May 15, 2019
Seattle Mariners — Roenis Elias entered the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two outs. He recorded a strikeout to end that threat and then struck out the side in the eighth inning. Elias stayed on for the ninth and recorded another strikeout before capping off his impressive 30-pitch save by inducing a 4-6-3 double play. Scott Servais said his team is looking to ride a hot hand when leading in the late innings, and it appears like that Elias is that hot hand right now.
Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Brennan | Rosscup.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets — The Mets activated Jeurys Familia from the IL on Tuesday. Mickey Callaway said that he doesn’t plan to use Familia in a high-leverage situation right away if he can help it, though if nobody else is available then Familia will be called upon in those spots. Ultimately, Callaway wants Familia to return to a setup role for Edwin Diaz.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.
Los Angeles Dodgers – MLB placed Julio Urias on administrative leave following his arrest on suspicion of domestic battery. Righty Dylan Floro and lefty Scott Alexander should see more hold opportunities in Urias’ absence.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Floro.
Chicago Cubs — Steve Cishek continues to lead the Cubs’ committee as he notched his second save in as many games. With Joe Maddon in charge you just never know, but it sure looks like Cishek will be the main source of saves for the Cubs until Pedro Strop returns from injury.
Hierarchy remains: *Cishek | Kintzler | Brach.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – After Taylor Rogers faced the heart of the Angels’ order in the top of the eighth, Byron Buxton bailed out Blake Parker for the last out of the inning. Parker then stayed on for the ninth to earn the save. Rogers seems to have Trout’s number and likely would have had the ninth had Trout been slated to come to the plate then. Both Parker and Rogers will continue to see save chances depending on matchups.
Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brandon Kintzler – Steve Cishek has pitched in three of four, though he only threw eight pitches last night and six pitches on Sunday.
2. Adam Conley – Sergio Romo threw 27 pitches last night in his first work since May 6. He’s well-rested, but the Marlins may still exercise caution if they somehow have a ninth-inning lead today.
Thursday
1. Taylor Rogers – Rogers should get today off after throwing 42 pitches across two straight days, but may see a save chance Thursday depending on Blake Parker’s usage.
2. Brandon Kintzler – If Steve Cishek pitches again today, it’s likely he’d have Thursday off.
