Brandon Kintzler establishing himself; Jonathan Papelbon returns

July 4, 2016

Minnesota Twins – Following a scoreless 9th inning yesterday, Brandon Kintzler now has four saves to Fernando Abad’s one. Abad has also struggled recently, having allowed 6 ERs in his last 5.1 innings. Kintzler is inches from kicking his asterisk and could make appealing trade bait for teams looking to add some help.

Hierarchy remains: *Kintzler | Abad | Pressly.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh picked up his second save in as many days on Sunday, and has been the clear choice for the Cardinals following Trevor Rosenthal’s demotion, despite Mike Matheny’s reluctance to name him the primary closer. The Cardinals are still hoping that Rosenthal can return to the role soon, but until then, Oh will get the fast majority of chances.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Broxton | Rosenthal.

Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon was activated from the DL this morning and will resume closing immediately. Shawn Kelley did a serviceable job in his place, but didn’t do nearly enough to raise a discussion about the role going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in three straight.

Oh records save, Jake McGee returns for Rockies

July 3, 2016

St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to record his first career save.  Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Oh.  Another clean save from Oh could drop the committee talk and leave him as the primary closer.

Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Broxton | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — Jake McGee was activated from the DL on Saturday.  He started the seventh inning with the Rockies down three runs, and struck out the first batter he faced.  Unfortunately, he gave up a double and walk to the next two batters and got pulled after throwing 22 pitches.  Manager Walt Weiss has not said whether or not McGee would regain the closer’s role.  Carlos Estevez has pitched well in McGee absence, and we will leave him in the closer spot for now (and as of this post, Denver Post readers agree).  We will continue to monitor this and let you know when Weiss announces his plans moving forward.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | McGee| Motte.

Seattle Mariners — Former starter Nathan Karns pitched the last three innings of a Mariners’ blowout win and earned his first career save.  Karns does not factor into the Mariners normal late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Benoit | Diaz.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Neftali Feliz, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight
2. Jason Grilli/Drew Storen, Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna has pitched in two straight and four of five.  Jason Grilli has also pitched in two straight so Storen could get the call if the Blue Jays decide to rest him as well on Sunday.

Brandon Maurer wobbles through his first save for the Padres

July 2, 2016

San Diego Padres — True to his word, Andy Green gave Brandon Maurer the first save opportunity in the post-Fernando Rodney era, although it wasn’t the smoothest debut. Maurer entered in the ninth, up four with two men on, and allowed a run-scoring double, an RBI groundout, and a wild pitch that lowered the lead to one. After yet another double, Maurer escaped with back-to-back groundouts for his first save. The 25-year-old has the inside track for now, but Ryan Buchter might well press him for saves while this bullpen settles.

Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Buchter | Quackenbush.

St. Louis Cardinals — In an attempt to challenge everyone’s spelling abilities, Kevin Siegrist was put on the disabled list with mononucleosis, and AAA closer Sam Tuivailala, a converted reliever and future closer prospect, was recalled to take his place. With Siegrist sidelined, Mike Matheny identified Jonathan Broxton, Trevor Rosenthal, and Seung Hwan Oh as the “three great options” still available in relief for St. Louis.

Updated hierarchy: *Oh | Broxton | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — On Friday, Don Mattingly made it official that A.J. Ramos would remain Miami’s closer, tempting the baseball gods by saying, “He’s been perfect.” Ramos proceeded to blow his first save of the year last night, giving up the tying home run. Since freshly shaven setup man Fernando Rodney had pitched the eighth, Dustin McGowan wound up with the save once the Marlins took the lead in the twelfth. Ramos has indeed been excellent, so one blown save won’t change Mattingly’s mind, but with Rodney putting up some of the best numbers of the year, Ramos’s seat is a little bit warmer.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

Los Angeles Angels — Joe Smith returned from his DL stint and pitched a scoreless sixth with the Angels down one. Mike Scioscia indicated that Smith will be eased back into action, and won’t see eighth-inning work immediately. Cam Bedrosian has been impressive in that role lately, and we think he’ll get the first crack at saves when Street is unavailable. We’ll trust Scioscia’s word on Smith for now, but he’s been a premier set-up man for the last seven years, so don’t be surprised if he quickly climbs the ladder again.

