Jim Johnson records save for Braves, Jenrry Mejia Suspended

April 12, 2015

Atlanta Braves – Jim Johnson recorded his first save of the season last night, as regular closer Jason Grilli was given the night off.  Johnson has gotten off to a great start and should continue to see save chances whenever Grilli is unavailable.

Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.

New York Mets —  Jenrry Mejia has been suspended 80 games for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Stanozolol.  Manager Terry Collins said he was disappointed for the other guys on the team and David Wright expressed his frustration.  Familia should continue to close for now, but this could create a bigger opportunity for Bobby Parnell when he returns.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | C.Torres | Montero.

Washington Nationals – The Nationals went to Blake Treinen in the 8th inning yesterday to protect a lead.  Treinen was successful in that same spot on Wednesday but couldn’t get the job done yesterday.  This is a new role for Treinen, but it sounds like manager Matt Williams would like to give Treinen a shot at locking down the 8th inning ahead of closer Drew Storen.  Casey Janssen felt good after throwing on Friday and should factor into the late inning bullpen plans for the Nationals when he is able to return.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Treinen | Barrett.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Joba Chamberlain, Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
3. Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
4. Shawn Tolleson/Roman Mendez, Texas Rangers — Neftali Feliz has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing a total of 40 pitches.  Tolleson has also pitched in two straight, but only thrown 17 pitches so he could be fresher than Feliz.
5. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — Miller has out-pitched Betances so far this season and could get the call on any night.

Brad Boxberger tightens his hold in Tampa; Andrew Miller on the rise for the Yankees

April 11, 2015

Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour entered in the fifth inning of Friday’s game with the Rays down seven, a solid indication that he’s not the first choice for high-leverage setup work in Tampa. Kevin Cash has also shown no indication that he’s using a closer committee, with Brad Boxberger getting enough endgame opportunities to shed his asterisk. Boxberger should have another three weeks in the role before Jake McGee returns.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Jepsen | Balfour.

Kansas City Royals — After initially saying that Greg Holland would be available, Ned Yost changed his mind and said that “common sense” dictated that Holland not pitch on three straight days so early in the season. Pitching coach Dave Eiland was apparently behind the decision. In Holland’s absence, Wade Davis struck out the side to earn an early vulture save.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Miami Marlins — It’s been a rough start to the season for Steve Cishek; the sidearmer gave up four runs in a Tuesday blowout, then blew Friday’s save in an outing that nonetheless brought his ERA back under 100. After the game, Cishek speculated that the team’s struggles may have been the result of “Zombie Night,” although the last time we checked, Kevin Gregg was pitching for Cincinnati.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Dunn | Ramos.

Minnesota Twins — Lefty Brian Duensing came on to face a lefty to close the eighth, with Minnesota up three runs. When the Twins scored three more in the top half of the ninth, he stayed on to finish the game, earning an unusual save.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman has pitched on three straight days, and four of the last five.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger has pitched on three of the last four days.
3. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees — This is a committee anyway — one that seems to be leaning in Miller’s direction — and Dellin Betances threw 25 pitches Friday and 32 on Wednesday.

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.

Brett Cecil demoted; Miguel Castro could take over

April 9, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – A night after an 8th-inning shellacking at the hands of the Yankees, Brett Cecil was informed that he’d be given a little time off from closing, and would instead be used in the 7th and 8th innings. John Gibbons hasn’t explicitly named a replacement, though Miguel Castro appears to be the leading candidate. Roberto Osuna could potentially factor in as well.

Updated hierarchy: *Castro | Osuna | Cecil.
*closer-by-committee