May 8, 2021
Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis left Friday’s game with tightness in his right calf, and will have an MRI Saturday morning to determine whether he’ll need a stint on the IL. Dolis had been pushing Jordan Romano at the top of Toronto’s closer committee, and hopefully this will be only a minor setback.
Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — With Craig Kimbrel getting a night off, the Cubs turned to Andrew Chafin to face the top of the Pirates lineup in the eighth. Chafin started the ninth, but was pulled for Ryan Tepera after giving up a single. Tepera worked himself into a jam and gave way to Rex Brothers, who got pne out to earn his first save. Kimbrel has been dominant and should be back in action today.
Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Chafin | Brothers.
San Francisco Giants — Jake McGee responded to the committee talk in San Francisco with a vintage performance in a one-run game, striking out three en route to his eighth save. Tyler Rogers pitched the eighth inning and lowered his ERA to 0.96, so there’s still competition in the Giants bullpen, but it was good to see McGee put together a strong outing.
Hierarchy remains: *McGee | Rogers | Doval.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — When the Angels blew the game open in the sixth, they left Patrick Sandoval in to pitch the final three innings of an eight-run game. He gave up a solo homer in the ninth but was otherwise unscathed to pick up his first career safe. Sandoval is more of a long reliever and doesn’t usually factor into the Angels’ late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Mayers | Slegers.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — Liam Hendriks threw 21 pitches yesterday and has pitched in two of three, so he may get a night off.
2. James Karinchak (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase has pitched in back-to-back games throwing 32 pitches.
3. Trevor May (NYM) — Edwin Diaz has thrown back-to-back, and coming off an injury scare, he’ll probably get the day off.
Sunday:
1. Ryan Thompson/Pete Fairbanks (TB) — Today would be two straight and three of four for Jeffrey Springs.
