Instant emails for every closer change. Closer depth charts to keep you ahead.
August 17, 2017
St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal has been placed on the 10-day DL with right elbow irritation. As we mentioned earlier in the daily update, we expect a committee of Seung Hwan Oh and lefty Tyler Lyons while Rosenthal is out, but we will continue to monitor to see if manager Mike Matheny offers any clarity on the situation.
Updated hierarchy: *Oh | Lyons | Brebbia.
* = closer-by-committee
August 17, 2017
St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal didn’t look right in a brief outing on Wednesday night, and was pulled from the game after yielding a homer and a walk. His velocity was down and he reported “tightness” in his throwing arm; the Cards are concerned that it’s a return of the shoulder trouble from spring training. He’ll be checked out on Thursday and, if he’s hurt, we expect saves to come out of a committee of Seung Hwan Oh (1 ER, 13 K over last 12 appearances) and lefty Tyler Lyons (18 K in 14 straight scoreless appearances), with Zach Duke and John Brebbia on the next tier.
Updated hierarchy: Rosenthal | Oh | Lyons.
Chicago White Sox — Things are getting really sad in the White Sox bullpen, guys. No one on the active roster has a save, a streak that was prolonged against the odds Wednesday night. With a two-run lead, Juan Minaya retired the last two men in the eighth on seven pitches. Rather than letting him go for a five-out save, Rick Renteria trotted out Gregory Infante, who induced a flyout. But when a pinch hitter was announced, Renteria pulled Infante for lefty Aaron Bummer — then yanked Bummer in favor of Jake Petricka after he gave up a single. Three line drives later, it was another walk-off for LA. Petricka has given up eight runs this month and has as many baserunners allowed as outs recorded (16). We still think Minaya has the best stuff, but if you’re this desperate for saves, troll for eighth-inning guys, stream our VSW picks, something, anything but this! Don’t own a White Sox reliever!
Hierarchy remains: *Minaya | Petricka | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians — In a rehab appearance at AAA Columbus, Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. You can watch all 12 of his pitches here. The Indians expect to have Miller back on Friday.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Smith | Shaw.
New York Mets — Jeurys Familia made his first rehab appearance since having surgery in May, a scoreless inning for high-A St. Lucie.
Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Blevins | Sewald.
Los Angeles Angels — Three saves in a week would ordinarily be enough to erase an asterisk, but Cam Bedrosian isn’t fully recovered from his groin injury, and won’t be pitching in back-to-back games until that changes. Blake Parker and Keynan Middleton could see more than a usual share of chances as a result.
Hierarchy remains: *Bedrosian | Parker | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted Wednesday morning, Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances each got the night off, so it was David Robertson picking up the save. There’s no sign that Chapman has lost the job or will require a DL stint.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Seattle Mariners — After Edwin Diaz walked three and hit two in the ninth inning, Scott Servais brought in lefty Marc Rzepczynski to strike out lefty slugger Chris Davis. Rzepczynski remains the fourth or fifth option in the Mariners pen.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Vincent | Zych.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Seung Hwan Oh/Tyler Lyons — Trevor Rosenthal will get at least one day off, and maybe a lot more than one.
Friday:
1. Ryan Tepera — Roberto Osuna has gone in two of three and could need a day off if he pitches on Thursday.
2. Nick Vincent — Even though the Mariners have today off, Edwin Diaz might need Thursday off too. He’s gone in two straight and threw 37 pitches on Tuesday.
August 16, 2017
New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman said he felt tightness in his hamstring when he came off the mound after Tuesday night’s save. While Chapman said it’s “nothing to worry about,” Joe Girardi was a bit more concerned, and not just about Chapman’s hamstring. Chapman is in real danger of being demoted from the closer’s role due to his recent struggles, which is good news for Dellin Betances owners. A stint on the 10-day DL for Chapman is not unlikely at this point, though we’ll learn more today.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Chicago White Sox — Prior to Tuesday’s tilt with the Dodgers, Rick Renteria said that he plans to give different guys chances to prove themselves. Some proved themselves better than others. In a 1-1 game, Juan Minaya got through the seventh and allowed a hit to the only batter he faced in the eighth. Aaron Bummer was next, and he induced a fielder’s choice before walking the next two guys. On came Jake Petricka, who got the second out but followed that with a HBP and three singles to blow the game wide open. Based on usage, Petricka was probably going to get the first save chance if Chicago grabbed a lead, but after Tuesday’s troubles it may be Minaya after all. If you’re looking for reliable options here, good luck.
Hierarchy remains: *Minaya | Petricka | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Kyle Barraclough returned from the DL on Tuesday and got work in a low-leverage eighth inning after Junichi Tazawa allowed a hit to each of the four hitters he faced in the seventh, blowing a 4-3 lead. Don Mattingly said before Tuesday’s game that Barraclough will immediately return to high-leverage situations. There’s a good chance he closes again by the end of the season. There’s also a good chance Tazawa is out of the mix, as it will be hard to keep Drew Steckenrider (2.00 ERA, 12.00 K/9) out of the late-inning conversation.
