June 30, 2022
Boston Red Sox — Tanner Houck will be back with the Red Sox for Friday’s game against the Cubs and should immediately retake the reins of the ninth inning. Maybe not for long, though, with Alex Cora insinuating that Garrett Whitlock will re-enter the bullpen when he returns from the injured list.
Updated hierarchy: Houck | Schreiber | Strahm.
Atlanta Braves — In Kenley Jansen’s absence, AJ Minter and Will Smith have each converted a save chance, and we expect both men to continue to share the closer role, as beat writers initially reported. Someone has to fill the first slot on our chart, but understand that this is pretty much a tie, and speculating on one or the other is unlikely to pay off handsomely.
Hierarchy remains: *Minter | Smith | McHugh.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar remained unavailable on Wednesday, and the best-rested option in the Pirates’ bullpen was Yerry de los Santos. The rookie picked up his first career save as a result.
Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | Stratton.
San Diego Padres — Another Wednesday, another long save for Nick Martinez. Only 20 more to go to catch Taylor Rogers.
Hierarchy remains: Rogers | Garcia | Crismatt.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Michael King (NYY) — Clay Holmes will not pitch in a third straight game (four out of five).
2. Adam Cimber (TOR) — All of the Blue Jays’ top relievers have gone in two straight, but Cimber has thrown fewer pitches.
3. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase and Eli Morgan have each pitched back-to-back.
4. Wil Crowe/Chris Stratton (PIT) — It’s not clear whether David Bednar will be back. Crowe threw 44 pitches on Tuesday.
5. Devin Williams (MIL) — Josh Hader, Brad Boxberger, and Williams have all gone two in a row, but Williams has the lowest usage (barely).
Friday:
1. Emilio Pagan (MIN) — Jhoan Duran threw 33 pitches Wednesday.
