June 23, 2019
Oakland A’s – Blake Treinen was placed on the IL with a strained rotator cuff. Liam Hendricks will get the first chance at closing and it went well yesterday with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: Hendriks | Trivino | Petit.
St. Louis Cardinals – Jordan Hicks left the game with two outs in the ninth yesterday and that allowed Tyler Webb to pick up the save. Right now the Cardinals are saying it is triceps tendinitis and Hicks is expected to miss at least a couple of days. They will do more tests today to see if it is worse than they originally thought. Carlos Martinez should close while Hicks is out and could be a top-tier closer if Hicks misses an extended period of time.
Hierarchy remains: Hicks | Martinez | Gant.
Texas Rangers — Shawn Kelley got the day off yesterday and Chris Martin pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save of the year. Jose Leclerc pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Martin. Leclerc has had an up and down season and although it looked like he was close to moving back into the closer’s role, yesterday’s usage shows that as of right now, he is behind both Kelley and Martin.
Updated hierarchy: Kelley | Martin | Leclerc.
Miami Marlins — The Marlins gave Sergio Romo the day off yesterday and used lefty Jose Quijada for the last two outs of the game. Quijada was just recently called back up, but he has recorded two holds and a save in his three appearances so we will move him onto the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Romo | Guerrero | Quijada.
New York Yankees — As we predicted in the Vulture Save Watch yesterday, Zack Britton got the call in the ninth inning with Aroldis Chapman getting the day off. Britton made it interesting with three walks but was able to close it out for his third save of the season. Britton should continue to see any save chances when Chapman is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
Minnesota Twins — Taylor Rogers came on in the 8th inning yesterday to protect a two-run lead but could not get the job done. He gave up a couple of hits to allow two inherited runners to score along with one of his own. The Twins took the lead again in the 10th inning and Blake Parker pitched a perfect bottom of the inning for his 10th save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | Parker | May.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Carlos Martinez – Jordan Hicks will miss at least a couple of days with triceps tendinitis.
2. Brandon Workman – Matt Barnes has pitched in two straight and four of five, including a 36 pitch outing yesterday.
3. Nick Wittgren/Tyler Clippard – Brad Hand has pitched in three straight. Nick Wittgren has gone in two straight.
4. Tayron Guerrero – Sergio Romo could get a second day off after going in four in a row.
Monday
1. Jake Diekman – If Ian Kennedy goes on Sunday, it will be two in a row and three of four.
2. Pedro Baez – same for Kenley Jansen.
3. Tony Watson/Reyes Moronta – If Will Smith pitches on Sunday, it will be three in a row. Same goes for Tony Watson.