Instant emails for every closer change. Closer depth charts to keep you ahead.
August 23, 2015
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.
August 23, 2015
Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle was activated on Saturday, and while Manager Bob Melvin said that Doolittle will get at least one outing before returning to closing games, last night was just another reason why the A’s need Doolittle in the ninth inning sooner rather than later. With a one run lead, switch-pitcher Pat Venditte got the call to face the righties due up. He gave up a hit and walk, before Drew Pomeranz came on to try and preserve the lead. He gave up a two-run double to the first batter he faced and the A’s lost by one run. Pomeranz and Venditte could still see some time in the ninth inning in the near future but look for Doolittle to take over as soon as he can.
Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – The Twins bullpen performed well again yesterday without regular closer Glen Perkins. Kevin Jepsen pitched a perfect ninth for the save, while Trevor May struck out the side in a scoreless eighth. Perkins, who has been battling this neck problem for six weeks, played catch yesterday and “felt great.” Perkins is scheduled to throw a bullpen today and could return Tuesday.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.
Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome pitched a perfect eighth inning with the Rays down one run last night. After the Rays scored two runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead, Colome came back out for the ninth and pitched another perfect inning to finish the game. Brad Boxberger had thrown 33 pitches on Friday so even though it turned out to be a save opportunity, he was likely unavailable. Colome has been impressive recently in relief, including striking out the side in Houston on just 10 pitches in the eighth inning a couple nights ago, and could be the guy when Boxberger is unavailable moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Colome | Cedeno.
Seattle Mariners — It was another rough night for the Mariners bullpen as Carson Smith blew the save in the ninth inning and then Danny Farquhar gave up three runs (one earned) in the tenth inning. After the game, the Mariners decided to shake things up as they optioned Farquhar and designated Fernando Rodney for assignment. Tom Wilhelmsen threw 1.1 scoreless innings on Saturday and should slide into 1st in line behind Carson Smith.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Wilhelmsen | Olmos.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Daniel Hudson came in to clean up a mess in the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season last night. Arizona entered the inning with a six run lead but after the Reds scored two runs and had two men on base, Hudson was needed to record the last two outs and complete the win.
Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Hudson | Reed.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins will be unavailable again on Sunday
2. Drew Pomeranz/Pat Venditte, Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle is expected to get at least one outing in a non-save situation before returning to closing so Pomeranz or Venditte could get the call on Sunday.
Here’s our latest Hot Seat update, a ranking of current closer job security.
Hottest – In a committee, or on the verge of losing their job right now
30. Sean Doolittle (cuff: Drew Pomeranz)
29. Bruce Rondon (cuff: Alex Wilson)
28. Junichi Tazawa (cuff: Jean Machi)
-Sean Doolittle returned from the DL today, and while he is the A’s best reliever when healthy, it could take some time for him to solidify himself as the closer. Drew Pomeranz could still see some save chances during that time. Bruce Rondon blew his last save opportunity and has given up runs in his past two appearances. Junichi Tazawa has picked up two saves in the past week and is close to shedding the committee label.
Hot – Closers who could be in danger after their next blown save
27. John Axford (cuff: Tommy Kahnle)
26. Santiago Casilla (cuff: Sergio Romo)
25. Carson Smith (cuff: Tom Wilhelmsen)
24. Greg Holland (cuff: Wade Davis)
23. Glen Perkins (cuff: Kevin Jepsen)
-John Axford has been named the closer again in Colorado but does anybody really trust him to keep the job even the rest of this season? Greg Holland recorded a couple saves this week but it was Wade Davis who got the most recent save. Holland is still the guy right now but Davis is breathing down his neck with any blown saves. Glen Perkins is currently battling an injury and with the Twins fading in the playoff race, they might
Warmish – Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble
22. Aroldis Chapman
21. Luke Gregerson
20. Brad Boxberger
-Aroldis Chapman goes from the safest closer to somebody to keep an eye as he is battling a sore shoulder. A sore shoulder is concerning for a guy who has thrown all 50 of the fastest pitches in the major leagues this year. Brad Boxberger’s job is a little safer after the injury to his primary competition, Jake McGee.
