Kyuji Fujikawa makes a triumphant return

August 7, 2014

Chicago Cubs — Kyuji Fujikawa was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday and entered with two men on in the sixth, with the Cubs down four. After a hit batsman loaded the bases, Fujikawa induced a double play and a fly ball to escape the jam. Although Rick Renteria has said that he intends to ease Fujikawa back into higher-leverage roles, the Cubs will need to see him pitch in big spots soon to help them decide whether they should pick up his $5.5 million option for 2015 or exercise the $500k buyout.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop | Fujikawa.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pat Neshek, St. Louis Cardinals — In a tied ninth, Mike Matheny went back to Trevor Rosenthal for the fourth day in five (and fifth in seven), and Rosenthal immediately gave up a single, double, and intentional walk. He escaped after allowing only one run, but still earned a loss. The Monkey will eat his Knicks hat if Trevor pitches on Thursday.

Adam Dunn finally makes Chicago happy

August 6, 2014

Chicago White Sox — Down 15 in the ninth, Robin Ventura summoned the most expensive option he had: Adam “Big Donkey” Dunn. The active leader in striking out couldn’t induce one of his own, but managing to hold a team to one run in an inning deserves a commendation by White Sox standards. Meanwhile, Zach Putnam joined Matt Lindstrom in Charlotte on injury rehab.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon blew a save in the 11th inning, leaving Carlos Villanueva to nail things down in the 12th.

Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Strop | Schlitter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal and Pat Neshek have each pitched in three of the team’s last four games.

Papelbon placed on waivers; Axford earns a save

August 5, 2014

Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon was placed on waivers Monday and is expected to clear on Wednesday. That will free him up for a trade, though he will only waive his no-trade clause if he can close elsewhere. Those options are few and far between, but if a trade is worked out, Ken Giles is waiting in the wings.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Bastardo.

Cleveland Indians — John Axford entered the eighth with two runners in scoring position and the Tribe holding a four-run lead. He got the final two outs of the frame and remained on the mound to close out the 7-1 win, picking up his 10th save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | Axford.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees – David Robertson has pitched in three straight games while Betances had Monday night off after back-to-back appearances.
2. Brad Boxberger, Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee has thrown in two straight games, including 23 pitches on Monday.

Neftali Feliz’s fastball velocity has everyone worried

August 4, 2014

Texas Rangers – Neftali Feliz blew a save on Sunday, his first blown save in four tries since inheriting the closer job. Normally, that would be good enough to establish a little bit of a leash, but Feliz’s peripherals have been pretty brutal in those four outings — he’s struck out only 1 hitter in 4 innings (compared with 2 BBs), and he’s yielded 9 fly balls (and 1 HR) against just 3 ground balls, which isn’t a particularly healthy ratio. On Sunday, virtually all of the Rangers’ beat writers were wondering about his fastball velocity, as was Ron Washington. If Feliz does need some backup, Neal Cotts has been getting the 8th inning as of late, while righties Shawn Tolleson and Roman Mendez could also potentially be in the mix.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Cotts | Tolleson.
Neftali Feliz to Hot Seat.

Baltimore Orioles – Andrew Miller got his third 8th inning hold in four appearances with Baltimore, and along with Darren O’Day has given the Orioles a dominant righty-lefty punch in the 8th inning.

Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Miller.

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox bullpen on Sunday gave up 15 runs in 4 innings — and they were all earned. I’m not even mad. That’s amazing.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw/John Axford, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched in back to back games and three of four. Bryan Shaw would normally be the backup, but he has appeared in the same three games, making John Axford a possible candidate.

Jake Petricka blows save while Matt Lindstrom works his way back from injury

August 3, 2014

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox had to call on Jake Petricka in the 8th inning last night trying to hold on to a one run lead.  He came on with two runners on and got the first man to ground out before giving up a go-ahead two run double.  Petricka was charged with a blown save but before the game Robin Ventura said that he has been impressed with Petricka in the closer’s role.  Matt Lindstrom, or Linstrom as the Charlotte Knights like to call him, threw an inning on Friday night and is expected to pitch every other day and could return to the White Sox as early as Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Kansas City Royals — Since picking up a save a little over a week ago, Aaron Crow has given up 5 runs (4 earned) in 2.2 innings and the Royals used him in the 5th yesterday in a game they were losing.  Meanwhile, Kelvin Herrera pitched the 7th inning ahead of Wade Davis and Greg Holland on Wednesday and Friday nights and seems to has re-established himself as the best option behind those two guys.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka has pitched in three straight.