Josh Fields picks up save and jumps into lead in Houston’s committee

April 2, 2014

Houston Astros – Josh Fields picked up the save for the Astros tonight, pitching a clean inning after Matt Albers threw a strong 1.1 innings ahead of him.  Chad Qualls was nowhere to be found.  Fields said for much of the spring that he wanted the job, and Bo Porter has already talked about using Qualls and Albers against lefties, suggesting Fields is the guy when there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning, which should be more often than not.  Though this will probably still be a committee on paper, Fields now has the edge.  Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to Closer, Matt Albers to Set-up, Chad Qualls to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsMatt AlbersChad QuallsJosh Fields4/2/14
 Jesse Crain (DL)

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Jose Valverde takes over in New York and Brian Wilson hits the DL

April 2, 2014

New York Mets — Bobby Parnell’s diminished velocity led to a blown save on Opening Day. After he complained of forearm tightness, an examination revealed a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Parnell, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection, will rest for at least two weeks, then begin a throwing program to determine if surgery will be necessary. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Jeurys Familia to Set-Up, Scott Rice to 2nd in line, Bobby Parnell to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeJeurys FamiliaScott RiceBobby Parnell4/2/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Houston Astros — In the first sign that Houston’s closer-by-committee system will be as unpleasant for fantasy owners as it is for the players involved, putative “closer” Chad Qualls was summoned Tuesday in the eighth inning, up six. We still think he has the inside track at the most save opportunities with Jesse Crain out, but it’s best to think of anything you get from any Astros pitcher as gravy. Specifically, the gravy that dog food makes. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUChad QuallsJosh FieldsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/2/14
 Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers — How about this? We let you know that Brian Wilson is headed to the disabled list with nerve irritation, and you just go ahead and make up your own punchline. Hierarchy change: Chris Perez to Set-up, Brandon League to 2nd in line, Brian Wilson to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrandon LeagueKenley Jansen4/2/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Ned Yost has picked $4.8 million man Wade Davis as the team’s official set-up guy with Luke Hochevar out for the year. Davis and Aaron Crow had a rough time on Monday, however, and what seemed like a strength for Kansas City now appears very shaky indeed. Hierarchy change: Wade Davis to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandWade DavisKelvin HerreraGreg Holland4/2/14

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Bobby Parnell has a partial MCL tear

April 1, 2014

New York Mets — Bobby Parnell’s diminished velocity led to a blown save on Opening Day. After he complained of forearm tightness, an examination revealed a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Parnell, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection, will rest for at least two weeks, then begin a throwing program to determine if surgery will be necessary. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Jeurys Familia to Set-Up, Scott Rice to 2nd in line, Bobby Parnell injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeJeurys FamiliaScott RiceBobby Parnell4/1/14
Bobby Parnell (INJ)

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Lindstrom, K-Rod take over closing roles; Johnson struggles while Wilhelmsen shines

April 1, 2014

Chicago White Sox – Crazy old Robin Ventura is going with Matt Lindstrom as his closer to start the year. Nate Jones is still worth hanging on to for a while, in case Lindstrom has a tough start out of the gate. Also keep an eye on Ronald Belisario, who made his White Sox debut in the eighth inning yesterday. Hierarchy change: Matt Lindstrom to Closer, Nate Jones to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromNate JonesDaniel WebbNate Jones3/31/14

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers fans and Jim Henderson owners were shocked to see Francisco Rodriguez pick up the save on Opening Day; after the game, manager Ron Roenicke apparently said that K-Rod would close and Henderson would move to middle relief until he “feels better.” Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Closer, Jim Henderson to Set-Up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson3/31/14

 
Baltimore Orioles — Evan Meek entered the eighth inning of Monday’s opener and recorded the first two outs before giving way to Brian Matusz for a lefty-lefty matchup to close the inning. Meek was the last player to make the opening-day roster, but the 2010 All-Star was immediately thrown into a high-leverage situation and escaped without much trouble. Hierarchy change: Evan Meek to 2nd in line, replacing Ryan Webb.

Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayEvan MeekTommy Hunter4/1/14

 
Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen retired all four batters he faced, including Albert Pujols with two on, two out in the seventh inning, in a solid performance. Fernando Rodney was warming for the ninth before the Mariners scored six in their half of the eighth, which meant Danny Farquhar got the call for the final three outs. Wilhelmsen has closing experience – albeit rocky – but if he can continue to get outs in high-leverage spots he’ll be contending with a shaky Rodney for save opportunities. Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Set-up, Danny Farquhar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
SEAFernando RodneyTom WilhelmsenDanny FarquharDanny Farquhar4/1/14

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Oakland A’s — Jim Johnson made his A’s debut in the ninth inning of a scoreless game and allowed the first three batters to reach before giving up a sac fly and a single. He was taken out to a chorus of boos, though there’s no sign of the reigning saves leader in the AL losing his new job. No Hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKJim JohnsonSean DoolittleLuke GregersonRyan Cook3/23/14
Ryan Cook(INJ)

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K-Rod makes a surprise return

March 31, 2014

Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers fans and Jim Henderson owners were shocked to see Francisco Rodriguez pick up the save on Opening Day; after the game, manager Ron Roenicke apparently said that K-Rod would close and Henderson would move to middle relief until he “feels better.” Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Closer, Jim Henderson to Set-Up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson3/31/14

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