Craig Kimbrel tightening his grip on closer role in Philly

May 22, 2023

New York Yankees – Michael King got the day off after throwing 33 pitches on Saturday, and a solid 8th from Wandy Peralta was followed by a deeply shaky 9th by Clay Holmes (24 pitches, 3 baserunners), but Holmes got the job done to earn his 5th save of the year. This remains a committee until further notice.

Hierarchy remains: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – At the risk of jumping the gun, we’re pulling the asterisk on Craig Kimbrel, who gave up a 9th inning run on Sunday, but was still the clear “let’s get the ball to this guy” player in the Phillies bullpen. This isn’t to suggest that Gregory Soto and others might not get an occasional save chance if Kimbrel needs rest, but for the time being, he’s the guy to own.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Soto | Dominguez.

Washington Nationals – Would-be closer Kyle Finnegan came on in a tight spot in the 6th and registered five outs before giving way to Carl Edwards Jr. and then Hunter Harvey, the latter of whom picked up his second save of the season. Finnegan’s shaky start (5.00 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) coupled with this unorthodox usage means we’re in committee mode until further notice.

Updated hierarchy: *Finnegan | Harvey | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – With Kendall Graveman getting the night off, the White Sox went to Joe Kelly for the save. Kelly converted and in doing so earned his way back to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Lopez | Kelly.

New York Mets – After David Robertson and Adam Ottavino bumbled their way through the first game of the Guardians/Mets doubleheader, Brooks Raley pitched the 9th in game two for his first save of the season. While it was Robertson’s first blown save of the year, Ottavino (4.82 ERA) hasn’t been as effective as last year, so we’ll monitor whether Robertson’s late-game tag-team partner becomes Raley, Drew Smith, or both.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Erik Swanson – Jordan Romano could get a second day off after a 32-pitch outing Saturday.
2. Chris Devenski – Charlie Sheen and Matt Moore have both gone three of four.
3. Tyler Rogers – Camilo Doval has gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Reynaldo Lopez/Joe Kelly – If Kendall Graveman goes today, it’s three of four (and four of six).
2. Bryan Abreu – If Ryan Pressly goes today, it’s three of four.
3. Nick Anderson – If Raisel Iglesias goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
4. Gregory Soto – Same for Craig Kimbrel.
5. Peter Strzelecki – If Devin Williams goes today, it’s back to back.

Miguel Castro records save for Diamondbacks

May 21, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks — Andrew Chafin got the call in the 8th inning yesterday to face the 2-3-4 hitters in the Pirates’ lineup.  He pitched a scoreless inning and that left the save chance in the 9th inning for Miguel Castro.  Castro struck out the side for his 4th save of the season.  Castro is riding a six game scoreless streak and has not allowed a hit in his last four appearances.  He has clearly moved ahead of Scott McGough in the Diamondbacks hierarchy and could even push this to a committee.  We will continue to monitor this situation. 

Updated hierarchy: Chafin | Castro | McGough.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Kelley started the 9th inning with the Rays up 8-4 but after a pair of walks brought the tying run to the on-deck circle, Jason Adam came on to record the final two outs and pick up his 6th save of the season. 

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

New York Yankees – Ryan Weber picked up an extra-innings save yesterday as he pitched a scoreless 10th inning.  Michael King and Clay Holmes pitched earlier in the game and Wandy Peralta got the day off after pitching in three of the past four games.

Hierarchy remains: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — With the game tied 3-3 in the 8th inning, the Cardinals called on Ryan Helsely to face the top of the Dodgers’ lineup.  Hesley pitched a scoreless inning and after the Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the 8th, he came back out to try to finish off the win.  Unfortunately, Helsely struggled in his second inning of work as he allowed hits to the first three batters he faced.   Giovanny Gallegos relieved Helsley and was able to close out the game for his fourth save of the season.

Hierarchy remain: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Bryan Baker (BAL) – Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Wandy Peralta (NYY) – Michael King threw 33 pitches yesterday.
3. Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) – Kendall Graveman has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight.
5. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro has pitched in three of four.
6. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – The Mets have a doubleheader…
7. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – …against the Guardians.

