June 8, 2015
Texas Rangers – Ross Ohlendorf was placed on the disabled list on Sunday with a strained groin. Tanner Scheppers has been receiving some high leverage opportunities since his return from the minors and will likely continue to get holds in Texas.
Updated hierarchy: Tolleson | Kela | Scheppers.
Cincinnati Reds – The Reds continued to use Jumbo Diaz in big spots all the way until his end, which came after Saturday’s loss when he surrendered two runs and took the loss, pushing his ERA to 6.65. Diaz will work on his stuff in the minors and has a chance to reclaim a spot later in the season, but for now, the go-to righty in Cincinnati’s pen is J.J. Hoover, who pitched the 8th inning ahead of Aroldis Chapman on Sunday.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Cingrani | Hoover.
Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson suffered a bad blown save on Sunday, allowing three earned runs and raising his ERA to 4.50. It was only his second blown save, so his job is probably safe for now, but what we’re focused on is the man who would likely replace him if he missed time. An inning earlier, Pat Neshek got his third consecutive 8th inning hold; Chad Qualls, meanwhile, has only pitched twice since May 26 and his results are one loss and one blown save. Until we see reason to believe otherwise, it seems Neshek is now the handcuff in Houston.
Updated hierarchy: Gregerson | Neshek | Qualls.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Arquimedes Caminero got the 8th inning ahead of Mark Melancon on Sunday, and has gotten more high-leverage chances in recent weeks. He’s surpassed Jared Hughes on the Pirates hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Caminero.
Chicago Cubs – With Pedro Strop unavailable, Jason Motte picked up his first save since 2012. Hector Rondon pitched the 8th and faced the middle of the Nats’ lineup, so you could argue that this was the ideal deployment of Chicago’s best reliever. Regardless, a full committee is in effect here, with Strop or Rondon the most likely to get the next save.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Strop | Motte.
Tampa Bay Rays – After a 32-pitch outing on Wednesday, Brad Boxberger has been dealing with some triceps soreness. The Rays don’t expect it to be serious, and Boxberger believes he’ll be back on Tuesday. In the meantime, Kevin Jepsen picked up another save.
Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | McGee.
Colorado Rockies – A week after Scott Oberg picked up his first career save, he pitched the 8th inning in a tie game (John Axford would pitch the 9th). In the near-term, Oberg seems like the most likely option to get saves when Axford is unavailable, especially with Rafael Betancourt struggling with fatigue.
Updated hierarchy: Axford | Oberg | Betancourt.
New York Mets – In a 2-run game, rookie Hansel Robles got the 8th inning for the Mets. Terry Collins had Jeurys Familia warming up for a long save if Robles got in any trouble, but the righty posted a perfect inning and picked up his third hold. Robles’s numbers aren’t great so far (4.97 ERA), but the advanced metrics think he’s been pretty solid and Collins has been giving him lots of high-leverage chances lately.
Updated hierarchy: Familia | C.Torres | Robles.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in back to back games, including a 24-pitch outing Sunday.
2. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – After a rough outing on Sunday, Luke Gregerson might get a night off to clear his head.
