Weekly Hot Seat Update: May 8, 2015

We are a little over a month into the season and closers seem to be settling into their roles.  Steve Cishek has three straight scoreless appearances, recording two saves during that span.  Fernando Rodney has converted six consecutive save chances after giving up six runs in 1.1 innings in the middle of April.  Let’s take a look at the closer with the highest ERA, as well as some closers coming back from injury.

Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen entered May with an ERA in the double digits, and even after yesterday’s scoreless outing, it still sits at a healthy 9.00.  Although his ERA is high, Allen has some things going for him.  He has maintained a very good strikeout rate with 15 Ks in 10 innings.  Cleveland also doesn’t have any other strong options to close games.  Bryan Shaw has not been as good as he was last year and his usage has been strange.  Manager Terry Francona likes to match up his relievers, and that has resulted in 10 of Shaw’s 14 appearances lasting less than a full inning.  Lefty Nick Hagadone has shown some flashes, but he is still too inconsistent to be considered a serious threat to Allen.  The guy who might end up challenging Allen, if he continues to struggle, started out the season in the Indians’ starting rotation.  After one bad start, Zach McAllister was moved to the bullpen and has thrived there.  Pitching coach Mickey Callaway has said that the team trusts McAllister in any situation right now, and that he could even close a game if needed.  Allen is coming off a great season, and the Indians will likely give him every chance to hold on to the closer’s job.  Still, if he doesn’t get that ERA under control, McAllister could end up getting a shot.

Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — Jake McGee is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Durham on Friday, and will need a few more outings before rejoining the Rays.  Manager Kevin Cash has said that he will continue to manage his bullpen without anointing a closer.  Brad Boxberger has been excellent so far this season, recording seven saves already.  McGee should see save chances once he returns, but don’t expect him to immediately become the primary closer, as Boxberger will still very much be in the mix for saves.

Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle is expected back later this month after having a great bullpen session on Tuesday.  Unlike McGee, Doolittle should immediately take over as the closer when he comes back.  The A’s bullpen has really struggled, and getting Doolittle back in the closer’s role will allow them to move Tyler Clippard back to the 8th inning and Evan Scribner to the 7th.

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen had a tough rehab outing, but is still targeting a May 15th return.  Jansen has established himself as one of the best closers in the baseball over the past couple seasons.  Nobody from the Dodgers’ closer committee has run away with the job, and Jansen should slide right back into his normal role as closer when gets back.

Kelvin Herrera begins his suspension; Edward Mujica demoted

May 8, 2015

Kansas City Royals — Reliever Kelvin Herrera’s combined suspensions were reduced to six games, a penalty he began serving on Thursday. He’s eligible to return next Wednesday. In the meantime, Luke Hochevar returned from the disabled list after a rough rehab assignment and pitched a scoreless sixth inning against Cleveland. Comeback kid Ryan Madson pitched the seventh inning, though, so he gets the edge in our hierarchy for now, with Herrera out and Hochevar (who hasn’t pitched on two straight days all season) still working his way back. Oh, and did we mention that Greg Holland got his first save since returning from the DL? It truly was a busy night for the Royals ‘pen.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Madson.

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox were off Thursday, but made two significant moves in designating former setup man Edward Mujica for assignment and firing pitching coach Juan Nieves. Mujica’s departure likely means the call-up of prospect Matt Barnes, who may begin in the Boston bullpen. Barnes throws hard, which is more than you can say about most of the Red Sox pitching staff. He could enter the late-innings mix in the coming weeks.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Tazawa | Ogando.

St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Walden will be out for 6 to 10 weeks with an injury to his pitching shoulder. Kevin Siegrist slides into the Cardinal hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Maness | Siegrist.

Los Angeles Angels — Given a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning Thursday night, Angels closer Huston Street coughed it all up, surrendering three runs to take the loss against his namesake. Street allowed four singles and a walk, but the winning run came only when the speedy Jose Altuve beat out a double play that would have ended the inning.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Morin.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Morin/Fernando Salas, Los Angeles Angels — After his blown save, Huston Street has pitched on three straight days (as has his lieutenant, Joe Smith). If the Angels get a save chance, we might learn whether Fernando Salas has nosed ahead of Mike Morin to be second in line.
2. Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers — Yimi Garcia is still the top option, but Chris Hatcher recorded a save this week, proving the volatility of the situation. Rehabbing closer Kenley Jansen wants to come back next week, but Don Mattingly reigned that in a bit. For now, we’re dealing with a committee situation in LA.
3. Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal has pitched on 5 of the last 7 days, and could be due for a night off Friday. He was called into action last night when Maness and Kevin Siegrist ran into trouble in the ninth inning of a 5-1 game.