Arodys Vizcaino out for the year

April 18, 2019

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino underwent shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the season. With Atlanta’s bullpen in shambles, AJ Minter will likely continue to get the bulk of the save chances — unless the team decides to sign Craig Kimbrel. If they’re interested in Kimbrel, the Braves may have to act quickly to stave off the Brewers.

Hierarchy remains: Minter | Sobotka | Biddle.

Kansas City Royals — KC is in true committee mode. Ian Kennedy came in with the score tied and got the sixth and part of the seventh. Jake Diekman spelled him, but loaded the bases with no one out in the eighth. Wily Peralta escaped with only one run allowed and stayed on for the ninth. When the Royals took the lead in the tenth, this left Scott Barlow to convert his first career save. Anything can happen with this group, but given today’s usage, we’ll edge Peralta ever-so-slightly ahead of Kennedy. 

Updated hierarchy: *Peralta | Kennedy | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Although it was no surprise to see Brad Hand get the day off after three straight games pitched, few expected a two-inning save from Nick Wittgren. Wittgren’s previous three appearances had been in low-leverage spots with the team trailing, but he set down six straight Mariners for his first career save. We’ll take this as a sign that Terry Francona prefers Wittgren to Dan Otero and Neil Ramirez.

Updated hierarchy: Hand | Cimber | Wittgren.

Philadelphia Phillies — After inheriting two runners with a two-run lead, Hector Neris loaded the bases with an RBI infield single and a hit-by-pitch before getting a second strikeout to escape with his second save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: *Neris | Dominguez | Arano.

Boston Red Sox — Boston’s bullpen, till now the high point of a shockingly bad season, turned back into a pumpkin Wednesday night. Brandon Workman loaded the bases and Ryan Brasier gave up a grand slam, wasting a great start by Nathan Eovaldi.

Hierarchy remains: *Brasier | Barnes | Workman.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Yoshihisa Hirano — Greg Holland has pitched in three of four, and Archie Bradley threw 36 pitches last night.
2. Chad Sobotka — Sobotka struggled in his last appearance, but it’s not likely that AJ Minter will pitch for a fourth day out of five.

Friday:
1. Joe Kelly — Kenley Jansen has pitched in two of three.
2. Joe Jimenez — Shane Greene has gone in two straight.

A pair of NL Central relievers return from the injured list

April 17, 2019

Pittsburgh Pirates – Felipe Vazquez got another day off after throwing 47 pitches on Sunday, so Keone Kela pitched the ninth inning on Tuesday with the Pirates holding a 3-2 lead. Kela gave up the tying run, but the Pirates scored twice in the 10th and paved the way for Nick Kingham to earn his first career save. Kyle Crick returned from the IL on Tuesday, but it looks like he’ll be eased back into high-leverage work since Richard Rodriguez pitched the eighth inning on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Kela | Rodriguez.

Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers activated Jeremy Jeffress from the IL on Tuesday, but Craig Counsell said that Jeffress won’t see any high-leverage work right away. We’ll see how long it takes before Counsell deems Jeffress ready to return to his usual late-inning role.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Wilson | Guerra.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jose Alvarado faced the top of the Orioles’ order in the eighth inning with the Rays clinging to a one-run lead and retired all three batters he faced. After Tampa added another run in the bottom of the inning, Diego Castillo followed with a 1-2-3 ninth to get the save. Both Alvarado and Castillo have been terrific this season and will continue to lock down the eighth and ninth innings when the Rays have a lead.

Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Castillo | Roe. 
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Jerad Eickhoff struck out six Mets in four scoreless innings to earn his first career save in a 14-3 win. Eickhoff currently has more saves than David Robertson but does not normally factor into the Phillies’ late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: *Neris | Dominguez | Arano.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Scott Alexander struck out Joey Votto to end the seventh inning and keep the Dodgers’ 4-1 advantage intact. The Dodgers haven’t had many close leads to protect lately,  but Alexander should factor into the Dodgers’ late-inning plans, especially against left-handed hitters.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Kelly | Alexander.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kelvin Herrera – Alex Colome has pitched in three straight games.
2. Adam Cimber/Dan Otero – So has Brad Hand. If Cimber gets used to get one out in a tight spot before the ninth inning, Otero could see today’s save chance.

Tomorrow
1. Archie Bradley – If Greg Holland goes tonight, it’ll be two straight and three of four.
2. Chad Sobotka/Jesse Biddle – Same goes for AJ Minter. Sobotka threw 20 pitches on Tuesday, so his usage should be monitored as well.

David Robertson injured; Raisel Iglesias struggling

April 16, 2019

Toronto Blue Jays – Ken Giles wasn’t feeling well, so it was Joe Biagini on for the 9th inning to protect a 2-run lead for the Blue Jays. Biagini converted and remains the handcuff in Toronto.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Biagini | Mayza.

Cincinnati Reds – Staked to a 1-run lead in the 9th, Raisel Iglesias walked David Freese on 5 pitches and then gave up a walkoff 2-run homer to Joc Pederson. Iglesias has now surrendered runs in four of his six outings to start the season and should be monitored closely going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

Philadelphia Phillies — David Robertson was placed on the injured list Monday afternoon with right elbow soreness. The Phillies’ ninth-inning situation will become even more unsettled, with Hector Neris, Seranthony Dominguez, and possibly the revitalized Victor Arano contending for saves.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Dominguez | Arano.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias needs a day to clear his head, Hughes is probably the best bet for a save chance.
2. Joe Biagini – If Ken Giles still isn’t feeling well, look for Biagini to get another chance.

Tomorrow
1. Kelvin Herrera – If Alex Colome goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
2. Adam Cimber – If Brad Hand goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.
3. Chris Martin – If Jose Leclerc goes tonight, it’ll be three straight.

Arodys Vizcaino, Justin Miller placed on IL

April 15, 2019

Philadelphia Phillies – A 14-inning marathon saw the Phillies use seven relievers, the last of whom was Jose Alvarez, who locked down his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Neris | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Protecting a 2-run lead, Blake Parker only managed to get one out, loading the bases on a hit and two walks before being yanked for Trevor Hildenberger. Hildenberger needed just seven pitches to strike out the two Tigers he faced, as he locked down his first save of the season. Parker remains the preferred option here, but obviously he’s on a pretty short leash.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the IL yesterday afternoon, leaving AJ Minter as the uncontested top option in the Braves bullpen. Minter pitched a perfect 9th inning of a 4-run game on Sunday night.

Updated hierarchy: Minter | Sobotka | Biddle.

Washington Nationals – The Nationals placed Justin Miller on the IL over the weekend. Look for Matt Grace and Wander Suero to get more hold opportunities in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Barraclough | Grace.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor May – Blake Parker, Taylor Rogers, and Trevor Hildenberger have all gone back to back, so the Twins might have to get creative tonight.

Tomorrow
1. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks pitched 1.1 innings on Sunday.