Tom Wilhelmsen is new closer in Seattle; Rafael Dolis could lose job

May 27, 2012

Miami Marlins – For the second straight game, Heath Bell was yanked after allowing two baserunners to reach in the 9th inning, and for the second time, the Marlins held on to win.  This time, Randy Choate bailed Bell out for his first save of the season. After the game, Ozzie Guillen sounded generally supportive of Bell, but also told the Miami Herald that “Right now, it’s not working. I’m going to sleep on it and see if we come up with some ideas.”  Bell remains on the Hot Seat, though due to his contract, it’s likely he’ll continue to hang on to the job despite an 8.47 ERA.  But if he’s removed, Edward Mujica and Steve Cishek are most likely to benefit.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/27/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Saturday was another rough day for Cubs closer Rafael Dolis, who couldn’t find the strike zone and ended up hitting the game’s final batter to force in the game-winning run.  Afterward, Dale Sveum said his closer’s inability to find the strike zone was “not acceptable,” though he didn’t say he would remove the young righty from the role.  Dolis remains on a blazing Hot Seat and James Russell (1.74 ERA) would be the most likely candidate to replace him.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Camp |Marmol |5/27/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
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

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/J.P. Howell, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight games, and four of the last five. When Rodney gets a day off, Joel Peralta has been used in his place most often this season.  Peralta has also been used heavily in recent days, however, so the save chance could go to J.P. Howell.
2. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in two straight and five of the last seven.  Steve Cishek has also pitched a lot lately, so if Bell is given a day off, Edward Mujica would close in his place.
3. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson clarified his closer role on Saturday, saying Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett would share opportunities based on match-ups.  Clippard has gotten the first three saves, and as a righty, stands to get the majority of chances, but Burnett could snag a save against a lefty-heavy lineup on some nights.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.

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.

Tyler Clippard takes over as closer for Nationals

May 25, 2012

Washington Nationals – Sean Burnett pitched in the 8th and Tyler Clippard came on for the save.  As we mentioned before Clippard really wants the chance to close games and it looks like Johnson is listening as Clippard has gotten the last two saves.  Even if this continues to be a committee Clippard looks like he will get the most save opportunities.   Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Closer, Sean Burnett to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Stammen |Storen |5/25/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

Antonio Bastardo returns to set-up role for Phillies

May 25, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – Antonio Bastardo pitched the 8th inning on Thursday, and has reclaimed his role as the Phillies set-up man after some struggles early in the season.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Chad Qualls to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Qualls |Papelbon |5/25/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Jesse Crain (1.59 ERA, 16 Ks in 11.1 IPs) logged his 5th consecutive scoreless outing since returning from the DL, pitching ahead of Matt Thornton and Addison Reed in the White Sox victory on Thursday.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to 2nd in line, replacing Nate Jones.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Crain |Reed |5/25/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – With Aroldis Chapman and Jose Arredondo unavailable, the Reds played match-ups in the late-innings on Thursday.  Sean Marshall pitched the 8th, and Logan Ondrusek pitched the 9th for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Arredondo |Madson |5/25/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard/Craig Stammen, Washington Nationals – A true favorite has yet to emerge in the Nationals’ closer-by-committee.  Sean Burnett is having the best season (0.71 ERA) but Tyler Clippard or Craig Stammen could snag a save on any night.
2. Nick Hagadone, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano have both pitched in three consecutive games.