May 4, 2017
Oakland A’s — Tough news for the A’s, who announced that Sean Doolittle has yet another shoulder strain, his third in three years. The early speculation is that Doolittle could be out for a while. As a result, Ryan Dull moves into the hierarchy, Santiago Casilla kicks his asterisk, and potential future closer Bobby Wahl joins the big club — although Wahl’s first major league appearance on Wednesday was shaky, with two hits and a hit batsman.
Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Madson | Dull.
Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley has been unavailable the last two games with an illness, so the Nationals let Jacob Turner finish a 2-1 win with his fourth strong inning in relief. Kelley has made only one appearance since Koda Glover went on the DL last week, and with Glover returning this weekend, we foresee a return of the committee asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: Kelley | Treinen | Albers.
Colorado Rockies — Mike Dunn is back with the Rockies and should return to his seventh-inning role.
Updated hierarchy: Holland | Ottavino | Dunn.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Heath Hembree/Joe Kelly — Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight and three of four, and Matt Barnes threw 35 pitches last night.
Friday
1. Matt Barnes — Kimbrel hasn’t thrown that many pitches, so he might go again Thursday; if he does, he’ll likely be off on Friday.
2. Hector Rondon — Wade Davis has gone in two straight.
3. Nick Vincent — So has Edwin Diaz.
4. Matt Belisle — Brandon Kintzler threw 29 pitches on Wednesday and probably wouldn’t be able to go in three straight.