June 10, 2021
Houston Astros — Joe Smith was placed on the IL with elbow soreness, opening the hierarchy door for 33-year-old lefty Brooks Raley. Meanwhile, swingman Cristian Javier picked up his first career save on Wednesday with a scoreless four-inning outing.
Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Stanek | Raley.
Texas Rangers — As the worst non-Baltimore team in the American League, Texas’s closer situation is of interest only to true bullpen obsessives, the type who are just aching to know that Spencer Patton returned from four years with the Yokohama Bay Stars to pitch a scoreless ninth on Wednesday. Brett Martin pitched well in the 10th and 11th innings to earn only the second win for the Rangers in the last 17 days — and all this came after John King held the Giants scoreless in the seventh and eighth. We don’t expect this level of relief competence to continue going forward, but if you’re desperate for saves in Ian Kennedy’s absence, Joely Rodriguez, King, and Josh Sborz await your selection.
Hierarchy remains: *Rodriguez | King | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — Wander Suero has been pitching in the third and fourth innings lately, and last night, Kyle Finnegan got the call in the sixth inning with a two-run lead. We like Finnegan for second in line over Suero and Tanner Rainey, whose 9.35 ERA outweighs last night’s 11th-inning save. Of greater ultimate concern to Nationals fans coming out of Wednesday’s game will be Brad Hand’s 44-pitch blown save.
Updated hierarchy: Hand | Hudson | Finnegan.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Joe Kelly’s numbers aren’t inspiring, but he’s been getting high-leverage work lately, including a sixth-inning hold in a tight game Wednesday night.
Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Treinen | Kelly.
Seattle Mariners — While Seattle waits for Kendall Graveman to return, Anthony Misiewicz has been replaced in the seventh by Paul Sewald.
Updated hierarchy: *Montero | Middleton | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Chris Martin (ATL) — Will Smith blew a save on Wednesday night and has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Kyle Finnegan/Tanner Rainey (WAS) — Brad Hand threw 44 pitches last night and Daniel Hudson threw 31.
3. Jake Diekman (OAK) — Diekman and Lou Trivino are splitting chances in Oakland, and Trivino has pitched in two straight.
Friday:
1. Gregory Soto (DET) — Another appearance for Jose Cisnero will be his third straight.
2. Blake Treinen (LAD) — The same is true of Kenley Jansen.
3. Jake McGee (SF) — Tyler Rogers threw 28 pitches on Wednesday.
4. Carlos Estevez/Mychal Givens (COL) — Daniel Bard needed 25 pitches last night.
