September 15, 2021
Pittsburgh Pirates – David Bednar hit the IL tonight with a right oblique strain and is unlikely to pitch again this season. Chris Stratton, who notched his fifth save of the season on Tuesday, should get the bulk of the save chances for the remainder of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Stratton | Shreve | Kuhl.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Tyler Clippard is back from the IL and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-4 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday. Torey Lovullo was not sure if he’d thrust Clippard back into the closer’s role, however. We’ll leave J.B. Wendelken at the top of this committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Wendelken | Clippard | Ramirez.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero slipped on some stairs and split open the the outside of his elbow; eight stitches later, he’s on the IL. Kyle Funkhouser, whose family has a history of injuring their elbow at home, replaces Cisnero in the Detroit hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Funkhouser.
St. Louis Cardinals – Kwang Hyun Kim, who earned his first career save last year during his four-second tenure as the Cardinals’ closer, is back in the bullpen and was back in the late innings on Tuesday. Pitching the 11th inning with a 7-4 lead, he gave up two runs on a walk and a base hit but was able to secure his second career save.
Hierarchy remains: Gallegos | Cabrera | Reyes.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Michael Fulmer (DET) – Gregory Soto has gone in two of the last three, pitching two innings in each of those outings.
2. Devin Williams (MIL) – Josh Hader threw 32 pitches last night.
3. Tyler Duffey (MIN) – Alex Colome has made two straight appearances.
4. Paul Sewald (SEA) – As has Drew Steckenrider.
5. Chad Green (NYY) – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight and three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Adam Morgan/Codi Heuer (CHC) – If Rowan Wick pitches tonight, that will be two straight and three of four. Adam Morgan is still on the bereavement list, so he may not be available either.
2. Daniel Bard (COL) – A Wednesday appearance would be two in a row and three of four for Carlos Estevez.
3. Josh Staumont/Greg Holland (KC) – The same is true of both Scott Barlow and Staumont.