Cool – These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
19. Arodys Vizcaino
18. Brad Ziegler
17. AJ Ramos
16. Hector Rondon
15. David Robertson
14. Francisco Rodriguez
13. Jeurys Familia
12. Huston Street
11. Roberto Osuna
10. Kenley Jansen
9. Cody Allen
8. Ken Giles
7. Mark Melancon
-Arodys Vizcaino jumps up a tier as he has lowered his ERA to 0.54 while the reliever right behind him for saves, David Aardsma, has seen his ERA rise to 4.55. K-Rod moves up a few slots this week as he is 30/30 on the season and recently became the active leader in saves.
Sub-zero – These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy
6. Shawn Tolleson
5. Jonathan Papelbon
4. Trevor Rosenthal
3. Zach Britton
2. Andrew Miller
1. Craig Kimbrel
-Shawn Tolleson stays in this tier but with the return of Keone Kela, Papelbon and Rosenthal move ahead of him.
August 22, 2015
Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle has been activated from the disabled list. None of the Oakland beat writers have reported on his usage, as they haven’t been able to talk to Bob Melvin yet, so this is purely a hunch. However, we think he’s the best bet to close for the rest of the year and we’re immediately moving him to the top of Oakland’s committee. Drew Pomeranz has been the best reliever in the bullpen, but the A’s have continually used him for multiple-inning outings, which is a role he seems more suited for as a former starter (and a role that Doolittle has never filled), and we think that’s where he’s headed as soon as Doolittle gets his feet under him. For what it’s worth, Doolittle allowed only three baserunners in 6 innings while logging 13 strikeouts in the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League during his rehab.
Updated hierarchy: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Mujica.
* = closer-by-committee.
August 22, 2015
Texas Rangers — The Rangers are pleased with the performance of their bullpen lately, and Keone Kela has been a big part of that, returning from his rest in the minors with six straight scoreless outings (four holds). Friday night saw Kela pitch a scoreless eighth in a tight 2-0 game. Sam Dyson and Jake Diekman are still vital late-inning cogs, but because Diekman is a lefty, he’s more likely to get used in the middle innings if an important matchup arises.
Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Kela | Dyson.
Seattle Mariners — Despite being abjectly terrible at baseball (5.68 ERA, 7.9 K-BB%, -0.8 WAR), Fernando Rodney (golden chinstrap edition) somehow leads Seattle in appearances and innings pitched after another debacle on Friday. It’s natural to blame Lloyd McClendon, though Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times claims that the manager asked to DFA Rodney over a month ago. Unless Rodney does get cut, we don’t see a way to drop him from the hierarchy completely, not with the human flotsam backing him up. How the mighty have fallen.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Farquhar | Rodney.
Minnesota Twins – Sure enough, with Glen Perkins unavailable with neck problems, Kevin Jepsen got the save chance and converted with three strikeouts. Trevor May paved the way with a clean eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May.
Milwaukee Brewers — $11 million albatross Kyle Lohse earned his first save in a 15-year, 445-game career on Friday night, by pitching the last three innings of a 10-3 Brewers victory.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Smith | Jeffress.
Pearland (TX) West All-Stars — Isaac Garcia broke up a perfect game with a home run to center field, then made the win stand up with 1.2 scoreless innings to open the Little League World Series for the Southwest representatives. Manager Andrew Solomon praised Garcia for his consistency before the series began, and because the diminutive righty kept his pitch count low, Garcia could be called on for another save as early as Sunday.
Hierarchy remains: Garcia | Gottfried | Tadlock.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen/Trevor May, Minnesota Twins — Perkins won’t be back until Tuesday at the earliest.
2. Xavier Cedeno/Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger has pitched in three of four games, including a hard-fought 33-pitch save on Friday. Cedeno could get a shot, as could Colome, who has impressed since his move to the bullpen.
3. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has pitched in two straight (40 pitches).
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