Tony Santillan earns his first save since Opening Day

May 20, 2022

Cincinnati Reds – Days after earning his first save in impressive fashion, Alexis Diaz hit a bit of a speed bump on Thursday. Pitching to start the eighth with a 4-1 lead, Diaz allowed two walks and a hit, yielding one earned run. Enter Tony Santillan, who recorded the final five outs to get his second save. For the second straight year, no one has grabbed a firm hold of the Reds’ closer gig… at least not yet.

Hierarchy remains: *Warren | Diaz | Santillan.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — Mark Melancon got just what he needed on Thursday. The veteran retired the side in order to get his eighth save, dropping his ERA to 7.43. Could Melancon, who received a vote of confidence from manager Torey Lovullo earlier this week, be getting back on track? Sure, maybe. But don’t sleep on other options in this bullpen, including Ian Kennedy (3.12 ERA) and Joe Mantiply (0.57 ERA and 0.70 WHIP).

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Kennedy | Mantiply.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Adam Cimber (TOR) – Is Jordan Romano ready to go yet after his gastrointestinal infection?
2. Matt Bush (TEX) – Joe Barlow (day to day) could still be dealing with the “hot spot” on his index finger. 3. Steven Wilson (SD) – Taylor Rogers threw 33 pitches Thursday and has gone in two of three and three of five.
4. Noe Ramirez (ARI) – How’s this for a dark horse? The entire Diamondbacks hierarchy has gone in two straight, so some or all of that trio need rest. Among those outside the hierarchy, Kyle Nelson would have been the recommendation, but he was placed on the COVID IL this week — it could be a short stay or it could last longer than a week, but that’s not known at this time.
5. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has pitched in three of four.

Saturday:
1. Felix Bautista (BAL) – Jorge Lopes threw 33 pitches Thursday. If he goes Friday he’ll almost certainly be off Saturday.
2. Ryan Helsley (STL) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Giovanny Gallegos.
3. Josh Staumont (KCR) – A Friday outing would be four of six for Scott Barlow.
4. Clay Holmes (NYY) – If he goes Friday, it would be three of five for Aroldis Chapman.

Joe Barlow day-to-day with finger owie

May 19, 2022

Texas Rangers — With a two-run lead going into the ninth, Rangers fans were surprised and eventually dismayed by the appearance of Matt Bush instead of Joe Barlow. After the game, won by Texas in 10, Barlow revealed that he had a throbbing finger blister that might keep him out another day or two, but is not expected to require time on the IL.

Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Bush | Martin.

Chicago Cubs — David Robertson returned after a week and a half on the COVID IL and pitched a clean, two-K ninth in a loss to Pittsburgh. Expect him to immediately reclaim the top slot in the Cubs’ bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Wick | Givens.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners are still running a full-on closer committee. Last night, Andres Muñoz got the seventh, Paul Sewald the eighth, and Diego Castillo the ninth — although an extra Seattle run meant that it was no longer a save situation. Muñoz hasn’t seen an eighth or ninth all month, so we’re going to edge Sewald ahead of him for now. Castillo will continue to be a factor as well, along with Drew Steckenrider, who will be available again for today’s game against Boston.

Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Muñoz | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — Anthony Bender has six saves, but he isn’t being used like Miami’s top closing option. Sure, it’s been a rough 5-12 May for the Marlins, but they keep using Bender early on, like Tuesday in the fifth, or Wednesday’s failed stint in a tied eighth. Although we keep expecting Dylan Floro to get a shot to close, he hasn’t looked good in his return from the IL (10 baserunners in four innings, 11.25 ERA). Meanwhile, Anthony Bass, Tanner Scott, and Cole Sulser have all been fairly impressive in middle relief. What we’re basically saying is that Miami doesn’t have a closer, and we have no idea what they’re going to do next. Adjust accordingly!

Updated hierarchy: *Bender | Sulser | Bass.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — Kyle Finnegan pitched a clean eighth, but after Tanner Rainey blew the save with a run in the ninth, Victor Arano converted the extra-inning save, his first as a National.

Hierarchy remains: Rainey | Finnegan | Arano.

New York Yankees — You weren’t surprised to see Clay Holmes grab his third save of the young season last night while Aroldis Chapman rested. You saw it coming. You planned for it. You reveled in it. Why? Because you read Wednesday’s Vulture Save Watch. 

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Holmes | King.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Craig Kimbrel was rested, as the VSW projected, and it was Daniel Hudson who picked up the save, his second of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Hudson | Graterol.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Amir Garrett (KCR) — Both Josh Staumont and Scott Barlow are tired, each having pitched thrice in four days and four times in six.

Friday:
1. Clay Holmes (NYY) — An appearance by Aroldis Chapman today would be three in four days (and four in six).
2. Kendall Graveman (CWS) — The same is true for Liam Hendriks.
3. Rowan Wick (CHC) — David Robertson isn’t likely to pitch in three straight games right away.

Jordan Romano remains day-to-day

May 18, 2022

Toronto Blue Jays – Adam Cimber pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save in as many days. Jordan Romano remains day-to-day as he tries to recover from a non-COVID illness.

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Cimber | Garcia.

Cincinnati Reds – After Art Warren blew a save chance in the ninth, the Reds regained the lead in the 10th and set the stage for Alexis Diaz to earn his first MLB save. Diaz struck out the first two batters he faced, then walked two straight before recording another strikeout to end the game. Diaz has been terrific this year and has certainly earned the trust of his manager. We expect him to continue to see high-leverage looks and likely challenge for more save opportunities, even when Lucas Sims returns from the IL.

