August 28, 2022
San Diego Padres – Nick Martinez pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 6th save of the season. Martinez has not allowed any runs in August, spanning 13.2 innings, and has really settled in to his relief role. Luis Garcia picked up the first save after Josh Hader was removed from the closer’s job but Martinez now has recorded the last two. This appears to be moving towards a committee so we will throw the asterisk on there and monitor it to see how it all shakes out.
Updated hierarchy: Garcia | Martinez | Hader.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – Dany Jimenez will miss the rest of the season with a right shoulder injury. Zack Jackson should lead this committee with A.J. Puk and maybe even Domingo Acevedo seeing some chances.
Updated hierarchy: *Jackson | Puk | Acevedo.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Aroldis Chapman was placed on the IL with an infection from a recent leg tattoo. Replacing him on the hierarchy for now is Ron Marinaccio, who got the extra innings save chance yesterday but wasn’t able to convert after giving up a pinch hit homer to Stephen Vogt. Marinaccio was on a very nice run before last night having allowed only one earned run since May 22nd. Clay Holmes could return on Monday and will likely get the closer’s job back since nobody else was able to establish themselves while he was out.
Updated hierarchy: *Peralta | Loaisiga | Marinaccio.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Jimmy Herget pitched two perfect innings to close out a 2-0 Angels’ victory and pick up his third save of the season. Lefty Jose Quijada was ready in the bullpen but with three righties up to start the 9th inning, Herget got the chance to start the inning and and was able to retire the first three batters. Quijada is still the head of this committee, but Herget has worked his way into the conversion with pitches like this.
Updated hierarchy: *Quijada | Herget | Chavez.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – John Schreiber came on with the tying run on deck and two outs in the 8th inning and was able to get a ground out to end the threat. He came back out for the 9th inning and finished off the 5-1 victory for his 5th save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Whitlock | Schreiber | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Edwin Diaz got the day off yesterday and Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Felix Bautista has pitched in three of five.
2. John Brebbia (SF) – Camilo Doval threw 28 pitches in a blown save yesterday.
Monday
1. Joel Kuhnel (CIN) – Alexis Diaz threw 26 pitches yesterday and will likely get Monday off if he pitches again on Sunday.