May 3, 2018

Texas Rangers — When you try your best, but you don’t succeed, well, you’re probably the Rangers, and you’re placing Chris Martin on the disabled list with forearm irritation. It’s unclear whether the treatment plan will involve bone ignition or just a humble jade gemstone, but we’re fully confident that they will try . . . to fix him. Jake Diekman (hit by a 112 mph line drive on Tuesday), Jose Leclerc, and Kevin Jepsen should get more play in Martin’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Kela | Claudio | Diekman.

St. Louis Cardinals — Bud Norris is hanging onto the closer’s role for now, picking up his sixth save on Wednesday. Maybe it shouldn’t be that big a surprise: St. Louis has a long history of preferring Bud to the products of Holland.

Hierarchy remains: *Norris | Holland | Hicks.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers — Jeremy Jeffress isn’t nearly as dominant as Josh Hader, but he’s suddenly piling up multi-inning saves like the lefty. The Brewers bullpen has been phenomenal even without Corey Knebel, ranking #1 in MLB in ERA after the seventh inning.

Hierarchy remains: *Hader | Jeffress | Albers.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Santiago Casilla — After not pitching for nine days, Blake Treinen threw 37 pitches last night.
2. Joe Kelly — Craig Kimbrel has gone in three of four, and Kelly had a successful return on Wednesday.
3. Warwick Saupold — Who? Check this out: Shane Greene has pitched in three straight and four of five. Joe Jimenez has gone in two straight, four of five, and six of eight! Alex Wilson has pitched in three of four, as has Daniel Stumpf. The Tigers’ bullpen needs a vacation, and we hear Warwick is lovely this time of year. Plus the Aussie pitcher is pretty well-rested and has a weird vulture save already.
4. Juan Nicasio/Nick Vincent — Nicasio and Edwin Diaz have each pitched in three of four.

Friday:
1. Addison Reed — Fernando Rodney has gone in two straight.
2. Josh Fields — So has Kenley Jansen.