April 17, 2015
Tampa Bay Rays — Injured closer Jake McGee, working his way back after arthroscopic elbow surgery in December, tossed an inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday. The Rays will decide the next step in McGee’s recovery process on Friday; he may return to the big club within two weeks.
Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.
New York Mets — In a rehab outing for Class A St. Lucie, Bobby Parnell allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning of work. If this outing is any indication, Parnell may have a long way to go. Original estimates had Parnell returning to the Mets sometime in May; assuming he gets his act together, he could return to the late-inning mix. In the meantime, Jeurys Familia continues to get the job done for the Mets. He recorded his fourth save in as many chances Thursday, closing the door on the Marlins with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Hierarchy remains: Familia | C.Torres | Montero.
Arizona Diamondbacks — In a game neither side seemed to want to win, Addison Reed took the hill in the ninth with a 4-3 lead, but blew the save after allowing a two-out triple to San Francisco’s Joe Panik. Reed was yanked after giving up two hits and two walks. These were the first runs Reed has allowed all year, so it’s not time to panic yet; recall, though, that he wasn’t very good last year (4.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) and was injured for much of this spring.
Hierarchy remains: Reed | Marshall | Ziegler.
San Francisco Giants — Closer Santiago Casilla entered a tie game in the tenth with two outs and immediately surrendered the go-ahead home run. When Arizona squandered the lead again, Casilla got a chance to redeem himself — but he loaded the bases before getting the hook. Casilla has now allowed six baserunners and two runs over his last two appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Buddy Carlyle/Jerry Blevins, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia and Carlos Torres have pitched on four days out of five, and Rafael Montero threw 29 pitches on Thursday. The Mets could wind up going to one of their backup relievers if the need arises on Friday.
2. Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — Joel Peralta was dealing with a stiff neck earlier in the week, so Hatcher could be in line for some work in a save opportunity on Friday, especially given the committee situation.
3. Roberto Osuna/Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays — Miguel Castro hasn’t officially been named the closer in Toronto, so until that happens, pay attention to Osuna and maybe even the demoted Cecil.
