Kendall Graveman to close for White Sox after Liam Hendriks hits IL

June 15, 2022

Chicago White Sox – We alerted you yesterday that Liam Hendriks will need an IL stint thanks to a right forearm strain; no word yet on the severity. Kendall Graveman will close in his absence. We’ll also welcome Joe Kelly to the hierarchy. He was activated from the IL on Tuesday and protected a 5-1 lead with a perfect eighth inning against the Tigers’ 4-5-6 hitters. After the game, Tony La Russa expressed confidence in using Kelly in any situation. 

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Ruiz | Kelly.

Philadelphia Phillies – Corey Knebel’s struggles continued on Tuesday night, as he blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning thanks to a less-than-encouraging performance. Knebel was a candidate for the IL over the weekend and he has a good chance of landing there later today. 

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Dominguez | Hand.

St. Louis Cardinals — With one out in the eighth and the 2-3-4 hitters due up, the Cardinals turned to Ryan Helsley to protect a 3-1 lead. Helsley walked the first batter he faced but struck out the next two. That allowed Giovanny Gallegos to close out the win in the ninth. Helsley is still the favorite for saves, but Tuesday’s usage shows that manager Oliver Marmol is willing to use Helsley in the highest leverage situation no matter what inning it is.

Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos | Cabrera.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – The third time was the charm for the Reds bullpen, as they held the lead in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings. Alexis Diaz was the first reliever out of the ‘pen, but he allowed the ghost runner to score. Luis Cessa got a two-run lead to protect in the 11th, but a couple wild pitches helped him blow a 3-1 lead. Finally, in the 12th, Joel Kuhnel needed just five pitches to protect a 5-3 lead and earn his first MLB save. We keep saying that this bullpen is “extremely fluid,” and that remains true. Alexis Diaz probably has the best stuff of all the Reds’ late-inning options and has now had two clear save chances over the last three games, so we’ll welcome him back to the hierarchy after a brief hiatus.

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

Colorado Rockies – Tyler Kinley is on the IL with an elbow injury and unfortunately the prognosis isn’t good, with Tommy John surgery a possibility. We’ll add Carlos Estevez back to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Colome | Estevez.

Atlanta Braves – Jackson Stephens earned his second three-inning save of the season on Tuesday night in a 10-4 victory over Washington.

Hierarchy Remains: Jansen | Smith | Minter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Daniel Hudson (LAD) – Craig Kimbrel threw 27 pitches last night.
2. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has gone in two straight, including a 22-pitch outing last night.
3. Felix Bautista (BAL) – Jorge Lopez earned a five-out save on Tuesday so he may need today off, though he only threw 17 pitches last night.
4. Brad Hand (PHI) – We’re expecting Corey Knebel to be placed on the IL and Seranthony Dominguez has pitched in two straight.

Tomorrow
1. Eli Morgan/Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches today that will be two straight and three of four. Eli Morgan should get today off after a 24-pitch Tuesday, but if he appears on Wednesday then Trevor Stephan may get a chance on Thursday.
2. Alex Colome/Carlos Estevez (COL) – If Daniel Bard pitches today that will be two straight and four of five. An appearance for Alex Colome today will be two straight for him as well.

Liam Hendriks hurting; Hunter Strickland getting higher-leverage looks

June 14, 2022

Chicago White Sox – Liam Hendriks hasn’t pitched much lately, and Tony La Russa turned heads when he noted that his closer wasn’t available “at all” on Sunday, but he appears to be on the verge of returning after playing catch on Monday. Kendall Graveman would be the beneficiary should Hendriks miss any extended length of time.

Hierarchy remains: Hendriks | Graveman | Bummer.

Texas Rangers – Joe Barlow got the day off on Monday as anticipated, and it was veteran Matt Moore who got the save chance in his stead; Moore converted with a 1-2-3 inning. After posting a 6.29 ERA in 2021, the lefty’s career prospects seemed uncertain, but he’s found new life in the bullpen in the season, with his high strikeout rate covering a higher-than-ideal walk rate (28.2 IP, 2.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 35 Ks, 16 BBs). After Monday’s successful outing, look for him to get more high-leverage spots ahead of Barlow.

Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Bush | Santana.

Cincinnati Reds – We described the Reds bullpen hierarchy as “extremely fluid” yesterday morning, and mere hours later, it was off-hierarchy-veteran Hunter Strickland entering for the save. Strickland converted for his second of the season, and has been pretty decent after an absolutely brutal April, having posted a 3.80 ERA since May 1. He’s also got both of his saves and all three of his holds in his past seven appearances, showing that the Reds will likely continue using him in big spots unless he falters.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Stratton/Wil Crowe/Genesis Cabrera/Giovanny Gallegos – The Pirates and Cardinals have a doubleheader today.

