Tyler Clippard inches to the front of the Diamondbacks committee

July 11, 2016

Arizona Diamondbacks – After their starter logged six innings, the Diamondbacks went first to Daniel Hudson for the 7th, then to Tyler Clippard for the 8th, in a losing effort. Though Chip Hale has said both relievers will get opportunities, it seems the pecking order is set, and Clippard is now more likely to get the first save chance after the All Star break.

Updated hierarchy: *Clippard | Hudson | Barrett.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino is suffering from some minor elbow troubles so Jim Johnson picked up the save in his place. If Vizcaino is dealt, Johnson and youngster Mauricio Cabrera will be battling for saves in Atlanta. (Stay tuned for our Trade Deadline Buy/Sell previews during the All Star break!)

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cabrera.

Oakland A’s – Ryan Madson blew his second consecutive save on Sunday, and he now has five blown saves on the year. With Oakland looking to sell off parts, they’re probably going to give him every chance to turn it around so they can maximize his trade value. (Hey, did we mention we’ll be doing Trade Deadline previews?)

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Dull | Axford.

Uehara and Herrera pick up saves

July 10, 2016

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday for his fourth save of the season.  Manager John Farrell has named Uehara the closer while Kimbrel is out.  Newly acquired Brad Ziegler will see save chances only when Uehara is unavailable for now.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Ziegler | Barnes.

Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera recorded his first save of the year yesterday.  Herrera pitched a perfect ninth, while Soria pitched a scoreless eighth inning.  It appears Ned Yost will go with the reliever pitching better over closing experience at this point so we will move Herrera to the head of the committee.  However, it may be short lived as Wade Davis threw back-to-back days pain free, and will assume the closer’s role as soon as he returns.

Updated hierarchy: *Herrera | Soria | Hochevar.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — With David Robertson unavailable, Nate Jones got four outs to record his third save of the season.  Robertson will be out until after the All-Star break, and Jones should continue to close while he is out.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.

Oakland A’s – Ryan Dull’s streak of stranding inherited runners ended on Saturday but he still picked up his first save of the season.   Regular closer Ryan Madson was unavailable, and Dull should continue to see save chances when Madson can’t go.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Dull | Axford.

Minnesota Twins – Fernando Abad’s struggles continued on Saturday; he has given up at least one run in five of his last seven appearances.  Brandon Kintzler came on to clean up Abad’s mess in the eighth inning, and even though he gave up a run of his own in the ninth, he recorded his fifth save of the year.  Kintzler is seeing most of the save chances and pitching better than Abad so we will drop the asterisk.  Trevor May pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts, and now has three scoreless innings since returning from the DL.  May’s strikeout numbers are great and he could work his way into the saves conversation if he continues to throw up zeroes.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Abad | May.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes pitched the last three innings of a Pirates’ blowout win to record the save.  Hughes has pitched pretty well this season but the Pirates’ back end of the bullpen is pretty set right now with Melancon, Feliz, and Watson.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Feliz | Watson.

Colorado Rockies — Jordan Lyles picked up the second three inning save of Saturday in a Rockies’ five run victory.  Lyles does not figure into the Rockies’ regular late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | McGee | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson is out with a leg injury.
2. Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight.
3. Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen and Joe Blanton have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. David Phelps, Miami Marlins – AJ Ramos and Fernando Rodney have both appeared in two straight.
5. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals – The Royals could still give the veteran a shot at saves.

 

Craig Kimbrel to miss 3-6 weeks after knee surgery

July 9, 2016

Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel will have surgery to replace cartilage in his left knee, and is expected to be out 3-6 weeks. Newly-acquired Brad Ziegler and veteran Koji Uehara should close in Kimbrel’s absence, with Uehara likely getting the first crack in the two-man committee since Ziegler is unavailable tonight. Matt Barnes will join the hierarchy as the bridge to Uehara and Ziegler.

Updated hierarchy: *Uehara | Ziegler | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Daniel Hudson and Tyler Clippard fighting to replace Brad Ziegler

July 9, 2016

Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona traded away closer Brad Ziegler early Saturday morning. Daniel Hudson, returning from the bereavement list today, is positioned to get the first crack at saves, but Tyler Clippard (10.86 K/9, 54 career saves) has been pitching more effectively and will also be in the mix. With the season slipping away, both men could potentially be traded as well, so don’t be too surprised if 24-year-old Jake Barrett gets a chance to close before the season is over.

Updated hierarchy: *Hudson | Clippard | Barrett.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel injured his knee in classic Mariano Rivera fashion on Friday, while shagging fly balls during batting practice. MRI results will come in on Saturday, but he’ll be out at least through the All-Star break. Junichi Tazawa was also unavailable with a shoulder injury, so Koji Uehara picked up his third save of the season. Early Saturday morning, the Red Sox acquired Brad Ziegler from Arizona; although such a move had been rumored, it could indicate that one or both of these injuries is serious. Expect Ziegler to step right into the late innings, especially with Kimbrel and Tazawa recovering from injury, and he may even get some save opportunities if Kimbrel is out for some time.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Uehara.

Atlanta Braves — With a four-run lead in the ninth inning, it was Mauricio Cabrera who got the ball for Atlanta. He was not quite as good as he has been recently, giving up a run on three hits, but he finished the game for the second straight day. Before the game, manager Brian Snitker indicated that Arodys Vizcaino is still the closer, but with trade rumors flying, Snitker seems to be preparing for life without him. Given recent usage, Cabrera is the most likely option to take the role when and if Vizcaino is traded — although the Braves may still want him to serve an apprenticeship under wise old Jim Johnson.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Cabrera | Johnson.

St. Louis Cardinals — The Cardinals’ injury woes continued last night, as Trevor Rosenthal entered a tie game in the ninth inning, only to leave with a strained hamstring and the loss. Rosenthal is considered day-to-day at this point; while he’s out, look for Matt Bowman to pick up a few additional opportunities.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Broxton | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in three straight.
2. Koji Uehara/Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel is out at least through the All-Star break with an injured knee.
3. Tyler Clippard, Arizona Diamondbacks — Daniel Hudson has the 96 MPH fastball, but Clippard has the closing experience and the higher K rate.

Brad Ziegler traded to Red Sox

July 9, 2016

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks have traded closer Brad Ziegler to the Red Sox.  Daniel Hudson should get the first chance at saves as he has been the Diamondbacks setup man, but Tyler Clippard is also an option as he has more closing experience.

Updated hierarchy: Hudson | Clippard | Barrett.