April 25, 2013
Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Reynolds got his 2nd extra-inning save in as many nights on Wednesday, but JJ Putz hasn’t lost the closer job yet despite a bad start to the season; last night, he was just unavailable due to being overworked. Also of note in Arizona is the resurgence of Heath Bell, who started the season badly but has now pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in his last six outings, racking up 11 strikeouts (with 0 walks) in the process. He pitched the 8th inning of a tie game last night. Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Ziegler. JJ Putz to Hot Seat.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Bell |Putz |4/25/13
Milwaukee Brewers – After an April 9th meltdown that cost him his job and sent his ERA to 24.30, John Axford has been turning things around. With six straight scoreless outings in which he threw a total of 5.1 innings and only allowed to baserunners, Ron Roenicke said yesterday that it wouldn’t take much for him to return Axford to the closer role. With that comment, suddenly, the reliable Jim Henderson is now looking over his shoulder, and the Ax Man is on the verge of returning to his old role. Hierarchy change: John Axford to Set-up, Tom Gorzelanny to 2nd in line. Jim Henderson to Hot Seat.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Gorzelanny |Henderson |4/25/13
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight.
2. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
3. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey has pitched in four of the last five.
