September 5, 2016
Los Angeles Angels – After Matt Shoemaker took a line drive to the head in the second inning on Sunday, the first Angel out of the bullpen was Deolis Guerra, who is ostensibly competing for the closer job with J.C. Ramirez. Though this seemingly would have solidified Ramirez as the Angels’ new closer, he was actually summoned in the 7th inning, and he subsequently bridged the last two innings to newcomer Andrew Bailey, who they signed to a minor league deal in August. Bailey responded by converting his first save since 2013, which immediately puts him in the conversation with Ramirez for future opportunities. In other Angels news, Cam Bedrosian is officially done for the year.
Updated hierarchy: *Ramirez | Bailey | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox will bring Koji Uehara off the disabled list today, and given the team’s bullpen struggles, the righty could return to high-leverage work sooner rather than later. He won’t pitch until Tuesday, but we’ll swap him for Clay Buchholz, that day’s starter, now.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Uehara.
Chicago White Sox – After almost every other arm in the White Sox bullpen had been used, Tommy Kahnle came on for the save in the 12th inning, and converted. He does not factor in to the White Sox usual late inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Jennings.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Fernando Salas, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have both pitched in back to back games, and the Mets have a short turnaround after a night game last night.
