May 4, 2023
Chicago White Sox — Cancer survivor Liam Hendriks gave a triumphant news conference in preparation for four or five rehab outings at AAA. Until his return, the White Sox bullpen will remain unsettled. Keynan Middleton picked up the save on Wednesday, following up on scoreless innings by Gregory Santos and Kendall Graveman. We don’t know who’ll get the next save chance, but it’s not likely to be Reynaldo Lopez, who is trying to stay off the IL with a biceps injury. We give Graveman a slight edge for now, but Middleton has a 15.1 K/9 rate and could be allowed to build on recent success.
Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Middleton | Santos.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays — When he woke up on Wednesday, 35-year-old Chase Anderson was on Cincinnati’s AAA team, a starting pitcher whose last outing included two home runs, 10 baserunners, four runs allowed in three innings, and an eventual 18-16 loss. So it only makes sense that Anderson’s next three innings were (a) scoreless, (b) in the Rays organization, (c) in the majors, and (d) his first career save in 200 games. You can’t make this stuff up, but if you did, you’d at least know which team to make it up for. As we alerted you yesterday, Pete Fairbanks hit the IL with forearm inflammation, and Jason Adam is best-positioned to close.
Updated hierarchy: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — Daniel Bard pitched in the seventh on Wednesday with a four-run lead, and that’s enough for us to swap him with Pierce Johnson at the top of the Colorado closer committee. Justin Lawrence (four holds, 1.65 ERA) and lefty Brent Suter are also in the mix, along with Bard and Brad Hand.
Updated hierarchy: *Johnson | Bard | Lawrence.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies — Jose Alvarado has been excellent this year, but when called on in the eighth on Wednesday, he gave up several hits and blew a one-run lead. The Phillies tied it up in the top of the ninth, though, setting the table for Craig Kimbrel, who promptly flipped it over. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Max Muncy, and he delivered a walk-off grand slam. It’s not clear why Rob Thomson decided to flip Alvarado and Kimbrel’s roles, but it could be a while before he tries it again.
Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Kimbrel | Dominguez.
Los Angeles Angels — Unfortunate news for the Angels and Jose Quijada, as the 27-year-old will undergo Tommy John surgery and be out through summer 2024.
Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Moore | Loup.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Matt Moore (LAA) — Carlos Estevez has pitched in three of four.
2. Carl Edwards Jr./Hunter Harvey (CHC) — Kyle Finnegan has gone in two straight and three of four. If Edwards and Harvey are also tired (two straight), Mason Thompson could get the call.
Friday:
1. Nick Anderson (ATL) — A.J. Minter has pitched in two of three.
2. Chris Martin (BOS) — Kenley Jansen is available Thursday, but might not go back-to-back yet.
