Carson Smith back on top of the Seattle committee

July 10, 2015

Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith needed only two pitches to record a save on Thursday night — entering with two outs in the 9th and the bases loaded, he retired Kole Calhoun on a groundout. With the Mariners sporting a 7-2 lead, that appearance made him juuuust barely eligible for his sixth save of the year. We will happily use this as an excuse to bump him back to the top of the closer committee; Fernando Rodney was used in the 8th inning and gave up a solo HR.

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Rodney | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee.

Texas Rangers – Neftali Feliz cleared waivers on Thursday and now can accept his assignment to the Rangers minor league system or can become a free agent. Feliz (4.58 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) is still only 27 and if he elects free agency, he could help out a team that needs help in the late innings. He would also give up the remainder of his $4.3 million salary, so he’s got some thinking to do.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Scheppers | Kela.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street will be out until the All-Star break, so Joe Smith will get the bulk of the save chances moving forward.
2. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched two straight nights. Manager Terry Francona could give Allen, who battled a back issue earlier this week, a rest Friday night and turn to Bryan Shaw.
3. Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners – Lloyd McClendon is still rooting for him, after all.

Huston Street tweaks groin, may miss weekend series

July 9, 2015

Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street tweaked his groin Wednesday night on his second-to-last pitch of the evening, but doesn’t expect to need a DL stint. He may end up missing the upcoming four-game series with Seattle prior to the All-Star Break, but will be re-evaluated in Seattle. If Street does miss action this weekend, Joe Smith will take over as closer.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Gott.

Milwaukee Brewers — Jeremy Jeffress has appeared in the 8th inning in four straight games and has not given up a run in his last nine appearances. Although his numbers are still very solid, Will Smith gave up one little run his manager Craig Counsell got scared, so Counsell has sent him to live with his aunty and his uncle in the 7th inning for now.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Jeffress | Smith.

Los Angeles Dodgers — A day after getting a spot start, Yimi Garcia was optioned to Triple A. Manager Don Mattingly said it was to give Garcia a breather after the young righty has been used in 40 games this year. J.P. Howell has been the most effective reliever behind Jansen and Baez, so look for his role to expand with Garcia out of the mix.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Howell.

New York Yankees — Andrew Miller was activated from the DL and immediately saw his first save opportunity last night. Despite giving up a two-run home run, he fought back to escape a brief jam with two outs and remain perfect in save chances this year.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

Cleveland Indians — After being held out of a clear save opportunity on Tuesday due to a stiff back, Cody Allen was back in action on Wednesday and pitched a perfect 9th for his 17th save of the year. It looks like he will be fine going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon was given the night off after pitching in three of the last four, which opened the door for…Antonio Bastardo? The one-time Phillies closer picked up his first save of the year after the Pirates scored three runs to break a tie in the bottom of the 8th. Bastardo was already warmed up to face the bottom of the Padres order, and remained in the game to pick up the save. In addition to Melancon pitching in 3 of 4, Tony Watson and Jared Hughes had both thrown back-to-back games. Bastardo doesn’t project to become a part of Clint Hurdle’s late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

Chicago Cubs – As predicted in the Vulture (Blown) Save Watch, Pedro Strop was handed the ball to protect a one-run lead in the 9th. But it turns out the Cubs could have used Jason Motte, as Strop gave up the lead and took the loss.

Hierarchy remains: *Motte | Rondon | Strop.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals  Greg Holland has thrown 39 pitches over the past two days, and the Royals don’t hesitate to throw Davis save opportunities.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — As mentioned above, Huston Street may take time to rest this weekend after tweaking his groin.
3. Dellin Betances/Justin Wilson, New York Yankees — Andrew Miller needed 30 pitches to close the game last night, and may not be ready to pitch back-to-back games just yet. Betances and Wilson have both pitched in two straight, but Wilson has only thrown 19 pitches over those two days.
4. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays — Right after kicking the asterisk, Roberto Osuna gave up a walk-off homer last night. He has pitched in two straight, but only threw two pitches last night. If he needs a night off, it may be the well-rested Brett Cecil instead of Steve Delabar, as Delabar worked two innings yesterday while Cecil tossed just one on Wednesday.

