July 4, 2013
Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a 10th inning save on Wednesday and should resume closing immediately. Eric Wedge said that he used Wilhelmsen because he liked the match-up so he did not necessarily come out and name him the closer. However it is clear that the Mariners bullpen is at his best with Wilhelmsen in the closer role so expect him to see the majority of the save opportunities moving forward. Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| SEA | Tom Wilhelmsen | Yoervis Medina | Oliver Perez | Tom Wilhelmsen | 7/3/13 | |||||
| Stephen Pryor (DL) |
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Chicago White Sox — The White Sox have placed Jesse Crain on the 15-day DL with a shoulder strain. Matt Lindstrom ended up taking the loss last night but he has pitched well so far this year and has picked up 9 holds. He should see more time in the late innings while Crain is out. Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Matt Lindstrom to 2nd in line, Jesse Crain to DL.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHW | Addison Reed | Matt Thornton | Matt Lindstrom | Addison Reed | 7/4/13 | |||||
| Jesse Crain (DL) |
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Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon got the last two outs of the seventh inning last night before Smyly and Benoit pitched the 8th and 9th. Rondon’s number in the minors this season were incredible and he looks to be the closer of the future for the Tigers. Hierarchy change: Bruce Rondon to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| DET | Joaquin Benoit | Drew Smyly | Bruce Rondon | Bruce Rondon | 7/4/13 |
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Houston Astros – The Astros optioned Hector Ambriz to the minors. Jose Cisnero and Travis Blackley should see time in the set-up role with Ambriz gone.. Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Set-up, Travis Blackley to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| HOU | Jose Veras | Jose Cisnero | Travis Blackley | Jose Veras | 7/4/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Drew Smyly/Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched in two straight and hasn’t pitched in three straight yet this season.
3. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
4. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in three straight
5. Yoervis Medina/Oliver Perez, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
