Bruce Rondon throws first major-league pitch in two years; two closers make returns

June 26, 2015

Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon is back, and the timing couldn’t be any better for the Tigers. Rondon struck out the only two batters he faced to close the sixth inning. Bullpen mate Joba Chamberlain was not nearly as impressive, coughing up three runs to put the game out of reach. Chamberlain is still in the late-innings conversation, but it’s probably time for Rondon to enter it, too, as manager Brad Ausmus said he will not hesitate to use Rondon in high-leverage situations. Apologies to Al Alburquerque, of course.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Rondon.

Oakland Athletics — Tyler Clippard did his job, recording the save, but it’s who pitched ahead of him that caught our eye. In the seventh inning, we saw Drew Pomeranz, and in the eighth, we saw Edward Mujica, who returned from the DL last week and may start getting more looks in the late innings. Mujica closed for the Cardinals a couple years ago, and started this year as the Red Sox closer while Koji Uehara was hurt. Don’t forget that Clippard has been prominently mentioned in some trade rumors recently, and that Evan Scribner has recorded as many home runs allowed as he has strikeouts (three) over his last eight appearances (5.2 IP). Add it all up, and Mujica belongs in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Mujica | Pomeranz.

New York Mets — Pitching for the first time in almost a full week, closer Jeurys Familia nailed down the save with a clean ninth inning. Familia had been battling groin tightness, but it appears his groin has loosened up a bit.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

Cincinnati Reds — Closer Aroldis Chapman returned from paternity leave on Thursday, and threw a scoreless 11th inning in a 5-4 extra-innings win.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Parra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Zach Duke/Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox
— David Robertson allowed two runs and threw 31 pitches Thursday night, so he could need a breather on Friday night.
2. Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — In a very unsettled bullpen situation, manager John Gibbons could turn to Delabar or Robert Osuna on any given night.
3. Pedro Strop/Jason Motte, Chicago Cubs — As long as Joe Maddon is in charge and Rafael Soriano is in the minor leagues, expect the committee to reign supreme in Chicago.
4. Jake McGee/Kevin Jepsen, Tampa Bay Rays — Death, taxes and the Tampa Bay Rays employing a closer committee.

Steve Delabar, J.J. Hoover earn saves; Enrique Burgos is back

June 25, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – Steve Delabar picked up his first save of the season yesterday in the 12th inning after Roberto Osuna got the final out of the 9th in a then-scoreless game. Osuna is still the leading candidate for saves going forward, but Delabar stands to play an important role in the Jays’ committee as well.

Hierarchy remains: *Osuna | Delabar | Schultz.
* = closer-by-committee


Arizona Diamondbacks
– Enrique Burgos has returned to the Arizona roster and on Wednesday he made his first appearance since May 25, walking one and facing just three batters in a solid inning of work. He likely won’t return to the prominent role he held before his injury in May, but Burgos should see ample opportunities for holds in front of Brad Ziegler and Daniel Hudson.

Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Hudson | Burgos.

Cincinnati Reds – With Aroldis Chapman still on paternity leave, J.J. Hoover picked up the save for the Reds on Wednesday. Chapman is expected to be back with the team on Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Parra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Boone Logan, Colorado Rockies – John Axford threw 32 pitches last night, blowing his first save with the Rockies.
2. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod has appeared in back-to-back games, combining to throw 29 pitches.
3. Casey Janssen, Washington Nationals – Drew Storen blew a save chance yesterday and has thrown 41 pitches over the last two games.

Brett Cecil demoted; Joel Peralta returns from DL

June 24, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil was removed from the closer role, said John Gibbons on Tuesday afternoon. Roberto Osuna was unavailable last night but, along with Steve Delabar, will also get opportunities going forward. Gibbons did not want to define roles, but he did mention that he plans to move hard-throwing righty Bo Schultz to the late innings, giving the 29-year-old more responsibility.

