Sam Dyson goes directly from the runway to the mound

August 2, 2019

Minnesota Twins — Newly acquired Sam Dyson was immediately thrust into a save situation for the Twins and immediately disappointed, allowing four straight to reach base (walk, single, RBI double, walk). Taylor Rogers allowed a game-tying single to blow the save, but managed to strike out the side to send the game to extra innings. The usage pushes Dyson into the save conversation, but the performance doesn’t inspire much confidence. Perhaps he was tired — from helping the grounds crew in his final act for the Giants, or from the flight he took not long before Thursday’s first pitch. Either way, we’ll see how he’s used next time out. 

Updated hierarchy: *Rogers | Dyson | Romo.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates – The suspensions for the ugly Pirates/Reds brawl were issued, and Keone Kela is out 10 games for his role in instigating it. Kyle Crick, meanwhile, received a three-game ban for “inappropriate actions.” Both players are appealing. Consider Richard Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano good vulture save candidates if Felipe Vazquez needs rest.

Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Crick | Kela.

Cincinnati Reds — The Pittsburgh/Cincy brawl was largely instigated by relief pitchers, including Amir Garrett, suspended eight games for charging at the Pirates dugout and throwing a haymaker. Jared Hughes picked up a three-game ban for throwing at Starling Marte. Both players appealed their suspensions. When Garrett goes out, you could consider David Hernandez in holds leagues, but we recommend steering clear (12 holds, 6.86 ERA).

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.

Toronto Blue Jays — If things go right for Ken Giles (elbow), he could be back for the Jays on Sunday or Monday. Expect Justin Shafer and Tim Mayza to fill in for Giles in the meantime.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Shafer | Mayza.

Philadelphia Phillies — Blake Parker was deployed for the first time by manager Gabe Kapler, throwing a scoreless inning in a 10-2 win for the Phillies. Parker, in his first major league action since July 23, allowed two hits and struck out two. He could factor into the late innings for Philly’s beleaguered bullpen. Stay tuned. In other Phillies news, David Robertson is out for the season, and his career might also be in jeopardy.

Hierarchy remains: Neris | Morgan | Alvarez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Sergio Romo — Sam Dyson might get a breather after Thursday’s dud, though he is otherwise rested. Taylor Rogers definitely won’t pitch Friday — he has gone in three straight.
2. Jeremy Jeffress — Josh Hader has pitched in three straight.
3. Adam Morgan — Hector Neris is in the midst of serving his three-game suspension. 
4. Justin Shafer — Ken Giles is still out. 

Saturday:
1. Aaron Bummer — A Friday appearance would be three of four for Alex Colome.
2. Blake Treinen — The A’s are off Friday, but Liam Hendriks has been busy lately (three of five, four of seven entering Saturday). 
3. Seth Lugo — A Friday outing would be four of six for Edwin Diaz.
4. Adam Morgan — See above. 
5. Justin Shafer — See above.

Around the league after a busy trade deadline for bullpen moves

August 1, 2019

Atlanta Braves — The Braves have watched Luke Jackson struggle over the last three weeks (13.50 ERA, 2.50 WHIP), and they responded at the trade deadline by acquiring 248 career saves through Shane Greene and Mark Melancon. Add those guys to the mellifluous Chris Martin and you have a situation where yesterday’s closer could find himself battling Anthony Swarzak to be fourth in line.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Martin | Melancon.

Washington Nationals — Washington is another team going all-in on bullpen help in the push for the playoffs, nabbing Daniel Hudson from Toronto and Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland from Seattle. Sean Doolittle remains the unquestioned closer, but the road through the middle innings will look a lot different. 

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Strickland | Elias.

Colorado Rockies — Wade Davis pitched at home on Wednesday, so you know what happened next: two dingers and five earned runs. Davis’s splits continue to be otherworldly, and it’s anyone’s guess how long Bud Black can keep running him out there instead of Scott Oberg.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.

Detroit Tigers — With Shane Greene headed to the NL, expect Joe Jimenez to have the inside track on Tiger saves, with Buck Farmer pushing him in a possible committee. Trevor Rosenthal got the seventh with a three-run lead on Wednesday and could keep getting chances to prove himself.

Updated hierarchy: *Jimenez | Farmer | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — Sure, Jesse Chavez got the first save for Texas after Chris Martin was sent to Atlanta, but it’s possible Jose Leclerc was given an extra day off after a very heavy recent workload. Chavez will get a bump ahead of Brett Martin. We’ll keep an eye on this to see if a committee asterisk is necessary.

Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Chavez | Martin.

San Francisco Giants — The Giants lost Sam Dyson and Mark Melancon to deadline day trades, but that still leaves them with three of their big five. We’ll monitor whether Tony Watson or Reyes Moronta is the true handcuff to Will Smith.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Moronta.

Toronto Blue Jays — Daniel Hudson was sent to Washington and Joe Biagini followed him out the door to Houston, creating some opportunities behind Ken Giles and his ailing elbow. Wednesday’s save went to 26-year-old Justin Shafer, an All-Star closer at AAA and Giles’s new understudy. Behind Shafer lurks lefty Tim Mayza, former Giant Derek Law, and . . . not much else.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Shafer | Mayza.

Houston Astros — Ryan Pressly did hit the IL with knee soreness, leaving Will Harris to take over the eighth inning. The acquisition of Joe Biagini adds to Houston’s bullpen depth, which includes Hector Rondon, newly reactivated Joe Smith, and Chris Devenski.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Harris | Rondon.

Miami Marlins — Nick Anderson’s departure for the west coast of Florida opens a hierarchy role for Tayron Guerrero. Watch Ryne Stanek, though, acquired in the Anderson deal, who could wind up closing here after he returns from the IL.

Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Quijada | Guerrero.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — With a scoreless inning against Boston on Wednesday, Chaz Roe became the fourth Ray to pick up a save in just the last week. They could make it five soon after picking up Nick Anderson from the Marlins.

Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Castillo | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Seattle eviscerated its bullpen on Wednesday, sending away Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland. If you must speculate here, Anthony Bass is the best bet, but we don’t recommend it.

Updated hierarchy: *Bass | Gearrin | Tuivailala.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Seth Lugo — Edwin Diaz has gone in three of four.
2. Aaron Bummer — Both Bummer and Alex Colome have pitched in two straight, but Colome had a much more stressful outing Wednesday.
3. Adam Morgan — Hector Neris will begin serving his three-game suspension today.
4. Jeremy Jeffress — Josh Hader has gone in two straight.

Friday:
1. Sergio Romo — Taylor Rogers hasn’t thrown many pitches, but an appearance Thursday would be three straight.
2. Adam Morgan — See above.