June 21, 2019
Toronto Blue Jays — Ken Giles was activated from the injured list and will immediately resume his role as closer. He pitched a clean inning in a tie game Thursday in his return.
Updated hierarchy: Giles | Biagini | Hudson.
Tampa Bay Rays Tampreal ExRays — Jose Alvarado is still working his way back after an extended time on the restricted and bereavement lists. Kevin Cash is hoping for a swift return, saying Thursday, “We need him.” That would appear to be true. Given a three-run lead in the ninth on Thursday, Diego Castillo coughed up four runs to take the loss. Castillo and Emilio Pagan will continue to split save chances until Alvarado’s return.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Pagan | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Pat Neshek went right back on the IL Thursday with a hamstring injury, after three weeks on the shelf with shoulder trouble. There is no timetable for his return. Are there any healthy Phillies relievers these days? Vince Velasquez’s move to the starting rotation could be permanent, apparently leaving Cole Ervin (7.82 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) and Jose Alvarez (4.26 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) to back up Hector Neris and JD Hammer. Juan Nicasio could also play a part, as well as Adam Morgan when he’s activated today.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Hammer | Alvarez.
Colorado Rockies — When the Rockies took the lead in the tenth inning on Thursday, manager Bud Black stuck with Scott Oberg for a second inning, and he slammed the door to earn the win. Where was struggling Wade Davis? Apparently unavailable, which Black mentioned before stressing that Oberg is not the new closer. Davis has allowed runs in every appearance since returning from the IL, and has a WHIP (1.80) more than 50 points higher than Hyun-Jin Ryu’s ERA (1.26)! Okay, that might not be fair — Ryu is nasty. Anyway, this Oberg-Davis situation bears watching, so stay tuned.
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.
Texas Rangers — Shawn Kelley remains the top option for saves in Texas; he retired the side around a solo home run to earn his ninth on Thursday. Manager Chris Woodard has recently hinted that Jose Leclerc is close to recapturing his role in the ninth inning, but every time Leclerc gets close, he endures a rough stretch on the mound. Leclerc hasn’t pitched since Monday and has allowed five earned runs over his last six appearances. We’ll drop the asterisk for now.
Updated hierarchy: Kelley | Leclerc | Martin.
Chicago Cubs — Craig Kimbrel is scheduled to pitch his second outing in AAA on Friday. With the future closer still shaking out the cobwebs, Steve Cishek stepped in Thursday for his seventh save. Pedro Strop hasn’t pitched since allowing two runs in an outing on Tuesday, but let’s not read too much into it yet.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — With Rich Hill out at least a month and Julio Urias’s spot start a smashing success, the young lefty may be headed to the rotation soon.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Urias.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Nick Anderson — Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight, while Tayron Guerrero has gone in four of five.
2. Carlos Martinez — Jordan Hicks has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Anthony Bass — Roenis Elias has gone in two straight and three of five.
Saturday:
1. Zach Britton — A Friday appearance would be three of four for Aroldis Chapman.
2. Ty Buttrey — Same as above for Hansel Robles. Buttrey has already gone in three of four entering Friday, but he’s thrown just 17 pitches.
3. Jose Alvarado? — The Rays bullpen has been very busy lately. Friday outings for Diego Castillo and Emilio Pagan would be three in a row for each of them. It’s unclear who would step in on Saturday if Alvarado isn’t ready — maybe Chaz Roe or Adam Kolarek.
4. Wander Suero/Tanner Rainey — A Friday outing for Sean Doolittle would be three in a row. Suero and Rainey have also pitched in two straight, so if someone in this trio gets Friday off, he should be well-rested enough to go on Saturday.
5. Wily Peralta — A Friday outing would be four of six for Ian Kennedy.
