Jim Johnson to close in Atlanta after Jason Grilli’s injury

July 12, 2015

Atlanta Braves — As we feared last night, Jason Grilli suffered a left Achilles rupture on Saturday night and will miss the rest of the season. Jim Johnson will be the new closer for the Braves, with Luis Avilan, David Aardsma, and Arodys Vizcaino backing him up.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Avilan | Aardsma.

Detroit Tigers – The Tigers signed Neftali Feliz after his release by Texas and immediately used him in the eighth inning of a four-run loss. Feliz delivered a scoreless inning and was throwing in the mid- to high-90s. Brad Ausmus said that Feliz, like the rest of Detroit’s non-Joakim Soria relievers, would not have any set role going forward, and that although he would try to ease Feliz into high-leverage work, he wouldn’t be afraid to trust him with it down the road.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.

Toronto Blue Jays — Bo Schultz, former right fielder for Brooklyn beer league softball powerhouse Turkey’s Nest (“Motto: gobble, gobble, gobble”), has risen from walk-on outfielder at Northwestern and Men’s Journal summer intern to late-inning stalwart for the Blue Jays. On Saturday, Schultz protected a one-run lead in the eighth against Kansas City.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Delabar | Schultz.

Cincinnati Reds — The Reds suffered through their worst inning in 54 years and Manny Parra took much of the damage, facing five batters and allowing all five to reach on hits and score. Parra’s ERA rose from 1.65 to 4.41 as a result.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Parra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street is unavailable through the All-Star break.

Jim Johnson to close after seemingly serious injury to Jason Grilli

July 11, 2015

Atlanta Braves – Jason Grilli had to be carted off the field after injuring himself on an attempt to cover first. There’s speculation that it could be an Achilles tendon injury; either way, Jim Johnson appears to be a must-add right now.

Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Avilan | Aardsma.

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Tigers’ bullpen implodes, Boxberger bounces back

July 11, 2015

Detroit Tigers – It was an ugly night for the Tigers’ bullpen on Friday.  Bruce Rondon came on to get the last out of the 8th inning and then came back to try and close out a five run lead.  He allowed three hits, while only getting one out, and the Tigers decided it was time to bring in their closer.  Soria walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, and then hit the next batter to bring in a run.  After a single drove in two more, Brian Dozier came up and hit a walk-off homer.   As a result of Friday night’s debacle, Soria’s ERA jumped over a full run to 3.38 and Rondon’s ERA sits at 10.50.  In other news, former Tigers’ setup man Joba Chamberlain was released on Friday and is now a free agent.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.

Tampa Bay Rays — Brad Boxberger bounced back from losses in his past two appearances, including giving up a walk-off grand slam, to record his 21st save yesterday.  Boxberger owners were happy to see that his recent struggles don’t appear to have impacted his status as closer, but Jake McGee, and his sixteen straight scoreless appearances, is still lurking.

Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | McGee | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched in three straight
2. LaTroy Hawkins, Colorado Rockies – John Axford has also pitched in three straight, including a 31 pitch outing on Wednesday
3. Bruce Rondon/Al Alburquerque, Detroit Tigers – Soria blew the save last night in epic fashion and will likely get the day off Saturday.  Rondon also had a rough outing on Friday so if the Tigers want to give him a break as well, Alburquerque could get the call.
4. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street will be unavailable until the All-Star break.

Carson Smith back on top of the Seattle committee

July 10, 2015

Seattle Mariners – Carson Smith needed only two pitches to record a save on Thursday night — entering with two outs in the 9th and the bases loaded, he retired Kole Calhoun on a groundout. With the Mariners sporting a 7-2 lead, that appearance made him juuuust barely eligible for his sixth save of the year. We will happily use this as an excuse to bump him back to the top of the closer committee; Fernando Rodney was used in the 8th inning and gave up a solo HR.

Updated hierarchy: *Smith | Rodney | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee.

Texas Rangers – Neftali Feliz cleared waivers on Thursday and now can accept his assignment to the Rangers minor league system or can become a free agent. Feliz (4.58 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) is still only 27 and if he elects free agency, he could help out a team that needs help in the late innings. He would also give up the remainder of his $4.3 million salary, so he’s got some thinking to do.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Scheppers | Kela.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street will be out until the All-Star break, so Joe Smith will get the bulk of the save chances moving forward.
2. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched two straight nights. Manager Terry Francona could give Allen, who battled a back issue earlier this week, a rest Friday night and turn to Bryan Shaw.
3. Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners – Lloyd McClendon is still rooting for him, after all.

Huston Street tweaks groin, may miss weekend series

July 9, 2015

Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street tweaked his groin Wednesday night on his second-to-last pitch of the evening, but doesn’t expect to need a DL stint. He may end up missing the upcoming four-game series with Seattle prior to the All-Star Break, but will be re-evaluated in Seattle. If Street does miss action this weekend, Joe Smith will take over as closer.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Gott.

Milwaukee Brewers — Jeremy Jeffress has appeared in the 8th inning in four straight games and has not given up a run in his last nine appearances. Although his numbers are still very solid, Will Smith gave up one little run his manager Craig Counsell got scared, so Counsell has sent him to live with his aunty and his uncle in the 7th inning for now.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Jeffress | Smith.

Los Angeles Dodgers — A day after getting a spot start, Yimi Garcia was optioned to Triple A. Manager Don Mattingly said it was to give Garcia a breather after the young righty has been used in 40 games this year. J.P. Howell has been the most effective reliever behind Jansen and Baez, so look for his role to expand with Garcia out of the mix.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Howell.

New York Yankees — Andrew Miller was activated from the DL and immediately saw his first save opportunity last night. Despite giving up a two-run home run, he fought back to escape a brief jam with two outs and remain perfect in save chances this year.

Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

Cleveland Indians — After being held out of a clear save opportunity on Tuesday due to a stiff back, Cody Allen was back in action on Wednesday and pitched a perfect 9th for his 17th save of the year. It looks like he will be fine going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon was given the night off after pitching in three of the last four, which opened the door for…Antonio Bastardo? The one-time Phillies closer picked up his first save of the year after the Pirates scored three runs to break a tie in the bottom of the 8th. Bastardo was already warmed up to face the bottom of the Padres order, and remained in the game to pick up the save. In addition to Melancon pitching in 3 of 4, Tony Watson and Jared Hughes had both thrown back-to-back games. Bastardo doesn’t project to become a part of Clint Hurdle’s late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

Chicago Cubs – As predicted in the Vulture (Blown) Save Watch, Pedro Strop was handed the ball to protect a one-run lead in the 9th. But it turns out the Cubs could have used Jason Motte, as Strop gave up the lead and took the loss.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 39 pitches over the past two days, and the Royals don’t hesitate to throw Davis save opportunities.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — As mentioned above, Huston Street may take time to rest this weekend after tweaking his groin.
3. Dellin Betances/Justin Wilson, New York Yankees — Andrew Miller needed 30 pitches to close the game last night, and may not be ready to pitch back-to-back games just yet. Betances and Wilson have both pitched in two straight, but Wilson has only thrown 19 pitches over those two days.
4. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays — Right after kicking the asterisk, Roberto Osuna gave up a walk-off homer last night. He has pitched in two straight, but only threw two pitches last night. If he needs a night off, it may be the well-rested Brett Cecil instead of Steve Delabar, as Delabar worked two innings yesterday while Cecil tossed just one on Wednesday.