June 28, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Michael Fulmer was placed on the IL yesterday with a neck strain, marking his second trip to the list this month. While the timeline for his return isn’t available, Manager AJ Hinch said that he would at least be out for the Cleveland series and that they weren’t going to roster a player who couldn’t pitch. We already saw that Jose Cisnero was closing the gap in the Detroit hierarchy, but this latest injury to Fulmer makes it officially his job to lose. Gregory Soto will bump to first in line after picking up the win last night and could be an option for the 9th inning if the matchups dictate it. Kyle Funkhouser will see more time in the later innings and Miguel Del Pozo could be a guy to watch. Del Pozo was called up to replace Fulmer, and while his career big league numbers are not great, he has been lighting up AAA this season, sporting a 1.02 ERA and a 12.1 K/9.
Updated hierarchy: *Cisnero | Soto | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Last night it was Archie Bradley’s turn to take the 9th inning for the Phillies in the post-Hector Neris era. Bradley got the job done, giving up a solo shot to Kevin Pillar, but otherwise escaping unscathed. Jose Alvarado pitched the 8th inning ahead of Bradley, but Alvarado was brought in to face the top of the Mets lineup in a close game. We think that Alvarado is still the top choice in Philadelphia for now, but this has more of a committee feel to it than it did going into the weekend
Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Bradley | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano got the clear save opportunity yesterday and converted to run his scoreless appearance streak to 15 games. He has consistently been getting the save chances for the Blue Jays, with the only one recently that he didn’t get was when he was being rested after a 28 pitch outing. He has clearly taken the reins in Toronto, and it’s time to kick the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: Romano | Chatwood | Mayza.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
Today
1. Aaron Bummer (CHW) – Liam Hendriks pitched in both games of a doubleheader yesterday, throwing 29 pitches.
2. Gregory Soto/Kyle Funkhouser (DET) – Jose Cisnero has pitched in back-to-back games, and thrown 43 pitches over that span.
3. Brooks Raley/Ryne Stanek (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in back-to-back games, as has Ryne Stanek.
4. Hector Neris (PHI) – Amazingly, Hector Neris is the best rested in the Philly Bullpen, with Alvarado and Bradley both having long outings last night, and having now pitched in 2 of 3.
Tuesday:
1. Jake Diekman (OAK) – Oakland has an off day today, but Lou Trivino has pitched in 3 of 4 and 4 of 5.
