August 1, 2015

Colorado Rockies — As we predicted Friday morning, John Axford lost his job as Rockies closer after a string of five straight miserable appearances. Walt Weiss said that he had not yet decided who would take over, but name-checked Tommy Kahnle, Rafael Betancourt, and Justin Miller, who had six saves at AAA Albuquerque this season. A 7-0 loss to St. Louis on Friday night didn’t exactly clear anything up.

Updated hierarchy: *Kahnle | Betancourt | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith can breathe a little easier today; Mark Lowe, his most talented competition for high-leverage work, was sent to Toronto in a deadline deal. Fernando Rodney and his 5.57 ERA move up by default, with Vidal Nuno holding down second in line, at least until Charlie Furbush can return from the disabled list (biceps tendinitis) in mid-August.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Rodney | Nuno.

Minnesota Twins – Although the Twins have foundered as of late, losing 9 of 13 since the All-Star break, the team has hung onto the second wild card position. Their acquisition of Kevin Jepsen should help strengthen a suspect bullpen that has relied on the lackluster duo of Casey Fien and Blaine Boyer to bridge the gap to Glen Perkins. Joining Jepsen in high-leverage use will be erstwhile starter Trevor May, a rookie with swing-and-miss stuff.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Jepsen | May.

Tampa Bay Rays — After all the rumors, the only Tampa reliever to get dealt at the deadline was Kevin Jepsen, who will head to the Twins. Steve Geltz (45 K in 48.2 IP, 0.88 WHIP) returns to the hierarchy at second in line. Jake McGee coughed up a lead in the eighth Friday night, but his role should remain secure.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | McGee | Geltz.

Toronto Blue Jays — Seventh innings will be crowded at the Rogers Centre, with word that the Blue Jays acquired strikeout machine Mark Lowe from Seattle on Friday. We’ll wait and see where Lowe fits into the pecking order of second-tier relievers that includes LaTroy Hawkins, Bo Schultz, and Brett Cecil.

Hierarchy remains: *Osuna | Sanchez | Hawkins.
* = closer-by-committee

Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon pitched the eighth inning on Friday in a road game, meaning that Alex Wilson was probably in line to get a second straight save chance if the Tigers had regained the lead.

Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Carter Capps, Miami Marlins — In his second straight day of work (and his second inning of the game), A.J. Ramos got rocked for four runs. Throwing 35 pitches means he’ll need Saturday off.
2. Tanner Scheppers/Keone Kela, Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson, fresh off being run over by Kela during BP, has pitched in three straight.
3. Jason Motte/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon has kept busy since returning to the closer role, seeing work on three straight days.
4. Josh Fields, Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson has also gone in three straight, as has Pat Neshek, who took the loss on Friday night.
5. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays — It’s possible that Sanchez gets the next Toronto save chance.
6. Rafael Betancourt/Justin Miller, Colorado Rockies — We’re not sure what Walt Weiss will do with his team’s next save chance.