Tyler Clippard blows a save; Keone Kela ascends

April 27, 2015

Oakland A’s — Oakland’s bullpen has been struggling lately, turning Evan Scribner into an eighth-inning fixture, and leading Bob Melvin to give Ryan Cook the seventh-inning role in his season debut. Cook pitched well, but Tyler Clippard blew the save. Clippard has enough good will built up, though, that he’s not on the Hot Seat yet. Sean Doolittle is throwing from flat ground, but he still isn’t expected back until June.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Scribner | Cook.

Texas Rangers — While Tanner Scheppers sorts things out in the earlier innings, Keone Kela will be counted on in higher-leverage spots. He pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game on Sunday. Kela’s performance has been a source of inspiration at a difficult time for the scout who signed him.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Kela.

New York Yankees — David Carpenter has been absent from close games lately; maybe he’s not tall enough for Joe Girardi’s liking. In a bullpen full of literal giants, 6-foot-8 Chris Martin stands as tall as any — and the five straight outs he recorded during last night’s two-run win over NY (NL) gets him into a hierarchy that’s now only an inch short of 20 feet tall.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Martin.

Chicago White Sox — After making some mechanical adjustments recently, Jake Petricka was used in a tight seventh, and should continue to get important innings for the Sox.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Duke | Petricka.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Keone Kela/Roman Mendez, Texas Rangers — Neftali Feliz threw 38 pitches on Sunday and Shawn Tolleson was heavily used as well. Kela and Mendez are next in line.
2. Zach Duke, Chicago White Sox — David Robertson picked up a win and a save on Sunday, and needed 37 total pitches to do it. If he can’t go on Monday, Duke should get the nod.
3. Roberto Osuna/Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays — The Jays’ relievers are being used situationally.

Dodgers’ closer committee changes, Seth Maness records save

April 26, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — Joel Peralta is experiencing “dead arm” and could be headed to the DL.  Peralta was the head of the Dodgers’ closer committee; it looks like Yimi Garcia could take his place while the Dodgers wait for Kenley Jansen to get back.  Chris Hatcher pitched the 9th protecting a four run lead on Saturday, and both he and Pedro Baez could still get looks as well.

Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Baez | Hatcher.
*closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — Seth Maness recorded his first save of the season last night, as Trevor Rosenthal and Jordan Walden were given the night off.  Maness had three saves last season, and could continue to see save chances when the Cardinals’ closer and set-up man are unavailable.  Mitch Harris also made his major league debut yesterday for the Cardinals’ bullpen.  Harris spent five years in the Navy, where he would throw with the cook who was from the Dominican Republic.  Harris won’t factor into the Cardinals’ late inning bullpen plans, but that doesn’t mean the Monkey won’t be rooting for him.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Walden | Maness.

Toronto Blue Jays – All three members of the Blue Jays’ hierarchy contributed to a blown save on Saturday.  Roberto Osuna struck out the first two batters of the 8th inning protecting a one-run lead, but was pulled after he gave up a single to Evan Longoria.  Brett Cecil came on and gave up a single to the only batter he faced.  Finally, the Blue Jays brought in Miguel Castro.  Castro gave up back-to-back doubles, allowing both inherited runners to score, along with one of his own.  Cecil took the loss while Castro got the blown save, his second of the season.  Manager John Gibbons continues to say he will use his relievers situationally, instead of a traditional closer.

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

Detroit Tigers – Tom Gorzelanny picked up his first hold of the season yesterday, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings before closer Joakim Soria came on to pitch the 9th.  With Al Alburquerque struggling, Gorzelanny could see more action in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Gorzelanny.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street has appeared in three straight games.
2. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched three days in a row.
3. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla blew the save yesterday and has pitched in four out of the last five days.
4. Edward Mujica, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and hasn’t pitched in three straight games so far this season.
5. Pedro Baez/Chris Hatcher – Los Angeles Dodgers – With Joel Peralta injured, the Dodgers’ committee becomes a little more unsettled.