June 7, 2023
Chicago White Sox – After giving up a leadoff homer, Liam Hendriks bounced back to retire the next three Yankee hitters he faced on Tuesday to earn his first save since returning from chemotherapy. He’s pitched the ninth in each of his last two appearances, earning a win and a save, and looks to be back in his usual role as White Sox closer.
Updated hierarchy: *Hendriks | Graveman | Kelly.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – A.J. Puk was activated from the IL on Tuesday. We’ll move him back to the closer’s role but we’ll slap an asterisk on this hierarchy until we see just how quickly the Marlins use Puk in high-leverage situations.
Updated hierarchy: *Puk | Floro | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Andres Muñoz returned from the IL on Tuesday in a big way, striking out two in a 1-2-3 eighth inning to preserve a 4-1 lead. Manager Scott Servais said he doesn’t plan to use Muñoz on back-to-back days for a while, but it’s a good sign that Muñoz immediately got the ball in a high-leverage spot and was successful.
Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Muñoz | Topa.
Philadelphia Phillies – Seranthony Dominguez has secured an eighth-inning hold in each of Craig Kimbrel’s last two saves, including last night’s 1-0 win. We’ll swap him with Gregory Soto, who got the seventh inning in his last appearance.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Dominguez | Soto.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Grant Anderson (TEX) – Will Smith has pitched in two straight and Josh Sborz threw 25 pitches last night.
Tomorrow
1. Kendall Graveman/Joe Kelly/Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) – If Liam Hendriks or anyone else in the White Sox hierarchy pitches today, that’ll be back-to-back appearances. Lopez has not pitched since Saturday.
2. Chris Devenski/Ben Joyce (LAA) – If either Devenski or closer Carlos Estévez pitch today that will be back-to-back and three of four.
3. AJ Minter/Nick Anderson (ATL) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today that will be two straight and four of five. If Minter goes on Wednesday, that’ll be two straight and three of four.
