Another game, another Red Sox closer down

May 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either or both could be used in the closer role. Although Craig Breslow (fresh from his own DL stint) is now the third-best healthy reliever in the Red Sox pen, Daniel Bard or Alfredo Aceves could also conceivably join what has become a disturbingly threadbare crew. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/7/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 

JJ Hoover snags another vulture save; Andrew Bailey to undergo MRI

May 6, 2013

Cincinnati Reds – After pitching in back to back games, both Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton got the day off on Sunday, and the Reds played matchups in the late innings to protect a three-run lead, with Sean Marshall in the 8th and J.J. Hoover in the 9th.  This was Hoover’s 2nd save in three days, but he won’t likely see many more opportunities.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |5/6/13

 
St. Louis Cardinals – Mitchell Boggs on Friday was sent to the minors to sort things out, as the Cardinals somewhat surprisingly called up top prospect Carlos Martinez to replace him.  Martinez projects as a starter, but for now, his 99-mph fastball will be used in the late innings in St. Louis.  He’s now pitched two clean innings and could be a candidate to close if something happens to both Edward Mujica and Trevor Rosenthal.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Martinez to 2nd in line, replacing Mitchell Boggs.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Mujica |Rosenthal |Martinez |Motte |5/6/13 |Motte(DL) |

 
Minnesota Twins – Josh Roenicke picked up two 7th inning holds over the weekend, and appears to have established himself as the 7th inning man, ahead of Glen Perkins and Jared Burton.  Roenicke doesn’t have overpowering stuff — he’s struck out 10 and walked 6 in 14 innings this year — but he’s been effective thus far, with a 1.29 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Josh Roenicke to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Duensing.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Roenicke |Perkins |5/6/13

 
Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day on Sunday entered the game in the 8th inning with a few runners on and got out of the jam, retiring the first man he faced.  With the Orioles up 4, he stayed on for the 9th inning, and picked up his first save of the season.  O’Day has had a tremendous season so far, but he’s not a threat to take Jim Johnson’s job at this point.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |O'Day |Strop |Johnson |5/6/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Hanrahan, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey will undergo an MRI this afternoon to further evaulate his strained right biceps.  A DL trip is possible, making Joel Hanrahan a potentially valuable reliever at this point.