May 10, 2017
San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon is headed to the 10-day disabled list with a right pronator strain in his forearm. After Tuesday’s game, manager Bruce Bochy said that he prefers Derek Law to head a committee and not Hunter Strickland, though it sounds like Strickland will get some looks given the committee tag. The two started out sharing duties when Santiago Casilla lost the job last fall and while Strickland has the better numbers as a whole, Law has been hot of late, not allowing a run in 6.2 IP. Josh Osich should get some more late-inning work also. As for Melancon, he is confident that his first DL stint will be a short one.
Updated hierarchy: *Law | Strickland | Osich.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Brad Ausmus announced before Tuesday’s game that Justin Wilson will take over the closer role for the Tigers going forward. Wilson, replacing a struggling Francisco Rodriguez, pitched a clean ninth after the Tigers offense erased a potential save situation in their half of the frame. Righty Alex Wilson should get the majority of 8th inning opportunities, which included last night’s victory. Shane Greene projects be the right-handed option ahead of the Wilsons and got two big outs Tuesday, while Blaine Hardy will mostly face lefties in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.
Washington Nationals — With the Nationals leading by two, Dusty Baker opted to use Enny Romero in the ninth instead of Matt Albers, saying after the game that he thought the Orioles due up hit righties better than lefties. That theory was debunked, as Romero blew the save in a game the Nationals lost in extra innings. Koda Glover is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment today and could come off the DL this weekend. Until then, expect Albers to get the bulk of the save chances.
Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Romero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joaquin Benoit – Hector Neris struggled through a 23-pitch outing on Tuesday.
Tomorrow
1. Felipe Rivero/Juan Nicasio – If Tony Watson labors on Wednesday, he may not pitch a third straight day.
