July 17, 2019
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen took a comebacker off his right ankle, then gave up four straight hits to blow a two-run lead. After the game, he was noticeably limping and blamed the injury for the loss. Pedro Baez has been struggling, but if Jansen hits the IL tomorrow, it’s probably still Baez with the edge over Julio Urias and Joe Kelly. The Dodgers seem ever more likely to make a move for a reliever.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Baez | Urias.
Toronto Blue Jays — Ken Giles threw 20 pitches off a mound with no problem on Tuesday and is expected to be available on Wednesday, good news for Toronto’s trade hopes. Daniel Hudson has been confirmed as the backup closer, with David Phelps and Tim Mayza beginning to eclipse the waning Joe Biagini in the middle innings.
Updated hierarchy: Giles | Hudson | Phelps.
Colorado Rockies — With four straight scoreless outings, things had been quiet on the Wade Davis beat. Maybe too quiet. Last night, the Rockies rallied from three down against Will Smith to tie the score — then brought in Davis, who gave it all back and then some. Maybe Davis should pitch exclusively on the road, where his ERA (0.79) is 12 times better than at Coors Field (9.53).
Hierarchy remains: Davis | Oberg | Shaw.
San Francisco Giants — Sam Dyson has moved ahead of Tony Watson as the top handcuff to Will Smith. If Smith is the first Giants reliever traded, we favor Dyson over Watson and Mark Melancon — but Dyson and Watson are quite likely to follow (or precede) Smith out the door.
Updated hierarchy: Smith | Dyson | Watson.
Miami Marlins — Austin Brice is headed to the injured list with a forearm strain, but Tayron Guerrero is back to take his place.
Updated hierarchy: Romo | Anderson | Guerrero.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael Lorenzen/David Hernandez — The Reds went to Raisel Iglesias on a third straight day and regretted it. They won’t make it four.
2. JD Hammer — Hector Neris has gone in three of four, including an ugly blown save (and ejection) on Tuesday.
3. Jeurys Familia — Edwin Diaz needed 33 pitches on Tuesday and Seth Lugo has gone in three of four. It could be Familia time.
4. John Gant — Carlos Martinez has pitched in three of four.
5. Julio Urias — Kenley Jansen is limping, Pedro Baez has gone in two of three, and Urias is staying in the bullpen for now. A two-inning vulture save is possible.
6. Reyes Moronta — All of the top five options in the Giants bullpen have been heavily used, but Moronta is the only one who got Tuesday off.
Thursday:
1. Zack Britton — A Wednesday appearance by Aroldis Chapman would be three out of four.
2. Nick Wittgren — Same for Brad Hand.
3. Ty Buttrey/Cam Bedrosian — And Hansel Robles. Buttrey has gone in three of four already.
