July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew his second straight save on Wednesday, prompting Kirk Gibson to say about the back end of his bullpen “I’m sure I’ll be up early thinking about it.”  Bell, who is already on the Hot Seat, has been pretty terrible lately, but the upside for the Diamondbacks is that J.J. Putz is looking healthy and was finally given the keys to the 8th inning last night.  He only needed 10 pitches to retire the side in order, and now has logged six appearances (five of them scoreless) since coming off the DL.  Putz could be re-named closer as early as today.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
ARI		Heath Bell		J.J. Putz		David Hernandez		J.J. Putz		7/11/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Steve Delabar picked up a one-out save last night, replacing Casey Janssen, who was struggling to get through the 9th.  Though it was a little odd to see Janssen get yanked in the middle of a save opp, he’s only got one blown save all year.  Maybe the Blue Jays are boosting Delabar’s profile for the ridiculous, all-reliever AL final All Star vote.  No hierarchy change.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
TOR		Casey Janssen		Steve Delabar		Brett Cecil		Sergio Santos		7/11/13
				Sergio Santos (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – Kevin Siegrist continues to flat-out dominate, as he’s now amassed 17 Ks in 12.1 scoreless innings since being called up.  But it’s Seth Maness who has been getting the call ahead of Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica lately.  After pitching the 7th a few days ago, Maness got the call for the 6th and 7th last night, earning the win.  Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Siegrist.

	.	Closer	.	Set-Up	.	2nd in line	.	2014 Closer	.	Updated
STL		Edward Mujica		Trevor Rosenthal		Seth Maness		Jason Motte		7/11/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in back-to-back games and six of the last seven.