Ernesto Frieri back to being primary closer, Chia-Jen Lo picks up save

August 25, 2013

Los Angeles Angels – Mike Scioscia said yesterday that Ernesto Frieri will go back to being the primary closer.  Scioscia said that Dane de la Rosa may still get the occasional save but it looks like Frieri will be the guy moving forward. Hierarchy change: Ernesto Frieri to Closer, Dane de la Rosa to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/25/13

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Houston Astros – Chia-Jen Lo picked up his second save of the season on Saturday night.  Since the Veras trade the Astros have alternated between Josh Fields and Lo. Fields picked up saves on 8/5 and 8/14 and Lo picked up saves on 8/13 and 8/24.  Both guys are worth owning right now if you are desperate for saves and the next couple save opportunities could clarify whether or not one of these guys will become the primary closer.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields8/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chia-Jen Lo, Houston Astros – Josh Fields has pitched in two straight and Lo could get the save on any night.

Ernesto Frieri and Jim Johnson close to winning their jobs back

August 24, 2013

Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson picked up the save on Friday night as he pitched a perfect inning with 1 strikeout.  Right now it looks like both Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson are worth owning.  If Jim Johnson is able to string together a couple good outings he should reclaim his role as closer.  However, with the Orioles in the midst of a playoff chase they cannot afford any more blown saves from Johnson so if he struggles in his next outing, Tommy Hunter could continue to see save opportunities. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/24/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri struck out the side on Friday for his 27th save of the season.  Mike Scioscia has not come out and anointed Frieri his closer again but with five straight scoreless outings, he should be very close to getting his job back as the full time closer. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAADane de la RosaErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/24/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in four straight.
2. Ernesto Frieri, Los Angeles Angels – Dane de la Rosa and Ernesto Frieri are sharing the closing duties.
3. Jim Johnson, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson got the save last night and could get the call again tonight.

Edward Mujica dealing with nagging injuries; Rex Brothers closing again

August 23, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica, who has been pressed into several 2-inning outings over the past several weeks, is dealing with some nagging injuries, including a sore back and dead arm.  The Cardinals think he’ll be OK, but Mujica owners might want to add Trevor Rosenthal just in case.  In deeper leagues, the hard-throwing righty certainly won’t hurt, as he boasts among the most strikeouts of any reliever in baseball.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalKevin SiegristJason Motte8/23/13

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New York Yankees – As mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch, David Robertson picked up a save in Mariano Rivera’s absence on Thursday.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson8/23/13

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Cincinnati Reds – Despite listing two Cincinnati relievers in the Vulture Save Watch space yesterday, we missed on the Reds one-night closer, as Sam LeCure got the call in the 9th inning.  Before the game, it was revealed that Jonathan Broxton was experiencing forearm soreness, and is likely out for the season.  J.J. Hoover, meanwhile, got the night off after pitching in three straight, leaving the job to LeCure, who may see more late-inning work with Broxton out.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to Set-up, Sam LeCure to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJ.J. HooverSam LeCureJonathan Broxton8/23/13

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Washington Nationals – Drew Storen picked up an extra inning save on Thursday night.  Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
WASRafael SorianoTyler ClippardDrew StorenRafael Soriano8/23/13

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Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt left Thursday’s game with an elbow injury and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Rex Brothers will resume closing in his place.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRex Brothers8/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in three straight and on six of the last seven days, while Nate Jones has pitched three innings over the last two days.
2. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Both Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have pitched in three straight.

Rex Brothers re-inherits closer role after Betancourt leaves with injury

August 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt left Thursday’s game with an elbow injury and is likely headed back to the disabled list.  Rex Brothers will resume closing in his place.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRex Brothers8/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

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Rafael Betancourt could be on a short leash; Tommy Hunter picks up save

August 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt’s third outing since returning from the DL ended in a blown save.  Betancourt has been reliable all year, and had posted two scoreless appearances since his return.  But he’s also 38 years old, and the Rockies are well out of the playoff race.  With Rex Brothers flourishing in Betancourt’s absence, the Rockies might not need much incentive to turn the keys over to their future closer.  Rafael Betancourt to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt8/22/13

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Detroit Tigers – Jose Veras got the last out of the 8th inning in a three-run game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the Tigers put the game out of reach.  He picked up his 20th save of the season in the process, but is not a threat to Joaquin Benoit.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras8/22/13

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Baltimore Orioles – In a wild 9th inning, Buck Showalter first left Darren O’Day on the mound to try to get the first out, and then yanked him in favor of Brian Matusz after the submariner allowed the first runner to reach.  Matusz walked the only hitter he faced before being pulled in favor of Tommy Hunter, who worked his way through the remainder of the inning to earn the save.  Postgame, Showalter gave no endorsement to embattled closer Jim Johnson, saying the Orioles would do what they could to win the rest of the way.  Given Hunter’s successful outing tonight, he’s probably the best player to add, though Francisco Rodriguez, Matusz, O’Day, and Johnson could all be in the mix.  Hierarchy change: Tommy Hunter to Closer, Jim Johnson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezJim Johnson8/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in back to back games and on five of the last six days.
2. J.J. Hoover/Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 35 pitches in a two-inning appearance last night.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera pitched in both ends of Tuesday’s doubleheader, and also picked up a save last night.