May 6, 2021
Tampa Bay Rays — Tampa had an immediate save chance in the wake of Diego Castillo’s groin injury, and it went to Jeffrey Springs. Springs got the first shot, but the next one could easily go to Ryan Thompson or Peter Fairbanks. Until Castillo comes back, the committee asterisk is a certainty.
Hierarchy remains: *Springs | Thompson | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Keynan Middleton left Tuesday’s game after facing only one batter, and he hit the injured list on Wednesday with biceps trouble. Anthony Misiewicz should take over the seventh inning in front of what now appears to be a two-headed closer committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Montero | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians — James Karinchak struck out only two of the three batters he faced in the ninth inning on Wednesday — paltry by his standards, but good enough to earn his third save. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Emmanuel Clase was getting some extra rest or whether Terry Francona just elected to stay with the guy who started warming when the game was tied. We’re just hoping it’s not a sign of an impending asterisk relapse.
Hierarchy remains: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.
Oakland A’s — For the first time since 2019, the Athletics lost a game they led after six innings, and Lou Trivino was to blame. Trivino has pitched well this year, however, and won’t see the hot seat after one bad outing.
Hierarchy remains: Trivino | Diekman | Petit.
Toronto Blue Jays — As the ancient Chinese parable foretold, those of you lucky enough to grab Julian Merryweather a month ago soon saw a turnabout when he hit the injured list. On Wednesday, he was transferred to the 60-day IL, meaning he can’t return until mid-June at the earliest. Hopefully you can turn his roster spot into a wild horse, or something equally useful.
Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto pitched the ninth inning in a tied game and came back out with the Tigers up three in the tenth. After two hits and a wild pitch, he was pulled for Tuesday night’s starter, Michael Fulmer, who followed up his lousy 33-pitch outing with a fairly effective 10-pitch save. Often we’ll give out free Premium to the first person who can prove they started the pitcher in a situation like this, but we don’t want to reward that kind of negligence.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Cisnero | B.Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted a Jose Alvarado vulture, but it came a day earlier than we expected, as Hector Neris got a second rest day after a 40-pitch outing, with Alvarado coming off a two-game suspension.
Hierarchy remains: Neris | Alvarado | Coonrod.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Matt Andriese (BOS) — As we told you yesterday, Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino are likely to need a rest after pitching on a third day out of four.
2. Joely Rodriguez/Brett Martin (TEX) — Ian Kennedy has been efficient, but he’s still pitched in two straight, four of five, and five of seven. Rodriguez has pitched in two straight himself and John King threw 35 pitches Wednesday, so Martin could get a shot.
3. Jake Diekman (OAK) — Lou Trivino has pitched in three of four, and had a bad outing on Wednesday.
4. Peter Fairbanks (TB) — The other two members of Tampa’s closer committee have each gone in three of four.
Friday:
1. Andrew Chafin (CHC) — The Cubs have Thursday off, but Kimbrel has pitched in two straight, four of five, and five of seven.
2. Jose Cisnero (DET) — Gregory Soto threw 30 pitches on Wednesday night.
3. Greg Holland (KC) — Josh Staumont threw 47 pitches on Monday and Tuesday combined.
4. Hansel Robles (MIN) — Tyler Rogers threw 43 pitches on Monday and Tuesday combined.
5. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Alex Reyes has pitched in three of four, but threw only seven pitches on Wednesday.