Tomorrow
1. Kyle Finnegan – If Tanner Rainey goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Luis Garcia – Same for Taylor Rogers.

Tanner Houck transitioning to shorter, higher-leverage appearances

Boston Red Sox – A day after Hansel Robles failed to get the job done in the 9th inning on a night that Tanner Houck was unavailable, the latter closed out a 2-0 shutout victory for the Red Sox with a perfect 9th. It was Houck’s second save on the season, and he’s likely the guy the Red Sox will use for these opportunities more often than not. Note, however, that Houck hasn’t pitched in back to back games all season long, and while his usage might be trending toward more frequent, shorter-stint appearances, a few other relievers might fill in until he gets there.

Hierarchy remains: *Houck | Strahm | Robles.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Corey Knebel had an encouraging round of catch on Sunday, and while an IL stint is possible, it seems that he might be available again relatively soon. Seranthony Dominguez seems like the most likely fill-in closer at the moment.

Updated hierarchy: Knebel | Dominguez | Hand.

New York Yankees – Making his third appearance of the season, Manny Banuelos pitched the final three innings of a Yankees blowout win, earning his first save.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Castro.

Baltimore Orioles – Jorge Lopez had gone in two straight, so he got Sunday off, allowing Cionel Perez to pick up his first save of the season. Perez, a 26-year-old lefthander, doesn’t have the best control (19 IP, 19 Ks, 11 BBs), but he’s managed a 0.95 ERA despite his 1.42 WHIP thus far.

Hierarchy remains: Lopez | Bautista | Tate.

Cincinnati Reds – Alexis Diaz made it interesting on Sunday, entering with a 3-run lead in the 9th and giving up a 2-run HR four batters later, but he managed to strike out Albert Pujols to end it and earn his 2nd save of the season. Tony Santillan and Art Warren both appeared earlier in this one, though this hierarchy is extremely fluid.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Will Smith – Kenley Jansen has gone in three of four.
2. Diego Castillo – Paul Sewald has gone back to back.
3. Matt Bush – Joe Barlow has gone back to back.
4. Seranthony Dominguez – Corey Knebel remains day to day.

Tomorrow
1. Rafael Montero – If Ryan Pressly goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Adam Cimber – Same for Jordan Romano.
3. Ian Kennedy – Same with Mark Melancon.

Corey Knebel unable to pitch due to shoulder soreness

June 12, 2022

Philadelphia Phillies – Corey Knebel was warming up to come on for the 9th inning but ultimately didn’t pitch due to shoulder tightness.  Knebel will be evaluated today, but if he is forced to miss any time, Brad Hand and Seranthony Dominguez would likely be in the mix for saves along with maybe Jeurys Familia.  

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Hand | Dominguez.

Boston Red Sox — After the Red Sox took the lead in the top of the 9th, they sent Hansel Robles out there for the bottom of the inning to try and close out the game.  Unfortunately for Red Sox fans and fantasy owners, Robles could not get the job done.  Robles looked to be settling into the closer’s role before going on the IL, but he couldn’t convert his first chance since returning.  Tanner Houck seems like the best bet to close games when he is available but we will see if anybody can establish themselves as the primary closer.

Hierarchy remains: *Houck | Strahm | Robles
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – Dillon Tate picked up his 8th hold of the season setting up a Jorge Lopez save yesterday.  Tate gave up a run, but it was the first run he allowed in over 3 weeks.  That’s enough to get Tate back on the hierarchy where his 1.84 ERA on the season fits in nicely with Felix Bautista’s 1.82 and Lopez’s 0.93.  

Updated hierarchy: Lopez | Bautista | Tate.

San Francisco Giants — The Giants needed Camilo Doval to come on in the 8th inning after the Dodgers cut the lead to one and had runners on second and third with only one out.  Doval walked the first batter he faced but then got two big strikeouts to end the threat.  With Jake McGee off after pitching the prior two games and Tyler Rogers and Dominic Leone being used earlier in the game, Jose Alvarez got the 9th inning.  He made it interesting by giving up a leadoff homer and allowing a couple more hits but ultimately he was able to close it out and record his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Doval | McGee | Rogers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Seranthony Dominguez (PHI) – Corey Knebel is battling shoulder tightness and Brad Hand has pitched in two straight.
2. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Monday
1. Felix Bautista (BAL) – If Jorge Lopez pitches today, it will be three straight.
2. Anthony Bass (MIA) – If Tanner Scott pitches today, it will be four of five.