Jim Henderson may win closer job soon; Heath Bell back to closing

August 9, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson picked up his second save in as many days on Wednesday, leading many to anoint him the new Milwaukee closer.  But there’s been no word on the 9th inning role from Ron Roenicke since before the game on Wednesday, when he told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that “We can work them both in,” referring to Henderson and John Axford.  For his part, Axford has been much better of late– he earned the win by pitching a scoreless 8th inning last night– so the next save chance will be key.  If Henderson gets the call, he becomes the favorite as the reliever most likely to earn saves the rest of the year; anyone else, and Axford is still the best bet.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Rodriguez |Axford |8/9/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vicente Padilla hit the DL this week, making hard-throwing lefty Andrew Miller the best option for saves on nights when Alfredo Aceves is unavailable.  Mark Melancon, who has a 4.09 ERA since returning the majors in June, is the only active Red Sox reliever to have earned a hold this week, and he moves up as well.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Miller to Set-up, Mark Melancon to 2nd in line, Vicente Padilla to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Miller |Melancon |Bailey |8/9/12 |Bailey(DL) |Padilla(DL) |

 
Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen said before Wednesday’s game that Heath Bell would be moved back into the closer role.  “We’re going to give him another opportunity,” said Guillen to several media outlets.  Steve Cishek has pitched quite well since taking over the role, and with Guillen also saying that he reserved the right to use other relievers in the 9th, Bell will begin immediately on the Hot Seat.  But, in a rather stunning move, he’s back in as the Marlins’ closer.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Steve Cishek to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, and has pitched 4.0 innings over the last four days.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Heath Bell is the closer again in Miami

August 8, 2012

Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen said before Wednesday’s game that Heath Bell would be moved back into the closer role.  “We’re going to give him another opportunity,” said Guillen to several media outlets.  Steve Cishek has pitched quite well since taking over the role, and with Guillen also saying that he reserved the right to use other relievers in the 9th, Bell will begin immediately on the Hot Seat.  But, in a rather stunning move, he’s back in as the Marlins’ closer.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Steve Cishek to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/8/12

Santiago Casilla out as closer in San Francisco, Jeremy Affeldt to lead committee

August 8, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Jeremy Affeldt just picked up his 3rd save of the season and is a good bet to continue getting save chances for the Giants.  Bruce Bochy said that the acquisition of Jose Mijares allowed him to move Affeldt into a full-fledged committee with Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez.  Casilla will not be part of the mix, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.  Romo is still being held out of back-to-back action for the most part as he recovers from several long-term injuries and Lopez is more of a LOOGY type who will be situational at best.  That leaves Affeldt, who has been steady and solid for the Giants all season.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Closer, Sergio Romo to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/8/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson picked up his first big league save on Tuesday night, pitching a 1-2-3 inning.  John Axford had thrown 29 pitches the night before, but the outing for Henderson was also well-deserved– the 29-year-old rookie now has a 1.50 ERA.  Axford is still the best bet to emerge from the Brewers’ closer-by-committee, but Tuesday’s outing is a precursor for a more regular high-leverage role for Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Rodriguez |Axford |8/8/12

 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has been rock solid of late, and has gotten all but one of the save chances for the Marlins since the demotion of Heath Bell.  Bell, however, has also pitched well recently, and was used to finish off the 8th inning ahead of Cishek on Tuesday.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Mike Dunn to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |8/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched two nights in a row, throwing a total of pitches, and has pitched in five of the last six.
2. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez blew his second consecutive save on Tuesday, and has now thrown 61 pitches over the past three days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could get a day off to clear his head.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Both Huston Street and Luke Gregerson have pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Jeremy Affeldt now leading a closer-by-committee in San Francisco

August 7, 2012
San Francisco Giants – Jeremy Affeldt just picked up his 3rd save of the season, and is a good bet to continue getting save chances for the Giants.  Bruce Bochy said that the acquisition of Jose Mijares allowed him to move Affeldt into a full-fledged committee with Casilla, Romo, and Javier Lopez.  Casilla has been struggling with a blister on his right hand and has been unavailable on occasion lately, Romo is still being held out of back-to-back action for the most part as he recovers from several long-term injuries, and Lopez is more of a LOOGY type who will be situational at best.  That leaves Affeldt, who has been steady and solid for the Giants all season.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Closer, Santiago Casilla to Set-up, Sergio Romo to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Casilla |Romo |Wilson |8/7/12 |Wilson(DL) |

Joba Chamberlain solid in his second 2012 appearance in the bigs

August 7, 2012

New York Yankees – On Monday, in his second big-league appearance of the year, Joba Chamberlain pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.  Chamberlain was dominant in his rehab outings, logging a 0.96 ERA, 10 Ks and only 1 BB.  Once he gets his feet under him in the big leagues, the Yankees are certain to use him in some high-leverage late-inning spots.  Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Soriano |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |8/7/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.