April 6, 2023
Los Angeles Angels — Jose Quijada is getting late-inning high-leverage work over Ryan Tepera and has moved into the Angel hierarchy as a result. On Wednesday, Carlos Estevez got an extra day of rest, with manager Phil Nevin trying to avoid overusing his top arms in the early season, and Quijada actually picked up the save.
Updated hierarchy: *Estevez | Herget | Quijada.
* = closer-by-committee
Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar and Colin Holderman needed some rest after going in two straight games, so the Pirates used Rob Zastryzny and Duane Underwood Jr. with a late-inning lead. At least Underwood and Dauri Moreta appear to be ahead of Wil Crowe at this point in the season.
Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Underwood.
Atlanta Braves — Protecting a four-run lead in the ninth, Collin McHugh gave up several consecutive hard-hit balls, surrendering a run and leading the Braves to call on 39-year-old Jesse Chavez for a one-out save.
Hierarchy remains: Minter | Jimenez | McHugh.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Yimi Garcia (TOR) — Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson have gone in two straight.
Friday:
1. Joe Jimenez (ATL) — If AJ Minter pitches Thursday, it will be three days in four.
2. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan threw 24 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Brad Hand (COL) — Pierce Johnson threw 28 pitches on Tuesday.
