May 26, 2022
New York Yankees — The Yankees’ season-opening hierarchy has been reunited, but this time on the injured list. Jonathan Loaisiga (right shoulder discomfort) joined Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green on the shelf Wednesday, leaving Miguel Castro and Wandy Peralta as the team’s top seventh-inning options. Rookie Ron Marinaccio pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts last night and could also be in line for some holds.
Updated hierarchy: Holmes | King | Castro.
Cincinnati Reds – Well, the Reds used their hierarchy in our prescribed order on Wednesday: Tony Santillan to Alexis Diaz to Art Warren. Only problem is that left the ninth inning for Hunter Strickland, the fourth member of the closer committee. It’s possible that Strickland entered to be the designated plunker after some Rowan Wick-Joey Votto drama in the previous half-inning. Whatever the explanation, this remains the absolute last team you want to roster a reliever from.
Hierarchy remains: *Warren | Diaz | Santillan.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — J.P. Feyereisen (0.00 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, 23 K in 21 IP) struck out the 2-3-4 hitters in the eighth against Miami, leaving the ninth for Colin Poche. The save didn’t come easy, with two infield singles, a walk, and an error, but the lefty came through. This means nothing for Tampa’s hierarchy, because nothing ever means anything for Tampa’s hierarchy. Anyone can and will pitch at any time, and there’s not a dang thing we, you, or Goose Gossage can do about it.
Hierarchy remains: *Raley | Feyereisen | Beeks.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Miami’s first game with Anthony Bender sidelined saw putative committee leader Cole Sulser pitch down two in the sixth, with Dylan Floro appearing in the eighth. Those two guys are pretty much in a dead heat with Anthony Bass and Tanner Scott; if you must speculate, Bass and Sulser have the best numbers, Scott has the strikeouts (but also the walks), and Floro has the recent pedigree (but also some bad outings since his injury).
Updated hierarchy: *Sulser | Bass | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Andrew Chafin picked up the 10th-inning save for Detroit on Wednesday after Gregory Soto and Michael Fulmer had already been used. Alex Lange has also been excellent in 20 appearances this season and is battling for a hierarchy role.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Fulmer | Chafin.
Oakland A’s — Zach Jackson grabbed his ninth hold of 2022 in the eighth inning last night, and he and A.J. Puk have leapt over Domingo Acevedo (and Lou Trivino) in the A’s pecking order.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Puk | Jackson.
Chicago White Sox — Aaron Bummer is back from the injured list and back in the seventh for Chicago.
Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Graveman | Bummer.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael King (NYY) — Aaron Boone likes to avoid using relievers in three straight games.
2. Jhoan Duran (MIN) — Emilio Pagan has thrown 49 pitches over three days (two appearances).
3. Brad Boxberger/Trevor Gott (MIL) — Devin Williams has pitched in three straight.
Friday:
1. Michael Fulmer (DET) — Gregory Soto threw 25 pitches Wednesday and won’t go in three straight.
2. A.J. Puk (OAK) — Dany Jimenez has pitched back-to-back, but with the lowest pitch count of Oakland’s best relievers. If he goes Thursday, though, he’ll be off Friday.
