Rough start for K-Rod and Tigers ‘pen

April 6, 2016

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers revamped their beleaguered bullpen in the offseason and it came to fruition on Tuesday as starter Shane Greene picked up his first career save. Just as the organization drew it up! Francisco Rodriguez was horrible in his Detroit debut, allowing three runs on four hits to set the stage for Greene in the 13th inning. No need to panic with 161 games to go, but it was not a pretty Opening Day for K-Rod, nor was it pleasant for Mark Lowe either, as he gave up a run in the eighth.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.

Atlanta Braves – After a rough Opening Day outing for Jason Grilli, manager Fredi Gonzalez said that Arodys Vizcaino will be his top bullpen option. The problem is that Gonzalez is only concerned about Vizcaino facing the “tough part of the order.” So while he no longer leads the committee at the moment, Grilli is not out of the running for some cheap saves depending on matchups.

Updated hierarchy: *Vizcaino | Grilli | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome didn’t relinquish the lead in the Rays’ committee on Tuesday, although he did get some help from the Chase Utley Rule. Colome also threw 34 pitches over two innings, so don’t expect him to pitch on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: *Colome | Farquhar | Cedeno.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Kevin Quackenbush worked the seventh with the Padres trailing 3-0 on Tuesday. If the Padres ever do get a lead this season, manager Andy Green said that we can expect Brandon Maurer to protect it in the eighth inning ahead of Fernando Rodney.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Maurer | Quackenbush.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Tyler Clippard made his Diamondbacks debut with Arizona trailing in the seventh inning. Daniel Hudson was warming in the eighth as the Diamondbacks took a sizable lead, and eventually came on to protect Clippard’s victory. We’ll swap Hudson and Clippard for now and will closely monitor how the duo is used ahead of Brad Ziegler in the early weeks of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Hudson | Clippard.

New York Mets – Jim Henderson, who had last appeared in the majors on May 1, 2014, threw a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts in a 2-0 win over the Royals. Manager Terry Collins said he doesn’t want to overuse Henderson, but you can expect to see him take the mound more frequently in the seventh inning.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Henderson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Danny Farquhar/Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome threw 34 pitches over two innings last night, so we’ll see who Kevin Cash prefers next in his committee.

Hernandez meltdown elevates Hinojosa’s stock

April 5, 2016

Texas Rangers – In a bizarre home opener where the Rangers won despite managing only one hit against King Felix, Jake Diekman pitched a perfect 8th inning ahead of Shawn Tolleson’s first save of the season. Both Sam Dyson and Keone Kela were warming in the Texas ‘pen at the time, so we won’t make a change just yet, but it certainly looks like Diekman will be in the late-innings mix in Arlington.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.

Atlanta Braves – Thirty-nine year old Jason Grilli did little to lock down his provisional closer spot in Atlanta on Opening Day. Brought in with a one-run lead in the 9th, Grilli coughed up a run, and was tagged with a blown save. Given the fluid situation in the Braves’ bullpen, expect Grilli to be on a short leash going forward.

Hierarchy remains: *Grilli | Vizcaino | Johnson.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Opening day was not kind to David Hernandez. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin tapped Hernandez to hold a one-run lead in the 8th inning, and while it’s unclear whether he would have stayed in the game had he pitched well — Phillies beat writers were speculating that Dalier Hinojosa would get the 9th — it was a moot point, as Hernandez melted down, giving up 3 earned runs on two walks and a hit without recording a single out. Regardless of what the plan was, it seems likely that Hinojosa will get the next opportunity.

Updated hierarchy: *Hinojosa | Hernandez | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee

Luke Gregerson to close for Houston

April 4, 2016

Houston Astros — After staying mum on Sunday, A.J. Hinch announced Monday that Luke Gregerson will be the team’s “primary closer.” While this is a bit of a surprise, Giles had struggled all spring, finishing with a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. His strikeouts were still there, though, so he should be able to right the ship soon and will be in line for saves if Gregerson falters.

Updated hierarchy: Gregerson | Giles | Neshek.

Neftali Feliz could have a bigger-than-expected role

April 4, 2016

Pittsburgh Pirates – With a three-run lead in the seventh inning, the Pirates went to Tony Watson first, handing the 8th inning to Neftali Feliz. Matchup-wise, it made sense, as Watson faced a pinch hitter followed by two lefties, but it was still a little bit surprising to see Feliz thrust into such an important spot right away. Watson remains the handcuff for Mark Melancon, but the fact that the Pirates trusted Feliz with the 8th suggests he’ll be a good source for holds this season.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Feliz.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers have sustained another injury in their bullpen, this time to would-be set-up man Corey Knebel. Knebel will start the season on the DL, leaving the Brewers to mix and match in the 8th inning.

Updated hierarchy: Jeffress | Blazek | Thornburg.

Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn has hit the DL for the first time in his career. The move is retroactive to March 25, so he’ll be eligible to return relatively soon, but in the mean time, look for Craig Breslow to get the important lefties in late game spots.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Morris | Breslow.

Just a flesh wound for Andrew Miller

April 1, 2016

New York Yankees — Wikipedia informed Andrew Miller that his broken pisiform bone wasn’t very important, so the lefthander decided he’ll pitch through the injury. “It’s my right hand; I don’t really need it,” Miller said, in a quote that reads like an April Fool’s joke about Carlos Marmol. The news was not as good for Bryan Mitchell, who could miss a few months with a broken big toe.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Shreve.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Jared Hughes has a strained lat and will start the year on the DL. Taking his place is Neftali Feliz, who will try to add another high point to his roller-coaster career.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Feliz.

Philadelphia Phillies — Speaking of roller coasters, Andrew Bailey is back on the outs in Philly, and (unlike Festus Ezeli) will probably be cut today. Jeanmar Gomez stands to benefit from Bailey’s fall from grace.

Updated hierarchy: *Hernandez | Hinojosa | Gomez.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Jon Edwards will start the season on the disabled list with a stiff elbow. With Nick Vincent’s move to Seattle, this probably leaves Brandon Maurer as San Diego’s best seventh-inning man.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Quackenbush | Maurer.