April 2, 2023
Minnesota Twins – Jorge Lopez pitched a perfect 9th inning for his first save of the season. Jhoan Duran was unavailable because he slept funny the night before. We will see if Lopez continues to steal save chances from Duran when he is available.
Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros — With Ryan Pressly unavailable because he wasn’t feeling well and Rafael Montero having pitched two nights in a row, Hector Neris got the save chance. Neris was summoned in the 8th inning with two runners on and struck out Elvis Andrus to end the threat. Neris came back out for the 9th inning and although he labored a little bit, he was able to get the job done to record his first save of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Montero | Neris.
Chicago White Sox — Joe Kelly made his season debut yesterday as he came on in the 7th inning of a tie game and was greeted by boos from the home Houston Astros’ crowd. Kelly ended up taking the loss but manager Pedro Grifol mentioned Kelly as a high leverage guy, along with with Reynoldo Lopez, so we will add him back onto the hiearchy.
Updated hierarchy: *Lopez | Graveman | Kelly.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — Tucker Davidson pitched four scoreless innings to finish out the Angels’ 13-1 victory yesterday and earn his first career save. Davidson will likely be the Angels’ sixth starter and does factor into their normal late inning bullpen plans.
Hierarchy remains: *Estevez | Herget | Tepera.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Andre Jackson picked up the first save of the season for the Dodgers as he pitched the last three innings of their lopsided 10-1 victory yesterday. Jackson only allowed one hit over three scoreless innings but he is not expected to be included in more conventional save chances moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: *Phillips | Graterol | Vesia.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE CHANCE
Today
1. Trevor Stephan – Emmanual Clase has pitched in two straight, while James Karinchak threw 25 pitches yesterday and has pitched in two of three.
2. Jorge Lopez – Hopefully Jhoan Duran got a better night of sleep last night but if there are any lingering affects, Lopez would likely get the save chance.
3. Rafael Montero – Ryan Pressly has been battling an illness so he might not be available today.
4. Giovanny Gallegos/Zach Thompson – Ryan Helsely has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 48 pitches. Giovanny Gallegos got good news when an MRI came back clean and could possibly be available today but it seems unlikely. Andre Pallante and Jordan Hicks have also thrown a lot of pitches after appearing two of the last three so Zach Thompson could be a long shot.
Monday
1. Cionel Perez/Bryan Baker – If Felix Bautista pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Cionel Perez.
2. Chris Martin – Kenley Jansen threw 19 pitches yesterday and the Red Sox will likely be cautious with him to start the season so if he pitches again today, he will likely get Monday off.
3. Taylor Rogers – Camilo Doval threw 26 pitches yesterday and could get Monday off if he pitches again today.
