May 13, 2013
Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League entered Sunday’s game with the Dodgers up by four, and promptly allowed two runs to score before nailing down the final out. His ERA climbed to 6.28 after the crummy outing, and he remains firmly on the Hot Seat. One more bad outing, and Kenley Jansen could finally inherit the job. No hierarchy change.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| LAD | Brandon League | Kenley Jansen | Ronald Belisario | Kenley Jansen | 5/13/13 |
Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell looked like the Heath Bell of 2012 on Sunday, blowing the save and watching as the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th. It was Bell’s first blown save since inheriting the job, but since Kirk Gibson said early on that Bell and David Hernandez could both be used in the 9th inning, Bell might not get another opportunity if he blows up again. Heath Bell to Hot Seat.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| ARI | Heath Bell | David Hernandez | Brad Ziegler | JJ Putz | 5/13/13 |
| JJ Putz (DL) |
Milwaukee Brewers – Tom Gorzelanny was placed on the DL over the weekend. Brandon Kintzler picked up an 8th-inning hold earlier this week and stands to get more high-leverage chances in Gorzelanny’s absence. Hierarchy change: Burke Badenhop to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line, Tom Gorzelanny to DL.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| MIL | Jim Henderson | Burke Badenhop | Brandon Kintzler | Jim Henderson | 5/13/13 |
| Tom Gorzelanny (DL) |
New York Mets – Scott Rice’s ratios have been ugly all season, but early on, he was at least getting outs. His high walk rate has started to catch up to him though, and given that he has a tough time facing righties, it’s unlikely the Mets would go to him in a save spot unless they were playing matchups. Veterans LaTroy Hawkins and Brandon Lyon are both more likely to get a 9th inning chance on nights when Bobby Parnell is unavailable. Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| NYM | Bobby Parnell | LaTroy Hawkins | Brandon Lyon | Bobby Parnell | 5/13/13 |
| Frank Francisco (DL) |
Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee picked up his second 7th-inning hold in the past week on Sunday. McGee has an extremely high ERA, but it’s mostly due to one horrible outing he had in early May. On the rare night when both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta were unavailable, he’d likely get the save opp. Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Jamey Wright.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| TB | Fernando Rodney | Joel Peralta | Jake McGee | Fernando Rodney | 5/13/13 |
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen picked up a one-inning save in the 10th inning for the Indians on Sunday. Chris Perez experienced some mild stiffness as he was warming up, but expects to be fine tomorrow. No hierarchy change.
| Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | |
| CLE | Chris Perez | Joe Smith | Bryan Shaw | Chris Perez | 5/13/13 |
| Vinnie Pestano (DL) |
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez was unavailable last night, and if he can’t go today, Joe Smith could get a save opportunity. Even if Perez is available, Smith is a decent add, as the Indians have a doubleheader today.
2. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell threw 30 pitches in a 1.1 inning outing on Sunday.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has been unavailable for a few days with a strained side.
