July 3, 2015
San Francisco Giants — Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that he’s going to “back off” from using closer Santiago Casilla for a few days after the pitcher reported a “tired arm.” Casilla didn’t record an out Wednesday night, giving up a three-run shot to Justin Bour to blow the game. As you might expect, Sergio Romo will get the first shot at closing, but Bochy could also play the matchups, which means lefty Javier Lopez or righty Hunter Strickland might get a shot.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.
Texas Rangers — Former Rangers closer Neftali Feliz was activated from the disabled list Thursday and could factor into the team’s late-inning plans, despite a rough time of it during his rehab outings (7.36 ERA over 11 innings). We’ll see how manager Jeff Bannister chooses to use Feliz in the early going, but have no fear — Shawn Tolleson is still the closer moving forward. If Feliz continues to struggle, Texas might have a difficult decision to make, because (as a veteran with five years of service time) Feliz can decline any minor league option.
Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Scheppers | Kela.
Detroit Tigers – What’s going on out in the Tigers bullpen on a nightly basis? Other than Joakim Soria, this team can’t seem to find any stability from its relief corps. The latest example of inconsistency was Bruce Rondon, who allowed four runs on four hits while recording just one out before getting yanked. Rondon’s outing was especially crushing, as Detroit had just scored three runs to get within one. One bad performance won’t shake our confidence in Rondon yet, but that 12.00 ERA sure doesn’t look pretty in the box score.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Rondon.
Toronto Blue Jays — Setup man Steve Delabar has been dynamite for the Jays all season, but he came unglued Thursday night against the Red Sox, uncorking three wild pitches in just two-thirds of an inning (he only had two all year entering the game). Delabar also allowed three runs on three hits and a walk. Perhaps this disastrous outing was an aberration, but his command was all over the place, so his performance moving forward bears watching. In other news, the Jays had to use every member of the bullpen in Thursday’s 12-6 loss after starter Matt Boyd failed to record an out, allowing seven runs in the first inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Osuna | Delabar | Schultz.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — With Casilla out the next few days, Romo is the most likely to get the call. If Bochy decides to play matchups, he could end up using lefty Javier Lopez.
2. Jeremy Jeffress/Jonathan Broxton, Milwaukee Brewers — Closer Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in four of the last five days and may need a break Friday. It’s also Independence Day weekend, so Will Smith — who has also pitched in four of five — may be a bit busy with other… matters. Look for Jeffress or maybe even Broxton, who has that invaluable “closing experience” managers love, to close if needed.
3. Hector Rondon/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Nothing is ever easy with Joe Maddon as the closer committee drags on in Chicago. Jason Motte had the most recent save, but Rondon or Strop get the next chance?
4. Carson Smith, Seattle Mariners — Smith was warming for the ninth inning on Wednesday, and could get the call in Seattle’s continued closer-by-committee.
5. Tommy Kahnle, Colorado Rockies — If John Axford remains out on Friday, the Rockies will turn to LaTroy Hawkins or Kahnle.
