April 30, 2022
Arizona Diamondbacks — At the time of last night’s alert, Mark Melancon’s injury was undisclosed, but it later came out that he was placed on the COVID IL. While it didn’t end up as a save situation, we did get a good look at how Arizona will deploy their bullpen in close games. Noe Ramirez got the last out of the 7th inning, and the first two of the 8th. Joe Mantiply shut the door in the 8th and Ian Kennedy got the 9th to himself. This is probably how the Diamondbacks will set up their hierarchy without Melancon, but as with all COVID IL placements, Melancon may be back sooner rather than later.
Updated Hierarchy: Kennedy | Mantiply | Ramirez.
New York Mets — Edwin Diaz capped off a 5 reliever no-hitter for the Mets last night, earning his fourth save of the year in the process. Tylor Megill, Drew Smith, Joely Rodriguez and Seth Lugo also took part in the no-no, with Lugo getting the last 2 outs of the 8th inning. Lugo has bounced back from a rough start on the year to put together 4 scoreless appearances in a row, and with Trevor May struggling in his last few chances, its looking like Lugo has jumped him in the hierarchy.
Updated Hierarchy: Diaz | Smith | Lugo
Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox tried to use a combination of Jake Diekman and Hansel Robles to close out Friday’s game, but when Robles ran into trouble in the 9th they pulled him in favor of Matt Strahm. Strahm walked the first batter he faced before getting a strikeout to secure his first save of the year. Strahm has been solid in the early going, but isn’t quite ready to crack the hierarchy yet. Diekman was brought in to face the top of the lineup, and Matt Barnes was coming off pitching in 2 of 3, so a rest for him isn’t too unusual. The Red Sox are still looking for some certainty in their bullpen, but we didn’t get that last night.
Hierarchy Remains: *Diekman | Robles | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee
Vulture Save Watch:
For today:
- Steven Wilson/Robert Suarez (SD) — Taylor Rogers was pressed into service last night when Craig Stammen struggled in the 9th, and that makes 3 days in a row for Rogers. Wilson is well rested.
- Ryan Tepera/Archie Bradley (LAA) — Raisel Iglesias has pitched back to back and 4 of 5 and will need the day off. The rest of the pen is stretched thin, so this may be a deep cut for the save.
- Tyler Matzek (ATL) — Kenley Jansen has pitched in 3 of 4, throwing 32 pitches in that span.
- Cole Sulser (MIA) — Anthony Bender has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
- Matt Barnes (BOS) — Jake Diekman and Hansel Robles have both pitched in 3 of 4, while Barnes was held out last night.
- Kendall Graveman (CHW) — Liam Henriks has been dealing with back spasms, although he should be back at this point.
For Sunday:
- Joe Mantiply/Noe Ramirez (ARI) — Today would be back to back and 4 of 5 for Ian Kennedy.
- Brian Shaw (CLE) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Emmanuel Clase
