June 5, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — The mystery surrounding closer Kenley Jansen’s absence has been solved. Jansen, who has a history of heart trouble, felt sick to his stomach during Wednesday’s game and was found to have high blood pressure when checked by a doctor, so he was held out as a precaution while his bullpen mates blew the game. On Thursday night, no late-inning relievers were needed as LA lost 7-1. Jansen should be good to go if needed on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Hatcher | Garcia.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Jepsen — and not Jake McGee — pitched the 9th and earned the save against the Seattle Mariners, his second of the season. Brad Boxberger was unavailable after throwing 32 pitches in a rough outing Wednesday night. McGee pitched a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, but hasn’t had a save opportunity since he returned from the disabled list. We’re going to slide Jepsen to the first-in-line slot for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Jepsen | McGee.

Boston Red Sox — Pitching in a tie game in the ninth against the Twins Thursday, closer Koji Uehara struggled, throwing 22 pitches without getting a single man out. Uehara was charged with four runs (two earned) and took the loss. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval had a costly error with runners on first and second and nobody out, leading to the big rally. Uehara has taken two losses this week, both due in part to Sandoval errors. The 40-year-old’s confidence may be shaken a bit, but he’s been rock solid all year (10 K/9, 1.00 WHIP) and remains firmly entrenched as the Sox closer.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Tazawa | Barnes.

Colorado Rockies — You probably thought you’d never read this name again in the annals of Closer Monkey, but 42-year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who began the season as the Rockies closer, isn’t done yet. Recovering from right biceps tendinitis, Hawkins pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes Thursday night, striking out Cubs super prospect Javier Baez in the process. Hawkins is scheduled to make at least one more appearance in AAA before a possible promotion back to the big leagues, where he could once again factor into the back-end of the Rockies bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Axford | Betancourt | Oberg.

Detroit Tigers – Rumor has it that the Tigers may activate Bruce Rondon as early as Friday. If and when that happens, he would slide immediately into Detroit’s late-inning plans, perhaps even usurping Al Alburquerque in the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara is 40 years old and has pitched in two of the last three games, including a 22-pitch outing Thursday. Tazawa has pitched in two straight, but he’s younger and could be called upon if Koji needs the night off.
2. Addison Reed, Arizona Diamondbacks — Everyone seems to suspect that Addison Reed will regain the closer’s job because he has pitched well since his demotion, but manager Chip Hale continues to trot out Brad Ziegler when there’s a save to be had. Reed, however, is still worth watching as the D-Backs committee approach isn’t behind them just yet.
3. Carlos Torres, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia threw 33 pitches (just 18 for strikes) against the Diamondbacks Thursday night to earn his 16th save; despite the fact it was his first appearance since Sunday, he could be unavailable Friday due to the heavy workload. Look for Carlos Torres to get the call in the ninth, if needed.