May 13, 2015
Miami Marlins – As we suspected yesterday, A.J. Ramos will get the bulk of the save opportunities in Mike Redmond’s newly-formed committee. Redmond will indeed mix and match, however, so Mike Dunn and Bryan Morris are also options to save games for the Marlins. In addition, the team is in talks with free agent Rafael Soriano, whose last save came on Sept. 21 against…you guessed it, the Marlins. Soriano’s agent, Scott Boras, has said that he is getting closer with “a few teams.”
Hierarchy remains: *Ramos | Dunn | Morris.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Jason Grilli took the loss in his first outing in six days, though he said after the game that his back is fine and that he was just a little rusty. With Jim Johnson continuing to pitch well, the Braves may be more willing to give Grilli an extra day of rest here and there, especially if his back isn’t truly fine.
Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.
Arizona Diamondbacks –Evan Marshall was optioned to AAA on Monday to make room for a much-needed long reliever. Marshall had pitched three straight scoreless innings despite some struggles this year and should be back with Arizona at some point. In the meantime, two guys that should see some late-inning chances are Oliver Perez and Enrique Burgos. The latter is 24 years old and was recently called up while Perez, 33, has just one hold in LOOGY duty this year. Perez may get the edge for now if both Addison Reed and Brad Ziegler are unavailable, but Burgos is a youngster to watch with 11 strikeouts in six innings of big-league work.
Updated hierarchy: Reed | Ziegler | Perez.
Kansas City Royals –Greg Holland proved he is indeed human on Tuesday as he blew his first save chance since July 24. The Royals retook the lead in the 10th, however, and Holland stayed on to earn the win.
Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Madson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman earned a win after two straight losses, but he’s now pitched in three straight games.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland threw 26 pitches over two innings on Tuesday and has racked up 56 pitches over the last three days.
