Brad Boxberger tightens his hold in Tampa; Andrew Miller on the rise for the Yankees

April 11, 2015

Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour entered in the fifth inning of Friday’s game with the Rays down seven, a solid indication that he’s not the first choice for high-leverage setup work in Tampa. Kevin Cash has also shown no indication that he’s using a closer committee, with Brad Boxberger getting enough endgame opportunities to shed his asterisk. Boxberger should have another three weeks in the role before Jake McGee returns.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.

Kansas City Royals — After initially saying that Greg Holland would be available, Ned Yost changed his mind and said that “common sense” dictated that Holland not pitch on three straight days so early in the season. Pitching coach Dave Eiland was apparently behind the decision. In Holland’s absence, Wade Davis struck out the side to earn an early vulture save.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Miami Marlins — It’s been a rough start to the season for Steve Cishek; the sidearmer gave up four runs in a Tuesday blowout, then blew Friday’s save in an outing that nonetheless brought his ERA back under 100. After the game, Cishek speculated that the team’s struggles may have been the result of “Zombie Night,” although the last time we checked, Kevin Gregg was pitching for Cincinnati.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Dunn | Ramos.

Minnesota Twins — Lefty Brian Duensing came on to face a lefty to close the eighth, with Minnesota up three runs. When the Twins scored three more in the top half of the ninth, he stayed on to finish the game, earning an unusual save.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman has pitched on three straight days, and four of the last five.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger has pitched on three of the last four days.
3. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — This is a committee anyway — one that seems to be leaning in Miller’s direction — and Dellin Betances threw 25 pitches Friday and 32 on Wednesday.

Weekly Hot Seat Update: April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

After elbow injuries to Joe Nathan and Jenrry Mejia and the recent demotion of Brett Cecil, three of the shakiest closers in the game have already been replaced. Who starts the season on the hot seat? And who stands to benefit if they falter?

5. Miguel Castro
Koji Uehara‘s impending return means that we didn’t even consider Edward Mujica for this spot. Instead it goes to the putative head of the brand-new Toronto closer committee: 20-year-old future starter Castro, whose right elbow (and its single tendon) was expected to start the season at Class A Dunedin. Castro’s rapid rise makes for a great story, but if he falters, it’ll be simple for the Jays to try out fellow youngster Roberto Osuna or return to Cecil.

4. LaTroy Hawkins
The 42-year-old already has his first blown save of the season, and PECOTA predicts that he’ll give up almost as many runs this year (36) as he earns strikeouts (43). Not exactly a recipe to lower a manager’s blood pressure. Walt Weiss can turn to Adam Ottavino, John Axford, or (when he gets back to the majors) perpetual “closer of the future” Rex Brothers.

3. Jason Grilli
Stepping into Craig Kimbrel’s golden cleats is the 38-year-old Grilli, who has an extensive history of injuries, and an apparently revitalized Jim Johnson lurking behind him. The Braves will give him the first shot at the job, but they’ll move on in a hurry if he performs like he did last season in Pittsburgh.

2. Dellin Betances
Betances, one of the breakout stars of 2014, struggled all through spring training, and hasn’t been much better now that the games count. Although the righty seems to have regained his missing velocity, control problems continue to plague him. He’s already in a platoon situation with lefty Andrew Miller, who’s a real threat to take the job and make it his own.

1. Chris Hatcher
Converted catcher Hatcher got the Dodgers’ first save of the year, but he might not be in line for too many more after getting blasted in a tied ninth inning on Tuesday. Joel Peralta, Hatcher’s main competition for the job in Kenley Jansen‘s absence, may have had a rough 2014, but he’s posted a consistently above-average WHIP and K rate over the last five years — and his first two outings so far this year have been scoreless, earning him a win and a save.

Miguel Castro gets first Blue Jays save; Koji Uehara back Monday?

April 10, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays — On the day Brett Cecil was demoted from the closer job, new committee head Miguel Castro mowed down the Yankees in the ninth to earn his first career save. A righty, the 6-5 Castro retired three Yankee lefthanded batters in Stephen Drew, Didi Gregorius and Jacoby Ellsbury. Roberto Osuna, Toronto’s other 20-year-old phenom, handled his business in the sixth and seventh, and Cecil responded to his new role encouragingly, with an effective eighth.

