Hansel Robles enduring rough stretch

August 16, 2016

New York Mets – While the Mets have had one of the most stable bullpens in the majors this year, the dog days of summer appear to be wearing out Hansel Robles. After posting a 0.00 ERA in 10 July appearances, Robles has struggled in August, giving up 8 runs and 5 walks in just 8.1 innings. Left-hander Jerry Blevins has pitched well all season and should be rewarded with more late-inning opportunities if Robles continues to struggle.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Blevins.

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1. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – Both Fernando Rodney and Kyle Barraclough have pitched in three straight.

Indians continue to use Andrew Miller all over the place

August 15, 2016

Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller pitched the 7th and 8th innings in a one-run ballgame yesterday before giving way to Cody Allen, who picked up the save. Terry Francona continues to use Miller as a fireman, and the results so far have been very good — though not for Miller’s fantasy value. Sunday marked his 6th appearance as an Indian, of which only one was a save chance. Miller does have three holds in that span, but for now, we’re going to slide Allen back to the top of the committee, since he’s being used as a more traditional closer at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: *Allen | Miller | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Chris Young picked up a three inning save yesterday, lowering his ERA to 6.03. Did you have him in your lineup? If so, here’s another chance to win Closer Monkey Premium for a year! Just send us a screenshot as proof and we’ll sign you up.

Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Soria | Moylan.

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1. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in back to back games including a disastrous appearance last night. He might get the night off.

O’Day returns to DL, Papelbon released

August 14, 2016

Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day has been placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder.  Manager Buck Showalter is optimistic O’Day will return in two weeks, and mentioned Mychal Givens and Vance Worley as members of the bullpen who would see more prominent roles with O’Day out.  We will slide Givens in behind Britton and Brach for now.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | Givens.

Washington Nationals — The Nationals released former closer Jonathan Papelbon yesterday.  Papelbon has been rumored to have interest in going back to the Red Sox, and the Cubs could also be a landing spot given their recent injury woes.  Blake Treinen should see time in the later innings for the Nationals with Papelbon gone.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Kelley | Treinen.

Cleveland Indians – The Indians won by four on Saturday so it wasn’t a save opportunity, but manager Terry Francona still used all three members on our hierarchy.  Bryan Shaw pitched a perfect seventh inning, and then it was Andrew Miller in the eighth and Cody Allen in the ninth.  We will leave Miller as the head of the committee for now, but it’s looking like Allen could see more save chances down the stretch if Francona continues to use Miller before the ninth.

Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

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1. Will Harris, Houston Astros — Ken Giles is on paternity leave.
2. Jacob Turner?, Chicago White Sox — David Robertson, Nate Jones, and Dan Jennings have all pitched in two straight and four of the past five.  Matt Albers threw two innings yesterday while Jacob Turner got the day off so if the White Sox are desperate, maybe they turn to Turner.
3. Carlos Villanueva, San Diego Padres — Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter have both pitched in back-to-back games and three of the past four.  Brad Hand has appeared in two straight, including two innings on Friday.

 

Who’s the Reds’ closer? Maybe they don’t need one

August 13, 2016

Cincinnati Reds — Keyvius Sampson gave up half of a six-run lead in the ninth, so the Reds turned to Raisel Iglesias to get the final out. While this wasn’t a save opportunity, it’s a spot that typically goes to the closer — and Tony Cingrani, who seemed to have that role, hasn’t pitched since a five-run meltdown on Monday. The Reds love Iglesias’s stuff, but have been cautious with him, keeping him out of back-to-back games because of his shoulder injury. The team is considering some different bullpen ideas, including an old-school “fireman” approach where they alternate multi-inning appearances among several of their top arms, like Cingrani, Iglesias, Michael Lorenzen, and Blake Wood. The possibility warrants a return to the committee asterisk in Cincy.

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

Houston Astros — With Ken Giles out on paternity leave, A.J. Hinch said the team would “mix and match” in the ninth. But, in the end, the save opportunity fell to the most familiar face, Will Harris. Harris gave up a home run, but locked up his 12th save of the year. Luke Gregerson was activated from the DL on Friday, but did not pitch, and Hinch has said he wants to give Gregerson at least one low-stress outing to start. The save opportunity moves Harris up in the hierarchy, but don’t be surprised to see Gregerson fighting for high-leverage innings soon.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Harris | Gregerson.

Los Angeles Angels — J.C. Ramirez didn’t improve his position in the pecking order by giving up three runs in the eighth inning of a Friday night blowout. Fernando Salas should hold the job until Huston Street returns.

Hierarchy remains: *Salas | Ramirez | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton pitched another scoreless inning last night to extend his record streak, but it was his third straight day of use. With Darren O’Day in Baltimore getting his shoulder examined, Brad Brach should get any save chance.
2. Adam Warren, New York Yankees — Dellin Betances has gone in three straight.
3. Will Harris, Houston Astros — Ken Giles is not with the team this weekend. Hinch also mentioned Pat Neshek and Michael Feliz as closing options.

Zach Britton makes history; Arodys Vizcaino back soon

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.