August 13, 2021
Baltimore Orioles — Tyler Wells returned from the injured list on Thursday and pitched a clean ninth inning in a two-run loss. Brandon Hyde says that he still intends to use Wells primarily in a closer role, so we’ll reinstate him to the head of the Baltimore committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Wells | Sulser | Tate.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — Chicago could have used Eddie Cicotte in the ninth (score another for the Vulture Ghost Watch?) at the amazing Field of Dreams game Thursday. After Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless eighth inning, Liam Hendriks was touched for four runs in the ninth to blow his sixth save, jacking his ERA up to 3.08. Could this finally nudge the White Sox to try Kimbrel in the ninth?
Hierarchy remains: *Hendriks | Kimbrel | Kopech.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Of course, the Yankees let Hendriks off the hook, giving him the cheapest win imaginable when Tim Anderson smashed a walk-off homer that sent the ball disappearing into the corn fields and gave Zack Britton another blown save. The Yankees might not give Britton the next shot.
Hierarchy remains: *Britton | Loiasiga | Green.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto got the night off Thursday after pitching in two straight, making way for Michael Fulmer, not Jose Cisnero, to earn the two-inning save. Cisnero had also gone in two straight, so perhaps he needeed rest too.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.
Seattle Mariners — Congratulations to Paul Sewald, who was placed on the paternity list Thursday and will be out for a few days.
Hierarchy remains: *Castillo | Sewald | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Alex Reyes threw 24 pitches Thursday and has gone in three of five.
Saturday:
1. Trevor May (NYM) — A Friday outing would be three of four for Edwin Diaz.
2. Steve Chishek (LAA) — Same as above for Raisel Iglesias.
3. Chris Stratton (PIT) — David Bednar threw 31 pitches over two innings Thursday, and he’d probably need some rest if he has a taxing outing Friday.