Jeanmar Gomez looking like a closer; Glen Perkins blows a save

April 11, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez solidified his position at the top of the Phillies committee on Sunday, posting another easy save against the Mets. Though Pete Mackanin hasn’t officially named him the closer yet, Gomez is now in a position where he can expect to be used as the closer until he blows a save, and even then, he might get another shot after the two successful outings this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: *Gomez | Hernandez | Hinojosa.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – Blake Treinen got the 8th inning ahead of Jonathan Papelbon on Sunday, and has now started his year with a win and a hold in two scoreless outings. His newfound spot on the hierarchy is nothing against Felipe Rivero, who has a live arm and could be a closer down the line; rather, it’s a showcase of what a deep bullpen the Nationals have assembled. Between Treinen, Rivero, and Shawn Kelley, the Nationals have a number of strong relievers who could nab holds ahead of Papelbon.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Kelley | Treinen.

Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins had a rough outing on Sunday, blowing the save and then watching as Trevor May took the loss in the 10th inning to drop the Twins to 0-6. Combined with a shaky, injury-ridden 2015, Perkins isn’t looking like the sure thing he once was. Fortunately, his main competitor for the job, Kevin Jepsen, is also off to a bad start, but Perkins’s blown save does make him the 8th most likely closer to lose his job this week: check out our weekly Hot Seat column here.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | May. 

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games — including the aforementioned blown save — throwing 48 pitches.
2. Kevin Siegrist/Jonathan Broxton, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal threw 30 pitches in a 1.1-inning outing on Sunday.
3. David Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez has pitched in back to back games.