, actually, there’s a small chance that this increases his relevancy again, as the Marlins were reportedly interested in acquiring Johnson as recently as a few days ago. If they sign him, and then decide to move Steve Cishek, then Johnson could potentially be in the mix for saves in Miami.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Morris | Ramos.

Chicago White Sox — With Thursday’s news that Zach Putnam is headed to the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, Jake Petricka went, by default, from part-time closer to full-time closer. He responded well in his first save chance on Thursday night, striking out two in a perfect inning, and has the chance to seize the role for good ahead of Putnam’s (and Matt Lindstrom’s and Nate Jones’s) return.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Detroit Tigers – With Joakim Soria looking on from the bullpen, Joe Nathan on Thursday pitched like a man who knew that even a single slip-up could cost him his job. Nathan had his most dominant appearance of the season, needing only 12 pitches to strike out the side. It’s possible that he’s still just one blown save from losing the job, but Nathan has likely created a tiny bit of breathing room for himself.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ken Giles/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three straight, throwing a total of 65 pitches over 4 innings.
2. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland and Wade Davis have both pitched in three straight.

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Neftali Feliz will close in Texas

July 24, 2014

Texas Rangers — 26-year-old Neftali Feliz, an All-Star closer in 2010, will get the first shot at the ninth with Joakim Soria headed to Detroit. “We’ll give him a shot,” Ron Washington said. “He is the only one with experience.” Shawn Tolleson and Neal Cotts will back him up.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have acquired Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers. Joe Nathan will hang onto his job for now, but his Hot Seat is glowing white with his former set-up guy looming.

Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

Houston Astros — Although he admits that he’s been burned before and remains “very guarded,” Houston GM Jeff Luhnow still hopes Jesse Crain and Matt Albers will return to give the Astros a few innings this year in exchange for their combined $5.5 million in salary. Finding the saddest part of that sentence is left as an exercise for the reader. In far less depressing news, Josh Fields has struck out 18 men and allowed only three baserunners in 9.1 innings since his return from the DL. He has the edge over Tony Sipp.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger to Jake McGee: two perfect innings with five strikeouts. A fella could get used to this. And get well soon, Joel Peralta; hope you don’t have that nasty chikungunya virus.

Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Boxberger.

Chicago White Sox — Chicago’s bullpen may soon become crowded if Nate Jones and Matt Lindstrom can return as planned early next month. Jones has been throwing on flat ground for some time now. Lindstrom will pitch batting practice this weekend, then start a minor league rehab assignment if all goes well.

Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Belisario.

Toronto Blue Jays — First, Sergio Santos’s stuff went south; now he will, to AAA Buffalo, after clearing waivers.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | McGowan | Loup.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight games.
2. Ken Giles/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies — With Jonathan Papelbon likely unavailable after throwing 55 pitches in the last two days, Ryne Sandberg might have to choose between preparing his closer of the future or showcasing a promising trade chip.
3. Luke Gregerson, Oakland Athletics — Sean Doolittle has pitched in three of four games, including last night, and the A’s play a day game on Thursday.