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

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox haven’t had a save situation yet, but fans and owners pining for the return of Koji Uehara may not have to wait much longer. Uehara has a scheduled relief outing for Single-A Greenville on Friday, and manager John Farrell said the team isn’t ruling out a possible return to the big club after just the one rehab outing. Because Uehara’s hamstring injury “wasn’t arm-related,” as Farrell put it, we’re pretty comfortable with the expectation that Uehara will be back for the team’s home opener on Monday. As a side note, current closer Edward Mujica got some work in during the 9th inning of the team’s 6-2 win over the Phillies Thursday night.

Hierarchy remains: Mujica | Ogando | Tazawa.

New York Mets — Pitching in a non-save situation Thursday, Jeurys Familia allowed two hits and a run in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 6-3 win. Manager Terry Collins said before the game Thursday that Familia would not be the team’s exclusive closer, but will be “the guy” once he “can get lefties out in certain situations.” Confusingly, Collins finished by saying, “Right now Jeurys is going to close.” In case you were wondering, lefties hit .293 against Familia last season, but the two hits he allowed Thursday were to righties (Ian Desmond and Reed Johnson). It’s safe to say Familia is still the guy until Mejia returns.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Torres | Montero.

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers acquired righty reliever Ryan Webb from the Orioles Thursday. Webb was recently designated for assignment, but has a career 3.38 ERA and gives LA some much-needed bullpen depth. Webb has never recorded a save, but could conceivably enter a game in the late innings if Chris Hatcher or Joel Peralta falter. His situation is worth watching.

Hierarchy remains: *Hatcher | Peralta | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — Miller remains in a committee situation and could be in line for a save if the matchup against his former team, the Red Sox, is right.
2. Joel Peralta, Los Angeles Dodgers — In another committee, Chris Hatcher and Peralta have each recorded a save. Don Mattingly could turn to Peralta again in the right situation.

Brett Cecil demoted; Miguel Castro could take over

April 9, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – A night after an 8th-inning shellacking at the hands of the Yankees, Brett Cecil was informed that he’d be given a little time off from closing, and would instead be used in the 7th and 8th innings. John Gibbons hasn’t explicitly named a replacement, though Miguel Castro appears to be the leading candidate. Roberto Osuna could potentially factor in as well.

Updated hierarchy: *Castro | Osuna | Cecil.
*closer-by-committee

Nathan to DL; Vulture Saves highlight busy night

April 9, 2015

Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan is heading to the DL with an elbow flexor strain. Joakim Soria will close in his absence, though Nathan will get the job back when he returns, said Brad Ausmus. Ausmus mentioned Joba Chamberlain and Ian Krol as 8th-inning candidates.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.

New York Yankees – Dellin Betances’ struggles carried over from spring, as he entered the game with the Yankees down by one to face the heart of the order in the eighth inning. He left after giving up a run, but earned a vulture win after Aaron Loup and Brett Cecil combined to give up three runs in the eighth. Andrew Miller earned his first save of the season, saying afterwards that he was comfortable as a co-closer. It’s too early to call this a shift at the top of the Yankees’ committee, as Betances was brought in to face three dangerous righties in a close game, and Miller fell into a save due to the implosion by Toronto’s bullpen. However, the early returns are leaning towards Miller, and you should not hesitate to pick him up if he is somehow still available.

Hierarchy remains: *Betances | Miller | Carpenter.
*closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – As was predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, it was Joel Peralta who got the call to close out a two-run game. Peralta was the only reliever that did not pitch yesterday, so it could be that it was simply his turn in the committee, but it is hard to ignore the disaster outing Hatcher had Tuesday. This is still a committee, but Peralta is worth a pickup if he is available after the past couple days.

Hierarchy remains: *Hatcher | Peralta | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – John Axford got the save in the 10th inning after Latroy Hawkins blew his bid in the ninth. Adam Ottavino had already pitched, but Axford is a former closer, and that experience could get him some more high leverage spots in the future.

Hierarchy remains: Hawkins | Ottavino | Logan.

Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles struggled with his control in his 2015 debut, walking three and giving up a pair of unearned runs. However, the story of the night was Jonathan Papelbon, who bailed out Giles to get a four-out save. Afterwards he had some fun with the press, which included his best Randy Moss impression. All this serves to highlight his rift with the Philadelphia front office, which could lead to a trade if the right buyer comes along.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees – Miller looked sharp in his first save opportunity and may get another shot sooner rather than later after a tough outing for Dellin Betances on Wednesday.