Updated hierarchy: Street | Bedrosian | Salas.

Cincinnati Reds — Raisel Iglesias has found a home in the Reds bullpen, appearing in the seventh and eighth innings in his last two outings. Iglesias is not a typical relief prospect, throwing from multiple arm angles and relying on control and movement more than power, so it may take him a while to find a consistent role. With the Reds still setting records for bullpen futility, he’s one of the team’s better options.

Updated hierarchy: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Iglesias.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino has pitched in two straight, three of four (74 pitches), and five of seven — while Johnson was held out of last night’s 12-inning game.
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna has gone in three of four (57 pitches).
3. Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners — Steve Cishek has pitched in two straight and three of four (56 pitches).
4. Felipe Rivero, Washington Nationals — The Nationals have said they’ll be careful with Shawn Kelley’s workload, and he’s gone in three of four and four of six (82 pitches).

Brandon Maurer to get first shot at saves in San Diego

July 1, 2016

San Diego Padres – Manager Andy Green has said that Brandon Maurer, and his 5.73 ERA, will get the first crack at the ninth inning.  Maurer has been much better recently and Ryan Buchter is coming off his worst outing of the season.  Buchter should still challenge for the ninth inning, and since he has been better than Maurer so far this season, we like his chances to at least get a shot at some point.  However, we will move Maurer to the top for now based on what Andy Green had to say this afternoon.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Buchter | Quackenbush. 

Marlins to make decision Friday on Fernando Rodney’s role

July 1, 2016

Miami Marlins – The Marlins acquired San Diego closer Fernando Rodney on Thursday, but he did not play against the Braves. Manager Don Mattingly said he will announce his intentions with Rodney on Friday, but we believe he will stick with A.J. Ramos, who has converted 33 straight save opportunities, as his closer.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

San Diego Padres – The cupboard is pretty bare in San Diego after the departure of closer Fernando Rodney, but Ryan Buchter was named the primary set-up man in early June and we suspect he has the best shot to close for the Padres, who have yet to make any official announcement.

Updated hierarchy: Buchter | Villanueva | Quackenbush. 

Atlanta Braves – Recent call-up Mauricio Cabrera picked up his first career save for the Braves Thursday night after closer Arodys Vizcaino ran into some trouble in what was originally a non-save situation in the ninth. Vizcaino recorded two quick outs, but followed that by allowing two walks and an RBI single. Interim manager Brian Snitker then turned to Cabrera, who had never even pitched with the lead in his short career (two previous major league games). He was impressive, touching 102 mph on the radar gun in recording the final out. If Vizcaino gets traded, keep an eye on Cabrera.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cervenka.

Oakland A’s – Lefthanded setup man (and sometimes closer) Sean Doolittle has been placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury. Manager Bob Melvin said the pitcher will be shut down because of “subtle changes” in his labrum. An MRI Thursday showed inflammation in the shoulder. Doolittle, who had been considered a trade candidate, said there’s no specific timetable for when he will resume throwing and added that he was “frustrated.” No kidding. Ryan Dull (2.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 4 holds), who has pitched in wins in his last five appearances, slides into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Dull.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — The red-hot Indians have won 13 games in a row, which has meant a lot of work for closer Cody Allen, who has pitched in three straight. Shaw, meanwhile, has only gone in two straight.
2. Kevin Siegrist/Jonathan Broxton, St. Louis Cardinals — We’re pretty sure Seung Hwan Oh will get the bulk of the save chances moving forward, but it’s still a committee, and Siegrist or Broxton (but definitely not Trevor Rosenthal) could be called upon, too.