Jim Johnson and Fernando Rodney and Rolaids

August 28, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — Jim Johnson picked up his first save with LA since being traded from the Braves before the deadline. He pitched a clean ninth inning in a one-run game in place of Kenley Jansen, who had pitched on the previous two nights (and three of the last four) and was unavailable. Johnson’s Dodgers tenure got off to a rough start (with runs in six of his first nine appearances), and before you do anything crazy, remember that Juan Nicasio, Luis Avilan and J.P. Powell were all unavailable, too, leaving Chris Hatcher (remember him?) to pitch the eighth inning. Still, this might be a sign of higher-leverage things to come for Johnson. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Avilan | Johnson.

Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins is dealing with lower back spasms and was unavailable for the third straight game Thursday. Paul Molitor said Perkins tried to play catch and do light movements on the field before the game, but was held out of those activities as a precaution. He did do some throwing, though, and looked “a lot better.” Molitor said he could be available Friday night — we’ve heard this song before — and there’s no plan to put Perkins on the DL. Kevin Jepsen will continue to see fill-in save opportunities, with Trevor May and Casey Fien backing him up.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Chicago Cubs — The Mariners somehow found someone interested in the services of Fernando Rodney, who was reunited with old friend Joe Maddon in exchange for future considerations from Chicago. The Cubs clearly have had issues in the bullpen, and with Jason Motte on the DL, the acquisition of the veteran Rodney makes some sense — especially if the Cubs have developed Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to missing the playoffs. He doesn’t seem to factor into the the late-inning discussion yet, but he’ll be ready to pitch Friday night.

Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Strop | Grimm.

Kansas City Royals — Pitching for the first time in five days, Greg Holland struggled again Thursday, allowing two runs and three hits after coming into the game with a four-run lead. He has been battling “cranky arm,” which seems like just the latest explanation for his up-and-down season. Until he’s placed on the DL or removed from the closer role, Holland will continue to see high-leverage work for the first-place Royals.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — As noted, Holland is having arm trouble and might not go in two straight.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal has notched saves in three of the last four games (63 pitches), tying him with Mark Melancon for the MLB lead at 41. Kevin Siegrist will likely get the chance, unless Rosenthal cares a little too much about the memory of the ROLAIDS Relief Man award and insists on going out there. UPDATE: Rosenthal will miss the weekend series against the Giants for the birth of his second daughter.

Glen Perkins didn’t really feel better

August 27, 2015

Minnesota Twins –  So much for feeling better. Kevin Jepsen closed out a 5-3 win on Wednesday, and after the game closer Glen Perkins revealed that he has been sidelined not because of his neck but because of back spasms. The injury occurred on Sunday against Baltimore, and Perkins remains day-to-day. Some good news for the Twins’ bullpen is that Blaine Boyer was activated from the DL prior to Wednesday’s game and pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up his 16th hold of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | Boyer.

St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal will be placed on the paternity list Friday to attend to the birth of his second daughter. With the All-Star closer unavailable for the series against the Giants, the Cardinals will likely turn to Kevin Siegrist for any save opportunities. Don’t count out Jonathan Broxton either, who has five straight scoreless appearances and “closing experience” to his credit.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Broxton.

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Wednesday’s game, manager Lloyd McClendon officially named Tom Wilhelmsen his closer, with Carson Smith to continue to pitch ahead of him. McClendon praised both pitchers, noting how comfortable and relaxed both relievers seem to be.

Hierarchy remains: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Kensing.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Juan Nicasio was activated prior to Tuesday’s game, and how has now picked up two straight eighth-inning holds. Meanwhile, Pedro Baez has not pitched in a week, despite manager Don Mattingly saying that Baez is healthy. Instead, the Dodgers have used a smorgasbord of relievers in the seventh and eighth innings before getting to Kenley Jansen, including lefties Luis Avilan and J.P. Howell. Avilan has picked up two big eighth-inning holds in the last two games, striking out Jay Bruce in both contests with multiple men on base, including “our biggest out of the season” according to Mattingly on Tuesday. For now, Avilan and Nicasio appear to be the top eighth-inning options, but the situation remains fluid as the Dodgers try and find ways to get to the ninth.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Avilan | Nicasio.

New York Mets – Tyler Clippard collected his second save with the Mets last night when he recorded the final out of the eighth inning and stayed on for a 1-2-3 ninth after the Mets tacked on three runs to extend their advantage to five.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Clippard | Robles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – As mentioned above, Glen Perkins is battling back spasms and may need another day of rest.s.

