Mickey Callaway refuses to even attempt the Roommate Switch

July 6, 2019

New York Mets — Edwin Diaz’s frustrating season continued last night as he entered a tied game in the ninth and got tagged for four runs. After the game, Mickey Callaway said he’d consider a switch at closer if somebody else could do a better job. At this point, that list includes Bobby Bonilla, Tim Tebow, and (especially) Jerry Seinfeld, but the most likely beneficiary of a Diaz demotion is Seth Lugo (3.43 ERA, 11.6 K/9). Jeurys Familia may be only a couple years (and five points on his ERA) removed from saving 51 games, but if he gets the job, we’ll eat our Knicks hat.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Arizona Diamondbacks — There are three Ls in Lovullo already, but Torey is never satisfied. Always pushing the envelope, the D-Backs manager announced before Friday’s game that he’s sticking with Greg Holland as closer. You shouldn’t.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens was unavailable last night with soreness from a diving tag on Wednesday, so the Orioles turned to Paul Fry to close out a three-run game. Givens should be back this weekend, but Baltimore continues to be in all-out committee mode. If you’re desperate enough to roster an Oriole reliever, Fry is an option, although Givens remains the best bet for saves when healthy.

Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Armstrong | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — When Blake Treinen hit the IL, Oakland turned the closer role over to Liam Hendricks. In Treinen’s absence, Hendriks extended his scoreless streak to 14 appearances, and his dominance will officially keep him in the ninth even after Treinen’s return.

Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Treinen | Soria.

Detroit Tigers — Victor Alcantara is taking advantage of the All-Star break to have tooth surgery. He’ll go on the IL for a 10-day stint. Expect Joe Jimenez and Buck Farmer to get any save chances in his absence. 

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.

Kansas City Royals — Ian Kennedy couldn’t protect a two-run lead against the Nationals last night; he may have been feeling the effects of a 21-pitch outing on Thursday. When the Royals took the lead in the 11th, it was Wily Peralta who slammed the door for his second save. Kennedy had converted nine straight saves, so he’s safe in his role.  

Hierarchy remains: Kennedy | Diekman | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jake Diekman — Ian Kennedy has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 49 pitches in that span. 
2. Zack Britton — Aroldis Chapman has gone back to back and thrown 46 pitches. 
3. Blake Treinen — Newly anointed closer Liam Hendriks has pitched in three of four.
4. Jose Alvarado — Emilio Pagan has gone back to back, including a two-inning outing last night. 

Sunday:
1. AJ Minter/Jacob Webb — Both Jackson and Minter have gone in back-to-back games, so if either pitches today, they’ll be out for Sunday.
2. Brandon Workman — The same is true for Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier, while Workman was held out of last night’s game after throwing 38 pitches on Thursday.
3. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian — Today would be two straight and three of four for everyone in the Angels hierarchy, so whoever goes today will probably be unavailable on Sunday.

Fernando Rodney locks down his second save of the year

July 5, 2019

Washington Nationals — Sean Doolittle earned a day off yesterday after throwing 76 pitches over the last four days, which left the final two innings to Wander Suero and Fernando Rodney. Suero allowed a hit to both batters he faced in the eighth before being pulled to set up a lefty-lefty matchup. After the team got to the ninth with the lead, Rodney shut the door in the ninth for his second save with the Nationals. After the game, Dave Martinez confirmed that if Doolittle is unavailable, Rodney will be the team’s closer. What a time to be alive.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Rodney | Suero.

Cincinnati Reds — Raisel Iglesias has been very busy lately, going in four of the last five, but he has looked better. His outing Thursday was his third straight day of work — and his third straight scoreless appearance. He nailed down the save in a tight 1-0 win, his third save in his last five outings. So it appears Iglesias is certainly ahead of Michael Lorenzen now, as we suspected. Amir Garrett, meanwhile, is now on the injured list with a left lat strain. He’s been their best reliever to date, but the Reds will have to turn to David Hernandez and Jared Hughes for increased looks in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Hernandez.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Doctors in Philadelphia are also extremely busy, as they are caring for yet another Phillies relief pitcher: Juan Nicasio. The veteran righthander was placed on the IL for a left groin strain that manager Gabe Kapler called “mild.” Adam Morgan returned from the injured list in late June and has a couple of holds since then, so he should see more activity ahead of JD Hammer and Hector Neris.

Updated hierarchy: Neris | Hammer | Morgan.

