July 27, 2016
Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon suffered his second loss in as many outings, blowing a three-run lead in the ninth without recording an out. He has now allowed six earned runs in his last two appearances, raising his ERA from 2.56 to 4.45. After the game, Papelbon’s confidence in himself hasn’t wavered, but manager Dusty Baker may not share that same confidence. He said it was “too soon after the loss” to think about removing Papelbon from the closer’s role, but with the Nationals having lost six of eight and still clinging to first place in the NL East, they may begin to look elsewhere for help before August 1.
Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.
Toronto Blue Jays — After designating Drew Storen for assignment on Sunday, the Jays traded him to Seattle for Joaquin Benoit, who sports a 5.18 ERA and troubling walks-per-nine rate of 5.5. Benoit actually faced Toronto in his last outing on July 24 and he retired all three batters he faced. Manager John Gibbons thinks Benoit can help Toronto in the late innings, much like Jason Grilli, another veteran the Jays acquired this year. Gibbons said Benoit may be available Wednesday, but no matter when he officially joins the club, he should see high-leverage spots ahead of Grilli and Roberto Osuna.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Benoit.
Seattle Mariners — The Mariners traded Joaquin Benoit to Toronto for the recently DFA’d Drew Storen late Tuesday night. Storen comes to Seattle with a 6.21 ERA, though GM Jerry Dipoto is confident that Storen can get back on track over the next two months. Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his fifth hold of the season on Tuesday in a Mariners win and should see more of the seventh inning with Benoit heading north of the border.
Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Diaz | Wilhelmsen.
Oakland A’s – With Ryan Madson unavailable after pitching in two straight and three of four, John Axford got the final two outs of the ninth to preserve a 6-3 win. Prior to the game, manager Bob Melvin maintained that Madson, who blew a save on Monday (his third in his last eight outings), is still the closer. However, Melvin also clarified that Axford, and not Ryan Dull, will close when Madson is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Dull.
Atlanta Braves — Chris Withrow now has eighth-inning holds in each of the last two Atlanta wins and has surpassed Dario Alvarez in the Braves hierarchy. Meanwhile, Mauricio Cabrera is still throwing gas, as he hit 102 twice on Tuesday.
Updated hierarchy: Johnson | Cabrera | Withrow.
Detroit Tigers – With Justin Wilson getting some rest Tuesday after throwing 45 pitches over the last two games, Bruce Rondon and Shane Greene were each sharp in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. After the game, manager Brad Ausmus singled out Rondon, who reached triple digits with his fastball, saying that he needed to see more of that from the righty. Greene has been great of late as well, however, having allowed just one run in 8.2 innings during July. Based on recent usage, we’ll move Greene up in the hierarchy, though he and Rondon should both see chances for holds.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Adam Liberatore was unavailable on Tuesday because of a sore right knee, which he injured while covering a base Sunday in St. Louis. If the injury, which is not serious, keeps him out for another couple days, expect Pedro Baez to see more high-leverage opportunities in Liberatore’s stead.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Liberatore | Blanton.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Adam Warren, New York Yankees – Both Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances have pitched in two straight and four of the last five, making them very unlikely to appear Wednesday.
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna has appeared in three straight games.
3. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in four of the last five, including a blown save last night.
4. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers – K-Rod has thrown 29 pitches over the last two days while Wilson got Tuesday night off.
