July 24, 2020
Baltimore Orioles — Presumed Baltimore saves leader Hunter Harvey was placed on the injured list with elbow soreness. He’ll be out at least one week. Old friend Mychal Givens likely gets the crack at the gig out of the gate.
Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Bleier | Armstrong.
* = closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants — Tyler Rogers was thrust into action in a 1-1 game in the seventh inning Thursday night against the Dodgers, a sign that manager Gabe Kapler has confidence in the 29-year-old submariner. That confidence could be shaken a bit after Rogers allowed four runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. It’s far too early to draw any conclusions about what the late-inning hierarchy looks like yet, especially with Kapler as manager, but take the use of Rogers in a high-leverage situation as a good sign he belongs in this group.
Hierarchy remains: *Watson | Anderson | Rogers.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — Throughout the longest offseason in big league history, Giovanny Gallegos was assumed to be the top option at closer for the Cardinals, but he missed most of summer camp for undisclosed reasons. He’ll reportedly join the team a few days into the season. The Cardinals only have 29 players on their Opening Day roster, so it appears that’s the team’s plan, too. We’ll slide Gallegos down one peg since he won’t be ready right away.
Updated hierarchy: Kim | Miller | Gallegos.
Colorado Rockies – Scott Oberg was a popular pick for teams looking to bet against Wade Davis making it all the way through the season as the Rockies’ closer. However, Oberg himself is beginning the shortened season on the IL with a lower back strain. Bud Black expressed confidence that he could count on both Jairo Diaz and Carlos Estevez in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Diaz | Estevez.
Texas Rangers — Rafael Montero, who arrived late at camp, has been placed on the 10-day injured list with elbow tendinitis. He was expected to be the primary setup man for Jose Leclerc. Look for Jesse Chavez to slide into the eighth-inning role.
Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Chavez | Goody.