July 16, 2016
Atlanta Braves — In an attempt to shake off nine days of rust, Brian Snitker called on Arodys Vizcaino in the ninth with the Braves down five. The move backfired terribly when Vizcaino exited after three pitches with what appeared to be a right oblique injury. After the game, Snitker announced that Vizcaino had injured a side muscle and was expected to hit the DL. Although 22-year-old Mauricio Cabrera has the “future closer” tag and a 100+ MPH fastball, Jim Johnson has closing experience and should have the edge for save chances over the short term. Johnson got the last save opportunity on July 10, and the Braves may want to boost his trade value. Vizcaino’s absence will allow more room in the late innings for lefthanded strikeout machine Dario Alvarez (23 K, 10.2 IP).
Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Cabrera | Alvarez.
Kansas City Royals — Closer Wade Davis should be activated from the DL on Saturday morning. One of the best relievers in the game, Davis will likely resume closing immediately, bumping Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria back in line. For all the speculation about Davis’s replacement, the Royals managed to record just one save in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Herrera | Soria.
Texas Rangers — While it isn’t quite as embarrassing as injuring yourself taking off your shoes, Jake Diekman found his way to the DL after cutting himself on a broken souvenir Cheers mug. Texas immediately inquired about aging Boston prospect Sam “Mayday” Malone, but the deal fell through when Malone failed a physical. It wasn’t all bad news for Texas, which also got Keone Kela back from the 60-day DL. Jeff Bannister said that he will use Kela in the late innings immediately, and that Matt Bush will be used in big spots against left-handed hitters. We give Bush the edge, as Kela hasn’t pitched since April.
Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Bush | Kela.
Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino maintained a pristine 0.00 ERA in his third appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery. Walt Weiss has said that Ottavino is a “big league closer,” and that he will try to get Ottavino back into that role, so if you’re looking for a speculative add, you could do a lot worse. He seems to have moved ahead of Jake McGee, but still has some work to do in order to pass Carlos Estevez.
Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Ottavino | McGee.
Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel had a successful knee surgery over the All-Star break, but he was joined officially on the DL by Junichi Tazawa (right shoulder impingement). Koji Uehara continued his perfect run as the leader of the patchwork Boston bullpen, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fifth save. Kimbrel is expected to miss 3-6 weeks, while Tazawa will be eligible to return as early as July 19.
Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Ziegler | Barnes.
St. Louis Cardinals — Kevin Siegrist was activated from the DL (mono) and pitched an inning in a Cardinals loss on Friday. When healthy, Siegrist was one of the Cardinals most trusted relievers, so he immediately jumps back into the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Oh | Siegrist | Broxton.
Cincinnati Reds — Tony Cingrani came in to protect a two-run lead, but gave up a walk and a pair of singles, prompting Bryan Price to get Ross Ohlendorf warming. After a sacrifice bunt, another walk, and a foul out, Cingrani was lifted for Ohlendorf, who picked up the one-out save. Cingrani has been very good since taking the lead in the Cincinnati committee, but the Reds bullpen is still volatile, so don’t be surprised to see Ohlendorf snagging a few saves here and there.
Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Iglesias.
Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Jepsen, released by the Twins, was picked up by the Rays this week and immediately pitched the ninth with the team down a run. While Jepsen will have to improve on his woeful Minnesota numbers to stick around, he is returning to a team where he saved five games last season — and Kevin Cash has been known to use his best reliever in the highest-leverage moments, not just the ninth inning. If Jepsen can return to the form he showed in 2015, he could climb into the hierarchy, but we’ll wait and see how he gets used before making that move.
Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Ramirez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — If Wade Davis needs a game to get his legs back under him, this may be Herrera’s last shot at a clean save opportunity.
2. Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds — Tony Cingrani struggled throwing 27 pitches yesterday. Ohlendorf only needed two to pick up the save, and may be called upon again today.
