June 10, 2014
Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam got the final two outs of the 8th inning on Monday, marking the fourth straight time that he’d bridged the gap to Ronald Belisario. The 26-year-old righty doesn’t have the best ratios in the world (19 Ks vs 9 BBs in 24.1 innings), but he keeps the ball in the ballpark and it’s hard to find fault with his 1.48 ERA. Though Belisario continues to make his owners a bit nervous, Putnam and Jake Petricka (1.59 ERA) have turned into a solid late-inning duo for Chicago.
Updated hierarchy: Belisario | Putnam | Petricka.
Atlanta Braves – It’s been quite an ascension for young Shae Simmons, who in two weeks has gone from AA to the 8th inning in Atlanta. Simmons now has six big league appearances, a 0.00 ERA, four 8th-inning holds (including his most recent effort, a spotless inning in a 3-1 game on Monday), and a save on a night when Craig Kimbrel was unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Simmons | Carpenter.
Arizona Diamondbacks – J.J. Putz returned from the DL on Monday, pitching a scoreless inning in his first outing back. The Diamondbacks, who are flush with matchup guys but have a dearth of relievers who can get both lefties and righties out, will likely ease Putz back into higher-leverage work.
Updated hierarchy: Reed | Ziegler | Putz.
Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays will go with a closer-by-committee for the time being, announced Joe Maddon on Sunday. Grant Balfour will be part of that committee, but as mentioned in our Sunday morning Daily, we like Joel Peralta to get the next save chance, with Jake McGee and Juan Carlos Oviedo also involved. Balfour will have to work his way back to the 9th inning, which seems unlikely given his terrible ratios thus far.
Updated hierarchy: Peralta | McGee | Oviedo.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in four straight.
2. Jake McGee/Juan Carlos Oviedo, Tampa Bay Rays – Welcome to the Vulture Save Watch, Tampa committee.
