Mark Melancon losing velocity

April 16, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates are watching Mark Melancon’s velocity, as it is down three miles per hour from last year. Clint Hurdle isn’t “concerned” or “disappointed,” but is going to watch what happens with his closer. His ERA of 6.75 is a bit misleading, as he has three scoreless appearances (including last night in a loss) and one in which he yielded three runs. However, he has yet to record a save this year, mostly due to lack of opportunities. This isn’t enough to earn Melancon a spot on the hot seat just yet, but if he does begin to concern or disappoint his manager, Tony Watson remains next in line, with Arquimedes Carminero and Jared Hughes behind him.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Caminero.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The most unpredictable bullpen in the majors remained that way last night as the Dodgers held onto a three-run win. Chris Hatcher got the last two outs in the seventh, while Pedro Baez took the whole eighth and the first out of the ninth. Just when you thought you could count him out, JP Howell was summoned for the last two outs of the game. However, this wasn’t quite a save situation and Howell did face Seattle’s bottom two batters. In addition, Joel Peralta was dealing with a stiff neck. This doesn’t seem to be serious, as he had hoped to be available yesterday. All of this may not matter soon, as Kenley Jansen is scheduled to begin throwing off a mound, on Saturday. His return will be a welcome sight for anyone who is a fan of bullpen stability.

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

Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria picked up another save last night, but despite Soria’s hot start, Brad Ausmus said he would stick with Joe Nathan when he returns from the DL.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.

New York Mets — If anybody was holding out hope that Jenrry Mejia would be a factor in the bullpen when he returns from his PED suspension, it may be time to cut ties with him. Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he isn’t even guaranteed a roster spot when he gets back, let alone a shot at the closer’s role.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | C.Torres | Montero.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Robert Osuna/Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays – While Miguel Castro is the first choice here, anybody could get the call in Toronto

Fernando Rodney struggles; Kevin Jepsen earns vulture save

April 15, 2015

Colorado Rockies — Prior to Tuesday’s game, Walt Weiss told Adam Ottavino that he would be the closer going forward; Ottavino responded by striking out the side to pick up his first save.

Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Betancourt | Logan.

Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney continued his poor pitching on Tuesday and this time it resulted in his first blown save since July 20, 2014. Manager Lloyd McClendon has already said prior to Tuesday that he won’t fly off the handle after a bad outing, and stated after last night that his team is going to be fine.  If Rodney doesn’t improve however, McClendon may not have much choice going forward. One choice he won’t have is to use former closer Tom Wilhelmsen, who hit the DL.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Farquhar | Medina.

Tampa Bay Rays – Brad Boxberger had pitched four of the last five days, and despite an off day on Sunday, was held out for Tuesday’s tilt. Kevin Jepsen earned the Vulture Save in Boxberger’s stead.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Both JP Howell and Chris Hatcher were used while the Dodgers trailed last night, and both pitched well, particularly Hatcher. We do think this means Howell is unlikely to get a save chance, with Pedro Baez (4.0 IP, 6K, 0.00 ERA) a more likely candidate. Yimi Garcia, who leads the Dodgers in wins after last night, has also pitched well, striking out 10 of the 22 batters he has faced.

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

Toronto Blue Jays – Miguel Castro appeared to be at the front of John Gibbons’ committee after his save against the Yankees, but on Tuesday he entered a tie game in the seventh and stayed on to pitch the eighth, giving up a run in the process. It looks as if the committee is more wide open than originally thought, with Roberto Osuna and Brett Cecil still very much in the mix.

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

Chicago White Sox – Dan Jennings has picked up back-to-back holds for the White Sox after some early struggles. He’s tied with teammate Zach Duke and a host of others for the AL lead in holds now and seems to be favored at this point over Javy Guerra.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Duke | Jennings.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Carlos Torres, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia has pitched in three straight games.

Andrew Miller now fronting Yankees committee

April 14, 2015

New York Yankees – Andrew Miller was called on to close the door on the Yankees’ come from behind victory tonight with a five-out save. Dellin Betances was used in the 8th and continued to struggle, giving up two hits and two walks in one inning of work. At this point it seems that Joe Girardi is most comfortable relying on Miller to lock up close games. While still ostensibly a committee, we are ready to flip Betances and Miller.

