July 21, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks — Pitching with a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning, the Diamondbacks went with Miguel Castro, who was… not good. He allowed a double, a walk and a three-run, go-ahead homer and was charged with the loss. Kevin Ginkel had gone in two straight so he might not have appeared in the ninth – perhaps that would have been Andrew Chafin or even Scott McGough had Arizona held the lead, but we’ll never know. This bullpen situation remains a bit murky.

Hierarchy remains: *Ginkel | Chafin | Castro.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — Robert Suarez has finally been activated off the injured list and should make his season debut soon. Last offseason, he received a $46 million deal to stay with the Padres, so it’s presumed he’ll be used for high-leverage work. If Thursday’s usage is any indication, Steven Wilson pitched the seventh inning with a one-run deficit and Josh Hader, Nick Martinez and Suarez never pitched in a game the Padres never had a lead. So we’ll make that swap in the hierarchy, though Suarez could be eased in, too. Stay tuned.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Martinez | Suarez

Toronto Blue Jays — Jordan Romano returned to the mound Thursday for his first outing since exiting the All-Star Game with back tightness. He pitched a scoreless ninth in a non-save situation, allowing a hit but recording the final three outs on just nine pitches. So apparently all is well in Toronto’s bullpen?

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Swanson | Garcia.

Detroit Tigers — Jason Foley pitched a scoreless ninth inning Thursday for his fourth save. He’s been great this year (2.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP), but it doesn’t appear he’s taking the closer’s gig or anything at this time. I mean, we just yanked the asterisk from this bullpen! It’s likely that manager A.J. Hinch did not want to use both Alex Lange and Foley in the same game again in case he needs one of them on Friday, as both had gone in two of three and three of five entering Thursday. Foley is now at three of four and four of six, so Lange should be fresher for Friday and the weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Bryan Baker (BAL) – Felix Bautista threw 2 innings Thursday and also pitched Wednesday. Yennier Cano has also pitched in two straight.
2. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight games.
3. Erik Swanson (TOR) – Perhaps Jordan Romano won’t be available back to back yet.

Saturday:
1. Kirby Yates (ATL) – A Friday outing would be three of four and four of six for Raisel Iglesias.
2. Lucas Sims (CIN) – If he goes Friday, that would be four of six for Alexis Diaz.
3. Sam Moll (OAK) – A Friday appearance would be three of four for Trevor May.