May 20, 2014
Chicago White Sox – Matt Lindstrom limped off the field in the ninth inning of Monday’s 7-6 win after he appeared to injure his left ankle. Scott Downs and Jake Petricka combined to close the game, with Petricka picking up his first career save. Sox manager Robin Ventura gave no specifics on the injury, but did say that it “didn’t look good.” We expect Belisario and Webb to form a committee if Lindstrom is indeed headed to the disabled list, with Webb getting the first crack at a save due to Belisario pitching two innings on Monday.
Hierarchy remains: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen blew the save on Monday, his first blown chance of the season. It marked his second straight bad outing, as he allowed three earned runs without recording an out on Sunday. Bryan Shaw should get the next save chance, while Allen may soon find himself below John Axford in the Indians’ committee.
Hierarchy remains: Shaw | Allen | Axford.
Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman suffered his first blown save of the season on Monday, but stayed in for a 1-2-3 10th inning in a 15-frame victory for the Reds. His job is not in jeopardy, though he is likely to get a night off after throwing 29 pitches. No hierarchy change.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Broxton | LeCure.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Daniel Webb, Chicago White Sox – Matt Lindstrom hobbled off the field on Monday after Ronald Belisario already threw two innings.
2. John Axford, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has been bad in back-to-back games, so Axford is the likely committee member to get the nod if Bryan Shaw can’t pitch the ninth.
3. Sam LeCure, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman had a 29-pitch outing on Monday and Jonathan Broxton has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 27 pitches across two days.
