September 1, 2017
Pittsburgh Pirates –The Pirates placed top setup man Juan Nicasio (a free agent at season’s end) on waivers, where he was claimed right away by the league-worst Phillies on his 31st birthday. Pirates GM Neal Huntington released an extremely candid statement explaining the move. The Pirates didn’t want to trade him to a rival even though a deal was on the table, so instead of getting a marginal return, they placed him on waivers hoping an AL team would pick him up. When the cross-state Phillies, who are also out of contention, nabbed him, the Pirates just let him go. Cost savings were also a consideration, as was the team’s desire to allow younger arms the chance to shine in the late innings. Lithuanian Dovydas Neverauskas may be one of those young pitchers to get a shot. As for Felipe Rivero, he wasn’t happy with the move.
Updated hierarchy: Rivero | Schugel | Neverauskas.
Philadelphia Phillies — Claiming Nicasio while being out of contention is a puzzling move for the Phillies, too. They’re on the hook for the remaining $600,000 and are in line for the top pick in next year’s draft as long as they continue to lose…which will be harder now that they have a better bullpen. There were reports the Phillies may have instead wanted to trade him, but they didn’t do so. By default, Nicasio will likely be a factor for the Phillies in the late innings, if that’s how manager Pete Mackanin chooses to play it.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Nicasio.
St. Louis Cardinals — The sad season continues for former setup man Kevin Siegrist. He was designated for assignment Thursday. He pitched to a 4.98 ERA over 39 appearances this year after being one of the top setup men in the game over the previous two campaigns. Meanwhile, Seung Hwan Oh picked up the save Thursday night, giving him the team’s two saves in Trevor Rosenthal’s absence. One more save and we’ll make that asterisk absent, too.
Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Lyons | Brebbia.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — The Nationals are due to call up reliever Enny Romero when rosters expand Friday. He had been on a rehab assignment after going on the disabled list in early August. He’ll certainly factor into the late-inning plans for the new-look bullpen, but we’ll have to wait to see where he lines up in the pecking order.
Hierarchy remains: Doolittle | Kintzler | Albers.
Houston Astros – Here’s a reminder that the Astros are off Friday as they return home to flood-ravaged Houston. If you’re in a daily update league you can slide Ken Giles or Chris Devenski (or whoever you have) out for a night. They’ll play a doubleheader this weekend to make up for the missed game. Oh, and in non-bullpen news, the Astros traded for future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander late Thursday night.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Harris.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Taylor Rogers – Matt Belisle has pitched in two of three and three of five, throwing 56 pitches (41 the last three days).
Saturday:
1. Anthony Swarzak/Jacob Barnes – Corey Knebel has pitched in two straight, as has Anthony Swarzak. Friday appearances for either hurler would likely rule them out for Saturday. If both pitch Friday, Jacob Barnes could get a shot at a save Saturday if the opportunity presents itself.