Back discomfort forces Jordan Romano’s early exit

July 29, 2023

Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano had faced five hitters in the 9th on Friday — retiring two and allowing three of them to reach — when his back “locked up,” per John Schneider. Yimi Garcia recorded the game’s final out and earned his third save, though Romano’s removal is obviously the real news here. If he needs an IL stint, expect an alert.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Swanson | Garcia.

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox continued trading away relievers on Friday, sending closer Kendall Graveman to the Astros and setup man Joe Kelly to the Dodgers. We told you earlier this month that Gregory Santos is a guy to watch, and Santos was indeed the man to pick up the save in Chicago’s game on Friday night. We’ll call this a committee for now, but Santos has the inside track on the full time job.

Updated hierarchy: *Santos | Middleton | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Erik Swanson – Jordan Romano could need a day or two off after feeling back discomfort on Friday.
2. Aaron Bummer/Keynan Middleton – Gregory Santos has gone back to back.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. – Adbert Alzolay has gone three of four, including 23 pitches Friday.

Tomorrow
1. Chris Martin – If Kenley Jansen goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Gregory Soto/Seranthony Dominguez – Same for Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto.
3. Yennier Cano/Bryan Baker – If Felix Bautista or Yennier Cano go today, it’s back to back.
4. Colin Poche – Same for Pete Fairbanks…
5. Griffin Jax/Emilio Pagan – …and Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax…
6. Bryan Abreu/Hector Neris – …and Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu…
7. Sam Moll/Sam Long – …and Trevor May and Sam Moll…
8. Andres Munoz/Justin Topa – …and Paul Sewald and Andres Munoz…
9. Kirby Yates/Joe Jimenez – …and Raisel Iglesias and Kirby Yates…
10. Carlos Hernandez/Taylor Clarke – …and Scott Barlow and Carlos Hernandez…
11. Lucas Sims/Buck Farmer – …and Alexis Diaz and Lucas Sims. Phew.

White Sox trade Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly

July 28, 2023

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox continued trading away relievers on Friday, sending closer Kendall Graveman to the Astros and setup man Joe Kelly to the Dodgers. We told you earlier this month that Gregory Santos is a guy to watch and now he heads a committee that includes Keynan Middleton and Aaron Bummer.

Updated hierarchy: *Santos | Middleton | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley worth adding after David Robertson trade

July 28, 2023

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels swept their doubleheader on Thursday and are now just 3 games out of a Wild Card spot. Unfortunately, we won’t see fireballer Ben Joyce rejoin them for at least a few more weeks, as the righty was moved to the 60-day IL to make room for a few of their deadline acquisitions.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Moore | Soriano.

New York Mets – The Mets began waving the white flag after Thursday’s win, trading closer David Robertson to the Marlins. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley, the latter of whom earned the save on Thursday, are now the best bets for saves for the Mets.

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

Miami Marlins – David Robertson should slot in as Miami’s closer after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets. A.J. Puk, who had been struggling lately and blew a save in his last appearance on Sunday, will be expected to join Tanner Scott and newly acquired Jorge Lopez as a setup man.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Puk | Scott.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Colin Holderman – After a 37-pitch outing on Wednesday — and with the Pirates potentially playing it safe with their valuable trade chip — David Bednar might get a second day off today.

Tomorrow
1. Trevor Stephan – If Emmanuel Clase goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Mason Thompson – Same for Kyle Finnegan.
3. Mark Leiter Jr. – If Adbert Alzolay or Mark Leiter Jr. pitch today, it’s three of four.
4. Gregory Soto – If Craig Kimbrel goes today, it’s four of the last six.

Mets trade David Robertson to Marlins

July 28, 2023

New York Mets – The Mets began waving the white flag after Thursday’s win, trading closer David Robertson to the Marlins. Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley, who earned the save on Thursday, will now be the best bets for saves for the Mets.

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

Miami Marlins – David Robertson should slot in as Miami’s closer after the Marlins acquired him from the Mets. A.J. Puk, who had been struggling lately and blew a save in his last appearance on Sunday, will be expected to join Tanner Scott and newly acquired Jorge Lopez as a setup man.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Puk | Scott.

Phillies may be moving toward high-leverage model

July 27, 2023

Seattle Mariners – Andres Munoz got the save, with Paul Sewald getting the night off after going three straight. Vulture Save Watch +1.

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Munoz | Topa.

Philadelphia Phillies – With the 3-4-5 hitters due up in the 8th inning, the Phillies went to Craig Kimbrel, who retired the side in order. That left the 9th to Gregory Soto, who converted for his second save. The Phillies haven’t done this with Kimbrel very often, as he’s been used as a traditional closer for pretty much the whole season. We’ll see if this marks a shift in how they deploy things in the late innings and will attach a committee tag if necessary.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Soto | Dominguez.

Chicago White Sox – Reynaldo Lopez was traded to the Angels on Wednesday. We’ll see how they deploy him out west, while we welcome Keynan Middleton to the White Sox hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Santos | Middleton.

Miami Marlins – The Marlins sent Dylan Floro to the Twins for Jorge Lopez on Wednesday. We don’t anticipate Floro will crack the hierarchy in Minnesota just yet, but we’ll slot Lopez into his old spot in Miami.

Updated hierarchy: *Puk | Scott | Lopez.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Moore – The Angels have a doubleheader today…
2. Jason Foley – …against the Tigers.
3. Julian Merryweather – Adbert Alzolay and Mark Leiter Jr. have both gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Gregory Santos – If Kendall Graveman goes today, it’s back to back.