July 25, 2019
New York Mets — Rumors of Edwin Diaz’s trade availability should be discounted; the closer simply isn’t pitching well enough to warrant the price the Mets are apparently seeking. Behind Diaz, Jeurys Familia continues to be terrible, and Mickey Callaway continues to have no idea what to do about it.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.
Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader struck out five in two scoreless innings, but those innings were the seventh and eighth. Junior Guerra had pitched the sixth and Jeremy Jeffress was getting a second straight day off, so 23-year-old Freddy Peralta got the ninth for his first career save. This was Peralta’s fifth straight scoreless appearance in relief, and although he’s not pushing Josh Hader aside anytime soon, he could benefit from Craig Counsell’s habit of using Hader early based on matchups.
Updated hierarchy: Hader | Jeffress | Peralta.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Greg Holland walked two guys on nine lousy pitches and left after being visited by a trainer, but Torey Lovullo says he’s not hurt. Yoan Lopez earned the save on four pitches, but he’s looking over his shoulder at Archie Bradley, whom Lovullo intends to ease back into high-leverage work. If Holland is hurt, or just loses his job, the Diamondbacks will have an interesting decision to make.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.
Minnesota Twins — Blake Parker started the year as the Twins’ closer, losing the job to Taylor Rogers after struggling in June. Parker had allowed only one run in his last 10 appearances before Tuesday’s four-run implosion against the Yankees, but Minnesota elected to designate him for assignment. In Parker’s stead, Tyler Duffey returns to the hierarchy for the first time in two years.
Updated hierarchy: Rogers | May | Duffey.
Houston Astros — Will Harris got a seventh-inning hold on Tuesday and seems to have usurped that role from Hector Rondon (12.15 ERA in July).
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Pressly | Harris.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Zack Britton — You’re more likely to see Austin Romine pitching Thursday than Aroldis Chapman (two straight and three of four).
2. Wander Suero — Although Suero has gone on two straight days, Sean Doolittle and Fernando Rodney pitched in two games on Wednesday alone.
3. Nathan Eovaldi — Brandon Workman might get a second day off after throwing 44 pitches on Tuesday.
Friday:
1. Jake Diekman/Scott Barlow — Both Diekman and Ian Kennedy have gone in two straight.
2. Ty Buttrey — Same for Hansel Robles and Cam Bedrosian.
