June 9, 2021
Tampa Bay Rays – According to our website, Closer Monkey tracks the bullpens of all 30 teams. Well, it might as well be 29 as long as the Tampa Bay Rays remain in business. We moved JP Feyereisen to the top of the committee on June 1 after he earned three straight saves, and since then Diego Castillo has converted each of his team’s last two save opportunities, including on Tuesday. Feyereisen has issued six walks over his last 2.2 IP, including three in just a third of an inning on Tuesday, presumably because we jinxed him. We welcome Castillo back to the top of the hierarchy and we wait to see which Rays reliever other than him gets the next save.
Updated hierarchy: *Castillo | Feyereisen | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero has picked up the Tigers’ last two saves, which have also been the first two saves of his MLB career, while Michael Fulmer recovers from a shoulder strain. We’ll move him to the top of the hierarchy based off this usage. Speaking of Fulmer, AJ Hinch said that early diagnosis of Fulmer is good.
Updated hierarchy: *Cisnero | Soto | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s — We told you that we would move Lou Trivino to the top of the Oakland hierarchy if he converted the team’s next save chance, and we’re keeping our word after he collected his ninth save of the year on Tuesday.
Updated hierarchy: *Trivino | Diekman | Petit.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Kendall Graveman struck out two yesterday during a rehab assignment. Scott Servais hopes Graveman will join the Mariners in the next week.
Hierarchy remains: *Montero | Middleton | Misiewicz.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chris Martin (ATL) — Will Smith has pitched in three of four.
2. Scott Barlow (KC) — Josh Staumont threw 24 pitches yesterday. Greg Holland got yesterday off but tossed 24 on Monday and may get a second day of rest.
Thursday:
1. Chris Martin (ATL) — If Will Smith goes today that will be two straight and four of five.
2. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — If Liam Hendriks pitches today, that will be two straight and three of four.
3. Jake Diekman (OAK) — If Lou Trivino goes today that will be two in a row for him.
