April 25, 2018
Oakland A’s — There was a bit of a panic when Blake Treinen was drilled with a line drive in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, but Bob Melvin said after the game that Treinen just has a bruised right shin and should be good to go by Friday. Santiago Casilla picked up the save on Tuesday and is likely to get the call again on Wednesday if the A’s are ahead in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Casilla | Buchter.
St. Louis Cardinals — Bud Norris was unavailable on Tuesday due to a little soreness. With the Cardinals ahead in the seventh, Mike Matheny turned to Jordan Hicks to face the top of the order. Hicks then remained in the game and gave up the go-ahead run in the eighth after a walk, single and sac fly. After Luke Gregerson got the Cardinals out of the inning, Greg Holland got the ninth and pitched his third straight scoreless inning. He’s only allowed one walk and has four strikeouts in that stretch, and may soon be ready to claim the ninth once and for all.
Updated hierarchy: *Norris | Holland | Hicks.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — Keynan Middleton had pitched in three straight games, so Cam Bedrosian got the call on Tuesday and converted the save the Vulture Save Watch said he would get.
Hierarchy remains: Middleton | Bedrosian | Parker.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Santiago Casilla – Blake Treinen will need a day off after his injury on Tuesday.
2. Tony Watson – Hunter Strickland only threw eight pitches on Tuesday, but it was his third straight outing. Tony Watson didn’t pitch yesterday.
3. Greg Holland – Bud Norris should be available if needed today, but Holland may get in the ball in case Norris is held out for a second straight day.
Thursday:
1. Jared Hughes/Wandy Peralta – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today that would be his third straight game. Jared Hughes may get Wednesday off after a 42-pitch outing on Tuesday, but if he also goes today then Wandy Peralta may get a look.
2. George Kontos – The Pirates play a doubleheader today, so if Felipe Vazquez has back-to-back busy outings, he may get a rest on Thursday.
3. Joe Jimenez – Same goes for Shane Greene and the Tigers, who face the Pirates. If Greene has a tough day on Wednesday, Jimenez may get a chance on Thursday.
4. Ryan Tepera – Roberto Osuna threw 31 pitches on Tuesday, and may get Thursday off if he has another lengthy outing on Wednesday.
