September 25, 2015
Kansas City Royals — Former All-Star closer Greg Holland is out for the year with what’s being called a “significant” tear in his right UCL, meaning Tommy John surgery is the likely option. Manager Ned Yost believes that Holland suffered the tear last August, meaning that he pitched through the World Series and most of this year with it. The Royals reportedly asked him to get his elbow checked repeatedly, but he refused until recently. Holland will be out for a good chunk of 2016, too, so Wade Davis is your man for now if you’re in a dynasty league.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Herrera | Madson.
Tampa Bay Rays — Jake McGee, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in August, will be available to pitch Friday night. After throwing a 30-pitch simulated inning Wednesday, he arrived at the ballpark “feeling good” on Thursday. Meanwhile, Brad Boxberger picked up the save Thursday and has pitched in three straight. Could McGee get thrown into the fire right away?
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Cedeno | McGee.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Congratulations are due for Mark Melancon, who converted his major-league-leading 50th save in 52 chances Thursday. Those are a bunch of saves for a guy everyone had concerns about in mid-April. Melancon managed to pitch well all season (1.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP) despite dips in his K/9 ratio (down to 6.81/9) and pitch velocities.
Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Soria | Watson.
Miami Marlins — Carter Capps — one of the five toughest pitchers David Ortiz has ever faced — threw a successful simulated game on Thursday and could return as early as this weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Dunn | Morris.
Baltimore Orioles — Somehow, the Orioles are still in wild card contention, just three games back in the loss column with 10 to go. They’ve played extremely well of late and could find themselves in a bunch of save situations down the stretch. Who would get those chances, however, is less clear. For the third straight day, Darren O’Day did the honors Thursday, converting his sixth save of the season. Regular closer Zach Britton had an MRI on his injured lat earlier this week that revealed no serious damage. He’s still day-to-day with the injury.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day has pitched in three straight days, so if Zach Britton isn’t ready to go, Brach could get the opportunity.
2. Xavier Cedeno/Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — McGee is scheduled to return Friday night, but would manager Kevin Cash give him the ball in the ninth right away? Either Cedeno or Alex Colome could also pick up the save chance Friday if Brad Boxberger, who has pitched in three straight days, isn’t available.
3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — On Thursday, the Royals clinched the division for the first time in 30 years, but also learned that they will be without Greg Holland for the forseeable future. Holland’s replacement, Wade Davis, has pitched in two straight days, so with KC clinching, he could be held out of action on Friday night. Look for Herrera to possibly get the chance.
4. Justin Miller, Colorado Rockies — OK, hear us out here. John Axford pitched Thursday, and has now thrown 41 pitches over back-to-back games. Jairo Diaz, who took the loss Thursday, has now pitched in three straight days. So let’s turn to Miller, who picked up a vulture save earlier this month.
5. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres — Craig Kimbrel grabbed his second win in as many nights, and has thrown 40 pitches over that span. If he’s not able to go on Friday night, Benoit could get the chance.
