July 28, 2017
Oakland A’s – A’s beat reporter Susan Slusser suggested before Thursday’s game that manager Bob Melvin could be thinking about a change at closer, given Santiago Casilla’s recent troubles. Sure enough, after he got the last out of the eighth inning, Blake Treinen got the save chance in the ninth. Treinen allowed a game-tying home run, but after the game Melvin hinted that a change could still be coming soon, saying, “You either stick with a guy or give a guy a break.” While John Axford won’t be among the late-inning options, Ryan Dull will be, after he returned from the DL yesterday and recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning.
Updated hierarchy: *Treinen | Casilla | Dull.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox — The White Sox continued to hemorrhage their bullpen Thursday, trading Dan Jennings to the Tampa Bay Rays. What’s left? The newly activated Jake Petricka, the only reliever on the opening day roster still with the team, may be in the mix for saves soon.
Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Minaya | Petricka.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — The newly acquired Jennings entered Thursday’s game in the seventh inning, but allowed two hits and was charged with a run on just eight pitches before getting pulled. He’ll hang around the late-innings for Tampa Bay, but we’ll monitor his usage to see where exactly he slots in.
Hierarchy remains: Colome | Boxberger | Hunter.
Texas Rangers – The Rangers are actively shopping Jeremy Jeffress around, but may be inclined to deal Keone Kela in the right deal, too.
Hierarchy remains: Claudio | Kela | Leclerc.
St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal is drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Washington Nationals. Rosenthal would slide into Washington’s reworked bullpen and could be in line for save chances there if he’s moved.
Hierarchy remains: *Rosenthal | Cecil | Oh.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. David Robertson — Aroldis Chapman has gone in three of the last five, including 2 innings (19 pitches) on Thursday.
2. Andrew Miller — Cody Allen has gone in three of four and four of six.
3. Joe Smith — Roberto Osuna has pitched in three of the last four days.
Saturday:
1. Brad Boxberger/Tommy Hunter — Alex Colome has pitched in two of three. Boxberger, meanwhile, has gone in two straight, so if both men pitch Friday, Hunter may get a shot on Saturday.
2. Juan Minaya — Tyler Clippard has pitched in three of five, and the White Sox bullpen is a mess.
3. Santiago Casilla — Blake Treinen has pitched in two straight heading into Friday.
4. Phil Maton — Brad Hand has pitched in two straight and might not even be a Padre by Saturday.