Blake Parker picks up an extra inning save

June 30, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Blake Parker earned his first career save on Saturday night.  Kevin Gregg had already blown a one run lead in the 9th and Carlos Villanueva pitched the 10th inning in a tie game.  Parker has pitched well since getting called up and could be an option to close when Gregg is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to 2nd in line, replacing James Russell.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos VillanuevaBlake ParkerKevin Gregg6/30/13

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Cincinnati Reds – The Reds placed Johnny Cueto on the DL on Friday, and Tony Cingrani will take his spot in the rotation.  J.J. Hoover picked up the win yesterday and should see more time in the late innings.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Cingrani.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CINAroldis ChapmanSam LeCureTony CingraniJonathan Broxton6/30/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks – Although J.J. Putz only threw 9 pitches while recording one out yesterday, it sounds like the Diamondbacks are going to try to not use Putz on back to back days so Bell could be used instead of Putz today.
2. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez just returned from the DL and has pitched in two straight so he could get the day off on Sunday.
3. Paco Rodriguez/Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen blew the save last night and has pitched in the 3 of the last four games.

Putz back for D-Backs. Storen, Pestano, and Hunter pick up saves

June 29, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz will be activated from the DL on Saturday and should return to the closer role. Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to closer, Heath Bell to Set-Up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIJ.J. PutzHeath BellDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz6/29/13

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Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard pitched a scoreless 8th in a tie game last night.  That left Drew Storen to get the save when the Nats took the lead in the top of the 9th.  Clippard has been pitching in the set-up role ahead of Soriano most of the year, and it looks like the Nats like him so much in the 8th inning role they will continue to use him there even on nights when Soriano is unavailable.  Drew Storen will likely continue to see the save opportunities when Soriano is given a night off .  Hierarchy change: Drew Storen to Set-up, Tyler Clippard to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
WASRafael SorianoDrew StorenTyler ClippardRafael Soriano6/29/13

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Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano picked up the save in game 2 of the doubleheader last night.  Chris Perez had already thrown a perfect inning in game 1.  Perez is still the closer but if he struggles at all Pestano has proved that he can handle the job.   No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CLEChris PerezVinnie PestanoJoe SmithChris Perez6/29/13

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Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th inning on Friday night to pick up his second save of the season.  Jim Johnson was given the night off after pitching in three of the past four games.    No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
BALJim JohnsonTommy HunterDarren O’DayJim Johnson6/29/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates – With the Pirates up big last night Ryan Reid pitched the final three innings for the save.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli6/29/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in three straight.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Kevin Jepsen and Ernesto Frieri have each pitched three nights in a row.
3. Brandon Lyon, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell took the loss last night and has pitched in three straight games.

Rafael Betancourt returns; Carlos Villanueva’s value rising

June 28, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Blake Parker wasn’t given much rope on Thursday, as he was yanked a game the Cubs were leading by 5 after giving up a solo HR.  He’d only retired one batter.  Parker was impressive in AAA, but early indications are that Carlos Villanueva might be the man who the Cubs trust in 8th inning hold situations.  He got the call in a one-run game on Wednesday.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Villanueva to Set-up, replacing Blake Parker.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos VillanuevaJames RussellKevin Gregg6/28/13

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Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt returns from the DL today and will resume closing immediately.  His return means that Rex Brothers can return to his 8th inning role, and Matt Belisle can be mercifully relegated to a less meaningful role.  Last night, Belisle blew the game in the 8th inning, and has now given up 12 ERs in his last 6.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Rafael Betancourt to Closer, Rex Brothers to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersWilton LopezRafael Betancourt6/28/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in three straight.
2. Paco Rodriguez/Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
3. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched on back to back nights and has yet to go in three in a row all season.

Chris Perez returns; Astros giving Jose Cisnero a bigger role

June 27, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – After a taxing outing on Sunday, Jason Grilli has gotten a few days off.  On Wednesday, Mark Melancon pitched the 9th inning in his stead.  So far, there’s no indication that this is anything serious.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli6/27/13

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez, sidelined since May 27 with a strained rotator cuff, will be activated today and will resume closing immediately.  Vinnie Pestano, who picked up five saves in his absence, will move back to a set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Chris Perez to Closer, Vinnie Pestano to Set-up, Joe Smith to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezVinnie PestanoJoe SmithChris Perez6/26/13

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Houston Astros – In pitching a scoreless 8th inning last night, Jose Cisnero lowered his season ERA to 2.14.  The young righthander has yet to give up a run in the month of June.  Despite his general competence (a quality not found in most Houston relievers), he hasn’t gotten much high-leverage work; he only has four holds on the season.  But his usage last night is an indication that Bo Porter might be trusting him with more big-game spots.  Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to 2nd in line, replacing Travis Blackley.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizJose CisneroJose Veras6/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight.
2. Paco Rodriguez/Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in four of the last five, including a 23-pitch outing last night.

Someone needs to stop Brandon League; Marmol and Herrera disappear

June 26, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to quickly make it a one-run game. Paco Rodriguez took over and allowed another single before retiring the next three hitters to earn his first career save. This outing will almost certainly end League’s reign of terror in late/close situations; Don Mattingly says he will use League in easier spots until and unless he improves. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to Set-Up, Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen6/26/13

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Chicago Cubs — 23 revelers were arrested Tuesday in Wrigleyville; we assume their riotous celebration was inspired by early word of Carlos Marmol’s demotion. With James Russell still the only lefty in the Cubs pen and Dale Sveum loath to use him in the ninth, we’re ready to predict that Blake Parker — with seven saves at AAA Iowa and great numbers in eight June appearances with the big club — takes on a larger role. Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerJames RussellKevin Gregg6/26/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Garrett Richards has not collected a hold in the month of June, and he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last five outings (10.1 IP). Scott Downs has 14 holds and saved nine games for the Angels last year; he’s been facing more than just lefties too, although his splits against right-handed hitters are unimpressive. Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to 2nd in line, replacing Garrett Richards.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenScott DownsErnesto Frieri6/26/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was sent to Omaha on Tuesday; fans of the mercurial righthander are advised to turn their tickets in and get their money back at the door. Ned Yost says that Herrera will pitch in a starting role at the AAA club, in the hope that he can “slow the game down” and start threading the needle again with all of his pitches. Yost added that Herrera’s eighth-inning role, truly the heart of matters, would be filled by Aaron Crow and lefty Tim Collins going forward. Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowTim CollinsGreg Holland6/26/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night, and a return to the Indians should follow very shortly. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/26/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, throwing 23 pitches in each of them.