July 7, 2014
Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman tweaked a hamstring at some point leading up to Sunday’s game, so Jonathan Broxton got the save for the Reds. Bryan Price expects Chapman to be back in short order.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Broxton | LeCure.
Texas Rangers – After throwing two scoreless innings in his return to the bigs on Friday, Neftali Feliz was solid again on Sunday, pitching the 8th inning of a losing effort. Due to his past experience in the role, he’ll likely be on the short list for save chances if Joakim Soria gets hurt or traded.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Frasor | Feliz.
Chicago White Sox – Robin Ventura has said that he’s going to wait for someone to emerge in the White Sox closer by committee, and on Sunday, Jake Petricka did an awful lot of emerging. Mixing in a 98 mph fastball, struck out two hitters in two perfect innings, picking up his third save of the year. It’s hard to know what to make of this appearance, as Zach Putnam was unavailable and Javy Guerra was warming up in the 9th inning. Additionally, Petricka’s ratios are still kind of terrible (48.2 IPs, 36 Ks, 24 BBs). But Sunday’s outing stretched his scoreless streak to 12 consecutive innings, and he’s now neck and neck with Putnam for save chances in Chicago.
Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.
Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil returned from the DL over the weekend, logging two scoreless appearances in the Blue Jays’ series with Oakland. He should supplant Aaron Loup as the go-to lefty in the late innings for Toronto; on Sunday, Loup came on in the 6th inning of a losing effort.
Updated hierarchy: Janssen | McGowan | Cecil.
San Francisco Giants – After his second save in two days, Bruce Bochy named Santiago Casilla the new full-time closer. Sergio Romo got knocked around again yesterday, so Jeremy Affeldt is still the handcuff for now, but he’s not likely to get saves unless Casilla is overworked.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Affeldt | Romo.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton has pitched in back to back games and five of six.
2. Andrew Miller/Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in back to back games, including a 2-inning appearance on Sunday.