Andrew Miller to be activated Wednesday

July 8, 2015

New York Yankees — Andrew Miller will be activated today and immediately take over the closer role he ceded to Dellin Betances, who will slide back to the 8th inning after going 5-of-6 in save opportunities during Miller’s absence. Justin Wilson and Chasen Shreve will likely combine for a majority of the holds ahead of Miller and Betances.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has been suffering from a stiff back, and it kept him out of Tuesday’s game, which Bryan Shaw saved in the ninth. Manager Terry Francona said that he expects Allen to be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.

Seattle Mariners – After a stretch of nine-straight scoreless appearances, Fernando Rodney was up to his old tricks again, allowing a solo shot in the 8th inning to blow a one-run lead. In Rodney’s defense, it was Yoenis Cespedes who crushed a 98-mph fastball over the centerfield fence. Carson Smith pitched the 9th and 10th in a tie game and struck out five of the six batters he faced. With manager Lloyd McClendon unavailable to manage the series with Detroit, bench coach Trent Jewett said that both Smith and Rodney will be used as the team’s closer. After 36 pitches from Smith on Tuesday, Rodney is all but a lock for the next chance.

Hierarchy remains: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna grabbed another save on Tuesday and with Brett Cecil and Steve Delabar nowhere to be found last night in a 2-1 game, it’s safe to say the asterisk can be removed.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Delabar | Cecil.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — Jason Grilli has pitched in three straight, and Johnson got a crucial night off on Tuesday.
2. Hector Rondon/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Jason Motte threw 21 pitches during Tuesday’s doubleheader, while Rondon and Strop only appeared in one of the two tilts.
3. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla, who had a tired arm last week, has pitched in two straight. Romo struggled in his last outing, but is still the most likely to get the nod if Casilla is held out.

Jenrry Mejia returns from his PED suspension

July 7, 2015

Atlanta Braves — After a string of bad outings that culminated in an extra-inning disaster on Sunday against the Phillies, Nick Masset has been sent packing for Triple-A. Luis Avilan, who sports a sub-3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 10 holds, enters the hierarchy to replace Masset.

Updated hierarchy: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.

New York Mets — Jenrry Mejia returns from his 80-game Stanozolol suspension today; although he won’t challenge Jeurys Familia for the closer role, he should get his share of later-inning work.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Parnell | Mejia.

Washington Nationals — After the birth of his first child on Monday, David Carpenter will be out a few days on paternity leave. Matt Thornton and Blake Treinen could see increased usage in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Janssen | Thornton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — The last time Jason Grilli threw in back-to-back games, Jim Johnson got the next save opportunity.

Fernando Rodney enjoying a nice stretch; Roberto Osuna pulling away

July 6, 2015

Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney put two men on in the 9th inning, but managed to earn the save. Despite our continued whining about Lloyd McClendon’s refusal to give the job to Carson Smith, Rodney has been effective lately, and Sunday was his 9th straight scoreless appearance. His ratios are still pretty bad — he’s had 6 Ks and 5 BBs during his scoreless stretch — so the wheels could fall off again at any moment. But he’s likely to continue to get chances if he continues to put up zeroes.

Hierarchy remains: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Logan Verrett picked up a three-inning save in a blowout on Sunday. Verrett has been solid, but he remains a longshot for holds at this point.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal had pitched in three straight, so Kevin Siegrist filled in on Sunday, earning his fourth save. The Vulture Save Watch snags another one.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.

Toronto Blue Jays – On a day when no other Toronto reliever pitched particularly well, Roberto Osuna picked up his third save of the year. The four-out save came a day after Steve Delabar — his prime competition for the closer role — got roughed up. One more save and we might be ready to get rid of Osuna’s asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Osuna | Delabar | Cecil.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in back to back games and three of four.