August 14, 2016
Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day has been placed on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Manager Buck Showalter is optimistic O’Day will return in two weeks, and mentioned Mychal Givens and Vance Worley as members of the bullpen who would see more prominent roles with O’Day out. We will slide Givens in behind Britton and Brach for now.
Updated hierarchy: Britton | Brach | Givens.
Washington Nationals — The Nationals released former closer Jonathan Papelbon yesterday. Papelbon has been rumored to have interest in going back to the Red Sox, and the Cubs could also be a landing spot given their recent injury woes. Blake Treinen should see time in the later innings for the Nationals with Papelbon gone.
Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Kelley | Treinen.
Cleveland Indians – The Indians won by four on Saturday so it wasn’t a save opportunity, but manager Terry Francona still used all three members on our hierarchy. Bryan Shaw pitched a perfect seventh inning, and then it was Andrew Miller in the eighth and Cody Allen in the ninth. We will leave Miller as the head of the committee for now, but it’s looking like Allen could see more save chances down the stretch if Francona continues to use Miller before the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Will Harris, Houston Astros — Ken Giles is on paternity leave.
2. Jacob Turner?, Chicago White Sox — David Robertson, Nate Jones, and Dan Jennings have all pitched in two straight and four of the past five. Matt Albers threw two innings yesterday while Jacob Turner got the day off so if the White Sox are desperate, maybe they turn to Turner.
3. Carlos Villanueva, San Diego Padres — Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter have both pitched in back-to-back games and three of the past four. Brad Hand has appeared in two straight, including two innings on Friday.
