Mariano Rivera injured; David Robertson to close

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera injured his knee shagging fly balls during warmups before a game with Kansas City. The early diagnosis is a sprained knee, and he will have an MRI tonight. David Robertson is likely to step in and take the first save opportunities if Rivera misses time. Rafael Soriano has closing experience and could step in if needed as well. Hierarchy change: Mariano Rivera injured, David Robertson to Closer, Rafael Soriano to Setup, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/3/12 |Rivera(INJ) |

Carlos Marmol out as closer, Rafael Dolis and James Russell potential replacements

May 3, 2012

Chicago Cubs- Carlos Marmol had another terrible outing today and after the game Manager Dale Sveum said he is definitely thinking about removing Marmol as closer.   Sveum mentioned Rafael Dolis and James Russell as potential replacements.  Dolis should get the first shot as he was brought on today to try and clean up Marmol’s mess. Hierarchy change: Rafael Dolis to Closer, James Russell to set-up, Carlos Marmol to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Marmol |Marmol |5/3/12

Heath Bell close to losing his job; Brian Fuentes as temporary closer

May 3, 2012

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 29 pitches in blowing a save on Tuesday, and has been dealing with a sore back, so Brian Fuentes picked up the save in his absence on Wednesday.  But while Balfour remains on the Hot Seat, this isn’t an indication that he’s lost his job yet.  If his back continues to bother him, Brian Fuentes or Ryan Cook will get save opportunities.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |5/3/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Tim Collins has been used in some tight spots lately, and he recorded the win on Wednesday after getting 2 outs in a tie game in the 8th inning.  Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Mijares.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Collins |Broxton |5/3/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew another save last night, and for the first time, Ozzie Guillen indicated that he may have to look elsewhere for the 9th inning role.  Whether or not Guillen anoints a new closer remains to be seen, but either way, Bell is almost certain to get the day off today, giving Edward Mujica or Steve Cishek the chance to nab a save.

Grant Balfour struggling

May 2, 2012

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour was summoned in a four-run game, but couldn’t close the door on the Red Sox, allowing two runs before being yanked; Jordan Norberto got the save in his absence.  Given set-up man Ryan Cook’s astonishing season thus far (12 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit), the A’s might be growing impatient with Balfour, who had already blown two of this last three save opps before Tuesday.  Grant Balfour to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |5/2/12

 
New York Mets – Terry Collins indicated at the start of the season that Miguel Batista would be his man on any night that both Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch were unavailable.  But Batista has consistently been the first man out of the bullpen for the Mets, and Bobby Parnell (3.38 ERA, 15/2 K/BB ratio) has been quietly solid.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line, replacing Miguel Batista.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/2/12

 
Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez, who pitched parts of the 7th and 8th innings last night, has surpassed veteran Brandon Lyon on the Astros depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon Lyon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Rodriguez |Lopez |Myers |5/2/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched on three straight nights. Peralta could get the save opp on Wednesday.
2. Chad Qualls, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on back to back nights, and in three of the last four.  The Phillies could look to Qualls in the 9th today.

Heath Bell on the hot seat; Frank Francisco day-to-day

May 1, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – The ageless LaTroy Hawkins is sporting a 1.17 ERA and bridged the gap to new closer Scott Downs on Monday.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Isringhausen.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Downs |Walden |Hawkins |Walden |5/1/12

 
Colorado Rockies – Edgmer Escalona has been used as the late-innings righty out of the Rockies bullpen over the past week, helping to bridge the gap to Rafael Betancourt twice in the last two days.  Hierarchy change: Edgmer Escalona to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Belisle.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Escalona |Betancourt |5/1/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible, allowing the Diamondbacks to score two late insurance runs.  Scouts say his velocity is down, and a big contract can’t protect his job forever.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/1/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has a tight hamstring and was unavailable Monday.  He’s day to day and could be out today as well.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in back to back games, throwing a total of 44 pitches.
3. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched yesterday in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible.  Ozzie Guillen might give him a night off tonight.