Koji Uehara is tougher than you are, will be day-to-day after line drive to wrist

August 8, 2015

Boston Red Sox — As we told you last night, Koji Uehara took a line drive off his right arm at the end of Friday’s game and appeared to be in serious pain. Postgame X-rays, however, showed no break, and Uehara was half-jokingly promising to be back by Sunday, as he explained that he considered his “whole body to be the glove.” Consider Koji day-to-day at this point, with Junichi Tazawa sliding into the closer role until Uehara can pitch again.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Tazawa | Ross.

Minnesota Twins – With Trevor May adapting well to the bullpen, Paul Molitor told the media that the rookie will be the team’s primary setup guy going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | May | Jepsen.

Colorado Rockies — Tommy Kahnle continues to look like the best bet for saves going forward for the Rockies; he picked up the first one of his career to celebrate his 26th birthday on Friday night.

Hierarchy remains: *Kahnle | Miller | Betancourt.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Jim Johnson pitched a clean ninth in a tie game, but when he came back out for the tenth, he loaded the bases without getting anyone out on his way to taking the loss. He’s now appeared in three games for the Dodgers, and has given up at least one earned run in each. How long can the Dodgers keep trusting him in tight spots?

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Johnson | Baez.

Chicago White Sox — For the first time since April 2014, Nate Jones appeared in a major league game, notching two strikeouts in a perfect inning. Jones was hitting 100 MPH during his rehab appearances, and could challenge for a high-leverage role almost immediately.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Duke | Petricka.

St. Louis Cardinals — For the second time this year, Carlos Villanueva grabbed a three-inning save for the Cards.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Broxton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox  — As noted above, Koji will need at least one day off.
2. Tyler Clippard, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia has appeared in the last three games (over four days).
3. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon got five outs for Friday’s save and has pitched on two straight days (37 pitches).
4. Kirby Yates, Tampa Bay Rays — All right, this one’s a stretch, buuuutttt Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee each struggled last night, and each have pitched on four of the last six days. Steve Geltz has been worked even harder lately, so if Kevin Cash thinks outside the Box, he might well call on Yates.