July 1, 2017
Texas Rangers — Matt Bush blew his third save in the last five chances, the league-leading 16th blown save for Texas this season. After the game, the normally taciturn Jeff Banister kept repeating, “We’ve got to find a way to close baseball games out.” Complicating that search immensely is Keone Kela’s struggle with shoulder soreness. If Kela were healthy, he’d probably have the job already, but now Bush may get one more chance to right the ship. If there’s a committee in the Rangers’ future, it will probably include Kela, Jose Leclerc, Alex Claudio, and maybe even Ernesto Frieri.
Hierarchy remains: Bush | Kela | Leclerc.
Los Angeles Angels — Bud Norris returns from the disabled list today to a closer situation that lacked any clarity in his absence. Given Norris’s success in the job this season, we expect him to take over immediately. He’ll keep the committee asterisk for a little while though. Behind him, anything can happen among (*deep breath*) David Hernandez, Cam Bedrosian, Huston Street, Blake Parker, Keynan Middleton, and Yusmeiro Petit.
Updated hierarchy: *Norris | Hernandez | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton threw a scoreless inning in his second straight day of work on a rehab assignment. He’ll pitch at AAA on Monday and should return to the Orioles on Wednesday.
Hierarchy remains: Brach | O’Day | Givens.
New York Yankees — Bryan Mitchell, who was brought up from AAA yesterday, immediately found himself pitching the last three innings of a blowout win (outdueling Nori Aoki in the ninth). Mitchell was deployed as a starter in AAA and figures to be used in long relief as long as he remains in the Yankees bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Green.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has pitched back-to-back and three of the last four, including a blown save last night.
2. Joe Kelly — It’s been two in a row for Craig Kimbrel.
Sunday:
1. Jacob Barnes — Corey Knebel has gone in two out of three, each over 20 pitches.