Updated hierarchy: *Osuna | Delabar | Schultz.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Joel Peralta’s first game back from the DL did not go as smoothly as he would have liked. He loaded the bases without recording an out before Kenley Jansen was called on to put out the fire. Jansen got one out before surrendering the walk-off sac fly. Peralta’s return is a welcome sign in the beat-up Dodger bullpen, and he probably should have been given an easier first inning than the 10th in a 0-0 game.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Garcia | Peralta.

Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka finished the 8th inning with a two-run lead, and when the White Sox ran the lead to four in the top of the 9th, he stayed on to pick up the save. Robertson was available, but the lack of a new save opportunity kept him out of this one.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Duke | Petricka.

Oakland Athletics – With Tyler Clippard unavailable after throwing nearly 60 pitches this past weekend, it was Drew Pomeranz who took the 8th inning and stayed on for the 9th to earn his first career save. Clippard should be available today after two days off to recover.

Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Scribner | Pomeranz.

New York Mets — Although the Mets lost last night, Jeurys Familia was available to pitch if called on after leaving with an injury last week. Because they were behind, Familia wasn’t used, but Bobby Parnell did put up a scoreless third of an inning to keep his ERA at 0.00 on the season.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

New York Yankees — Dellin Betances had a forgettable outing last night. After striking out two hitters in the 8th, he lost his command and surrendered four runs on two hits and two hit batsmen to take his first loss of the year. As a show of how good he has been, the four runs quintupled his ERA from 0.25 to 1.25. He should continue to get the 9th inning while Andrew Miller is out, but Miller plans to play catch today.

Hierarchy remains: Betances | Wilson | Shreve.

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger continues to be the most valuable member of the Rays’ bullpen, as he locked down his fourth straight save despite allowing a solo home run. We’ll keep the asterisk because manager Kevin Cash can go to Jake McGee or Kevin Jepsen at any point, but Boxberger is the man to own in Tampa.

Hierarchy remains: *Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is out on paternity leave until Thursday.
2. Justin Wilson, New York Yankees – Dellin Betances threw 27 pitches last night and may need the afternoon off.

Roberto Osuna’s stellar outing has him in contention for more saves

June 23, 2015

Toronto Blue Jays – While the Blue Jays’ bullpen remains unsettled, 20 year-old Roberto Osuna is making a name for himself with his 100 mph fastball. Last night Osuna was called on to get the Jays out of a jam in the 8th, which he did by striking out three Tampa hitters around a walk. He then returned and struck out two more in the 9th for his first save. John Gibbons said after the game that “you can’t say enough about Osuna,” but did not name him the new closer, which leads us to believe that tonight’s game is vital. Osuna is likely unavailable after his 33-pitch outing, so if the Jays get a save opp, and Cecil converts it, he probably hangs on to his job for at least a little while longer. But if he pitches badly, or doesn’t pitch at all, then that opens up the chance for Osuna to seize control of the gig going forward. Steve Delabar, two years removed from an All Star game appearance, also lurks as a candidate, while the Jays continue to be mentioned in talks for Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez.

Hierarchy remains: *Cecil | Osuna | Delabar.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – Joe Maddon, the Lord of the Closer Committee, continues to keep us guessing. Hector Rondon had been emerging as the leader of the pack until last night, when he and Pedro Strop pitched scoreless innings ahead of 33 year-old birthday boy Jason Motte.

Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Strop | Motte.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks – In a somewhat surprising move, Addison Reed was sent to the minors on Sunday. He’ll work on his stuff and could return to a prominent role later this season. Fan favorite David Hernandez moves up to take his place.

Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Hudson | Hernandez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is out on paternity leave, so Hoover may get a save chance today.
2. Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil hasn’t been publicly removed from the closer role yet, but if John Gibbons is planning on a demotion, then it’ll be Steve Delabar filling in for a recovering Roberto Osuna (33 pitches last night; 65 over the last four games) tonight.
3. Joba Chamberlain, Detroit Tigers – Joakim Soria has pitched in back to back games and has allowed a run in each appearance; he may get the day off.
4. Ken Giles, Philadelphia Phillies – Likewise, Jonathan Papelbon has gone in back to back games and allowed runs in each appearance. The Phillies may give him today off, as they likely don’t want to risk injuring one of their trade candidates.