May 12, 2015
Miami Marlins – The Marlins will look elsewhere after Steve Cishek blew his fourth save of the season (and second in two days) in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. As we speculated yesterday, Mike Redmond is likely to employ a committee for the time being. A.J. Ramos is the most talented of his available options, though we expect Mike Dunn to get a share of chances as well.
Updated hierarchy: *Ramos | Dunn | Morris.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Edwin Jackson has been relegated to mop-up duty recently and in his place Zac Rosscup has been very effective, sporting a 0.75 WHIP on the season. While Pedro Strop continues to regularly set-up Hector Rondon, expect Rosscup to grab plenty of holds in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop | Rosscup.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen is on track to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday, but Dodgers’ manager Don Mattingly will not immediately reinstate Jansen as closer. Expect Dodger save opportunities to remain unpredictable in the short term.
Hierarchy remains: *Garcia | Hatcher | Baez.
* = closer-by-committee.
Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson will likely return from bereavement leave today, according to A.J. Hinch.
Updated hierarchy: Gregerson | Qualls | Neshek.
Atlanta Braves – With Jason Grilli still sidelined, Jim Johnson picked up a save on Monday night. Grill is expected back in short order.
Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has gone in three straight.
2. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has gone in back to back games and hasn’t pitched in three straight all year.
3. Tony Cingrani/Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has picked up consecutive losses on back to back days. His seat is nowhere near hot, but he might get Tuesday off to clear his head.
4. Chris Hatcher, Los Angeles Dodgers – Yimi Garcia blew the save last night, so Hatcher might get the chance today.
