Kenley Jansen battling a back injury

April 30, 2023

Boston Red Sox – Kenley Jansen allowed his first earned run of the season yesterday and blew his first save.  He was battling back tightness that started during conditioning yesterday and he is expected to be unavailable for at least the next couple days.  Chris Martin is expected to be activated today and could be an option for saves while Jensen is unavailable. We will keep an eye on this to see if Jansen will need a stint on the IL, but for now, Chris Martin or John Schreiber could be a good speculative add.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Schreiber | Winckowski.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Evan Phillips pitched a scoreless 8th inning with a pair of strikeouts and Brusdar Graterol finished off the 1-0 win with a scoreless 9th inning to record his second save of the season.  Phillips and Graterol both have two saves this season, but Phillips’ both came in early April while Graterol’s have both come in the past week.  We will leave Phillips on top for now since he was away on paternity leave for one of those Graterol saves but there could be a shift at the top of this committee if things continue this way.

Hierarchy remains: *Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – The Marlins gave AJ Puk and Dylan Floro the day off yesterday and that left Tanner Scott for the save chance.  Scott struck out a pair to close out a 7-6 win and record his second save of the season.  Scott was listed on the Vulture Save Watch yesterday so hopefully his save helped out some of our readers. 

Hierarchy remains: *Puk | Floro | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Nick Martinez pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts yesterday to pick up his first save of the season.  Martinez started the year in the starting rotation but recently moved to the bullpen and since then, he has two scoreless appareances while recording a win and a save.  Martinez closed for a bit last year Josh Hader was sorting things out and it looks like he will serve in a set-up role now that he is back in the bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Martinez | Wilson.

New York Mets — Brooks Raley was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation and Adam Ottavino is back from paternity list.  Drew Smith will replace Raley on the hierarchy and should set-up David Robertson and Adam Ottavino.

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Ottavino | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – Brandon Hughes was placed on the IL with inflammation in his left knee.  Adbert Alzolay should see more time in the later innings while Hughes is out.

Updated hierarchy: *Boxberger | Fulmer | Alzolay.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Yennier Cano – Felix Bautista has pitched in three of four, throwing a total of 59 pitches.
2. John Schreiber – Kenley Jansen will be unavailable on Sunday due to a back injury.
3. Yimi Garcia – Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson have both pitched in two straight.
4. James Karinchak/Trevor Stephan – Emmanuel Clase has pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Bryse Wilson – Devin Williams and Peter Strzelecki have both pitched in two straight.

Monday
1. John Schreiber/John Winckowski – Kenley Jansen will likely be unavailable for Monday as well.

Fairbanks expects to return, Will Smith takes over in Texas.

April 29, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays — After Pete Fairbanks was removed in the middle of the 9th inning, rookie Kevin Kelly came in with two men on and two outs in a 1 run game. Kelly got a popout to end the threat, and secured the first save of his career. After the game, Fairbanks said he was removed due to Reynaud’s Syndrome, which affected him last year in the playoffs and prevents circulation form getting to his fingers. Fairbanks seemed optimistic that he could pitch through it, but this may limit his opportunities in colder weather. As it seems he will avoid the IL, we will put him back into the hierarchy, but with Jason Adam and Colin Poche both pitching well the Rays will have options going forward.   

Updated Hierarchy: *Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.
*=closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — If you follow the Vulture Save Watch you know that Jhoan Duran had an immigration appointment yesterday, which prevented him from being with the team. This left the clear save opportunity to Jorge Lopez, and although he gave up a couple hits he gave up no runs and got his second save of the year. Duran’s return date is not certain, so expect Lopez to get the bulk of the save chances until he returns.

Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers – With Texas holding a 2 run lead in the 9th, it was Will Smith, not Jose Leclerc, coming out of the bullpen for the save. Smith was facing a right-switch-left batting order, so this wasn’t just a matchup based save chance. Smith converted for his 3rd save of the year to Jose Leclerc’s 1. Leclerc did pitch on Thursday, but only threw 14 pitches, and while he has only given up 1 earned run this season, he has struggled with his command at times. After Thursday’s game Bruce Bochy said they need him to “get on track” which is never a good sign for a closer. Given the recent usage it seems Will Smith is the arm to own in Texas, but with Leclerc still sporting very good stats don’t be surprised to see them splitting save chances. 

Updated hierarchy: *Smith| Leclerc| Hernandez.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels – If Estevez hadn’t pitched his way to the top spot of the Angels hierarchy, Jose Quijada hitting the IL yesterday certainly locked in his position. We expect Matt Moore to serve as the primary set up man, while Aaron Loup has gotten a hold in the Angels last two save opportunities. Andrew Wantz has also started the year well and may see some higher leverage work going forward. 

Updated hierarchy: *Estevez | Moore | Loup.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Jorge Lopez (MIN) — Jhoan Duran is still not working through his immigration questions.
  2. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — Both Reynaldo Lopez and Kendall Graveman have pitched back to back days.
  3. Tanner Scott (MIA) — A.J. Puk has pitched back to back and secured the win in both games, while Dylan Floro has gone in 3 straight.
  4. Pierce Johnson (COL) — Daniel Bard has pitched in 2 of 3, including a 21 pitch outing last night.
  5. Colin Holderman (PIT) — The Pirates have a doubleheader….
  6. CJ Edwards (WAS) — …Against the Nationals.
  7. Cionel Perez (BAL) — The Orioles have a doubleheader…
  8. Jason Foley (DET) — …Against the Tigers.

