Arodys Vizcaino could close if Jim Johnson is dealt

July 13, 2015

Atlanta Braves – With Jim Johnson serving as the Braves closer, it’s looking like the recently called up Arodys Vizcaino is now the primary handcuff in Atlanta. A few years back, Vizcaino was a highly-regarded prospect with a 101-mph fastball. But he experienced several setbacks — Tommy John surgery, elbow surgery, and a PED suspension — and it’s taken him a while to get back to this level. Still, he could be a good speculative add. With the Braves slowly falling out of the playoff race, they could look to trade Johnson for prospects.

Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Vizcaino | Aardsma.

San Francisco Giants – Hard-throwing lefty Josh Osich has been in the big leagues 10 days, but is already turning heads in San Francisco. The former sixth round pick, who has a college no-hitter on his resume, has now logged six scoreless, hitless outings thus far, with the latest coming Sunday, when he got out of a tight situation in the 7th and stayed on for the 8th ahead of Santiago Casilla. Look for him to share 7th inning duties with Hunter Strickland after the break.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Jim Johnson to close in Atlanta after Jason Grilli’s injury

July 12, 2015

Atlanta Braves — As we feared last night, Jason Grilli suffered a left Achilles rupture on Saturday night and will miss the rest of the season. Jim Johnson will be the new closer for the Braves, with Luis Avilan, David Aardsma, and Arodys Vizcaino backing him up.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Avilan | Aardsma.

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers signed Neftali Feliz after his release by Texas and immediately used him in the eighth inning of a four-run loss. Feliz delivered a scoreless inning and was throwing in the mid- to high-90s. Brad Ausmus said that Feliz, like the rest of Detroit’s non-Joakim Soria relievers, would not have any set role going forward, and that although he would try to ease Feliz into high-leverage work, he wouldn’t be afraid to trust him with it down the road.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.

Toronto Blue Jays — Bo Schultz, former right fielder for Brooklyn beer league softball powerhouse Turkey’s Nest (“Motto: gobble, gobble, gobble”), has risen from walk-on outfielder at Northwestern and Men’s Journal summer intern to late-inning stalwart for the Blue Jays. On Saturday, Schultz protected a one-run lead in the eighth against Kansas City.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Delabar | Schultz.

Cincinnati Reds — The Reds suffered through their worst inning in 54 years and Manny Parra took much of the damage, facing five batters and allowing all five to reach on hits and score. Parra’s ERA rose from 1.65 to 4.41 as a result.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Parra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street is unavailable through the All-Star break.

Jim Johnson to close after seemingly serious injury to Jason Grilli

July 11, 2015

Atlanta Braves – Jason Grilli had to be carted off the field after injuring himself on an attempt to cover first. There’s speculation that it could be an Achilles tendon injury; either way, Jim Johnson appears to be a must-add right now.

Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Avilan | Aardsma.

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Tigers’ bullpen implodes, Boxberger bounces back

July 11, 2015

Detroit Tigers – It was an ugly night for the Tigers’ bullpen on Friday.  Bruce Rondon came on to get the last out of the 8th inning and then came back to try and close out a five run lead.  He allowed three hits, while only getting one out, and the Tigers decided it was time to bring in their closer.  Soria walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, and then hit the next batter to bring in a run.  After a single drove in two more, Brian Dozier came up and hit a walk-off homer.   As a result of Friday night’s debacle, Soria’s ERA jumped over a full run to 3.38 and Rondon’s ERA sits at 10.50.  In other news, former Tigers’ setup man Joba Chamberlain was released on Friday and is now a free agent.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger bounced back from losses in his past two appearances, including giving up a walk-off grand slam, to record his 21st save yesterday.  Boxberger owners were happy to see that his recent struggles don’t appear to have impacted his status as closer, but Jake McGee, and his sixteen straight scoreless appearances, is still lurking.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched in three straight
2. LaTroy Hawkins, Colorado Rockies – John Axford has also pitched in three straight, including a 31 pitch outing on Wednesday
3. Bruce Rondon/Al Alburquerque, Detroit Tigers – Soria blew the save last night in epic fashion and will likely get the day off Saturday.  Rondon also had a rough outing on Friday so if the Tigers want to give him a break as well, Alburquerque could get the call.
4. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street will be unavailable until the All-Star break.

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.