April 28, 2022
Houston Astros — It took a while for Houston to pick up its first save in Ryan Pressly’s absence, and it went not to Hector Neris but Ryne Stanek, who was throwing 100 MPH heat. With Pressly eligible to return but not yet ready, Dusty Baker could stay with the hot hand in Stanek, or pivot to Neris or Rafael Montero, each of whom he noted has closing experience.
Updated hierarchy: *Stanek | Neris | Montero.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Yankees — Bullpen hierarchies change fast, and Aaron Boone has quickly found that his most trusted late-inning relievers ahead of Aroldis Chapman are 29-year-old sinkerballer Clay Holmes and crafty long man Michael King. Boone’s turn to Holmes last night for a vulture save with Chapman resting means a promotion to first in line.
Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Holmes | Loaisiga.
Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald has returned from his stint on the COVID IL, which had him haunting a Little League mound to keep his arm loose. Scott Servais said that Sewald will immediately regain his high-leverage role, which puts him in the heart of the closer committee conversation with Andres Muñoz, Diego Castillo, and Drew Steckenrider.
Updated hierarchy: *Muñoz | Castillo | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs — After Mychal Givens blew a two-run lead in the eighth, David Robertson got the Cubs out of trouble and pitched a perfect ninth, leaving Rowan Wick to grab his first save of the season in extra innings.
Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Givens | Wick.
Chicago White Sox — The Vulture Save Watch correctly predicted a Kendall Graveman save on Wednesday with Liam Hendriks continuing to recover from back spasms.
Hierarchy remains: Hendriks | Graveman | Bummer.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Thursday:
1. Devin Williams (MIL) — No chance that Josh Hader (10 saves) pitches after going in two straight and four of five.
2. Aaron Bummer (CWS) — Not clear when Liam Hendriks will be ready again.
3. Joe Mantiply (ARI) — Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy have each pitched in two straight.
4. Will Smith (ATL) — Same story with Kenley Jansen and Tyler Matzek.
5. Tanner Scott/Cole Sulser (MIA) — Anthony Bender threw on two straight nights, including 22 pitches on Wednesday. Scott was ineffective last night, putting all three batters he faced on base.
Friday:
1. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) — There’s a possibility of two days of rest for Hader.
2. Ryan Tepera (LAA) — If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, that will be three of four.
