Sean Doolittle expected to return today

September 12, 2014

Oakland A’s – All signs point towards Sean Doolittle’s activation today. Since we anticipate his immediate return to his old gig, expect a live alert if and when he is officially activated.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

San Francisco Giants – Bruce Bochy said two weeks ago that both Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo would be used in the game’s final innings. Since then, Casilla has gotten both save chances, but has allowed a run in two of his last three appearances, including a solo shot last night in a non-save opp. Despite Romo’s lack of opportunity, this remains a somewhat volatile situation, and Romo may still be good for a few save opps down the stretch.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight.
2. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has gone three straight. None of the Reds relievers have distinguished themselves as the clear set-up man since Jonathan Broxton’s departure, so this is just our best guess; Manny Parra or Sam LeCure also could be tapped for the save.
3. Josh Fields, Houston Astros – If Chad Qualls is still unavailable, Fields is the best bet for a save chance.
4. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit is still out.
5. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – The Royals continue to be cautious with Greg Holland.

Joakim Soria and Rafael Soriano make their returns

September 11, 2014

Oakland A’s — After a successful outing on Wednesday, Sean Doolittle is on track to return from the DL on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

Houston Astros — With a lefty-heavy Mariners lineup in the 9th, it was Tony Sipp (mentioned in Wednesday’s VSW) who earned the save last night. It’s Josh Fields who will get most of the save chances as long as Chad Qualls is hurt, however.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria returned from the DL on Wednesday, giving up one run in the ninth with the team behind. If Joe Nathan’s arm troubles worsen, Brad Ausmus could turn to the experienced Soria.

Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Chamberlain | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano returned from a five-day hiatus to pitch in a low-leverage outing on Wednesday. Club brass hopes he’ll be willing to accept a set-up role as the postseason approaches.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Kansas City Royals — With Greg Holland remaining unavailable, Wade Davis picked up another save on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles led 10-1 entering the bottom of the ninth and somehow still managed to squeeze out a save for Darren O’Day. Joe Saunders gets credit for the assist; he gave up two more baserunners than starter Wei-Yin Chin, while recording only 20 fewer outs.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Miller.

NFL — After an anonymous law enforcement source claimed that he sent a copy of the damning Ray Rice video to NFL officials in April, commissioner Roger Goodell announced that former FBI director Robert Mueller will head up an investigation into the league’s handling of evidence in the case. As cries for his dismissal grow louder, Goodell should be looking over his shoulder at Condoleeza Rice, who combines impressive professional credentials with a deep love of football — and could allow the Ravens to repurpose all their now-worthless “RICE” jerseys. Also in the mix is the logorrheic choice of the football gods, Gregg “TMQ” Easterbrook, who has written more words about the NFL than you have ever said. About anything.

Updated hierarchy: Goodell | Rice | Easterbrook.
Roger Goodell to Hot Seat.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Josh Fields, Houston Astros — As noted, Chad Qualls remains unavailable.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — As does Huston Street, until Friday.
3. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — No news yet on Joaquin Benoit’s return.
4. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland might still be hobbled.
5. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod and Jonathan Broxton have been used a lot the last few days, and Wisconsin loves Pig Latin rap.

Street, Perkins, Qualls all dealing with minor injuries

September 10, 2014

Houston Astros — Interim manager Tom Lawless chose Josh Fields to close out the Seattle Mariners; after the game, we learned that Chad Qualls was day-to-day with a minor injury.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

Minnesota Twins — With Glen Perkins still battling tingling in his shoulder and neck, Jared Burton earned Tuesday night’s save. Perkins hopes to return to action on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Burton | Fien.

New York Mets — When Jenrry Mejia loaded the bases on two hits and a walk, Terry Collins used lefty Josh Edgin and set-up guy Jeurys Familia to nail down the win. With Vic Black returning from the disabled list and Familia outpitching Mejia down the stretch, the Mets closer remains firmly on the Hot Seat.

Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Familia | Black.

Milwaukee Brewers — Milwaukee is now 1-13 over its last 14 games, with the latest loss coming on the strength of two two-out home runs surrendered by closer Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod’s 14 home runs allowed are the highest in the league for a reliever.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Broxton | Smith.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals — Drew Storen has earned three saves in three days, retiring all nine men he’s faced. Although he appears to be cementing his position as interim closer, he’ll be unavailable on Wednesday.
2. Josh Fields/Tony Sipp, Houston Astros — Chad Qualls is day-to-day with a minor injury.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres — Joaquin Benoit is presumably still hurting, and Kevin Quackenbush struggled in a 28-pitch outing last night.
4. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street was unavailable with a tight hamstring on Tuesday; although Mike Scioscia expects him back on Wednesday, you never know.

Storen stays hot; two AL Central arms close to returning

September 9, 2014

Washington Nationals – Drew Storen picked up his second straight save on Monday night. He’s struck out five of the six batters he’s faced since being slotted at the front of the Nats’ committee and appears to be the best bet for saves at the moment.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria threw a simulated game on Monday and could be available to pitch as early as Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.

Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland had a successful side session on Monday and has a good chance of being available if needed on Tuesday, according to manager Ned Yost.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Oakland A’s — Despite manager Bob Melvin saying yesterday that Eric O’Flaherty was likely unavailable on Monday, the A’s skipper summoned O’Flaherty in the ninth for the save chance. O’Flaherty was one strike away, but a solo shot sent the game into extras. O’Flaherty has not pitched in back-to-back games this year, meaning Ryan Cook might get another shot if the A’s lead in the ninth on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – As mentioned above, Greg Holland is likely available on Tuesday, but Davis will get the save chance in case Holland needs another day of rest.
2. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit is still not ready to return.
3. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Eric O’Flaherty blew a save yesterday and has yet to pitch in back-to-back games. Dan Otero got two innings of work on Monday in extra innings.

Drew Storen gets first save in Washington committee

September 8, 2014

Kansas City Royals – With Greg Holland getting some extra rest to recover from a minor triceps injury, Wade Davis picked up his second save in the past three days. Holland actually said before the game that he was available, but it seems Ned Yost decided to play it safe; Holland should be back in short order.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Toronto Blue Jays – The last two days have brought some good news for Casey Janssen owners: On Saturday, Aaron Sanchez was summoned in the 7th inning, and on Sunday, he was nowhere to be seen, allowing Janssen to pick up his 22nd save. Sanchez will probably vulture a few more chances down the stretch, but Janssen should still be able to get his share of saves.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

Oakland A’s — Eric O’Flaherty has been unavailable with lower back tightness and will not pitch on Monday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

Washington Nationals – The first save chance since Rafael Soriano’s maybe-temporary-maybe-not demotion went to Drew Storen, who converted. We’ll bump him to the top of the hierarchy and asterisk him for now until he (or someone else) is given the exclusive job.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Baltimore Orioles – Andrew Miller picked up his first save of the season in an 11-inning game. Zach Britton had blown the save in the 9th, but his job is not in jeopardy.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Miller | O’Day.

Texas Rangers – Neal Cotts has struggled as of late (7 ERs in his last 4 IPs), so Shawn Tolleson was given the 8th inning ahead of Neftali Feliz. Tolleson has only allowed runs in 2 of his past 13 outings.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Houston Astros – After Chad Qualls blew his fourth save of the season against the A’s on Saturday (invoking Pedro Martinez in the aftermath), the Astros sent Tony Sipp and Josh Fields out for the 9th inning on Sunday. Sipp got the first two outs, and Fields got the last one for his third save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Wade Davis should keep getting the save opps if Greg Holland needs more recovery time.
2. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit will probably need a few more days.
3. Ryan Cook/Dan Otero, Oakland A’s — Eric O’Flaherty is still unavailable and Cook blew yesterday’s save.