May 9, 2015
Houston Astros — As we retweeted on Friday evening, Luke Gregerson has been placed on the family emergency list to deal with a private matter. Gregerson cannot return until Monday and could be out until next Friday. Chad Qualls will see the save opportunities until Gregerson comes back.
Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Neshek | Sipp.
New York Yankees — After Andrew Miller shut the Orioles down in order on his way to his 13th save, Joe Girardi reluctantly (and sarcastically) admitted that Miller is New York’s closer. The Yankee bullpen continues to be the best in baseball, with the one-two punch of Miller and Dellin Betances combining for 32 innings pitched with no earned runs, 52 strikeouts, and only 11 hits.
Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Martin.
Los Angeles Angels — As we suspected, Huston Street and Joe Smith got the night off on Friday. Although the Angels let Jared Weaver finish a 120-pitch shutout, it was Fernando Salas (not Mike Morin) warming in the bullpen for the possible vulture save.
Updated hierarchy: Street | Smith | Salas.
Colorado Rockies — Two-year-old Jameson Axford, still recovering from what his doctors called the worst rattlesnake bite they had ever seen, threw out the first pitch at Friday night’s game. Jameson has the stuff to challenge for a late-inning role in 2036, when the rest of us will all be so, so impossibly old.
Hierarchy remains: Axford | Betancourt | Logan.
San Francisco Giants — Yusmeiro Petit earned a three-inning save in a 6-0 Giants win.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Affeldt.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Seth Maness/Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal has now appeared on two straight days, three of four, and six of eight.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon has thrown 52 pitches since Wednesday, including Friday’s three-run, 32-pitch debacle.
3. Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds — Chicago and Cincinnati were rained out on Friday and will play a doubleheader on Saturday.
4. Zach Duke, Chicago White Sox — See above.
