Brandon League demoted in Seattle; Tom Wilhelmsen moves into Mariners closer role

May 26, 2012

Seattle Mariners — Brandon League has been removed as closer, in a move manager Eric Wedge described as “very similar to what we did last year.” In 2011, League was demoted after becoming the first reliever in Mariners history to lose in four straight appearances, but regained his job only five days later, and wound up in the All-Star Game.  Wedge refused to commit to anyone as League’s replacement; Tom Wilhelmsen seems to be the most obvious candidate, but lefties Lucas Luetge and Charlie Furbush could be in the mix as well.  Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Brandon League to Set-Up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |5/26/12

Tyler Clippard new favorite for saves in Washington; Heath Bell struggles

May 26, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs recorded the save on Friday, pitching a clean 9th inning.  Ernesto Frieri will still get the majority of saves in the Angels’ closer-by-committee.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |5/26/12 |Hawkins(DL) |

 
New York Yankees – With a three-run lead on Friday, the Yankees turned to Boone Logan, who pitched a breezy 8th inning ahead of Rafael Soriano.  Logan (2.95 ERA, 28 Ks in 18.1 IPs) is establishing himself as the go-to set-up man in the Yankees beleaguered bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Boone Logan to Set-up, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Logan |Wade |Robertson |5/26/12 |Robertson(DL) |

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell struggled in the 9th inning on Friday and was lifted for Steve Cishek, who got the final two outs and picked up his first save of the season.  “Bell’s my closer,” Ozzie Guillen said after the game. “But I had a bad feeling.”  Bell has pitched much better since winning the job back two weeks ago, but still hasn’t completely earned his manager’s trust.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/26/12

 
Washington Nationals – The Nationals have had two save opportunities since demoting Henry Rodriguez, and both have gone to Tyler Clippard.  When announcing Rodriguez’s demotion and the team’s subsequent plans for a closer-by-committee, Davey Johnson specifically said that Tyler Clippard would remain in a high-leverage set-up role.  But that same day, Clippard expressed a strong desire for the job, and Johnson, thought of by many as the ultimate player’s coach, may have been moved by the young righty’s words.  Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Closer, Sean Burnett to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Stammen |Storen |5/26/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three consecutive games.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has gotten the first two save opportunities, but Davey Johnson has yet to declare that he’s moved away from the closer-by-committee he originally announced.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.