September 7, 2017
New York Yankees — With Dellin Betances struggling as head of the Yankees closer committee (7.94 ERA and two baserunners an inning over the last two weeks), Joe Girardi is strongly considering a return to Aroldis Chapman. Some say the move is a bit hasty, but the $17-million lefty won’t keep the committee asterisk long if he can return to form.
Updated hierarchy: *Chapman | Betances | Robertson.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — Tyler Lyons got the call up two in the ninth; after giving up two leadoff singles, he struck out two and got a flyout to earn his second save of the year. It’s been a pretty mediocre season for Seung Hwan Oh, and Lyons held batters to a 1-for-32 average in August, so you might have expected the lefty to get a closing shot sooner. With the Cardinals in the thick of the wild card race, he may wind up as the most important reliever down the stretch.
Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Lyons | Brebbia.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — As we told you yesterday, former closer Bud Norris was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday. We’ll slot him in at second in line, but with his knee soreness not yet healed, the team isn’t likely to push him too hard.
Updated hierarchy: Parker | Bedrosian | Norris.
Oakland A’s — The A’s rested Blake Treinen (59 pitches in two days) and Santiago Casilla (three straight games), leaving Chris Hatcher to get his first save of the season in his third straight appearance.
Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Casilla | Hatcher.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias got Wednesday off, but pitched in two straight and three of four before that.
Friday:
1. Jake McGee — Greg Holland has gone in three of four.
2. Brandon Morrow/Tony Watson — An appearance today would be two of three for Kenley Jansen, and the last one required 28 pitches.
3. Brandon Kintzler — Sean Doolittle has pitched in two of three.
