Angels bullpen becoming more muddled by the day

June 26, 2017

Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian, Blake Parker, Keynan Middleton, David Hernandez, and Huston Street spent Friday and Saturday sorting out who would be the best man for the 9th inning in a strong Angels bullpen that still has yet to establish any defined roles for its relievers. Then, on Sunday, in a clear save chance… Yusmeiro Petit got the final six outs. Mike Scioscia doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to figure things out, as the mix-and-match approach has been effective as of late. Any of the six relievers mentioned above could conceivably get the call at the moment; we’ll continue to monitor to see if anyone emerges.

Hierarchy remains: *Street | Hernandez | Bedrosian. 
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Unavailable for the previous three days due to anxiety issues, Roberto Osuna returned to the mound on Sunday and threw a scoreless inning, striking out three. Good to see you back, Roberto, and hope you’re getting the treatment you need.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Tepera | Barnes.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Keone Kela – Matt Bush threw 21 pitches yesterday and 31 pitches Friday.

Tomorrow
1. Keone Kela/Jose LeClerc – See above. If Bush goes today he’ll definitely be off tomorrow, and if Kela goes as well, it’ll be three straight.
2. Taylor Rogers – If Brandon Kintzler goes today, it’ll be three straight.
3. Trevor Rosenthal – If Seung-Hwan Oh goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four (and five of seven).
4. Dellin Betances – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
5. Michael Lorenzen – If Raisel Iglesias goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four, including 1.2 innings yesterday.
6. Pedro Baez – If Kenley Jansen goes today, watch his pitch count; he threw 1.2 innings yesterday.

Roberto Osuna dealing with anxiety issues, Blake Parker records save

June 25, 2017

Toronto Blue Jays – Closer Roberto Osuna was unavailable on Friday night because he is dealing with anxiety issues.  Ryan Tepera was given the chance to start the ninth inning on Friday night in a save situation, but ran into trouble and was pulled.  It is unknown how long Osuna could be out, but the Blue Jays will likely mix and match in the ninth inning until he is available to pitch again.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Tepera | Barnes. 

Los Angeles Angels — An Angels’ reliever recorded a save yesterday and of course that reliever was….Blake Parker.  Parker came on with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning and struck out the only batter he faced to pick up his first save of the season.  Cam Bedrosian started the ninth inning with the Angels up five so it was not a save opportunity.  He allowed two hits, two walks, and two runs before getting pulled in favor of Parker.  David Hernandez pitched a perfect seventh with two strikeouts.  This game did not help offer any clarity to who will get the next save chance so we will continue to monitor this closely.

Hierarchy remains: *Street | Hernandez | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Tepera – If Roberto Osuna is unable to pitch, Tepera may get another shot.
2. Arodys Vizcaino – Jim Johnson has pitched in three of four, throwing a total of 51 pitches.

Monday
1. Keone Kela – If Matt Bush pitches on Sunday, that will be two out of three, including a 31 pitch outing.

The Orioles bullpen is slowly getting back to full strength

June 24, 2017

Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day returned from the DL with a scoreless eighth inning in a blowout loss. The Orioles need bullpen reinforcements badly, and O’Day should immediately return to his setup role behind Brad Brach. Zach Britton pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab relief assignment and looks to be on track to return in early July.

Updated hierarchy: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street made his return from injury in a low-leverage spot, pitching a scoreless seventh down three. This was likely a scheduled appearance to ease him back into things. Street stays atop the committee for now, but the next few save chances could provide a lot of clarity on how Mike Scioscia will deploy his suddenly healthy bullpen. In other news, Bud Norris’s rehab is progressing well, and he could return after the minimum 10-day stay on the DL.

Hierarchy remains: *Street | Hernandez | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox — Joe Kelly pitched the eighth inning of a three-run game on Friday, and has seen the bulk of the highest-leverage spots ahead of Craig Kimbrel. No one is unseating Kimbrel, who is in the middle of a historic season, but Kelly has pitched well enough to earn the first crack when the closer cannot go.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Kelly | Barnes.

Detroit Tigers — K-Rod is no longer a Detroit Tiger. The active saves leader lost the closer role in May, ripped the coaching staff last week, and gave up a grand slam Thursday night. Bruce Rondon will replace him on the roster, so it’s not like things are going to get any less frustrating for Tigers fans.

Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.

Arizona Diamondbacks — JJ Hoover has shoulder inflammation and could miss some significant time. Jorge de la Rosa should get some extra work in the seventh inning with Hoover on the DL.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Bradley | J. de la Rosa.

Atlanta Braves — Jim Johnson got a break after throwing a combined 39 pitches on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving Arodys Vizcaino to protect a one-run lead for the Braves. He shut the door with a clean inning to snag his first save of the year. Johnson should be ready to go tonight.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Vizcaino | Ramirez.

Tampa Bay Rays — Austin Pruitt pitched a scoreless three innings in a blowout to earn his first career save. You know the routine: first person to send us a screenshot with him in your fantasy lineup last night earns free Premium!

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Diaz.

Seattle Mariners — Yovani Gallardo also pitched the last three innings of a blowout win to pick up a save in his first relief appearance since July 14, 2007. Come back in another 10 years for his next one.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Vincent | Cishek.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Luis Garcia — Hector Neris, Pat Neshek, and Joaquin Benoit have each pitched in three of four.
2. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched in three of the last four games.
3. Keone Kela — Matt Bush has struggled lately, including last night’s loss in a 31-pitch outing.

