May 30, 2022
Tampa Bay Rays – The best reliever in the Tampa bullpen — and maybe the best in baseball so far this season — finally got his first save of the season on Sunday, as JP Feyereisen needed only 5 pitches to set the Yankees down in order in the 9th. Feyereisen, who still has a 0.00 ERA (and 0.39 WHIP!) on the year, moves up a slot on the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Poche | Feyereisen | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – The Jays didn’t have Jordan Romano available on Sunday — he had gone in three straight games — so veteran David Phelps got the call, closing out a wild 11-10 ballgame with a scoreless 9th inning. We’ll see if the 35-year-old gets more high leverage spots as a result before we put on the hierarchy, but he’s had a solid season thus far (2.41 ERA across 18.2 IP).
Hierarchy remains: Romano | Cimber | Garcia.
New York Mets – Drew Smith took a grounder off of his throwing hand on Sunday night, appearing to suffer a dislocated pinky finger. He’s day to day for now, so we’ll swap Seth Lugo into the handcuff spot and see if Smith needs an IL stint.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Smith.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Rowan Wick/Robert Gsellman/Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger – The Cubs and Brewers have a doubleheader, and the Cubs, in particular could be especially shorthanded, as David Robertson and Mychal Givens have both already gone two straight.
Tomorrow
1. Rafael Montero – If Ryan Pressly goes today, it’s back to back.
2. AJ Puk – If Dany Jimenez goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Will Smith – If Kenley Jansen goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
4. Seth Lugo – If Edwin Diaz goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
5. Daniel Hudson – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
6. Kyle Finnegan – If Tanner Rainey goes today, it’s back to back.
7. Brad Hand/Seranthony Dominguez – If Corey Knebel, Brad Hand, or Seranthony Dominguez goes today, it’s back to back; monitor usage to see who’ll be available tomorrow.
8. Michael Fulmer/Andrew Chafin – If Gregory Soto, Michael Fulmer, or Andrew Chafin goes today, it’s back to back; monitor usage to see who’ll be available tomorrow.