September 23, 2015
Kansas City Royals – Manager Ned Yost announced on Tuesday that Wade Davis will close for the Royals for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Greg Holland will miss time with elbow soreness, and Yost doesn’t have a defined role for him right now. In the meantime, Yost said that Kelvin Herrera will get the 8th inning, with Ryan Madson, Luke Hochevar and Danny Duffy likely to all get some time in the 7th.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Herrera | Madson.
Detroit Tigers –After Bruce Rondon was sent home (and lunch was presumably cancelled) because of his “effort level,” Neftali Feliz got the first save chance on Tuesday and had a combined no-hitter on the line to boot. Feliz promptly blew the no-no and then blew the save before the Tigers won in the 10th. Both Feliz and Alex Wilson will handle save situations, with Wilson likely to get the next shot.
Updated hierarchy: *Wilson | Feliz | Hardy.
Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day collected his fourth save of the season on Tuesday, and after the game Zach Britton revealed that he is day-to-day with a sore left lat muscle. Britton said it’s not a longterm thing, but O’Day, who has been excellent all season, will get the 9th while Britton recovers.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
Los Angeles Angels — An MRI on Joe Smith’s ankle revealed just a sprain, and Smith hopes to pitch again this season as the Angels fight for a playoff spot. Trevor Gott and Huston Street combined to get four outs each and preserve the win on Tuesday. With Smith sidelined for the time being, Fernando Salas slides into the hierarchy behind Street and Gott.
Updated hierarchy: Street | Gott | Salas.
Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins is back, and he pitched out of an inherited jam on Tuesday to get the Twins out of the 8th inning with their two-run lead intact. Trevor May was unavailable with a lingering left hip/back issue, and the Twins are willing to let May “get it right” instead of rushing him back. Perkins now has three straight clean appearance since his cortisone shot, and with May potentially out a few more days, the former closer is in line for some more high-leverage work.
Updated hierarchy: Jepsen | Perkins | May.
St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal had pitched in back-to-back games, leading to Steve Cishek grabbing his fourth save of the season on Tuesday. Mike Matheny was encouraged by Cishek’s outing, and he may play a role in the late innings if Matheny rests some arms in a crowded bullpen, like he had to tonight with both Rosenthal and Jonathan Broxton needing a night off.
Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Broxton.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees – Andrew Miller needed 42 pitches after blowing the save and staying on for the win in Toronto on Tuesday.
2. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton is day-to-day with a sore left lat.