Jeurys Familia will be out for the next few games

June 20, 2015

New York Mets — Jeurys Familia entered Friday night’s game with the team behind in the eighth, and exited with an apparent injury. After the game, Terry Collins called it a cramp, but Familia said it was “left groin tightness” that might keep him out for the next few days.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

New York Yankees — Since Chris Martin returned from the disabled list eight days back, he’s been hit hard, yielding five runs and eight hits in three appearances. As a result, the Yankees announced today that they and the big righthander will consciously uncouple, with New York moving on to young Brian Mitchell, and Martin riding the rails to Scranton to try his luck with the IronPigs of Lehigh Valley. Nobody said it was easy. But no one ever said it would be this hard.

Updated hierarchy: Betances | Wilson | Shreve.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Although Addison Reed has been fairly effective since being demoted, Chip Hale continues to use Daniel Hudson as his number two reliever.

Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Hudson | Reed.

Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar threw only three strikes on Friday, but they were enough to get the Blue Jays out of the eighth inning on their way to victory. Hitters have a paltry .100 average against Delabar, who has allowed only two earned runs in 15 appearances.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Osuna | Delabar.

Washington Nationals — Former Yankee David Carpenter has paid immediate dividends in the Nationals bullpen, giving the team four straight scoreless appearances — the most recent in the eighth inning ahead of Drew Storen on Friday night. The Nats, who became familiar with Carpenter during his successful tenure with their NL East foes in Atlanta, hope that he can regain some of his former glory.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Janssen | Carpenter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets — Familia could be unavailable for at least the rest of the weekend.
2. Kevin Jepsen/Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — You know the routine with these guys. Brad Boxberger has the last two saves, so it’s time to share the wealth.
3. Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays — Brett Cecil needed 32 pitches to get through Friday’s save.
4. Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith is still in a committee.

Trevor Rosenthal ready to close again; Fernando Rodney on the ascent

June 19, 2015

Tampa Bay Rays — The committee chugs along in Tampa, where Brad Boxberger earned the save on Thursday night. Boxberger allowed a hit and struck out two in a complete ninth for the save, preceded by Jake McGee in a scoreless eighth, and Kevin Jepsen pitching around two hits and a walk in the seventh. We expect this committee to remain for the bulk of the season, with Boxberger still most likely to collect saves.

Hierarchy remains: *Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith has converted all three save opportunities since taking over the closer’s role, but manager Lloyd McClendon is still worried about Smith’s durability, and said on Wednesday that old closer Fernando Rodney, or a combination of Rodney and others, would get the call when and if Smith is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Rodney | Lowe.

Cleveland Indians — Bryan Shaw picked up his first save on Thursday night, but there’s nothing wrong with closer Cody Allen. During a long rain delay, manager Terry Francona had a lot of time to consider how to handle a bases-loaded threat in a tied fifth inning. Francona turned to Allen in the most pivotal moment of the game, and he got a fly out to end the danger, then followed with a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth. Zach McAllister then tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, leaving Shaw with the opportunity in the ninth. It’s safe to say this game featured some strange circumstances, and that Allen is still Francona’s man.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | McAllister | Shaw.

Colorado Rockies — Righty Brooks Brown was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, and Scott Oberg (5.55 ERA) had his second awful outing in three games, allowing three runs in an inning on Thursday night. So, who should slot in after John Axford in one of the worst bullpens in the major leagues? Mike Hampton? Pedro Astacio? Jose Jimenez? We’ll go with Boone Logan — who leads the team in holds (13) and averages 11.2 K/9 — and former closer LaTroy Hawkins, who tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Thursday. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Tommy Kahnle, who has impressed since his major league callup on June 1.

Updated hierarchy: Axford | Logan | Hawkins.

St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal said after Wednesday night’s game that he feels he’s ready to return to closing, and on Thursday night, it appeared that was going to be the case. In a 1-0 game in the eighth inning, manager Mike Matheny sent Kevin Siegrist — who picked up a couple saves when Rosenthal was hurt — to the mound, while Rosenthal warmed up in the bullpen. Siegrist allowed the game-tying home run, though, so he earned the blown save and Rosenthal never got into the game. The Cardinals eventually lost when Kennys Vargas hacked a walkoff HR off Carlos Villanueva.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.

Kansas City Royals — The last time we saw Greg Holland, he couldn’t record an out, and Wade Davis, the Robin to his Batman, was called on to convert the save. Holland returned with a vengeance Thursday night, earning the save while striking out two. Davis backed him up with a clean eighth.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon has earned saves on three straight nights, so he may be unavailable Friday.
2. Pedro Strop/Jason Motte, Chicago Cubs — Joe Maddon could turn to Strop, Motte, or Hector Rondon on any given night, depending on the matchup.
3. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger got the turn Thursday night, but keep an eye on Jake McGee, who also has three saves this year.

Chris Hatcher hits DL; Orioles, Brewers see changes

June 18, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — The injury struggles continue for the Dodgers, as Chris Hatcher was put on the DL, retroactive to Monday, with a strained oblique. Help may be on the way soon, as Joel Peralta, Brandon League, Paco Rodriguez and Pedro Baez are all on rehab assignments, but until then look for the banged up J.P. Howell to fill in as the emergency option in the Dodgers bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Garcia | Howell.

Baltimore Orioles — Chaz Roe finished the 7th inning ahead of Zach Britton on Wednesday. Nobody is racking up the holds in Baltimore, but Roe has been very impressive since joining the club, sporting a tidy 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP thanks to a great slider as well as a strong sinker. His 17 strikeouts and four walks have helped him edge out Tommy Hunter, who has had an up and down year.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Roe.