Greg Holland’s arm is cranky; Glen Perkins feels better

August 26, 2015

Kansas City Royals – After being kept out of a save situation on Sunday, Greg Holland was also held out of last night’s game, and is experiencing a “cranky” arm. The ever-reliable Wade Davis got the save in his place. Holland has been solid this year despite four blown saves, but Davis has been nearly unhittable and Holland’s grumpy old arm may be signaling a bit of unrest at the back end of one of the best bullpens in the majors. Holland will keep his spot for now based on his track record, but we will be monitoring this situation closely.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Minnesota Twins – In a radio interview on Tuesday, Glen Perkins said he felt “better than [he] had in a long time” after his return to the bullpen Sunday. His velocity was down, which he attributed to not pitching in six days. He wasn’t used in last night’s game, but it wasn’t a save situation and Jepsen took the 9th inning. While Perkins is saying all the right things, the Twins are likely to be cautious with Perkins in the short term, and he may lose out on some save opportunities until he can get back to where he was. He keeps his spot for now, but with Jepsen pitching well, this is a situation that is far from resolved.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Seattle Mariners – In one of the most unsettled bullpens in the league, it was Logan Kensing that pitched the 7th ahead of Carson Smith and Tom Wilhelmsen. Edgar Olmos got the win after 3.2 innings of long relief. This is Kensing’s second straight hold since being called up on Aug. 23, and that is enough to jump into our hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Kensing.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Keone Kela, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson has thrown in 4 of 5 games, including 24 pitches in a blown save last night.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland’s arm may still be cantankerous.

Jean Machi picks up a save; Edwin Jackson resurfaces

August 25, 2015

Atlanta Braves – Less than two weeks after signing with the Braves, former Cub Edwin Jackson snagged an 8th inning hold against the Rockies. Jackson was atrocious as a starter with the Cubs over the last few years, but seems to have settled in to his role as a reliever this season, positing a 3.13 ERA. With David Aardsma DFA’d yesterday, Jackson should get more hold chances going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Jackson | McKirahan.

Boston Red Sox – Jean Machi “earned” his second save of the year by nearly blowing a three run lead to the White Sox. Machi surrendered 2 runs on 3 hits in the 9th, sending his ERA to an astounding 6.75. Junichi Tazawa is still the Red Sox number one choice for saves, but he was unavailable after getting lit up in a 30 pitch outing on Sunday.

Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Yimi Garcia, who closed for a short spell for the Dodgers earlier this year, was sent to AAA yesterday. J.P. Howell slides up to take his spot on the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Howell.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in 3 straight.
2. Drew Pomeranz, Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle is the best bet for long term saves, but he hasn’t found his footing yet.

Sean Doolittle struggles in first outing; Tom Wilhelmsen closes in Seattle

August 24, 2015

New York Mets – Hansel Robles pitched the ninth inning in a 4-run game on Sunday, which is more relevant than usual since Terry Collins was treating almost any lead as a save situation in the Mets’ first two games at Coors Field — Tyler Clippard and Jeurys Familia had both pitched in 5-run games on Friday and Saturday. Robles has earned the trust of Collins as of late, and going forward, look for him to share the 7th inning with Logan Verrett, who earned a prominent place in the bullpen after his masterful spot start yesterday.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Clippard | Robles.

Oakland A’s – Our initial prognostications were accurate, as Bob Melvin said shortly after Sean Doolittle’s activation that he expects the lefty to win the closer job back. But Doolittle got off to a rocky start yesterday, as his first outing was a 7th-inning appearance that saw him give up a lead. We still think he’s the favorite to emerge from this committee, but other relievers could get save opportunities until he gains his footing.

Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa had a horrific outing on Sunday afternoon, allowing seven baserunners and four earned runs in a blown save against the Royals. The biggest thing Tazawa has going for him right now is a lack of competition, but even so, he’s allowed 9 earned runs in his last 8 innings pitched, and isn’t striking out hitters at anywhere close to the rate he was earlier this season. The committee is very much alive in Boston.

Hierarchy remains: Tazawa | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Ned Yost wanted to give Greg Holland the day off on Sunday, so Wade Davis picked up his 11th save of the year after the Royals rallied against Junichi Tazawa. If there is even a single middle reliever owned in your league, it should be Davis.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Minnesota Twins – Tommy Milone picked up his first save of the season in a 12-inning game against the Orioles on Sunday. He does not factor in to the Twins usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Seattle Mariners – The wholesale changes in the Mariners bullpen didn’t end with DFA’ing Fernando Rodney and demoting Danny Farquhar. They also seem to have removed Carson Smith from the closer role — he finished the 7th and then stayed on for the 8th inning tonight, leaving the 9th to Tom Wilhelmsen. Wilhelmsen closed for the Mariners in 2012 and 2013, and appears to be the stopper once again in Seattle going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Wilhelmsen | Smith | Olmos.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jean Machi/Alexi Ogando, Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa could get a night off to clear his head after his disastrous outing on Sunday.