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.
