April 8, 2016
Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies are now 0-3 after Thursday’s loss, and although there was no save chance, the closer situation became even murkier. After the game, manager Pete Mackanin said he was thinking about using Jeanmar Gomez in a save opportunity: “I was thinking about Gomez. We’re auditioning. We’ve got to find out. It’s a daily question. Why not Gomez? Let’s see what he can do.” Later he called the situation “up for grabs” and a “toss-up.” This kind of uncertainty is not what fantasy managers want to hear. Either way, it could be worth snatching up the new leader in the majors’ most volatile committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Gomez | Hinojosa | Hernandez.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — The Rangers have three losses, each credited to a member of their beleaguered bullpen. Shawn Tolleson, whose grip on the ninth inning weakens every day, allowed a walk-off, bases-loaded single to Albert Pujols Thursday night. That run was charged to Sam Dyson, who took the loss but pitched pretty well, escaping a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the eighth inning. Jeff Bannister doesn’t blame Tolleson or anyone else in the Rangers pen for the struggles, saying after the game, “I felt like our bullpen threw the ball very well.” Yeah, okay. For now, there are no changes to the hierarchy…
Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Dyson | Kela.
Houston Astros — What happened to Ken Giles? A consensus top-five closer before the season, he was relegated to setup duty after a rough spring, a move that took him by surprise. After allowing a run in one inning against New York earlier this week, Giles came on in a tie game on Thursday with a runner on first in the seventh. He gave up a single and a three-run homer, ballooning his early ERA to 16.20. The home run allowed — his second of the year — matches his total for all of 2015.
Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Giles | Neshek.
Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton got a night off after throwing 26 pitches in Wednesday’s game, leaving the save opportunity for the excellent Darren O’Day, who struck out the side.
Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Givens.
New York Yankees — Andrew Miller fought through the pain from a chip fracture in his non-pitching hand and picked up his first save of the season, working around two singles. Despite his injury, he’ll man the closer role until Aroldis Chapman returns from his domestic violence-related suspension.
Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Shreve.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dalier Hinojosa/David Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies — Mackanin says Gomez is the next guy up for a save opportunity. He probably is, but Mackanin says a lot of things. Keep an eye on this situation.