For Sunday

  1. James Karinchak/Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Emmanuel Clase
  2. Craig Kimbrel (PHI) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Jose Alvarado.
  3. Peter Strzelecki/Bryse Wilson (MIL) — Same for Devin Williams and Peter Strzelecki.

Pete Fairbanks Leaves Game

April 28, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks was removed from tonight’s game with an apparent finger injury. It may be just a blister or possibly a recurrence of Reynaud’s Syndrome which affected him last year. While this may turn out to be a temporary bump, anytime a closer leaves in the middle of a save op, it isn’t good news. Jason Adam slides to the top of the committee and we will monitor for updates. 

Hierarchy remains: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee

Carlos Estevez regaining control of Angels’ closer role

April 28, 2023

Los Angeles Angels – The pendulum has swung in the direction of Carlos Estevez again for the Angels. On Thursday, Estevez came on to secure his team-high fifth save with a scoreless ninth that dropped his ERA to 1.42. Jose Quijada, who has four saves himself, allowed two runs (one earned) Thursday and all of a sudden has a 6.00 ERA. Estevez has taken the lead again for this committee and could run away with the job if he continues to pitch well.

Updated hierarchy: *Estevez | Quijada | Moore.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – AJ Puk pitched the eighth inning Thursday with a 4-0 deficit, likely just getting some work in as it had been several days since he last appeared in a game. Puk pitched a clean frame, and when Miami stunningly scored five runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead, Dylan Floro came on to retire the side for his first save. So while you missed out on a Puk save, be happy with the vulture win! And be happy because he most likely to be the main saves option moving forward and is another clean save away from kicking that asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Puk | Floro | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Miami’s Puk earned the win because Braves closer A.J. Minter couldn’t keep it together in the ninth on Thursday. Staked with a four-run lead, Minter was charged with five runs on five hits, including three separate RBI singles. Jesse Chavez did no favors for Minter in allowing the go-ahead RBI double, leading to a blown save and third loss for Minter, whose ERA is now above 8.00. Minter has allowed 10 hits and 10 runs in his past 3.2 innings. Fortunately for the Braves, closer Raisel Iglesias is finally on a rehab assignment, but in the meantime we’re going to label the Braves closer situation a committee. Nick Anderson (3.86 ERA overall and a scoreless 8th inning Thursday) could see some chances in the near future.

Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Anderson | Jimenez.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save of the season Thursday, striking out two in an inning of work. Jose Alvarado was notably absent Thursday, but he did throw 22 pitches when he earned the save Wednesday. He also worked on Sunday and last Friday. We’ll presume Kimbrel is still behind for now, but stay tuned.

Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Kimbrel | Dominguez.

Chicago Cubs – Michael Fulmer pitched a clean sixth inning on Thursday, dropping his ERA to 7.84. Brad Boxberger (3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) eventually came on in the ninth to record his second save. Boxberger still appears to be the top guy.

Hierarchy remains: *Boxberger | Fulmer | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – Michael King made quick work of the Rangers on Thursday, recording the final seven outs on just 26 pitches to record his first save. King hadn’t pitched since Sunday so he was well-rested. The usage is also consistent with prior work as a high-leverage bulk reliever for the Yankees, so don’t be worried that he’s about to usurp Clay Holmes or something.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.

New York Mets — Adam Ottavino was placed on the paternity list on Thursday and will likely be out for a few games.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Liam Hendriks will be in Chicago next week to get a check-up before he is approved to begin a rehab assignment. Garret Crochet, meanwhile, might also be going on a rehab assignment soon.

Hierarchy remains: *Lopez | Graveman | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jorge Lopez (MIN) – Jhoan Duran might not be available Friday because of an immigration-related appointment that requires travel.
2. Drew Smith (NYM) – David Robertson and Brooks Raley have gone in two straight, while Adam Ottavino is on the paternity list.
3. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan has pitched in two straight.
4. Yennier Cano (BAL) – Felix Bautista has also gone in two straight.
5. Nick Anderson (ATL) – A.J. Minter had a disastrous outing Thursday and threw 23 pitches.

Saturday:
1. Jose Quijada (LAA) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Carlos Estevez.
2. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Same as above for Ryan Pressly.
3. Tyler Rogers (SF) – The Giants are off Friday but Camilo Doval has been busy this week.
4. Scott McGough (ARI) – If he goes Friday, that would be two of three and three of five for Andrew Chafin.

Jose Alvarado claiming the job in Philly

April 27, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies — It was Seranthony Dominguez in the seventh, Craig Kimbrel in the eighth, and Jose Alvarado with the save in the ninth for Philadelphia and, aside from vulture opportunities, it looks more and more like that’s the team’s preferred arrangement. We bid adieu to Jose Alvarado’s asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Alvarado | Kimbrel | Dominguez.

Cincinnati Reds — Ian Gibaut got the vulture save chance we predicted, but after getting two outs in the eighth, he put two men on to start the ninth and needed Lucas Sims to bail him out (albeit after a run scored on a sac fly). Reds fans are complaining that David Bell should have gone to an already warm Sims to start the ninth, and that might well be the move next time. Sims has looked good in the week since he returned from the IL, and we’ll slot him in at first in line.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Sims | Gibaut.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. John Brebbia/Taylor Rogers (SF) — Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers have each pitched in two straight and three of four.

Friday:
1. Craig Kimbrel (PHI) — Jose Alvarado threw 22 pitches on Wednesday, so he presumably wouldn’t go in three straight.