May 19, 2012
Los Angeles Angels – On Friday, Scott Downs pitched the 8th inning in a 2-run game, and Ernesto Frieri came out for the 9th. By then, the Angels had tacked on 3 additional runs, so it wasn’t a save opportunity, but Mike Scioscia told the Orange County Registerafter the game that the 9th inning role was in flux. “We’re going to mix and match a little bit,” Scioscia said. “It’s really just a matchup situation. It might change tomorrow.” Based on their usage and Scioscia’s comments, Frieri appears to be on the verge of winning the permanent job. Scott Downs to Hot Seat.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Downs |Frieri |Walden |Walden |5/19/12 |Hawkins(INJ)|
Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop picked up a save in the 11th inning on Friday. As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jim Johnson had pitched three nights in a row and had a day off. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Ayala |Johnson |5/19/12
Chicago White Sox – Nate Jones pitched the 8th inning in a one-run game on Friday. While Robin Ventura still hasn’t declared that he’s moving away from the closer-by-committee he first established a few weeks ago, Addison Reed has been the only one getting save chances. Meanwhile, Hector Santiago has been relegated to an early innings/mop-up role, while Jones and his 99 mph fastball have been called on in some tight spots. Hierarchy change: Nate Jones to 2nd in line, replacing Hector Santiago.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Jones |Reed |5/19/12
Chicago Cubs – Kerry Wood retired on Friday. Shawn Camp (2.70 ERA) will take his place as the right-handed set-up man in the Cubs bullpen. Hierarchy change: Shawn Camp to 2nd in line, replacing Kerry Wood.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Camp |Marmol |5/19/12 |Marmol(DL) |
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde, day-to-day with a strained back, was expected to return for the weekend series, but Jim Leyland said Friday that he was still ailing, and that Joaquin Benoit would get save chances in his absence.
2. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched in four consecutive games.
3. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in two consecutive games, and in four of the last five.
4. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz has pitched in back to back games, and in three of the last four.
