May 6, 2017
Baltimore Orioles — A source tells Baltimore Baseball that Zach Britton is returning to the disabled list with his strained left forearm. Brad Brach will resume the closer role while Britton heals.
Updated hierarchy: Brach | O’Day | Givens.
Arizona Diamondbacks — If the D-Backs are serious about keeping Archie Bradley in the bullpen this season, he has to be considered Fernando Rodney’s strongest competition for the closer role. Last night, Bradley pitched a clean eighth up four, then loaded the bases to start the ninth. He got one strikeout before handing the ball over to Rodney, who escaped with only one inherited run allowed. This round goes to Fernando.
Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Bradley | Hoover.
Washington Nationals — Ryan Webb’s record string of 105 games finished without a save just got a lot more secure. Matt Albers — whose own streak had reached 102 — finally has career save #1. Koda Glover is expected back soon, and we still think he will take over the ninth inning (at least until reinforcements come via trade), but Albers is the leader in the meantime.
Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Romero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson has really been struggling lately, and it was Chris Devenski who got Friday’s call for a tenth-inning save after Ken Giles blew a chance in the ninth.
Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Gregerson.
Miami Marlins — Brad Ziegler entered with a four-run lead and left behind one, after giving up six consecutive hits. Kyle Barraclough was called on to clean up Ziegler’s mess, and should have moved ahead of him in the Marlins’ pecking order.
Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Barraclough | Ziegler.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Josh Fields earned a four-out save in a game the Dodgers broke open in the top of the ninth. He doesn’t figure to get many more chances, but he does appear to have an advantage over lefty Luis Avilan, who entered in the sixth last night.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Fields.
Texas Rangers — Lefty Alex Claudio was the last man standing in the Rangers’ bullpen in the thirteenth inning, and he picked up a save for his trouble. Keone Kela and Jeremy Jeffress were unavailable after heavy workloads on Thursday.
Hierarchy remains: Bush | Jeffress | Kela.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has gone in two straight (42 pitches).
2. Jeremy Jeffress — Matt Bush has also (47).
Sunday
1. Dellin Betances — It’s rare for a Yankee reliever to go in three straight games.
2. Hector Rondon/Koji Uehara — Wade Davis will have gone in four of five if he pitches Saturday, and Rondon threw 40 last night.
3. Matt Belisle — Brandon Kintzler has gone in two of three, and thrown 53 pitches.
4. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera has gone in two straight.
5. Nick Vincent — Edwin Diaz has gone in three of four.
