September 29, 2017
Kansas City Royals — De facto closer Mike Minor plans on training in the offseason as if he’ll be a starting pitcher next year. He’s open to remaining in the bullpen, but he wants to have a key role either way.
Hierarchy remains: *Minor | Soria | Herrera.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – A.J. Ramos is listed as day-to-day with biceps tendinitis, but with so few games left in the season and the Mets out of contention, Ramos is probably done for the year.
Updated hierarchy: *Familia | Blevins | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Rex Brothers put Giancarlo Stanton on the brink of what would be an historic number: 60. Brothers allowed Stanton’s second homer of Thursday’s game, giving him 59 home runs this season. Sixty would bring him on par with Babe Ruth and Roger Maris (and technically Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds). Sure, this is barely an update about Brothers, but with so little drama in bullpens across the league, we thought we’d take time to admire some history on the other side of the diamond.
Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Ramirez | Freeman.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brandon Kintzler – Remember Kintzler’s quest for 30 saves? He picked up his 29th last week, and with three games to go, he may get to his mark. Sean Doolittle blew the save Thursday (but got the win), while Kintzler pitched the seventh inning, so perhaps the 30-save milestone isn’t quite on Dusty Baker’s radar. Or is it…
Tomorrow
1. Brandon Kintzler – See above.
2. Chris Hatcher – Blake Treinen, Hatcher and Liam Hendriks have each pitched in two straight. If Treinen pitches again Friday, whoever has the most rest may be in line for a vulture save Saturday or Sunday.
3. Daniel Stumpf – Shane Greene has pitched in two straight. Stumpf and Drew VerHagen have gone in three straight. If Greene goes Friday and the other two get rest, Stumpf or VerHagen could snatch a vulture save over the weekend.
