September 6, 2014
Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica will now close for the Red Sox, with Koji Uehara taking a few days off, then returning to a non-closing role to work through his struggles. If all goes well, Uehara will apparently close again by the end of the month.
Updated hierarchy: Mujica | Tazawa | Uehara.
Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano blew his second straight save on Friday night. When manager Matt Williams was asked about Soriano as closer, he said “We need to address it.” Soriano has really struggled since the All-Star break, with an ERA of almost 7.00. If Williams decides to make a change we expect Clippard to get the first chance, but Storen is also an option as he has more closing experience.
Rafael Soriano to Hot Seat
Hierarchy remains: Soriano | Clippard | Storen.
Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen blew another save last night. He gave up three runs on five hits, while only recording one out. After Aaron Sanchez got the save on Wednesday, it sounds like manager John Gibbons told Janssen that Sanchez would get the save opportunities when he is available. Janssen then recorded the save on Thursday but wasn’t able to get it done yesterday. He could still be in the mix for saves, and we will leave him there for now, but if Sanchez gets the next save chance and converts it, that should confirm a change.
Casey Janssen to Hot Seat
Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.
Kansas City Royals — Super set-up man Wade Davis picked up his first save of the season yesterday. Davis struck out both batters that he faced with the tying run on second base. Greg Holland got the day off, as he has a minor triceps issue, and if he misses more time, Davis should continue to see the save chances.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.
Houston Astros – Tony Sipp recorded his third save of the season last night, as he pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four batters.
Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.
Los Angeles Angels – Kevin Jepsen got the save in extra innings last night. Huston Street and Joe Smith had already pitched so Jepsen was left to finish the game. Jepsen lowered his ERA to under 2.00 for the season but still remains behind Street and Smith for save chances.
Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Jepsen.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays – It sounds like Sanchez could be the closer whenever he is available, and he hasn’t pitched in two days while Janssen blew the save last night.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland is dealing with a triceps injury that the team is calling minor but if he can’t go today, Davis should get the call again.
3. Tyler Clippard/Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – The Nats could give Clippard or Storen a shot after Soriano blew the save yesterday.