Oakland A’s — With Liam Hendriks and Blake Treinen both unavailable yesterday, the A’s turned to Lou Trivino in the eighth inning and Joakim Soria in the ninth inning to close out a win. Had Oakland not scored four runs in its half of the eighth, Soria would have earned a save opportunity against the top of the Twins’ order. He was up in the ‘pen after Trivino’s successful outing. We’ll move Soria into the hierarchy based on yesterday’s usage.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Hendriks | Soria.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Carlos Martinez picked up the save Thursday, his second since Jordan Hicks was lost for the season. It’s also the second Cardinals save of three since the Hicks injury, though Dominic Leone’s save was of the extra-inning vulture variety. So it looks like Martinez has locked down the role, and after showing some resistance initially he’s now taking kindly to the “responsibility” of the role. 

Hierarchy remains: Martinez | Gant | Miller.

Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox activated Heath Hembree from the IL on Thursday, which is a huge boost to their bullpen. Hembree has been one of their best relievers of late and should soon return to high-leverage work. We’ll monitor how the Sox deploy Hembree this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Brasier.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman allowed two earned runs in his third blown save of the season, but the Yankees scored five runs in the 10th inning to retake the lead. Luis Cessa came on to get the final three outs, but he could only retire two batters and left the game with the bases loaded and one run already home. That created a save chance for David Hale, who shut the door on Tampa for his second save of the season. Zack Britton and Adam Ottavino had already pitched.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dealer’s Choice — Now that Torey Lovullo has been able to clear his head, we’ll see who he wants pitching the ninth inning for Arizona.
2. Joe Jimenez — Shane Greene has pitched in two straight.
3. Zack Britton — Aroldis Chapman needed 29 pitches during last night’s blown save.
4. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has appeared in three straight and four of five.
5. John Gant — Carlos Martinez has pitched in back-to-back games, though he’s only thrown 19 pitches.
6. Joe Biagini/Daniel Hudson — Ken Giles has made three straight appearances for the first time in nearly four years.

Saturday:
1. Joe Jimenez — If Shane Greene pitches today, that will be three in a row.
2. John Gant — Same goes for Carlos Martinez.
3. Jake Diekman — Ian Kennedy threw 21 pitches yesterday, so if he pitches today he should get Saturday off.
4. Ty Buttrey — If Hansel Robles goes today, that will be three of four for him.

Arizona about to declare independence from Holland

July 4, 2019

Arizona Diamondbacks — This is as close to an update as Torey Lovullo will let us give you today: Greg Holland is out as closer. Evidently eager to deliver a vote of confidence after Tuesday’s 30-pitch blown save debacle, Lovullo used Holland to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. Two batters later, the game was tied. Lovullo had no substantive comment after the game and planned to use today’s off day to think through the situation with a clear head. With Holland’s reduced velocity and clear control problems, the only mystery is who’ll have the job on Friday — veteran Yoshihisa Hirano (156 saves in Japan; 9.8 K/9), rookie Yoan Lopez (1.36 ERA, .174 BAA, but only 6.5 K/9), or dark horse lefty Andrew Chafin (11.2 K/9 but .257 BAA; Rod Beck-style mustache skills). We’ll keep handicapping them in that order, but anything could happen.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

Oakland A’s — Blake Treinen returned from the IL on Wednesday, but will be eased back into the closer role, sharing opportunities for now with reigning AL Reliever of the Month Liam Hendriks. Don’t give up on Hendriks yet, especially with Treinen giving up a run and getting the loss in his debut. We’ll stick the committee asterisk on the situation for now.

Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Hendriks | Trivino.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — The past seven weeks have seen a different Jose Alvarado than the reliever who dominated April and May. After allowing six runs on Wednesday, Alvarado identified a mechanical flaw as the source of his struggles. It seems likely that a different member of the Rays committee will get the next shot at the ninth inning.

Updated hierarchy: *Pagan | Alvarado | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel blew his first save for the Cubs; his numbers are putrid, but he remains confident. Behind him, Brandon Kintzler has edged ahead of Steve Cishek to be second in line.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Strop | Kintzler.

Cincinnati Reds — Just when we thought Michael Lorenzen was ascendant in the Reds’ bullpen, the team has turned to Raisel Iglesias for two saves in four days. They’ll likely continue to showcase him if they can to boost his trade value.

Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — The Giants have a surplus of good relievers in the late innings. Reyes Moronta, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson, and Will Smith appear to have cemented their situational roles from the sixth inning on.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Watson | Dyson.

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens pitched in a tied eighth inning, and the Orioles exploded off Jose Alvarado to take a six-run lead. Richard Bleier created a save situation with three runs allowed, and Shawn Armstrong converted it with a strikeout.

Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Armstrong | Castro.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — A strength of the Mariners betrayed them last night, as Austin Adams and Roenis Elias combined to blow a two-run lead in the ninth. Adams loaded the bases and Elias cleared them. 

Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Adams | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Kelvin Herrera and his 7.89 ERA can’t be considered the favorite to take over the ninth on the South Side if Alex Colome gets traded this month. Herrera is already looking up at Aaron Bummer, and Evan Marshall and Juan Minaya are in line to supplant him.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Bummer | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Wittgren — Brad Hand has appeared in three of the last four.
2. Wander Suero/Fernando Rodney — Sean Doolittle has gone in two straight and three of four (76 pitches!)
3. Pedro Strop — Craig Kimbrel is still being eased in.
4. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias has appeared in three of four games.
5. Lou Trivino — We probably won’t see Blake Treinen back-to-back and Liam Hendriks has already done two straight (two innings yesterday).
6. Anthony Bass — Roenis Elias and Austin Adams have each gone in two in a row.

Friday:
1. Joe Biagini — Ken Giles has pitched in two straight.
2. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian — Hansel Robles and Bedrosian have gone in two straight.
3. Suero/Rodney — Doolittle could get two days off.

At least Greg Holland didn’t give up any hits

July 3, 2019

Arizona Diamondbacks — Greg Holland seemed well on his way to a save on Tuesday when he retired the first two Dodgers he faced in the ninth inning. He even got to 0-2 against the next batter before tossing four straight balls. Holland followed that by walking the next three hitters to tie the game. T.J. McFarland then came in to try and get the game to extra innings, but he too couldn’t find the strike zone and walked home the winning run. Incredible. After the game, Torey Lovullo issued a free pass of his own by insisting that Holland is still the team’s closer. If Holland does slip up again, then Yoshihisa Hirano, Yoan Lopez and Andrew Chafin are the three most likely candidates to take over as closer in Arizona.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Hirano | Lopez.

New York Mets — Good news for anyone in a 75-team league: the Mets activated Jeurys Familia and Justin Wilson from the IL yesterday! If you are indeed forced to roster either pitcher, Mickey Callaway said that both pitchers will get thrown right back into their previous roles. For Familia at least, this means high-leverage work, which means he’ll tentatively reclaim a spot in the hierarchy. Meanwhile, Edwin Diaz actually looked good last night to close out the Mets’ second straight win. They win one more tomorrow, that’s called a winning streak. It has happened before.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Familia.

Seattle Mariners — Austin Adams extended his scoreless streak to 11 games on Tuesday by striking out all four batters he faced. He’s been very impressive since arriving in Seattle and has now surpassed Anthony Bass in the Mariners’ hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Elias | Adams | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Daniel Hudson – Perhaps in an attempt to show the Red Sox what a closer looks like, Ken Giles pitched the ninth inning with the Jays trailing 10-3. If Toronto is still concerned about Giles making back-to-back appearances after his recent IL stint, then Daniel Hudson may be in line for a save today. Joe Biagini also saw action last night and has thrown 51 pitches over the last three days.
2. Kyle Crick – Felipe Vazquez hadn’t pitched in three days prior to last night’s 29-pitch outing, but he still may get rested today.

Tomorrow
1. Kyle Crick – If Felipe Vazquez does get the ball tonight, that makes it very likely he gets July 4 off.
2. Wander Suero/Fernando Rodney – An appearance for Sean Doolittle tonight would be his second in a row and third in four days.

Nate Eovaldi could close upon returning from IL

July 2, 2019

Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox, desperate for bullpen help, are reportedly on the verge of naming Nate Eovaldi as their closer when he returns from the IL. Eovaldi, who will likely be ready to return later this month, certainly has the stuff to close, though he has expressed his distaste for relieving in the past. In the interim, Boston also called up their best AAA reliever, sidearmer Trevor Kelley, who might find himself in high-leverage spots soon.

Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Brasier.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Monday was a welcome day off for a tired Braves bullpen, which recently lost Anthony Swarzak to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Look for Jacob Webb to become the new 7th inning man ahead of AJ Minter and Luke Jackson.

Updated hierarchy: Jackson | Minter | Webb.

Milwaukee Brewers – The plan was probably to have Josh Hader pitch the final two innings of the game on Monday, but after Hader struggled in the 8th, the Brewers turned to Jeremy Jeffress for the 9th. Jeffress allowed a run but managed to close the door for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Jeffress | Guerra.

Tampa Bay Rays – Jose Alvarado converted his first save since returning from a lengthy personal absence. We’ll bump him to the top of the committee with the understanding that Emilio Pagan may still get save chances when matchups are right.

Updated hierarchy: *Alvarado | Pagan | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Junior Guerra – Josh Hader (4 IP over last 5 days), and Jeremy Jeffress (back to back and three of four) might both get the day off.

Tomorrow
1. Pedro Strop – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’ll be back to back games, and we doubt they’d use him three straight this soon after being activated.