Sunday:
1. Arodys Vizcaino — Jim Johnson got Friday off, but an appearance on Saturday would be three of four.
2. David Phelps — Another appearance for A.J. Ramos will be his third in four games.
3. Jacob Barnes/Carlos Torres — The same is true of Corey Knebel.
4. Dellin Betances — And Aroldis Chapman.
5. Sean Doolittle — And Santiago Casilla.
6. Brad Hand/Phil Maton — And Brandon Maurer.

Steve Cishek, Chris Devenski nab vulture saves

June 23, 2017

Seattle Mariners — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Edwin Diaz was unavailable Thursday after pitching four straight days. With Nick Vincent also busy lately, the M’s turned to old friend Steve Cishek, who pitched a clean ninth for his first save. He may be a safe bet for late-inning appearances moving forward, whether fans like it or not.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Vincent | Cishek.

Houston Astros – Manager AJ Hinch was trying to give his primary relievers a day off Thursday with a big 12-3 lead, but his lesser relievers coughed up six runs back in the eighth inning to make things interesting. So, Hinch got Chris Devenski warming and closer Ken Giles stretching. With Devenski ready, Hinch opted to use him in the ninth, and he converted his third save. No, there’s no closer controversy.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Harris | Devenski.

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies used Pat Neshek, who has a nifty 15-inning scoreless streak, in the eighth inning Thursday to get out of a jam with a two-run lead. Luis Garcia was warming for the save opportunity, and when the ninth rolled around and the lead became four, Garcia still finished the game with a clean inning. As pointed out by yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Hector Neris had pitched in three of the previous four days and needed rest, but Garcia’s usage was enough for the monkey to recognize his growing role for manager Pete Mackanin.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Neshek | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Injured closer Zach Britton struck out two hitters in an inning of work Thursday night as he works his way back to the team. This comes after another scoreless inning earlier this week to begin his rehab assignment. A scout called Britton’s outing on Thursday “easy and effortless,” and that his velocity was in the low to mid-90s. Reports say Britton is targeting a July 5 return.

Hierarchy remains: Brach | Givens | Castro.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Bryan Shaw/Dan Otero — The Indians’ pen is tired, man. Andrew Miller has gone in two straight, throwing 51 pitches. For what it’s worth, Bryan Shaw has already pitched in three straight, but the workload has been much lighter (25 pitches). With Cody Allen presumably still on paternity leave and Miller likely tired, does Shaw get another go?

Saturday:
1. Nick Vincent — Even though Edwin Diaz was off Thursday, if he pitches on Friday that’ll be five appearances in six days for him.
2. Jacob Barnes — Corey Knebel has gone in two straight games and Friday would make three. The same actually holds true for Barnes, but you have to imagine one of them gets a breather on Friday, even if the game is tight in the late innings.
3. Arodys Vizcaino/Jose Ramirez — Jim Johnson (39 pitches) and Arodys Vizcaino (19 pitches) have each pitched in two straight. If both pitch Friday, the ball would likely go to Jose Ramirez in any Saturday save chance.
4. Andrew Miller — See above. If Shaw pitches Friday, that’s four straight appearances for him. Presuming Miller rests Friday, he should be available Saturday.

Cody Allen going on paternity leave; look out for Phil Maton in San Diego

June 22, 2017

Cleveland Indians — The vaunted Allen-for-Miller role swap is on hold, it seems. When Carlos Carrasco loaded the bases up three in the seventh, Terry Francona went right back to his 6’7″ security blanket, who pulled a Houdini, then pitched a scoreless eighth for good measure. After Bryan Shaw earned the eventual one-out save, word came that Allen’s wife was having a baby. No truth to the rumor that Miller’s wife handled the first 12 hours of labor.

Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Miller | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street returns from the disabled list today and we think he’ll be given the chance to reclaim the closer role.

Updated hierarchy: *Street | Hernandez | Bedrosian.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — Tyler Clippard has had two straight abysmal outings and is likely to get a bit of a breather from high-leverage use. Swingman Chad Green pitched a tight sixth and seventh Wednesday night and should get the chance to make the role his own.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Betances | Green.

San Diego Padres — It was rookie Phil Maton in the seventh for the Padres on Wednesday night. San Diego trusts him already and, if Brad Hand and/or Brandon Maurer head elsewhere before the trade deadline, Maton could inherit an even more important role.

Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Maton.

Tampa Bay Rays — Chase Whitley escaped a bases-loaded jam up five in the eighth and stayed on for the ninth inning to pick up a five-out save. Meanwhile, Brad Boxberger had a final rehab outing to forget, walking twice as many batters as he retired.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Farquhar | Diaz.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Vincent/James Pazos — Edwin Diaz has pitched in the last four games. Vincent has been used in three of those.
2. David Phelps — A.J. Ramos has gone in two of three and three of five.
3. Bryan Shaw — Cody Allen could miss a few games on paternity leave.
4. Pat Neshek — Not only has Hector Neris been terrible, he’s pitched in three out of four games.

Friday:
1. Ryan Tepera — Roberto Osuna hasn’t thrown a lot of pitches, but he’s appeared in three of four games.
2. Koji Uehara/C.J. Edwards — Wade Davis has pitched in two of three.
3. Andrew Miller — See above.
4. Trevor Rosenthal — Seung Hwan Oh has gone in two straight.
5. Taylor Rogers — So has Brandon Kintzler.