April 23, 2016
Cincinnati Reds — J.J. Hoover is having a very rough April. Even a relatively low-pressure outing, down three in the ninth, turned into a four-run, five-hit implosion. It’s unclear whether Hoover will still be on the team through the weekend, but we have to believe he’s not sniffing any save chances for a while. Blake Wood and Ross Ohlendorf should move up accordingly.
Updated hierarchy: *Cotham | Cingrani | Wood.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — Miguel Castro joined Jason Motte on the disabled list Friday, caused by inflammation in his right shoulder. It ain’t pretty, what’s left behind Jake McGee in the Rockies pen: new set-up guy Chad Qualls has a 6.35 ERA, Justin Miller averages two baserunners an inning, and Christian Bergman is giving up hits to everyone he doesn’t strike out. We’ll give the slot to lefty Boone Logan for now, but callup Gonzalez Germen could make it his before long.
Updated hierarchy: McGee | Qualls | Logan.
Oakland A’s — Although Bob Melvin says Oakland still has a closer committee, Sean Doolittle allowed two inherited runners to score before Ryan Madson earned save number seven with a perfect ninth. The A’s have been keeping their bullpen busy, with nine saves in their ten wins.
Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Doolittle | Axford.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — It doesn’t look like much of a committee in Atlanta either. Jason Grilli’s only save was of the vulture variety, and he came in on Friday night with the Braves down three in the eighth.
Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Grilli | Johnson.
Kansas City Royals — With Joakim Soria struggling, the Royals used Luke Hochevar in the seventh and Kelvin Herrera in the eighth, in a two-run game. Soria has earned enough goodwill to keep his slot through this one snub, but we’ll be watching to see who gets the next high-leverage eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Soria | Herrera.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen didn’t take Friday off, but Saturday could be a different story. He’s now thrown 41 pitches in two days.
2. Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners — Steve Cishek has gone in three straight.
3. Neftali Feliz, Pittsburgh Pirates — Both Mark Melancon and Tony Watson had lengthy outings on Friday night. Melancon also pitched on Thursday.
4. Joe Smith/Fernando Salas, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street has pitched in two straight (37 pitches).