Updated hierarchy: *Warren | Diaz | Santillan.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Tyler Matzek was placed on the IL with discomfort in his pitching shoulder. A.J. Minter will slide into the hierarchy for now, though Brian Snitker did mention Spencer Strider as a reliever that could see more high-leverage work in Matzek’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Smith | Minter.

Kansas City Royals – Scott Barlow had pitched in two straight and three of four, so Josh Staumont tossed a perfect ninth inning to close out a 2-1 win in game two of Tuesday’s doubleheader with the White Sox.

Hierarchy remains: *S.Barlow | Staumont | Garrett.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Cimber/Yimi Garcia (TOR) – Jordan Romano is still day-to-day with an illness and Cimber has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Daniel Hudson (LAD) – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight, including a 29-pitch outing yesterday.
3. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – Liam Hendriks has gone in two straight and three of four.
4. Clay Holmes (NYY) – The same is true for Aroldis Chapman.
5. Tyler Rogers/John Brebbia (SF) – All three members of the Giants hierarchy have gone in two straight, with Camilo Doval having tossed 24 pitches last night. If Rogers, Brebbia and the equally busy Dominic Leone all get rested, then the Giants may go off the board with someone like Jarlin Garcia or Zack Littel for Wednesday’s save chance.

Tomorrow
1. Ryan Helsley/Genesis Cabrera (STL) – The entire Cardinals hierarchy pitched yesterday, so today’s usage will dictate who is available on Thursday.
2. Drew Smith/Seth Lugo (NYM) – If Edwin Diaz, Smith or Lugo pitch on Wednesday that will be two straight days of work.
3. Steven Wilson (SD) – If Taylor Rogers goes today it will be two straight and three of four.

Hansel Robles picks up team-leading second save

May 17, 2022

Toronto Blue Jays – Adam Cimber picked up a 2-out save, getting the Jays out of a jam after Ross Stripling ran into a bit of trouble to start the inning. With Tim Mayza headed to the IL, Cimber becomes even more important to the Toronto bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Cimber | Garcia.

Seattle Mariners – It’s hard to guess who will get a Mariners save on any given night, but for the next couple of days, we know that it WON’T be Drew Steckenrider, whose unvaccinated status means he won’t be pitching the Toronto series. We’ll leave the hierarchy as is since this is just for a couple days, but feel free to swap him out of your lineup for now.

Hierarchy remains: *Munoz | Sewald | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

Boston Red Sox – Hansel Robles picked up his second save of the season — good for the team lead — with a clean 9th inning, after the ostensibly-committee-leading Jake Diekman pitched in the 6th. That’s enough to swap them for now, though this is a bullpen very much in flux. (Matt Barnes pitched and was bad, again, just FYI.)

Updated hierarchy: *Robles | Diekman | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Tyler Duffey got the save on Monday, as Emilio Pagan and Jhoan Duran, who had both seen heavy workloads recently, both got the night off. The latter two remain 1 and 1a in this bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: *Pagan | Duran | Duffey.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Colome – Daniel Bard has gone back to back.
2. Matt Bush – Joe Barlow has gone back to back.
3. Michael Fulmer – Gregory Soto pitched yesterday, Saturday, and Friday (61 pitches total) and could get today off; if not, he’ll definitely be off tomorrow.
4. Ryan Helsley/Genesis Cabrera/Drew Smith/Seth Lugo – The Cardinals and Mets have a doubleheader today…
5. Kendall Graveman/Jose Ruiz/Josh Staumont/Amir Garrett – …as do the White Sox and Royals…
6. Ian Kennedy/Joe Mantiply/Daniel Hudson/Brusdar Graterol – …as do the Diamondbacks and Dodgers.

Tomorrow
1. Clay Holmes – If Aroldis Chapman goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Kendall Graveman/Jose Ruiz – If Liam Hendriks or Kendall Graveman go today, it’s back to back and three of four.
3. Daniel Hudson – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s back to back.
4. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger – If Josh Hader or Devin Williams goes today, it’s back to back.

Diego Castillo posts an impressive escape

May 16, 2022

Seattle Mariners – After Paul Sewald pitched a clean 8th inning, Drew Steckenrider got in trouble in the 9th, allowing four runners to reach before Diego Castillo came on. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Castillo got two strikeouts to preserve the one-run victory. Despite the impressive outing, Castillo (8.74 ERA) will have to do a little more to show he’s back on track to crack the Seattle hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: *Munoz | Sewald | Steckenrider.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – Aaron Ashby pitched the final four innings of a four-run Brewers victory, picking up his first save of the season. He doesn’t factor in to Milwaukee’s usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.

Los Angeles Angels – Jimmy Herget pitched the final 2.2 innings of the Angels 3-run victory, picking up his first save. He doesn’t factor in to the Angels’ usual late-inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Tepera | Loup.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tyler Matzek – Kenley Jansen has gone back to back.
2. Mychal Givens – Rowan Wick has gone back to back.
3. Heath Hembree – David Bendar and Chris Stratton both have gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Lou Trivino – If Dany Jimenez goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Matt Bush – If Joe Barlow goes today, it’s back to back.
3. Alex Colome – If Daniel Bard goes today, it’s back to back.