Hector Santiago on the Hot Seat; Scott Downs returns

April 17, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago had an ugly outing on Monday, allowing two HRs and blowing the save against the Orioles.  It was Santiago’s first blown save this year, but he now has a 6.75 ERA.  Given that he won the job at the 11th hour in spring training– and the fact that he’s now got a total of 6 MLB appearances in his career– Robin Ventura will have him on a short leash.  Hector Santiago to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/17/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs returned from his injury last night, pitching a clean 8th inning in a 3-run game.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Walden |Downs |Isringhausen|Walden |4/17/12

 
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save for the Nationals on Monday.  As previously noted, Davey Johnson is using a strict, back-and-forth platoon with Rodriguez and Brad Lidge.  Lidge will get the next opportunity.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/17/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on back to back nights, throwing 40 pitches in the process.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight games. His pitch count has been low, so the Rays will likely use him again if necessary, but if they decide to give him a night off, Joel Peralta will close.

Chad Qualls, Jason Grilli gaining fantasy value

April 16, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Mark Melancon, sporting a 22.50 ERA so far this year, has fallen out of favor in the Red Sox bullpen.  Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla both pitched well in bridging the gap to Alfredo Aceves on Sunday, and are now both ahead of Melancon on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Melancon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Padilla |Bailey |4/16/12

 
Philadelphia Phillies – Protecting a 1-run lead in the 8th inning on Sunday, the Phillies went to Chad Qualls over Antonio Bastardo.  Philadelphia also used Qualls to protect a 2-run lead in the 8th in their last win, on Thursday.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Bastardo |Papelbon |4/16/12 |Contrera(DL)|

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched the 8th inning in four of the last six games for the Pirates.  Grilli has surpassed Evan Meek, who struggled during spring training, on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Evan Meek to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Meek |Hanrahan |4/16/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz was given the day off on Sunday– Bryan Shaw got the save in his place– after giving up a walk-off 2-run HR to the Rockies on Saturday.  But Saturday was Putz’s first blown save of the year and his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |4/16/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez have both pitched several times since the Nats’ last save opportunity, but it’s still Rodriguez’s turn should one arise.
2. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched on back to back days and might get Marathon Monday off.

Sergio Romo to close in SF; George Sherrill injured

April 15, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Brian Wilson’s season is likely over.  After complaining of elbow soreness on Friday night, the Giants sent him for tests, where an MRI showed structural damage to his right elbow.  Bruce Bochy said that the Giants will go closer-by-committee at first; on Friday, Santiago Casilla came on and pitched a clean 8th inning in a tie game, then pitched part of the 9th before Javier Lopez finished the inning.  The Giants walked off in the bottom half, so there was no save opportunity, but based on their usage both tonight and earlier this season, Sergio Romo is the best bet to seize the permanent job.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Closer, Santiago Casilla to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Casilla |Lopez |Wilson |4/15/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – George Sherrill was placed on the disabled list yesterday with elbow soreness.  Lefthander Lucas Luetge, reliable in three outings so far, moves up on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line, replacing George Sherrill. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Luetge |League |4/15/12

 
Minnesota Twins – Jeff Gray has established himself as the go-to lefty in the Twins bullpen, and has surpassed Alex Burnett on the depth chart, who thus far is mostly being used in long relief.  Hierarchy change: Jeff Gray to 2nd in line, replacing Alex Burnett.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Gray |Capps |4/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Rodriguez, who is the co-closer for the Nats, may get the next save opp.  As noted before, he should be owned in all leagues in case he wins the permanent job.
2. Jonny Venters, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched on back-to-back nights, and in four of the last five days.  Venters’s usage has been similar, but he hasn’t thrown as many pitches and could get a save opp if the Braves rest Kimbrel.
3. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew the save last night and has pitched on two consecutive days, throwing 46 pitches.  The Marlins will probably go to Bell again tonight, but only because the rest of the Marlins’ top relievers are equally taxed; Edward Mujica and Steve Cishek have both pitched on three consecutive nights, though they’ve both thrown fewer pitches than Bell.

Brian Wilson’s season in jeopardy; Sergio Romo likely to close

April 14, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Brian Wilson’s season is likely over.  After complaining of elbow soreness on Friday night, the Giants sent him for tests, where an MRI showed structural damage to his right elbow.  Bruce Bochy said that the Giants will go closer-by-committee at first, though Sergio Romo is the best bet to seize the permanent job.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Closer, Santiago Casilla to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Romo |Casilla |Lopez |Wilson |4/14/12 |Wilson (DL) |

 
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Ryan Cook primary set up man; Joe Nathan still closer

April 14, 2012

Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando got the save last night.  Ron Washington declared after the game that Joe Nathan was still the closer but with Adams getting the save the night before, the Rangers have several other options if Nathan continues to struggle. Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ogando |Nathan |4/14/12

 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook got the call for the 8th inning in a 3 run game last night and manager Bob Melvin has said that he plans on using Cook as his primary right-handed set up man.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to 2nd in line, replacing Fautino De Los Santos.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |4/14/12

 
Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop pitched in the 8th last night with the Orioles up one.   Strop has only given up one run so far this season while Kevin Gregg has gotten off to a slow start.   Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to Set-up, replacing Kevin Gregg.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/14/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen came in for the save with the Dodgers up 2 in the 9th but was unable to convert the save opportunity.  Javy Guerra is still clearly the closer and was just getting a day off after pitching three consecutive days.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Guerrier |Guerra |4/14/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Logan Ondrusek pitched 1.2 scoreless innings last night and has yet to give up a run this season.  He replaces the injured Nick Massett and moves to second in line behind Marshall and Chapman.  Hierarchy change: Logan Ondrusek to 2nd in line, replacing Nick Masset.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Marshall |Chapman |Ondrusek |Madson |4/14/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals  – Lidge has pitched two days in a row and it still should be Rodriguez’s turn for a save opp since Lidge got the lass one.
2. Francisco Cordero, Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos was not with the team last night due to the birth of his daughter.  Santos is expected to back today in time for the game but if something came up and Santos was not able to get back in time for the game, Cordero would likely get the save opportunity.