July 9, 2013
Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano’s failure to thrive after returning from an elbow injury has finally resulted in his demotion from the 8th inning role. Terry Francona says that Joe Smith will take over setup duties, with Cody Allen filling in when necessary — although the goal is to rehabilitate Pestano to his 2012 form. Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Cody Allen to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CLE | Chris Perez | Joe Smith | Cody Allen | Chris Perez | 7/9/13 |
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Colorado Rockies — Matt Belisle pitched a perfect eighth in a close game on Monday, and Walt Weiss seems to again prefer him to Wilton Lopez in higher-leverage situations. Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| COL | Rafael Betancourt | Rex Brothers | Matt Belisle | Rafael Betancourt | 7/9/13 |
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Chicago White Sox — Matt Thornton, the subject of several recent trade rumors, was ineffective in a tied eighth inning on Monday night and caught the loss. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| CHW | Addison Reed | Matt Thornton | Matt Lindstrom | Addison Reed | 7/9/13 | |||||
| Jesse Crain (DL) |
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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria returned on Sunday after almost two years of recovery from Tommy John surgery; in his first two games back, he has picked up holds in the sixth and eighth innings. We’re not ready to move Soria into Texas’s hierarchy just yet, but don’t count him out. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| TEX | Joe Nathan | Tanner Scheppers | Neal Cotts | Joe Nathan | 7/9/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon struggled on Monday night; he has pitched on two straight days and four of the last five.
2. Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight games.
3. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Although Chris Perez threw only seven pitches on Monday, it was his third straight day of work.
