August 19, 2015
Minnesota Twins –Glen Perkins flew back to Minnesota on Tuesday and will have an MRI on Wednesday, in addition to a cortisone injection. Manager Paul Molitor hopes the injection will provide some relief, which Molitor himself could use for his exhausted bullpen. Kevin Jepsen and Casey Fien were both rested last night, and it resulted in J.R. Graham blowing a 7th-inning lead. Jepsen and Fien will be the most likely candidates for saves in Perkins’ absence, with Fien perhaps getting the nod on Wednesday since he’s thrown fewer pitches than Jepsen over the last four days.
Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Jepsen | Fien.
Colorado Rockies – John Axford will again close for the Rockies. Walt Weiss announced the move before Tuesday’s game, saying that Axford looked like himself again. Tommy Kahnle will slide down to the set-up role, though he struggled on Tuesday, allowing four earned runs on one hit and three walks.
Updated hierarchy: Axford | Kahnle | Miller.
Seattle Mariners – After his extra-inning save on Sunday, Danny Farquhar got another high-leverage spot on Tuesday and delivered, picking up an eighth-inning hold ahead of Carson Smith. It was Farquhar’s second straight perfect outing. Perhaps Tom Wilhemsen needed a night off after three straight outings, but he only threw five pitches on Monday. It looks as if Farquhar is rising quickly in Lloyd McClendon’s bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Rodney | Farquhar.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien/Kevin Jepsen, Minnesota Twins – With Glen Perkins awaiting an MRI, either Fien or Jepsen will get the nod if a save chance arises on Wednesday. As mentioned above, Fien may be a tad fresher.
2. Trevor Gott, Los Angeles Angels – Both Huston Street and Joe Smith have pitched each of the last three days.
3. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – AJ Ramos has also thrown in three straight.
4. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees – Andrew Miller picked up a four-out save on Tuesday, though he only needed 15 pitches to do it.
