August 21, 2020
Slam Diego Padres – Manager Jayce Tingler said Drew Pomeranz is suffering from shoulder tightness and is considered day-to-day. Expect Emilio Pagan to step in for save chances in the interim. This is a situation worth monitoring closely.
Hierarchy remains: *Pomeranz | Pagan | Stammen.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez was roughed up Thursday, giving up four runs over one-third of an inning in a 9-0 loss. He was pitching for the first time since Sunday, so he was likely just getting some work to keep fresh. Meanwhile, Buck Farmer was activated from the IL and will return to his role of setting up Jimenez.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
New York Yankees – Zack Britton was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring. He underwent an MRI Thursday, but the severity of the injury – and a timetable for a return – weren’t immediately known.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Ottavino | Green.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Pedro Baez suffered a groin strain and was moved to the 10-day IL Thursday. Expect some late-inning hold chances for Brusdar Graterol, Caleb Ferguson and Jake McGee.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Graterol.
Tampa Bay Rays – Diego Castillo entered Thursday’s game in the fifth inning and allowed a run in one-third of an inning, but he earned the win when the Rays retook the lead in the next half inning. The recent usage for Castillo followed a pattern that seems to indicate he’s not likely to get the team’s next save chance should Nick Anderson be unavailable. That opportunity might go to Chaz Roe instead, so we’ll make that swap in the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Anderson | Roe | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee
Buffalo Blue Jays – A.J. Cole allowed an RBI single but recorded a strikeout in the seventh inning of the second game of a Thursday’s doubleheader to earn his first save. The Blue Jays were trailing by five entering the sixth before tacking on seven runs to take the lead. Anthony Kay, who had already entered the game, stayed in to finish it but ran into some trouble after allowing a pair of two-out hits before Cole saved things. Anthony Bass did not pitch. He was suffering from some back tightness earlier this week and tossed 2.0 innings Tuesday (29 pitches), so perhaps he was getting an extra day of rest. Meanwhile, Blue Jays GM Ross Adkins said he was “extremely encouraged” with the progress injured closer Ken Giles has been making.
Hierarchy remains: *Bass | Dolis | Romano.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Corey Knebel (9.45 ERA, 2.25 WHIP), who we removed from the Brewers’ hierarchy earlier this week, has been placed on the 10-day IL with a strained left hamstring.
Hierarchy remains: Hader | Phelps | Williams.
Cincinnati Reds – Pedro Strop threw to live hitters on Wednesday and is scheduled to do so again Friday as he continues to recover from an injured groin. If all goes well, he should be activated soon.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Jones | Garrett.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Emilio Pagan – Drew Pomeranz is day-to-day with shoulder tightness.
2. Nate Jones – Raisel Iglesias has gone in two of three, including a rough outing Thursday (3 ER, 0.1 IP) in which he threw 22 pitches.
Tomorrow
1. Craig Stammen – If Emilio Pagan goes Friday, that will be three out of four for him. Drew Pomeranz, meanwhile, could still be held out with the aforementioned shoulder tightness.
2. Joakim Soria – If Liam Hendriks pitches Friday, that will be his third straight day off work.
3. Blake Taylor – A Friday appearance would be three of four for Ryan Pressly.
4. James Karinchak – Same as above for Brad Hand.
5. Chaz Roe – Ditto for Nick Anderson.
