June 18, 2013
Seattle Mariners — Carter Capps was summoned in the sixth inning with the Mariners trailing by two. By the time he and Charlie Furbush were done spinning their craft, Seattle was down by nine. Eric Wedge has consistently said that Tom Wilhelmsen’s “mental break” from closing will be short-lived; add that to Monday’s debacle and Wedge’s use of Yoervis Medina in the ninth on Saturday, and you have a recipe for wholesale changes in the Seattle pen. Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Set-up, Yoervis Medina to 2nd in line.
Closer | Set-Up | 2nd in line | 2014 Closer | Updated | ||||||
SEA | . | Oliver Perez | . | Tom Wilhelmsen | . | Yoervis Medina | . | Tom Wilhelmsen | . | 6/18/13 |
Stephen Pryor (DL) |
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Arizona Diamondbacks — Heath Bell was the losing pitcher on Monday night; the game marked the third straight appearance in which Bell allowed at least one run. Heath Bell to Hot Seat.
. | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
ARI | Heath Bell | David Hernandez | Brad Ziegler | JJ Putz | 6/18/13 | |||||
JJ Putz (DL) |
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Detroit Tigers — Drew Smyly retired all nine men he faced last night, earning an impressive three-inning save that both inserts him into the Tigers’ closer debate and illustrates why he’s unlikely to be seriously considered. After the game, Jim Leyland reiterated that he will use a “mix and match” approach to future save opportunities, which could involve everyone but starter Rick Porcello. No hierarchy change.
. | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
DET | Jose Valverde | Joaquin Benoit | Drew Smyly | Bruce Rondon | 6/18/13 |
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Cincinnati Reds — After Johnny Cueto’s successful return from the disabled list on Sunday, Dusty Baker and the Reds had to decide what to do with their sixth starter, talented young lefty Tony Cingrani. On Monday, Baker announced they would move Cingrani to the bullpen — a move the Reds may look into patenting — and he promptly got two high-leverage outs in a tight eighth inning. Cingrani is too valuable a starter to use in relief over the long term, but given the injuries to Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall, his presence in the bullpen will be a welcome one as long as it lasts. No hierarchy change.
. | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
CIN | Aroldis Chapman | Sam LeCure | J.J. Hoover | Jonathan Broxton | 6/18/13 | |||||
Jonathan Broxton (DL) |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched in three straight games since his return from the disabled list.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers — Ron Roenicke has promised to give K-Rod the chance to reach 300 career saves, and he’s still stuck at 298.
3. Joaquin Benoit/Phil Coke, Detroit Tigers — Joaquin Benoit or Phil Coke could get a save anytime that Jim Leyland prefer them to Jose Valverde in a matchup. Drew Smyly is out of the picture after a three-inning outing.
4. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 40 pitches over the last two games.