New daddy Luke Gregerson likely back with Astros on Friday

September 18, 2015

Houston Astros — Closer Luke Gregerson will be back with the Astros on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday’s games due to the birth of his first child. No word as yet on whether taking only two days off makes Gregerson less of a “wuss” than Trevor Rosenthal.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Neshek | Harris.

Chicago Cubs — The Closer Monkey went bananas Thursday when he correctly predicted a vulture save for the Cubs, but saw Travis Wood performing the honors over Fernando Rodney. Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop had been busy recently, so Joe Maddon elected to go with Wood, who picked up his second save with a clean eighth and ninth (5 Ks). He’s probably the second in line for Maddon for similar situations in the future.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop | Wood.

Baltimore Orioles — Manager Buck Showalter gave closer Zach Britton another day off after a recent heavy workload, so Darren O’Day was able to corral his third save of the season Thursday. O’Day, whom Showalter called the “leader of that bullpen” and “good people,” has been outstanding this year (1.54 ERA, 0.98 WHIP) and may get some serious looks in free agency in the offseason.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable for Thursday’s game due to a high fever. If Papelbon is unavailable again Friday, look for Matt Thornton, Felipe Rivero or Casey Janssen to get the save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Thornton | Rivero.

Chicago White Sox — Staked to a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning on Thursday, closer David Robertson gave up a three-run home run of sorts to Billy Butler (I bet Avisail Garcia wishes he had that one back) for his seventh blown save. Robertson has allowed seven runs (five earned) in the last four days, and could need a night off to clear his head.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros — There’s a chance new father Luke Gregerson won’t be available Friday, in which case any save opportunity would go to Neshek.
2. Matt Thornton, Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon was unavailable Thursday due to a high fever. If he’s out again, Thornton could get the call for the Nationals. Felipe Rivero or Casey Janssen are candidates, too.
3. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — As mentioned above, David Robertson may need a night off after a rough couple of outings. If that’s the case, look for Nate Jones to get the save chance Friday night.
4. Jean Machi, Boston Red Sox — His stint with the Red Sox has been less than impressive, but he has run together a string of scoreless appearances (6 IP over 5 games) and could see another look at closer before the season comes to an end.

Luke Gregerson leaves Astros to become a dad

September 17, 2015

Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson left the team to attend the birth of his first child. With the Astros in a race for the playoffs, we expect that this will be a short term leave; in fact, Gregerson wasn’t placed on the paternity list. Pat Neshek is the most likely candidate for saves, but manager A.J. Hinch said he won’t hesitate to use Neshek in the most important spots, whether or not it’s the ninth inning.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Neshek | Harris.

San Diego Padres — Kevin Quackenbush has had a rough couple outings, failing to record an out in two straight appearances. Meanwhile, Nick Vincent has been stellar since his Sept. 1 recall, not allowing an earned run in 10 September appearances. While the Padres don’t figure to win too many games down the stretch, Vincent could be a sneaky source of holds if they start playing better. 

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Benoit | Vincent.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen continued his impressive season, nailing down his 32nd save with a clean inning last night. However, with the Dodgers holding a 7.5 game lead in the NL West, they may look to limit his workload going forward in order to save him for the playoffs. Jansen wasn’t used in a non-save situation on Tuesday during a lengthy extra-innings affair, and if the Dodgers keep Jansen from throwing back-to-back days no matter what, Chris Hatcher would benefit.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Hatcher | Johnson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Rodney/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Hector Rondon threw 33 pitches over two innings last night, while Strop has pitched in back-to-back games.
2. Arquimedes Caminero, Pittsburgh Pirates – Not only might Mark Melancon need a day off, but Joakim Soria, Tony Watson and Antonio Bastardo have also pitched in each of the last three games. Could be a deep look into the bullpen if the Pirates need a save on Thursday.
3. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson is with his wife and new child.
4. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has appeared in back-to-back games and may get a rest.

Red Sox shut down Junichi Tazawa; Brad Boxberger is tired

September 16, 2015

Boston Red Sox – Manager Torey Lovullo announced after Tuesday’s game that Junichi Tazawa will be shut down for the remainder of the season, not based on a injury but rather his workload. For now, Alexi Ogando will slide into the hierarchy, though for Boston’s sake anybody else will pitch with a lead.