Updated hierarchy: *Miller | Betances | Carpenter.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Jumbo Diaz’s struggles continued in Chicago tonight, instantaneously surrendering a two run lead by giving up a long home run to Chris Coghlan in the 8th inning tonight. J.J. Hoover and Tony Cingrani might see more hold opportunities if Diaz is moved to a lower-leverage position.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Diaz | Cingrani.

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt was the freshest option in the bullpen for Walt Weiss last night after LaTroy Hawkins was unceremoniously sacked; Betancourt threw a perfect 9th inning with 2 Ks in recording the save. Adam Ottavino still could be the favorite for saves going forward, but Betancourt will also get consideration going forward after his spotless work on Monday.

Updated hierarchy: *Ottavino | Betancourt | Logan.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Hector Rondon has pitched in three straight after snagging a Vulture Win last night in extra innings.
2. Chris Hatcher/J.P. Howell, Los Angeles Dodgers – Joel Peralta has pitched in back to back games and three of four.

Koji Uehara activated; Chris Hatcher has another bad outing

April 13, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates – After a ridiculous spring that included a 21:1(!) K:BB ratio, Arquimedes Caminero has brought his 101-mph fastball to the 7th inning in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, he picked up his 2nd hold of the season, and he’s now totaled 2.2 scoreless to start the year.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Caminero.

Chicago White Sox – Zach Duke picked up his second straight 8th inning hold on Sunday. The White Sox have been wise to make good on their offseason investment (3 years, $15M), as Duke has been one of the only reliable arms in the Chicago bullpen thus far. Would-be set-up man Zach Putnam has struggled out of the gate (4 ERs in 2 innings) after struggling during the spring (9.35 ERA) and might be looking at a trip to the minors if he can’t sort things out soon.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Duke | Guerra.

Tampa Bay Rays – Ernesto Frieri cleaned up an 8th inning mess and then stayed on for the 9th after the Rays tacked on a run. Frieri allowed a run himself, but picked up a vulture save.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.

Colorado Rockies – John Axford has left the Rockies for a while to be with his son, who just had surgery following a rattlesnake attack. His absence may be poorly timed for Axford owners, as LaTroy Hawkins just blew his second save in a row and remains firmly on the Hot Seat. With Axford away, Adam Ottavino and Boone Logan are the relievers who could benefit if the Rockies are looking to give Hawkins a break.

Hierarchy remains: Hawkins | Ottavino | Logan.

Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney had an atrocious outing on Sunday afternoon, allowing the A’s to score four runs in the bottom of the 9th inning — Yoervis Medina would eventually pick up the save in extras. Rodney also had a shaky spring, with 7 walks in 8.1 IPs, and with his control problems spilling over into the regular season, those in deeper leagues might look to stash either Medina or Danny Farquhar should Rodney end up on the Hot Seat. (He’s already pretty close.)

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Farquhar | Medina.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Chris Hatcher had another brutal outing on Sunday, allowing 3 runs to score while only recording one out. Joel Peralta came in afterwards to lock down the 1-out save, and is now firmly in the lead in the Los Angeles committee; in fact, the way things have gone thus far, it would surprise us to see anyone other than Peralta used in the 9th going forward. We’ll hold off on lifting the asterisk for one more save, but frankly, Hatcher might not even stay in the bigs for very much longer if he keeps pitching the way he has (33.75 ERA) over the season’s first week.

Updated hierarchy: *Peralta | Hatcher | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara will come off the disabled list today and will resume closing immediately.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Mujica | Ogando.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joba Chamberlain, Detroit Tigers – Joakim Soria has pitched in three straight.
2. Roman Mendez, Texas Rangers – Neftali Feliz and Shawn Tolleson have both pitched in three straight.
3. Eric O’Flaherty, Oakland A’s – Tyler Clippard has pitched in two straight and three of four, throwing 57 pitches in the process.
4. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in four of the last five games.