Weekly Hot Seat Update: April 10, 2015

April 10, 2015

After elbow injuries to Joe Nathan and Jenrry Mejia and the recent demotion of Brett Cecil, three of the shakiest closers in the game have already been replaced. Who starts the season on the hot seat? And who stands to benefit if they falter?

5. Miguel Castro
Koji Uehara‘s impending return means that we didn’t even consider Edward Mujica for this spot. Instead it goes to the putative head of the brand-new Toronto closer committee: 20-year-old future starter Castro, whose right elbow (and its single tendon) was expected to start the season at Class A Dunedin. Castro’s rapid rise makes for a great story, but if he falters, it’ll be simple for the Jays to try out fellow youngster Roberto Osuna or return to Cecil.

4. LaTroy Hawkins
The 42-year-old already has his first blown save of the season, and PECOTA predicts that he’ll give up almost as many runs this year (36) as he earns strikeouts (43). Not exactly a recipe to lower a manager’s blood pressure. Walt Weiss can turn to Adam Ottavino, John Axford, or (when he gets back to the majors) perpetual “closer of the future” Rex Brothers.

3. Jason Grilli
Stepping into Craig Kimbrel’s golden cleats is the 38-year-old Grilli, who has an extensive history of injuries, and an apparently revitalized Jim Johnson lurking behind him. The Braves will give him the first shot at the job, but they’ll move on in a hurry if he performs like he did last season in Pittsburgh.

2. Dellin Betances
Betances, one of the breakout stars of 2014, struggled all through spring training, and hasn’t been much better now that the games count. Although the righty seems to have regained his missing velocity, control problems continue to plague him. He’s already in a platoon situation with lefty Andrew Miller, who’s a real threat to take the job and make it his own.

1. Chris Hatcher
Converted catcher Hatcher got the Dodgers’ first save of the year, but he might not be in line for too many more after getting blasted in a tied ninth inning on Tuesday. Joel Peralta, Hatcher’s main competition for the job in Kenley Jansen‘s absence, may have had a rough 2014, but he’s posted a consistently above-average WHIP and K rate over the last five years — and his first two outings so far this year have been scoreless, earning him a win and a save.

Miguel Castro gets first Blue Jays save; Koji Uehara back Monday?

April 10, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays — On the day Brett Cecil was demoted from the closer job, new committee head Miguel Castro mowed down the Yankees in the ninth to earn his first career save. A righty, the 6-5 Castro retired three Yankee lefthanded batters in Stephen Drew, Didi Gregorius and Jacoby Ellsbury. Roberto Osuna, Toronto’s other 20-year-old phenom, handled his business in the sixth and seventh, and Cecil responded to his new role encouragingly, with an effective eighth.

Hierarchy remains: *Castro | Osuna | Cecil.
*closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox haven’t had a save situation yet, but fans and owners pining for the return of Koji Uehara may not have to wait much longer. Uehara has a scheduled relief outing for Single-A Greenville on Friday, and manager John Farrell said the team isn’t ruling out a possible return to the big club after just the one rehab outing. Because Uehara’s hamstring injury “wasn’t arm-related,” as Farrell put it, we’re pretty comfortable with the expectation that Uehara will be back for the team’s home opener on Monday. As a side note, current closer Edward Mujica got some work in during the 9th inning of the team’s 6-2 win over the Phillies Thursday night.

Hierarchy remains: Mujica | Ogando | Tazawa.

New York Mets — Pitching in a non-save situation Thursday, Jeurys Familia allowed two hits and a run in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 6-3 win. Manager Terry Collins said before the game Thursday that Familia would not be the team’s exclusive closer, but will be “the guy” once he “can get lefties out in certain situations.” Confusingly, Collins finished by saying, “Right now Jeurys is going to close.” In case you were wondering, lefties hit .293 against Familia last season, but the two hits he allowed Thursday were to righties (Ian Desmond and Reed Johnson). It’s safe to say Familia is still the guy until Mejia returns.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Torres | Montero.

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers acquired righty reliever Ryan Webb from the Orioles Thursday. Webb was recently designated for assignment, but has a career 3.38 ERA and gives LA some much-needed bullpen depth. Webb has never recorded a save, but could conceivably enter a game in the late innings if Chris Hatcher or Joel Peralta falter. His situation is worth watching.

Hierarchy remains: *Hatcher | Peralta | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — Miller remains in a committee situation and could be in line for a save if the matchup against his former team, the Red Sox, is right.
2. Joel Peralta, Los Angeles Dodgers — In another committee, Chris Hatcher and Peralta have each recorded a save. Don Mattingly could turn to Peralta again in the right situation.