Updated hierarchy: *Ross | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, a pooped Brad Boxberger got the night off, but it was Brandon Gomes who earned his first career save. Alex Colome pitched the 8th, but he faced the 3-4-5 hitters in the Yankees’ order. Colome is the man if Boxberger is unavailable, but by virtue of Tuesday’s save and Xavier Cedeno’s battle with left side tightness, Gomes slides into the Rays’ hierarchy..

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Colome | Gomes.

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street was still fighting flu-like symptoms on Tuesday, so Joe Smith picked up the vulture save. Manager Mike Scioscia expects Street, who was ralphing in the bullpen on Sunday, to be back on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Gott.

Colorado Rockies — In a 16-inning affair that saw the Rockies use a major league record 13 pitchers, it was Gonzalez Germen who eventually got the save. He may not factor into Colorado’s late-inning plans, but he certainly factors into their late-late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Axford | Diaz | Miller.

Cincinnati Reds — After Aroldis Chapman was unable to secure a five-out save and the Reds reclaimed their lead in the 10th, Jumbo Diaz shut the door for his first career save. It was Chapman’s third blown save of the season, and his first after walking a pinch-hitting World Series MVP pitcher.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Diaz.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Brach/Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton and Darren O’Day have each pitched three straight days, and while Brach has pitched in back-to-back games, he may be more well-rested. If Buck Showalter, who is willing to do whatever it takes keep his team in the Wild Card race, wants to save Brach as well, someone like Brian Matusz may get a look.
2. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 42 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Alex Wilson, Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon has hurled 35 pitches over the last two games.

Jeff Manship is a name to remember for next season

September 15, 2015

Washington Nationals – Pitching for the first time in 12 days, former starter Doug Fister picked up his first career save in the 11th inning against the Phillies. Jonathan Papelbon blew the save in the 9th inning, but his spot is safe, especially since Drew Storen’s self-inflicted hand injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Thornton | Rivero.

Tampa Bay Rays – Brad Boxberger imploded in dramatic fashion while trying to hold a 1-0 lead in the 9th inning against the Yankees last night. Following a game-tying double by Alex Rodriguez, Boxberger allowed a 3-run home run by #72 Slade Heathcott. With the Rays season all but lost, we expect Boxberger to continue to get save opportunities, but he has experienced a significant decline this season relative to his dominant 2014.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Colome | Cedeno.

Cleveland Indians – Jeff Manship has pitched lights-out this season after transitioning from a below-average starter to a reliable bullpen arm for the Indians. Prior to this season, he was the owner of a 6.46 ERA in 72 career games with the Twins, Rockies, and Phillies. This year has been a different story. In 31 innings pitched, Manship has a 1.16 ERA and 0.71 WHIP.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Manship.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed both pitched last night and have been used heavily of late. Clippard has also experienced a heavy workload in the last week, but got the day off last night.
2. Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays – After Boxberger’s meltdown, Colome, who was effective last night, might get the nod against the Yankees.

Robbie Ross tightening grip on Red Sox closer position

September 14, 2015

Boston Red Sox – Amidst the back-and-forth and general ineffectiveness of the two pitchers jockeying for the Red Sox closer role the past month (Junichi Tazawa and Jean Machi), the best pitcher in the Boston bullpen was actually lefty Robbie Ross. Last week, Torey Lovullo indicated for the first time that he was considering using Ross in the closer role, and last night, Ross finally picked up his first save. He’s not dominant by any means, but he has a healthy K/BB ratio of 31/8 over his past 27 outings and has posted an ERA around 3 every month since June.

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

New York Mets – With Jeurys Familia and Tyler Clippard getting the night off, Addison Reed picked up his first save since June 15, pitching a scoreless 10th inning. Reed has now pitched eight scoreless innings as a Met.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Clippard | Reed.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luis Garcia, Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles has pitched 2.1 innings over the past two games, throwing 44 pitches.
2. Addison Reed, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia and Tyler Clippard both got Sunday off, but with both having been used heavily in the past week — and with the Mets now 9.5 games clear of the Nationals in the NL East — a second day off for their two most prominent relievers might be in the cards.
3. Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in back to back games, including a shaky, 33-pitch effort last night.
4. Joe Smith/Trevor Gott, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street and Joe Smith have both pitched in three straight, though Smith could probably go again tonight since he hasn’t thrown many pitches. If not, Trevor Gott is the best bet for a vulture save.