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July 22, 2019
Texas Rangers – Shawn Kelley officially went on the IL today with an arm injury. As we mentioned this morning, we’re giving a slight edge to Chris Martin over Jose Leclerc to get the majority of save opportunities in Kelley’s absence. We will monitor pregame interviews to see if Chris Woodward announces an official replacement.
Updated hierarchy: *C.Martin | Leclerc | B.Martin.
* = closer-by-committee
July 22, 2019
Texas Rangers – Shawn Kelley hurt his arm on one of his warm up pitches on Sunday, and was removed from the game before he threw a single pitch. He was sent for an MRI, and we await word on the severity of his injury. If he’s going to miss significant time, then we’re leaning very slightly towards Chris Martin over Jose LeClerc as his replacement. Martin has posted two straight months with a sub-2 ERA and — get this — he hasn’t walked a batter since April (31/0 K/BB ratio since May 1). It’s very possible, though, that Chris Woodward does turn to former closer Leclerc, who does have more experience in the role and has also been pitching well as of late, having struck out 32 hitters in his last 22.2 IP. We’ll send an update if Woodward makes the call today.
Hierarchy remains: Kelley | Martin | Leclerc.
Tampa Bay Rays – A tired Rays bullpen turned to Adam Kolarek for the save opportunity on Sunday, and the lefty converted with a perfect inning of work for his first save of the year. Though the Rays use everybody everywhere, Kolarek will be pretty low on the list of likeliest 9th inning man on most nights.
Hierarchy remains: *Castillo | Pagan | Drake.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joakim Soria – Liam Hendriks has gone three straight.
2. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has gone in three of the last four.
Tomorrow
1. Jeremy Jeffress – If Josh Hader goes tomorrow it’ll be three straight.
2. Kyle Crick – If Felipe Vazquez goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
3. Sam Dyson – If Will Smith goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
4. John Gant/Andrew Miller – If Carlos Martinez goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
July 21, 2019
Cincinnati Reds — Amir Garrett and Raisel Iglesias were both activated yesterday, although Iglesias was still unavailable. Garrett jumped right back in with a couple strikeouts in a scoreless 7th inning and picked up the win. With Iglesias out, Michael Lorenzen pitched the final two innings for his sixth save of the season. Iglesias should be available today.
Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Oliver Drake pitched a scoreless 8th inning (and may have broken physics) with the Rays protecting a one-run lead for his fifth hold of the season. In his last six appearances, Drake hasn’t allowed any runs and has three holds and a save during that time period. Chaz Roe also returned from the IL and could work his way back into the later innings.
Updated hierarchy: *Pagan | Castillo | Drake.
* = closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals — The Royals designated Wily Peralta for assignment. In his absence, Scott Barlow pitched a scoreless 7th inning for the hold ahead of Jake Diekman and Ian Kennedy. Barlow has two holds in three appearances since coming back up. Tim Hill and Barlow will likely combine to take Peralta’s spot at the back end of the Royals’ bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: Kennedy | Diekman | Barlow.
Chicago White Sox — Kelvin Herrera has been placed on the IL. Look for Evan Marshall and Jace Fry to see more time in the later innings as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Bummer | Marshall.
Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies acquired veteran reliever Mike Morin and sent JD Hammer to Triple-A. Jose Alvarez hasn’t allowed any runs in July so we will slot him in Hammer’s old spot on the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Neris | Morgan | Alvarez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Pedro Strop/Brandon Kintzler – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight and four of five. Strop has also pitched in two straight so he might get today off as well.
2. Blake Treinen – Liam Hendriks has pitched in two straight, including a five-out save on Friday.
Monday
1. Blake Parker/Trevor May – If Taylor Rogers pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. If Blake Parker also pitched, that would be three in a row for him.
July 20, 2019
Boston Red Sox — Nathan Eovaldi will be activated for tonight’s game in Baltimore, but he won’t necessarily be the closer right away according to Alex Cora. Cora seems to like what Brandon Workman has done lately in the ninth inning whenever David Price isn’t allowing homers to .173 hitters. Cora did say that Eovaldi will get high-leverage innings, but we’ll slot Eovaldi behind Workman based on Cora’s comments last night.
Updated hierarchy: *Workman | Eovaldi | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers — As Dave Roberts indicated, Kenley Jansen was available last night after his injury scare. He delivered a great performance, striking out the side in a one-run game to pick up his 24th save of the year. Jansen owners will be happy to see him back and appearing healthy.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Urias.
Cincinnati Reds — Travel issues prevented Amir Garrett from his scheduled rehab appearance on Friday, which means his eventual activation may not come until Sunday. Unfortunately for the Reds, their bullpen had no trouble getting to the stadium on Friday. Raisel Iglesias, placed on the three-day paternity list Wednesday, should be back this weekend.