Monday
1. Erik Swanson (TOR) – Jordan Romano threw 32 pitches yesterday so if he pitches again today, he will get Monday off.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval threw 23 pitches yesterday and will likely get Monday off if he pitches again today.

Jackson to the IL and Tampa shuffles again.

May 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays — With a 1 run lead the Rays went with Jason Adam in the 8th inning and Pete Fairbanks in the 9th. Both got the job done to convert the Hold/Save combo. Adam arguably had the tougher assignment, as he faced the top of the order, and this being the Rays it’s doubtful anyone would really run away with the job, but this probably is Tampa’s preferred order of things when everyone is available. We’ll swap Fairbanks back to the top of the hierarchy, but its very much a 2 man show in Tampa Bay.

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

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox were up 6-1 going into the 7th inning where they handed the ball to Josh Winckowski. Winckowski retired the next 9 hitters he faced (with the help of a double play) to pick up his second save of the year, and first of the 3 inning variety. Winckowski continues to be a valuable part of the Boston Bullpen, but he won’t be taking over for Jansen anytime soon. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski

San Francisco Giants — If you read the Vulture Save Watch, you would know that Camilo Doval had seen a lot of work recently and was in line for a rest on Friday. This left the 8th and 9th inning to the Brothers Rogers, and as predicted it was Tyler Rogers picking up the save. Score one for the Vulture Save Watch and team Rogers. Doval should be available for the rest of the weekend. 

Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.

Oakland A’s — Zach Jackson was place on the IL with a strained tendon in his elbow and is going to miss 4-6 weeks. If the A’s current pace holds that means 1-3 save chances will go to some combination of Richard Lovelady, Garrett Acton, and Sam Moll.

Updated Hierarchy: *Lovelady | Acton | Moll.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase has thrown 29 pitches over the last 2 days including a blown save in the 10th inning last night.
  2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) — David Robertson has pitched in 3 straight.

For Sunday:

  1. Matt Moore/Chris Devinksi (LAA) — Today would be 3 in a row for Carlos Estevez.
  2. Yennier Cano/Bryan Baker (BAL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano (who gave up his first run on the season last night).
  3. Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Same for Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam.
  4. Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) — and Kendall Graveman.
  5. A.J. Minter (ATL) — And Raisel Iglesias

Zach Jackson to IL, replaced by a new committee in theory

May 19, 2023

Oakland A’s — Zach Jackson has a strained tendon in his elbow and is going on the injured list. No pitcher on the active roster has a save, but we expect the rare chances to be split among Richard Lovelady, Garrett Acton, and Sam Moll.

Hierarchy remains: *Lovelady | Acton | Moll.
* = closer-by-committee

Marlins’ Dylan Floro taking hold of closer role

May 19, 2023

Miami Marlins – With A.J. Puk out, Dylan Floro has collected the past three saves for the Marlins, doing so in just a five-day stretch this week, including on Thursday. It sure seems like this is Floro’s job at this point, at least until Puk returns.

Updated hierarchy: Floro | Scott | Barnes.

New York Yankees – The Vulture Save Watch called an off-day Thursday for Michael King, but Wandy Peralta also got the night off after he worked in two straight, leaving Ron Marinaccio to close out the ninth on seven pitches for his first save. This is a pretty fluid situation that we’ll continue to monitor.

Hierarchy remains: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Liam Hendriks plans to throw live batting practice Friday and if that goes well, he’ll return to the majors “soon thereafter.”

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

Seattle Mariners – Andres Munoz has resumed a throwing program as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation. If all goes well in his rehab, he could be back relatively soon, though Seattle will certainly take it slow with the talented right-hander.

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Topa | Brash.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – David Robertson has gone in two straight.
2. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro has also pitched in two straight.
3. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval pitched in three straight earlier this week and could use more time off Friday.

Saturday:
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) – An outing Friday would be four of five for Camilo Doval.
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of five and five of seven for Evan Phillips.