Milwaukee Brewers — Will Smith bailed out Jonathan Broxton, finishing the 8th inning for him, presumably while reminding Broxton that if you wanna ball with the kid, you should watch your step in case you fall trying to do what he did. Broxton has had a miserable season, and this latest outing ran his ERA to 7.20. Meanwhile, Jeremy Jeffress has taken the 8th inning ahead of K-Rod twice in the last week. While Broxton has the always valuable “closing experience” to fall back on, his dismal numbers would need to improve before he could really be considered ahead of Smith or Jeffress at this point.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Smith | Jeffress.

Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush got the call to start the 9th inning in a two-run game, but Lloyd McClendon was simply playing the matchups, as he yanked Furbush after he got the lefties in the lineup out. Carson Smith struck out the only batter he faced to snag an easy save. Smith continues to lead the Seattle committee, but this could easily have been Furbush’s save had the last batter been a lefty.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Lowe | Furbush.

Texas Rangers – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Keone Kela who converted the save chance for the Rangers last night as Shawn Tolleson needed a night off.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Kela | Scheppers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has posted back-to-back 17-pitch outings.
2. Blaine Boyer, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins tossed 29 pitches on Wednesday.
3. Justin Wilson, New York Yankees – Dellin Betances may need a night off after a five-out save on Wednesday.
4. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – With the Rays in a committee, McGee may get the next call for a save.

Trevor Rosenthal remains day-to-day; Bobby Parnell is back

June 17, 2015

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal was held out once again because of tightness in his pitching arm, meaning Kevin Siegrist grabbed another save. Rosenthal remains day-to-day and said after the game that he’s feeling better, while manager Mike Matheny said that a DL stint is not part of the plan. That’s good news for the Best Hackers In Baseball, because Rosenthal leads the National League in saves.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.

New York Mets — As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, old friend Bobby Parnell got the call for the Mets on Tuesday, recording an impressive five-out save, his first since July 13, 2013. Jeurys Familia desperately needed a night off, and he may see another night of rest after throwing 87 pitches over the last six days.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

Texas Rangers – While we officially named Shawn Tolleson the Texas closer on May 25, manager Jeff Banister waited until June 16 to finally call the right-hander just that. How did Tolleson respond? By preserving a 2-2 tie and picking up the win after the Rangers scored in the bottom half of the 9th. Banister did reiterate that the innings leading up to Tolleson in the 9th will be “all hands on deck.”

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Kela | Scheppers.

Oakland Athletics – Former starter Drew Pomeranz has joined the Oakland bullpen and picked up his second hold in as many chances on Tuesday. He’s moved past Eric O’Flaherty, who sports an 8.38 ERA and no holds since April 14.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Scribner | Pomeranz.

Houston Astros – If the Astros protected passwords as well as Luke Gregerson protected leads, they wouldn’t have so many security breaches! Gregerson recorded his 17th save of the year and his second straight in as many chances, bouncing back well after a bad blown save almost 10 days ago.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Neshek | Qualls.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hansel Robles, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia could use another night of rest and Bobby Parnell threw 25 pitches last night.
2. Keone Kela/Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson has pitched in three straight and four of the last five.
3. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres – Craig Kimbrel has appeared in three of the last four games, including a 26-pitch outing last night.
4. Kevin Siegrist/Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals – With Trevor Rosenthal day-to-day and Kevin Siegrist having pitched each of the last two games, Seth Maness may get the call on Wednesday.

Trevor Rosenthal hurting; Greg Holland’s struggles continue

June 16, 2015

St. Louis Cardinals – Up one run in the 9th, Kevin Siegrist slammed the door for the Cards, picking up his second save of the year. After the game, Mike Matheny told reporters that closer Trevor Rosenthal has been experiencing “tightness” in his throwing arm. While Rosenthal has not been placed on the DL and remains the closer in St. Louis, owners desperate for saves may want to pick up Siegrist, who has been phenomenal this year.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.

Kansas City Royals – Royals closer Greg Holland made a mess of the 9th inning against the Brewers last night, giving up four hits and three runs without recording an out before getting yanked. Uber-handcuff Wade Davis bailed out Holland for his 8th save of the year. Royals manager Ned Yost blamed himself for Holland’s struggles, noting that he has not used Holland in six games. For his part, Holland said he has never felt better, though he’s still got some really ugly ratios (13 Ks vs 10 BBs) this season.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds placed Tony Cingrani on the 15-day DL on Monday. The left-hander has struggled recently and an MRI confirmed swelling in his pitching shoulder. Fellow left-hander Manny Parra will replace Cingrani in our hierarchy. While a LOOGY, Parra has a sterling 0.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the season. Also expect Ryan Mattheus to pick up some more holds.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Hoover | Parra.

Miami Marlins – Carter Capps has been used in very high-leverage situations recently, including pitching the 8th inning in last night’s one-run game against the Yankees, striking out the side and picking up his third hold of the year. With the Marlins mixing and matching in the late innings, we think Capps has the best chance of running with the set-up man job. Sam Dyson, meanwhile, has been used more sparingly of late, and will bow out of our hierarchy for now.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Capps | Dunn.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia has thrown 87 pitches in the last 5 days, including 29 in a mess of an outing last night.
2. Keone Kela/Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Shawn Tolleson has pitched in the last 3 out of 4 games for the Rangers, including 2 straight.
3. Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays bullpen has been worked-over recently, with Osuna avoiding the brunt of the workload.
4. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Siegrist is the best bet for another save chance if Trevor Rosenthal needs another day off.