Jim Johnson still hospitalized; Heath Bell blows yet another save

April 27, 2012

Miami Marlins — Another day, another debacle for big-ticket closer Heath Bell, who blew his third save in five chances with a 46-pitch, four-walk nightmare on Thursday. After the game, Ozzie Guillen gave Bell a vote of confidence as the  Miami closer; it seems the Marlins have 27 million reasons to stay the course.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |3/20/12

 
Baltimore Orioles — With Jim Johnson hospitalized all week with a mystery illness, the Orioles have had to turn elsewhere in the ninth during their last three games. After two straight saves for Pedro Strop, Thursday was Luis Ayala’s turn.  Manager Buck Showalter says Johnson could be released from the hospital Friday “if he can hold the food down.” No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa picked up a three-inning save in last night’s blowout win over the White Sox. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins — Ozzie Guillen promised to give Heath Bell the day off on Friday, so if the Marlins need a save, they’ll likely turn to set-up man Mujica.
2. Aroldis Chapman,  Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall blew his first save of the year on Thursday, and also pitched for the second straight day. Watch for Chapman to get the call in the ninth on Friday, if need be.
3. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres —  Huston Street has pitched two days in a row, albeit in fairly short outings. There’s a chance he might get Friday off.

Javy Guerra and Hector Santiago blow saves, Pedro Strop picks up second save

April 26, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra blew the save last night and took the loss for the second consecutive game. Guerra has gone 0-2 and only 2/4 in save opportunities in his last 5 games. Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless 8th and could take Guerra’s job if he continues to pitch poorly.   Javy Guerra to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Elbert |Guerra |4/26/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago blew the save on Wednesday but after the game manager Robin Ventura said he would stick with Santiago as closer.  Santiago is already on the hot seat so even with Ventura’s backing after the game, do not be surprised if a change is made soon if Santiago doesn’t figure out to stop giving up homeruns (He’s already given up 4 in 6 .1 innings so far this year).   No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/26/12

 
Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson remained hospitalized on Wednesday and Pedro Strop again got the save.  Johnson is still the closer when he comes back but Strop is definitely the guy to own as Johnson’s backup.  No Hierarchy change

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Washington Nationals – Tom Gorzelanny got the save last night but it was of the three inning variety as the Nationals won by 5.  No hierarchy change

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Lidge |Clippard |Storen |4/26/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop/Matt Lindstrom, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson might still not be over his sickness and the Orioles could go with Strop again who has gotten saves the past two games.  Lindstrom also has looked good lately and could be called upon if the Orioles want to give Strop a day off.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pedro Strop gets a save, Matt Guerrier to DL
 
 
April 25, 2012
Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop got the save last night as Jim Johnson spent Monday night in a hospital with flulike symptoms and was unavailable.   No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/25/12
  
Seattle Mariners – Steve Delabar pitched the 7th with a 2 run lead last night and has been used more often than Lucas Luetge.  Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to 2nd in line, replacing Lucas Luetge.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Delabar |League |4/25/12
  
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Guerrier was placed on the DL Tuesday with elbow tendinitis.  Scott Elbert pitched the 7th in a tie game and will likely move back into that role.   Hierarchy change: Scott Elbert to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Guerrier. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Elbert |Guerra |4/25/12
  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson was unavailable on Monday due to flulike symptoms and if he is still under the weather tonight, Pedro Strop would likely get another save opportunity.
2. Brad Lidge,  Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save on Tuesday so Brad Lidge could be in line for the next save opportunity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boggs filling set-up role for Cards; Luis Perez moving up in Toronto pen
 
 
April 24, 2012
St. Louis Cardinals — For the second straight night, and third in the last four, Mitchell Boggs pitched the 8th in a tight game; he has clearly passed Fernando Salas as the Cards’ top set-up option. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to Set-up, Fernando Salas to 2nd in line.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Salas |Motte |4/24/12
 
Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen hasn’t pitched since he blew a save on April 14, and Jason Frasor has been idle since a 3-run outing on April 19. In the meantime, Luis Perez and Darren Oliver have been getting more work, including high-leverage outings by Perez on April 20 and last night. With Sergio Santos out, the bullpen situation in Toronto remains quite fluid.  Hierarchy change: Luis Perez to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in Line.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Perez |Frasor |Santos |4/24/12 |Santos (DL) |
 
Houston Astros — Brandon Lyon has been slipping behind Fernando Rodriguez on the Astros’ depth chart, a fact that was made clearer last night when Brad Mills called upon Lyon to pitch the sixth inning, down three runs.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodriguez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in Line.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |F.Rodriguez |Lyon |Myers |4/24/12
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays — Francisco Cordero has now pitched on two straight nights, and in three of the last four games. If the Blue Jays need to protect a close lead against the Orioles again on Tuesday, John Farrell will almost certainly go in another direction.
2. Fernando Salas,  St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte threw 31 pitches before blowing the save last night against the Cubs, and Mitchell Boggs has been getting regular work in the set-up role. Salas is positioned well to steal a save.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greg Holland to the DL; Cordero earns save for Blue Jays
 
 
April 23, 2012
Boston Red Sox – After Daniel Bard’s turn in the rotation was rained out on Sunday night, Bobby Valentine announced he will use Bard to bolster the back end of the team’s bullpen — but also vowed that Bard will still make his next scheduled start on Friday. Another debacle like Saturday’s, however, and Bard might wrest the closer job from Alfredo Aceves. No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12
 
Kansas City Royals- Greg Holland was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a “stress reaction” in his ribs. Although the ensuing bone scan showed no fracture, he might be three weeks away from returning to the Royals pen. Lefty José Mijares will likely move to 2nd in line, but young fireballer Jeremy Jeffress could move up quickly if he can harness his stuff. Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, José Mijares to 2nd in Line.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Mijares |Broxton |4/23/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |
  
Toronto Blue Jays- With Sergio Santos on the DL, new closer Francisco Cordero picked up a somewhat rocky save in his first day on the job. No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Janssen |Frasor |Santos |4/23/12 |Santos (DL) |
  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Janssen or Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays– Francisco Cordero has pitched in two of the last three games, and if the Blue Jays want to limit his workload, another pitcher might get a shot to close on Monday.