May 15, 2013
Los Angeles Dodgers — After 132 pitches got Clayton Kershaw only 26 outs, Don Mattingly turned to Kenley Jansen, not Brandon League, to finish off the 2-0 win. Although Mattingly recently declared League his closer “for now,” that tepid reassurance apparently came with an expiration date. The Dodger relievers might swap roles over the next few weeks, but Jansen — clearly the best pitcher in the pen — is likely to take full advantage of this opportunity. Hierarchy change: Kenley Jansen to Closer, Brandon League to Set-up, Paco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAD | Kenley Jansen | Brandon League | Paco Rodriguez | Kenley Jansen | 5/15/13 |
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Chicago White Sox — Jesse Crain entered in the eighth inning to hold a two-run lead; he leads the league with 10 holds and has regularly performed in a set-up role over the last few weeks, while lefty Matt Thornton has been used more situationally. Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Set-up, replacing Matt Thornton.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHW | Addison Reed | Jesse Crain | Matt Thornton | Addison Reed | 5/15/13 |
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Milwaukee Brewers — After using Burke Badenhop and Brandon Kintzler to get through the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, Ron Roenicke went to John Axford in the eighth. Roenicke’s patience was repaid with another blown save, albeit one that managed to lower Axford’s still-astronomical ERA and WHIP. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| MIL | Jim Henderson | Burke Badenhop | Brandon Kintzler | Jim Henderson | 5/15/13 | |||||
| Tom Gorzelanny (DL) |
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Los Angeles Angels — Ryan Madson had a successful rehab appearance on Monday. If all goes well in his next game on Wednesday, he may return from the DL this weekend — although he will not start off as the team’s closer. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| LAA | Ernesto Frieri | Scott Downs | Garrett Richards | Ernesto Frieri | 5/15/13 | |||||
| Ryan Madson (DL) | Kevin Jepsen (DL) |
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Toronto Blue Jays — Adding to the Blue Jays’ injury woes, Sergio Santos will need surgery to clean out bone spurs from his elbow. Expect him back in early July. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| TOR | Casey Janssen | Darren Oliver | Steve Delabar | Sergio Santos | 5/15/13 | |||||
| Sergio Santos (DL) |
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Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson blew the save last night, managing to squeeze four singles, a hit batsman, and three outs from a mere 13 pitches. Of course he’s in no danger, as it was his first blown save since last July, a string of 35 successes broken. Perhaps someone could inform the Oriole “fans” on Twitter. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| BAL | Jim Johnson | Darren O’Day | Tommy Hunter | Jim Johnson | 5/15/13 |
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Pittsburgh Pirates — Whatever kept Jason Grilli from playing on Monday didn’t interfere with his Tuesday performance — he struck out the side in a perfect ninth. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| PIT | Jason Grilli | Mark Melancon | Tony Watson | Jason Grilli | 5/15/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney struck out the side last night, but it was his fourth appearance in six days. Peralta is slightly more well-rested.
2. Boone Logan, New York Yankees — Mariano Rivera and David Robertson have each pitched on three of the last four days, and five of the last seven. It’s not inconceivable that Logan could be called upon in a close ninth inning.
