April 30, 2016
Minnesota Twins — Injured Glen Perkins has kept busy flipping off photographers, hawking pretzels, and pranking Phil Hughes, but evidently hasn’t been cleared to throw baseballs yet. Kevin Jepsen has been mediocre thus far, but Paul Molitor is vowing to stick with him. Trevor May lurks.
Hierarchy remains: Jepsen | May | Fien.
Los Angeles Dodgers — From last Friday to yesterday, Chris Hatcher made four appearances, yielding eight runs and 11 baserunners over three innings. Pedro Baez earned three holds over the same time period, and we have to believe he’d be the choice if Kenley Jansen needs a break.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Hatcher.
Baltimore Orioles — Brad Brach gave up the tying run in the seventh, then earned the win when the Orioles came back in the bottom of the inning. Both Brach and Mychal Givens have been pitching well, but Buck Showalter routinely goes to Givens first, and Brach has allowed half as many baserunners while pitching a few more innings.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | O’Day | Brach.
Colorado Rockies — Jason Motte had a good bullpen session on Friday in his rehabilitation from a sore shoulder, and will travel with the team on its upcoming road trip. There’s still no target date for his return, however.
Hierarchy remains: McGee | Qualls | Logan.
New York Yankees — When Aroldis Chapman returns from his domestic violence suspension on May 9, he will do so as an American citizen.
Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Shreve.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Phelps, Miami Marlins — Up six in the ninth, Jose Urena gave away Adam Conley’s no-hitter, then allowed three runs on a series of hits. A.J. Ramos was summoned for a cheap save, but he made it interesting by walking the bases loaded before striking out the would-be winning run. He’s now pitched in two straight and five of six (86 pitches).
2. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen was called on in the tenth to escape a bases-loaded jam, but when he came back out for the eleventh, he gave up a walk-off home run. He’s now pitched on three of the last four days (58 pitches).
3. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox — David Robertson remains on bereavement leave.
