May 27, 2013
Chicago Cubs – Kyuji Fujikawa left yesterday’s game with a right forearm strain. It sounds similar to the injury he suffered earlier this season and he is likely to return to the DL. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHC | Kevin Gregg | Carlos Marmol | James Russell | Kyuji Fujikawa | 5/27/13 | |||||
| Kyuji Fujikawa (INJ) |
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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has been put on the 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness. Manager Terry Francona did not say anything about a replacement for Chris Perez in the postgame yesterday, but Vinnie Pestano seems like the logical choice. He recorded a franchise record 36 holds and also a couple saves when Perez was unavailable last season. He has struggled a little bit so far this year but Francona is impressed with what Pestano has done the past couple seasons. Joe Smith got the call yesterday in the ninth, and Peter Gammons thinks it might be Bryan Shaw while acknowledging how well Cody Allen has been pitching. We will continue to monitor this situation to see who emerges as the closer while Perez is sidelined. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CLE | Vinnie Pestano | Joe Smith | Bryan Shaw | Chris Perez | 5/27/13 | |||||
| Chris Perez (DL) |
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Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson picked up the save on Saturday but blew another one on Sunday. The blown save on Sunday was his fourth of the season and he is still very much on the hot seat. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| BAL | Jim Johnson | Darren O’Day | Tommy Hunter | Jim Johnson | 5/27/13 |
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St. Louis Cardinals – Seth Maness picked up the win yesterday, pitching part of the sixth and seventh innings ahead of Rosenthal and Mujica. Carlos Martinez was sent down to the minors and it looks like Maness will take over his late inning role. Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Carlos Martinez.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| STL | Edward Mujica | Trevor Rosenthal | Seth Maness | Jason Motte | 5/27/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson blew the save last night and threw 37 pitches. He also pitched in Saturday so he will likely get the day off today.
2. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Jansen is still the best pitcher in the Dodgers bullpen and could get the save if he is not needed before the 9th inning.
3. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched 3 games in a row and 4 out of the last 5.