Hierarchy remains: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies needed to get their bullpen a rest, so they brought on Cole Irvin to pitch the eighth inning of a two-run game. He stayed on for the ninth after the Phillies added three runs to earn his first career save. Irvin has been shaky in his rookie season, mostly as a spot starter and long reliever, so this save might be his last one for a while. The rest of the bullpen probably appreciated the break, as Hector Neris, Adam Morgan, JD Hammer and Jose Alvarez had all seen plenty of work in the last week.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Morgan | Hammer.
New York Yankees — After the Yankees extended their lead to 8-2 with three runs in the sixth inning, Stephen Tarpley pitched the final three innings to earn his second career save. Tarpley does not factor into the Yankees’ usual late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Sam Dyson — Will Smith has gone in two straight and four of five.
2. Pedro Strop — Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three of four.
3. Ryan Pressly — Roberto Osuna has gone each of the last two days and has only pitched three straight days twice this season, with one of those instances including a one-pitch outing.
4. Blake Treinen — Liam Hendriks threw 20 pitches to get the final five outs last night.
Sunday:
1. Brandon Kintzler — If both Craig Kimbrel and Pedro Strop pitch today, Kintzler may be a candidate to get the ninth on Sunday.
2. Ryan Pressly/Hector Rondon — If Roberto Osuna gets a third straight outing, Pressly or failed opener Hector Rondon should get a crack at the ninth on Sunday. A Saturday appearance for Pressly will be his third over the last four days.
3. Blake Treinen — If Liam Hendriks does go today, he should get Sunday off.
4. Andrew Miller — The Cardinals bullpen has been very busy of late. If Carlos Martinez pitches today, that will be two straight and four of five. Miller should get today off after three straight appearances.
July 19, 2019
San Diego Padres — Highly regarded relief prospect Andres Munoz was recently called up after showing big strikeout potential in the minors (14.6 K/9). So far, the 20-year-old fireballer has done fine work in the big leagues (4.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 Ks, 0.00 ERA), including two shutout innings with three strikeouts Thursday, with two pitches over 102 mph! He’s starting to climb most-added lists in fantasy leagues, partly because the allure of the young swing-and-miss arm is enticing, but he can help a team’s ratios and might move his way up the Padres’ bullpen depth chart before long.
Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Perdomo.
St. Louis Cardinals — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Carlos Martinez was rested Thursday. But in his stead, Andrew Miller, not John Gant, picked up the save, his second of the year.
Updated hierarchy: Martinez | Miller | Gant.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen (ankle) did not pitch Thursday, but manager Dave Roberts said before the game the closer was likely available. So it’s safe for fantasy owners to trot him out there this weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Kelly | Urias.
Philadelphia Phillies — Hector Neris recorded the save Thursday, but his ugly stretch continued (10 ER in 7 IP). He allowed a home run in an inning of work and ended the day by hurling a loud expletive at the Dodgers dugout, which nearly led to a kerfuffle and prompted Max Muncy to respond: “He’s blown about eight saves against us over the last two years, so I guess he was finally excited he got one.” Neris is appealing a three-game suspension for hitting David Freese, so tensions between the squads were running high. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was not pleased with Neris’s “unacceptable” conduct.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Morgan | Hammer.
Boston Red Sox — Nathan Eovaldi is flying with the Red Sox for their series against the Orioles and will likely be activated on Saturday. He figures to become the team’s closer on arrival, but don’t drop Brandon Workman just yet.
Hierarchy remains: *Workman | Barnes | Hembree.
* = closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds — Reliever David Hernandez was placed on the 10-day IL with shoulder fatigue. Amir Garrett will make a minor-league rehab appearance on Friday, and if all goes well, he’ll be activated from the injured list on Saturday or Sunday. And Raisel Iglesias is still on paternity leave, so Michael Lorenzen will be the guy for saves on Friday and possibly this weekend.
Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Lorenzen | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael Lorenzen — Raisel Iglesias is still on paternity leave.
2. Adam Morgan/JD Hammer — Hector Neris has pitched in four of his last six, throwing 67 pitches. Morgan has appeared in the same number of games, but his pitch count is slightly lower (61) and he hasn’t been hit as hard. Plus, with Neris tired and pitching poorly, perhaps it’s a good time to drop his appeal and take a three-game break.
3. Jake Diekman — Ian Kennedy has pitched in three of his last four, and threw 27 pitches in a save on Thursday.
Saturday:
1. Nick Anderson — Rubber-armed Sergio Romo has pitched in two straight, entering Friday. He has gone in three straight as recently as last week, but he’d likely sit out Saturday if he goes again on Friday.
2. Nick Wittgren — A Friday outing would be two straight and four of six for Brad Hand.
3. Seth Lugo — A Friday appearance for Edwin Diaz would be three of four for him.
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