September 7, 2018
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs used their late-inning hierarchy earlier in Thursday’s game, so for an extra-inning save, Joe Maddon successfully turned to Jesse Chavez. Meanwhile, injured closer Brandon Morrow is expected to throw from a mound on Sunday for the first time in three weeks — a true test to see if he’ll be able to return to his closing duties before the end of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Strop | Edwards | Cishek.
Washington Nationals — Injured hurler Sean Doolittle played catch on Thursday and could be activated from the DL over the weekend. He’d likely take over as closer in short order.
Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Holland | Glover.
* = closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves — With AJ Minter unavailable and Dan Winkler and Jonny Venters already having pitched, the Braves trotted out Brad Brach in extra innings, and the former Oriole converted for the vulture save, his first with the Braves.
Hierarchy remains: Minter | Winkler | Venters.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
None.
Saturday:
1. CJ Edwards — Entering Friday, Pedro Strop has pitched in two straight.
