Aroldis Chapman “feels good,” but won’t be back right away

September 20, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – Another night, another save for Jonathan Broxton. Aroldis Chapman told reporters that his fatigued shoulder “feels good,” but also said he could need two or three more sessions in the bullpen to regain his command. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/20/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano earned two saves yesterday, and David Robertson had a difficult game.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has been busy lately and Burton had last night off.
3. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is still out and Jonathan Broxton has thrown on three of the last four days.
4. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Steve Cishek gets shelled; Matt Thornton rising

September 19, 2012

Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got knocked around on Tuesday night, eventually getting yanked after allowing three runs and only recording one out.  Cishek’s ERA is now 9.95 for the month of August, pushing his season-long ERA up to nearly 3, which is probably where it should’ve been anyway, given his crummy WHIP (1.34).  After Tuesday’s outing, he’ll be looking over his shoulder at Heath Bell, who the Marlins would probably like to see win the job back going into next season.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |9/19/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton picked up his third NL save in Aroldis Chapman’s absence on Tuesday.  Chapman is throwing a bullpen session today and could resume closing shortly, but Broxton is worth holding on to in case the Reds shut the hard-throwing lefty down until the playoffs.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/19/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton pitched a clean 8th inning, then stayed on to face the first hitter of the 9th before giving way to Addison Reed, who recorded the final two outs.  Thornton and Brett Myers are jockeying for the 8th inning role, but as a lefty, Thornton is probably more likely to pick up a random save here and there, given Robin Ventura’s recent tendency to play match-ups all the way through the 9th.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Brett Myers to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Myers |Reed |9/19/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Heath Bell, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got knocked around last night, and has pitched in four of the last five.  He might get the day off today.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Giants gaining confidence again in Santiago Casilla

September 18, 2012

San Francisco Giants – On Monday, Santiago Casilla finished the 7th inning, pitched a clean 8th, then got the first out of the 9th with the Giants up by 1 run.  With Jeremy Affeldt going through some serious struggles over the past month or so, Casilla has been getting more usage in high-leverage situations.  Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to 2nd in line, replacing Jeremy Affeldt.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Lopez |Casilla |Wilson |9/18/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Joe Nathan getting extra rest; Aroldis Chapman still on the shelf

September 17, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton picked up his second NL save on Sunday.  Aroldis Chapman will be sidelined for a few more days with a tired arm.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |9/17/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri was given the night off on Sunday after pitching two days in a row and getting knocked around on Saturday.  Kevin Jepsen got the save in his place, but Frieri’s job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Downs |Frieri |9/17/12

 
Texas Rangers – Koji Uehara picked up his first save of the season on Sunday.  Joe Nathan has had some arm fatigue and is being rested.  Uehara has been pitching a lot lately, having not allowed a run in September.  Hierarchy change: Koji Uehara to 2nd in line, replacing Mike Adams.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Ogando |Uehara |Nathan |9/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three straight and five of the last six.  He’s a near certainty to get a day off today.
2. Heath Bell, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in three straight.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Addison Reed’s struggles continue

September 16, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed allowed three baserunners without recording an out on Saturday, and had to be bailed out by Matt Thornton, who picked up the save.  Reed has now allowed multiple baserunners, and at least one run, in 7 of his last 9 appearances.  Addison Reed to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Myers |Thornton |Reed |9/16/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman’s fatigued arm means Jonathan Broxton should see the majority of Cincinnati save chances over the next week or so.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.