May 26, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays – Joel Peralta has had his problems with the long ball this year, but despite Jake McGee’s dominance, Peralta has consistently been the 8th inning guy all year long. However, McGee owners had reasons to feel optimistic yesterday, as Peralta, for the first time, was summoned in the 7th, rather than the 8th. He gave up his fifth home run of the season — a 2-run shot to Jonny Gomes — and saw his ERA climb to 5.24. Though we’re not ready to deem McGee the heir apparent just yet, any small shift in the Rays pen is worth mentioning, given Grant Balfour’s struggles.
Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Peralta | McGee.
New York Mets – When Terry Collins started talking about Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia in the back of the New York bullpen, we thought he’d turned a corner and was finally going to commit to the good young arms that had been developed in the Mets farm system. And while we can at least be grateful that Mejia has stuck, it seems Collins is still going to use Jose Valverde — arguably the worst pitcher in the Mets’ pen — as Mejia’s backup. On Friday, Collins said that Valverde would be his closer since Mejia was unavailable, and followed it up by saying the same thing between games during Sunday’s doubleheader. Weirdly, he still went to Mejia in game two on Sunday after saying he wouldn’t, but Papa Grande now appears to be the handcuff.
Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Valverde | Familia.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jose Valverde, New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia pitched in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched three innings over the last two games, throwing 52 total pitches.
3. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon could still get the 9th inning while Jason Grilli reacclimates to Major League hitting.
4. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Based on usage so far, Zach Britton looks like the guy, but Darren O’Day could still get a 9th inning call if match ups are right.
