April 19, 2017
Washington Nationals – Blake Treinen and his 7.11 ERA struggled again on Tuesday, recording only one out while walking two and giving up two hits. One of those walks brought in a run and led to Dusty Baker calling on Shawn Kelley to get the save. After the game, Baker said he is considering a change at closer, with Kelley the likely replacement. We should find out Wednesday who will be the new Washington closer.
Updated hierarchy: Treinen | Kelley | Glover.
Chicago Cubs — So much for writing off Hector Rondon. He began the eighth inning with a one-run lead and retired the side in order thanks to a pair of strikeouts. Rondon has not allowed an earned run over his last four appearances, striking out five over 3.2 IP. In fact, he’s only allowed two hits in 23 at-bats en route to a 1.42 ERA. We’ll reward him and his new delivery with a spot back in the hierarchy, for now at least.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Uehara | Rondon.
Los Angeles Angels – Bud Norris – yes, the Bud Norris that was the Astros’ opening-day starter in 2013 – has pitched well over his last four appearances, including a seventh-inning hold against his former club on Tuesday. During that four-game stretch (5.2 IP), Norris has struck out six and allowed just three hits. Expect him to keep getting high-leverage work ahead of Cam Bedrosian in a beleaguered Angels’ bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Bedrosian | Parker | Norris.
Tampa Bay Rays – Danny Farquhar got the seventh inning on Tuesday in a Rays win, and with Erasmo Ramirez expected to start on Thursday, Farquhar has entered the late-innings conversation in Tampa.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Cedeno | Farquhar.
Oakland A’s — Santiago Casilla picked up his second save of the season on Tuesday. It was just the third save total for the A’s this season, with Sean Doolittle having picked up the other one. That’s not a lot of saves.
Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Casilla | Madson.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Blake Parker – Cam Bedrosian threw 26 pitches in a six-out save on Tuesday, so he may get a night off, though the Angels do have Thursday off.
2. Trevor Rosenthal – Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in two straight games, tossing 46 pitches in the process.
Thursday
1. Jeurys Familia/Fernando Salas – Familia’s 15-day suspension for domestic abuse ends on Thursday. It remains to be seen if he’ll get a save chance right away, but with the chance for the Mets’ bullpen to get another heavy day of work on Wednesday, Terry Collins may want to throw Familia right into the fire.
2. Hector Neris – Joaquin Benoit will have pitched in two straight and four of five if he makes an appearance on Wednesday.
3. Trevor Rosenthal – If for some reason Oh gets the call on Wednesday, there is no way he’d pitch in a fourth straight contest.