April 3, 2019
Seattle Mariners – Anthony Swarzak was activated off the IL prior to Tuesday’s game. Scott Servais said that he expected Swarzak to get an inning of work in that contest, but what might not have been expected was the type of work Swarzak would get. After starter Marco Gonzales went 8.1 innings, Swarzak entered the tilt with runners on first and third. He promptly struck out Albert Pujols and then induced Jonathan Lucroy into a groundout to pick up his first save as a Mariner. We’ll move Swarzak to the top of the hierarchy since we think he is Seattle’s best option to close, but Servais did say that he will continue using a mix of guys in the ninth.
Updated hierarchy: *Swarzak | Gearrin | Elias.
* = closer-by-committee
Baltimore Orioles – With Mychal Givens still recovering from a 49-pitch outing on Sunday, Paul Fry pitched two scoreless innings before handing the ball to Miguel Castro for the save chance. Castro allowed a solo homer but hung on to become the fourth different Oriole to record a save this season. Manager Brandon Hyde reiterated that he is day-to-day with this bullpen and that he liked the matchups for Castro in the ninth. We’ll see if Wednesday is when Givens becomes the fifth Baltimore pitcher to secure a save this season in what remains a full-fledged committee.
Hierarchy remains: *Givens | Bleier | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Edwin Diaz and Jeurys Familia were both unavailable on Tuesday, which opened the door for Justin Wilson to record his first save since July 2017. Seth Lugo, who has been sick the last few days, labored through 1.1 innings of work in the seventh and eighth before turning the ball over to Wilson. We’ll slide Wilson into the hierarchy after his save; he and Lugo will remain options for holds and perhaps a save chance or two when Diaz and Familia can’t pitch.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Familia | Wilson.
Kansas City Royals — Ian Kennedy had a chance to earn his second save of the year on Tuesday, but he quickly allowed a double and a single that tied the game. Wily Peralta and Jake Diekman had already pitched, so Brad Boxberger got the 10th inning. He nearly got out unscathed after a leadoff single, but a walk and an RBI single with two outs ensured he picked up the loss. Boxberger actually lowered his ERA to 15.43, but it’s hard to think the Royals will turn to Boxberger ahead of Kennedy, Peralta or Diekman at this point.
Updated hierarchy: * Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins — Blake Parker bounced back from Sunday’s rough outing with a 10th-inning save on Tuesday. Taylor Rogers pitched the eighth inning with the game tied, giving up the go-ahead run, before coming back out for the ninth after the Twins tied it. Once again, Trevor May was nowhere to be found. He has only faced two batters this season, though that’s also true of Trevor Hildenberger, who got the win on Tuesday. It looks like Parker and Rogers are the two arms to trust at the moment in Minnesota.
Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | May.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Wilson – Josh Hader has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Zack Britton – Aroldis Chapman threw 23 pitches on Tuesday and has tossed 30 pitches over the last two days.
Tomorrow
1. Lou Trivino/Fernando Rodney – If Blake Treinen pitches today it will be two straight and four of five. Trivino will have gone in back-to-back games and three of four with a Wednesday appearance.