June 23, 2016
Cincinnati Reds — Things are getting interesting in the Reds’ bullpen. J.J. Hoover was recalled, and Raisel Iglesias returned from a shoulder injury and entered the bullpen. Although Bryan Price said that he wants to start Iglesias off with some “soft landings,” if the team decides to keep him in relief, he could be a formidable late-innings weapon.
Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Wood.
Chicago Cubs — Chicago’s lone weakness is middle relief, and Justin Grimm’s performance on Wednesday will do nothing to tamp down the trade speculation. Entering with the team down two in the sixth, Grimm retired one man (on a bunt popup) while allowing four runs, and saw his ERA vault to 6.04. Converted starter Travis Wood, a lefthander, isn’t striking guys out, but he and Trevor Cahill have been significantly more effective than Grimm lately. Whoever’s third in line probably won’t be for long.
Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Strop | Wood.
Minnesota Twins — Brandon Kintzler had earned two four-out saves in three days, so Fernando Abad got his first MLB save in his place. Abad and Kevin Jepsen have been mentioned in some recent trade rumors. Sadly, Glen Perkins also announced that he would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday.
Hierarchy remains: *Kintzler | Abad | Pressly.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays — Drew Storen has made some adjustments and is seeing high-leverage work again. On Wednesday, he picked up a hold in the seventh, his seventh straight scoreless appearance. Whether the Jays want to increase Storen’s trade value or keep him around, he’s likely to stick around in the late innings as long as he can stay effective.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Storen.
Milwaukee Brewers — Nobody tell Old Hoss Radbourn (678.2 IP in 1884) that Jeremy Jeffress couldn’t pitch today because of pinkeye. Whatever Jeffress’s excuse, it’s most relevant that Tyler Thornburg, not Will Smith, got the call (and the save) instead.
Updated hierarchy: Jeffress | Thornburg | Smith.
Chicago White Sox — The Vulture Save Watch nailed Zach Duke’s first save of the season, as David Robertson and Nate Jones rested.
Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1, Justin Wilson/Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers — Even with a four-run lead, Brad Ausmus used K-Rod for a third straight night. With Wilson having pitched in three of four, tomorrow could be a good test of how much Ausmus trusts Rondon.
2. David Phelps, Miami Marlins — A.J. Ramos has pitched in two straight and four of five.
