Sean Burnett leading candidate to close in Washington

Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson said before Tuesday’s game that he was moving Henry Rodriguez to a “less demanding” role.  While Tyler Clippard expressed that he badly wants the chance to close, Johnson told Washington Post reporter Adam Kilgore that he still liked Clippard as a high-leverage set-up guy, and that he would base the 9th inning on match-ups and whoever was healthy.  With two saves in the past week, Sean Burnett has the inside track, with Craig Stammen also in the mix along with Clippard.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to Closer, Craig Stammen to Set-up, Tyler Clippard to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Burnett |Stammen |Clippard |Storen |5/22/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard could enter closer-by-committee in Washington

May 22, 2012

Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez had to be bailed out again on Monday, as Sean Burnett came in for the 9th inning and got the final two outs for the save.  The young righty, already on the Hot Seat, may be placed in to a committee, or worse.  ”I’m going to sleep on it, but I’m looking at other alternatives,” Davey Johnson told the Washington Post.  Johnson mentioned a possible closer-by-committee, which would likely involve Rodriguez, Burnett and Tyler Clippard.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |5/22/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall got a one-out save on Monday.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Aroldis Chapman had pitched in four of the last five, and had the night off.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |5/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves and Vicente Padilla have both pitched three games in a row, and four of the last five.