August 12, 2016
Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton on Thursday picked up his 35th straight save this season, pitching a scoreless ninth. Scoreless has been a bit of a theme for Britton lately, as the closer hasn’t allowed an earned run in 39 straight appearances, the longest streak since earned runs started being kept as a stat, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs have announced that righty Pedro Strop has a torn meniscus that required surgery. He is out 4-6 weeks.
Hiearchy remains: Chapman | Rondon | Smith.
Houston Astros – In anticipation of his baby’s birth, Ken Giles — who pitched a scoreless inning Thursday — will not fly with the team to Toronto this weekend and will instead be placed on paternity leave starting Friday. Conveniently, Luke Gregerson is eligible to return from the disabled list on Friday after he had an encouraging bullpen session earlier in the week — though his exact return date has not been announced.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Neshek | Harris.
Atlanta Braves – Closer Arodys Vizcaino could rejoin the Braves bullpen as early as late next week as he continues to battle back from a strained oblique. It appears the team wants Vizcaino to make three rehab appearances before rejoining the big club. Meanwhile, closer Jim Johnson was claimed by an unknown team, but the Braves pulled him back after a deal could not be worked out.
Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Cabrera | Krol.
Colorado Rockies – Adam Ottavino picked up his first save of the season Thursday. It was his first since April 24, 2015, before he was shelved and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Ottavino will likely remain the Rockies closer for the rest of the year.
Hierarchy remains: Ottavino | Logan | McGee.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pat Neshek/Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – There’s a lot of uncertainly with the Astros bullpen this weekend. We’re pretty positive that Ken Giles will be unavailable, but will Luke Gregerson be activated? If so, he could get a shot at a save chance. If not, Pat Neshek could do the honors.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight, and in Thursday’s extra-innings game, Oh tossed 2.0 innings, throwing 34 pitches.