Rex Brothers returning to 2011 form

June 22, 2012

Colorado Rockies – Sent to the minors after some early season struggles, Rex Brothers returned to the big leagues earlier this month and has since been dominant.  Yesterday, he finished off the 7th inning, and has now allowing just 2 hits and 1 run in 8.2 innings, while striking out 14.  Adam Ottavino, meanwhile, has struggled as of late, allowing 6 runs in his last 6.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to 2nd in line, replacing Adam Ottavino.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |6/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – If Matt Capps still can’t go today, Perkins could get another save opp.

Glen Perkins picks up a save; Ernesto Frieri now the full-time closer

June 21, 2012

Minnesota Twins – With Matt Capps dealing with an inflamed right shoulder, Glen Perkins picked up the save on Wednesday, pitching a clean inning.  Capps is expected back in a day or two.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Burton |Capps |6/21/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs pitched the 8th inning last night, earning his 12th hold of the year.  But Ernesto Frieri has now gotten 8 of the last 11 save opportunities for the Angels, and since Downs’s return from a minor injury to his side, the lefty has been used exclusively as a set-up man.  The platoon is over; it’s now Frieri’s job for good.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – As expected, Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – If Matt Capps still can’t go today, Perkins could get another save opp.

Phil Coke picks up first save after Jose Valverde injury

June 20, 2012

Detroit Tigers – While warming up in the bullpen on Tuesday, Jose Valverde hurt his wrist and was held out of the game; Phil Coke entered in his place and picked up his first save of the season.  An initial exam by the Tigers medical staff suggested that the injury was minor, but Valverde still went for an MRI after the game.  The Tigers will likely announce the results before today’s game.  Valverde himself said he didn’t think that the injury was serious, but if he does need a DL stint, Joaquin Benoit will see the bulk of the save opportunities.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |6/20/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford gave up back-to-back home runs last night, and has now given up 9 ERs in his last 5 innings pitched, a span that includes three blown saves, and a fourth outing where he needed to be bailed out by Jose Veras.  While Ron Roenicke said he’s ready to make a change just yet, Axford remains on the Hot Seat, with Francisco Rodriguez and his 292 saves waiting in the wings.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/20/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – Jason Frasor gave up 2 runs on Tuesday, pushing his ERA to 4.26.  Meanwhile, veteran lefty Darren Oliver pitched yet another scoreless inning, eventually earning the win after John Axford blew the save.  He’s been used against both righties and lefties this season, and now has a sparkling 1.48 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Darren Oliver to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Frasor. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Oliver |Santos |6/20/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – The results of Jose Valverde’s MRI have not been revealed, and if he can’t pitch today, Benoit will get the save opp.
2. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – While John Axford remains the closer in Milwaukee, he could get the night off to clear his head. Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three consecutive games, making Jose Veras the best candidate for a save if Axford stays on the bench.

Xavier Cedeno nabs first career save after Brett Myers’s historic meltdown

June 19, 2012

Houston Astros – Brett Myers had a stunning outing on Monday, allowing 8 hits and 5 runs while only recording two outs.  He threw 40 pitches– the most an Astros reliever has ever thrown without getting out of an inning– and was finally yanked for Xavier Cedeno, who picked up his first career save.  But despite the horrific outing, Myers has only blown one save on the year and his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lyon |Rodriguez |Myers |6/19/12 |Lopez(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon Lyon, Houston Astros – After Brett Myers’s endless outing on Monday, the Astros might give him a night off.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has now been used for 7 of the last 10 save opportunities, but Mike Scioscia hasn’t officially declared an end to the platoon, so a lefty-heavy ninth inning could still result in an appearance from Downs.

Brad Lidge released; Brandon Lyon rises with Wilton Lopez’s injury

Latest update: June 18, 2012

Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge had struggled since returning from the DL, and on Sunday, the Nats designated him for assignment.  He’ll probably look to catch on elsewhere, as his career in Washington is likely over.  Hierarchy change: Craig Stammen to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Lidge.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Stammen |Storen |6/18/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman was available on Sunday, but had pitched in three of the past four games.  Wanting to give his closer some rest, Dusty Baker went to Sean Marshall, who picked up the save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |6/18/12

 
Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez hit the disabled list on Sunday.  Brandon Lyon (2.81 ERA) moves up and stands to nab any save chances when Brett Myers is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to Set-up, Fernando Rodriguez to 2nd in line, Wilton Lopez to DL. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lyon |Rodriguez |Myers |6/18/12 |Lopez(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mitchell Boggs, St. Louis Cardinals – Jason Motte has pitched in four of the last five games, including a 2-inning, 29 pitch outing on Sunday.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs has been kept out of action this week after experiencing discomfort in his side, and Ernesto Frieri has now been used for 7 of the last 10 save opportunities. Mike Scioscia hasn’t officially declared an end to the platoon, however, and a lefty-heavy ninth inning could still result in an appearance from Downs.