Updated hierarchy: Ziegler | Barraclough | Tazawa.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. David Robertson – Even if Aroldis Chapman keeps his job and doesn’t need a stint on the DL, he may still get a night off as a precaution. Dellin Betances has pitched in three straight games, so even if he is the new closer he won’t pitch tonight.
2. Santiago Casilla/Ryan Dull – Blake Treinen threw 33 pitches last night in a shaky outing. Santiago Casilla was also bad last night, so Ryan Dull may get any save chance that arises on Wednesday.
Tomorrow
1. Ryan Madson/Brandon Kintzler – If Sean Doolittle pitches today it will be his second straight appearance and fourth in five days. Ryan Madson has been battling a blister, so if he is still unavailable, expect Brandon Kintzler to get the ninth if needed on Thursday.
August 15, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon, who has been the “closer of the future” for the Tigers for like 4 years now, was sent to AAA after getting blown up this weekend. Alex Wilson inherits his first in line spot, and Joe Jimenez could also nab a few extra holds as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.
New York Yankees – We thought that Aroldis Chapman would be fine to pitch again after his blown save on Sunday — and perhaps he was — but the Yankees opted to play it safe and, with a 2-run lead, instead gave the ball to Dellin Betances in the 9th inning against the Mets. Betances responded with his 7th save of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup recorded 5 outs — 3 by strikeout — in bridging the gap to Roberto Osuna last night. Seven of his last eight appearances have been scoreless, and if he can keep the walks in check, look for the Jays to pair him with Dominic Leone for 7th inning holds down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Tepera | Loup.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
(None. All closers should be available tonight.)
Tomorrow
1. Archie Bradley – If Fernando Rodney goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
August 14, 2017
San Francisco Giants – Mark Melancon had his first outing since being activated from the DL, pitching a scoreless inning in the second game of the team’s doubleheader. Sam Dyson picked up the save in game one. The Giants plan to ease Melancon back in to the closer role, so we’ll ease him up the hierarchy, and are guessing he’ll have at least one or two more appearances before he moves back to the 9th inning.
Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Melancon | Strickland.
Miami Marlins – Brad Ziegler got the day off on Sunday, but Junichi Tazawa ended up staying in his traditional 8th inning role, allowing Odrisamer Despaigne to pick up his first career save. We’re guessing this was a one-off opportunity, and that it’s unlikely that Despaigne plays much of a role in the late innings going forward.
Hierarchy remains: Ziegler | Tazawa | Steckenrider.
Minnesota Twins – Matt Belisle got knocked around on Saturday, so the Twins gave him the day off Sunday and went to Trevor Hildenberger, who got the final four outs of the game and picked up his first save. That’s enough for us to return the Twins to committee status; the team is in hot pursuit of a Wild Card, so don’t look for them to stay particularly loyal to any pitcher who isn’t doing the job.
Updated hierarchy: *Belisle | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Jose Ramirez picked up his 20th hold of the season yesterday. Lately, he’s been pitching mostly in games the Braves have been losing, which is weird given his stellar numbers, but at any rate, we welcome him back to the hierarchy and think he could be an option for saves should anything happen to Arodys Vizcaino.
Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Johnson | Ramirez.
Los Angeles Angels – After seemingly falling out of the race with a 9-13 record in July, the Angels have been red hot all month (10-3) and currently hold the second AL Wild Card. But when it comes to closing out games, their relief corps will sorting things out on a night to night basis. Cam Bedrosian should continue to be Mike Scioscia’s choice when rested, but the Angels are being very cautious with his usage — stunningly, he has pitched on consecutive days only TWICE all season. So with Bedrosian getting the day off Sunday after pitching Saturday, it was Keynan Middleton who got the save, with Blake Parker and Yusmeiro Petit handling the 7th and 8th, respectively. Outside of Bedrosian, roles are pretty fluid in Anaheim.
Hierarchy remains: *Bedrosian | Parker | Middleton.
Chicago White Sox — The White Sox traded Tyler Clippard to the Astros late Sunday night. For now, we like Juan Minaya (21 Ks vs 7 BBs, 5 ERs in his last 17.1 IP) to head a committee that also includes Jake Petricka and Aaron Bummer, but be warned that describing this bullpen as a “patchwork” is an insult to whatever you normally use to patch your shit up.
Updated hierarchy: *Minaya | Petricka | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Devenski – Ken Giles pitched 2 innings (22 pitches) last night. He’s probably fine for tonight, but the Astros have a 12-game division lead and might choose to play it cautious.
Tomorrow
1. Chris Devenski – See above.
2. Joe Smith/Bryan Shaw – If Cody Allen goes today, it’ll be three straight.
3. Dellin Betances – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
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