August 11, 2016
Chicago Cubs — Hector Rondon hasn’t pitched in nine days (sore triceps), but Joe Maddon remains confident that he’ll return soon and avoid the DL. The need became more dire when Pedro Strop left Wednesday’s game with an apparent knee injury, unable to support his own weight. Filling in admirably was 24-year-old C.J. Edwards, who has a 0.58 WHIP and the stuff to retire Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in a tight spot. Joe Maddon doesn’t want to overload the kid, so Joe Smith will take on the bulk of Strop’s duties — but don’t sleep on C.J.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Rondon | Smith.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Jake Barrett is not exactly running away with the D-Backs’ closer job. Since Tyler Clippard left town, Barrett has given up six earned runs and seven walks in four innings (five appearances). Wednesday’s blown save could open the door for Enrique Burgos — who has a 0.98 ERA since being recalled from Reno in early July — or Randall Delgado.
Updated hierarchy: *Barrett | Burgos | Delgado.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Edwin Diaz had pitched in four of five games, and Tom Wilhelmsen had gone in three of four, so out came Nick Vincent to face the heart of Detroit’s order in a save situation. Arquimedes Caminero hasn’t done anything wrong — he earned the win with a perfect eighth — but Scott Servais evidently loves what Vincent can do against righties.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Vincent.
Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson is eligible to return from the DL on Friday, so the Astros are hoping Ken Giles’s baby holds off until then also. If not, Pat Neshek will probably get the call in Giles’s absence.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Neshek | Harris.
Minnesota Twins — Not only were the Twins rained out on Umbrella Night, but they also sent Trevor May to the disabled list with a low back strain. Lefthander Taylor Rogers, a rookie, has three holds in the last week, and should benefit from May’s absence.
Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Pressly | Rogers.
Chicago White Sox — In his last six outings, Matt Albers has given up nine runs in 6.2 IP, and he took the loss in the 14th last night. Pitching two scoreless innings ahead of him was Dan Jennings, who gave up a leadoff triple in the 13th, then struck out the side.
Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Jones | Jennings.
Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson and Jeremy Jeffress had each pitched in three of four games, and after Jake Diekman gave up the go-ahead runs in the eighth, Jeff Banister called on Matt Bush for the save (his first). Bush won’t crack the hierarchy again just yet, though; Texas has seven high-quality options in the bullpen, and Bush remains a pretty clear fourth.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Jeffress | Diekman.
Oakland A’s — After two straight days of use, Ryan Madson got Wednesday off. John Axford picked up the save. If you’re still reading this, we’re so sorry.
Hierarchy remains: Madson | Axford | Dull.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia pitched the tenth and eleventh Wednesday night (38 pitches).
2. Enrique Burgos, Arizona Diamondbacks — It’s a committee of sorts in Arizona, and Jake Barrett blew the save last night and has gone in two straight.
