August 9, 2017
Los Angeles Angels — Keynan Middleton overcame a solo home run to pick up his first career save. Bud Norris hadn’t pitched since Sunday, but after Tuesday’s win Mike Scioscia said that he wanted to give Norris and Blake Parker a night off because they’ve pitched so much. Norris has struggled lately, but it looks as though his job is safe for now. Scioscia was quick to praise Middleton as well, saying that his stuff is “electric.” If the Angels do go back to a committee at some point, expect Middleton to be an important part of it.
Updated hierarchy: Norris | Parker | Middleton.
Texas Rangers – Keone Kela is back on the DL for the second time in five weeks thanks to shoulder soreness. Jeff Banister said that if Kela does return this season, it most likely won’t be as the team’s closer. Banister also said that he wants flexibility with when and where he deploys Alex Claudio, so expect him to continue pitching in a variety of situations.
Updated hierarchy: *Claudio | Leclerc | Bush.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates – The Pirates picked up George Kontos off waivers from the Giants, and Clint Hurdle plans on using Kontos in many different situations. So far, he’s earned two holds in two tries for Pittsburgh, retiring all six hitters he’s faced on just 16 total pitches. And just like that, Joaquin Benoit is off another hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Rivero | Nicasio | Kontos.
Seattle Mariners – David Phelps was placed on the DL Tuesday morning and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with an elbow impingement.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Vincent | Zych.
Colorado Rockies — Jake McGee is no longer on the DL, but he has still yet to pitch since July 25. It was a bit curious that McGee wasn’t summoned at all in a 1-0 game last night, especially when the Rockies twice played the matchups against left-handed hitters, but perhaps Bud Black is hoping to ease McGee back into the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: Holland | Neshek | McGee.
Chicago Cubs — Koji Uehara left Tuesday’s game with a stiff neck. The injury is not considered serious, and Uehara is targeting a Friday return. In the meantime, expect C.J. Edwards to see any seventh-inning opportunities should the Cubs have a lead.
Updated hierarchy: Davis | Wilson | Edwards.
Cleveland Indians – Andrew Miller is eligible to activated from the 10-day DL on Aug. 12, but he may need a little longer to recover from knee tendonitis. Once activated, Terry Francona expects to use him right away. We’ll see if that activation happens this weekend or early next week.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Smith | Shaw.
Philadelphia Phillies – While Jesen Therrien may still get a look down the stretch of a lost season, the last couple days suggest that Edubray Ramos will be the most likely seventh-inning option in Philadelphia when the Phillies have a lead. Hoby Milner is one of just two lefties in the Phillies’ bullpen, and he earned an eighth-inning hold on Tuesday against a lefty-heavy Braves lineup. Expect Milner to also get some more late-inning chances as matchups dictate.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Garcia | Ramos.
Minnesota Twins – The Vulture Save Watch predicted a night off for Matt Belisle, but it somehow missed out on foreseeing Dillon Gee tossing four scoreless innings to close out an 11-4 win and earn his first career save. Can’t win ’em all!
Hierarchy remains: *Belisle | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Pat Neshek – Greg Holland threw 31 pitches en route to a blown save Tuesday. The Rockies are off Thursday, but Holland may still get Wednesday off.
Tomorrow
1. Junichi Tazawa – If Brad Ziegler pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four.
2. Santiago Casilla – It will have been two straight and four of five for Blake Treinen if he pitches on Wednesday.
3. Luis Garcia – Same goes for Hector Neris.
4. Kirby Yates – And Brad Hand.
5. Ryan Tepera/Danny Barnes – And Roberto Osuna. Ryan Tepera threw 29 pitches Tuesday, so he may also get Thursday off if he has a heavy workload Wednesday.
