August 1, 2023
Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks traded for Paul Sewald on Monday afternoon, and he said after the deal was made that he’s “excited” to go to a team that wanted him more. While he heads to Arizona, Scott McGough earned the save Monday and now looks to become one of a number of setup men in the desert.
Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Ginkel | Chafin.
Seattle Mariners – Paul Sewald is now gone, and Andres Munoz will look to take over as the primary saves option for Seattle. Munoz pitched in a high-leverage situation on Monday. With the Mariners up 2-1 in the eighth, the Red Sox had two runners on with two outs. Munoz was called in to face Alex Verdugo and struck him out on six pitches. He possibly would have come out to complete the save in the ninth, but after the Mariners tacked on four runs in the bottom half of the inning, Munoz was pulled in favor of a lower-leverage reliever.
Updated hierarchy: Munoz | Topa | Brash.
Los Angeles Angels – The recently acquired Reynaldo Lopez picked up his first save with the Angels on Monday, securing five outs (three via a strikeout). Carlos Estevez threw more than 34 pitches in a two-inning outing on Sunday, so as the Vulture Save Watch predicted, he theoretically was unavailable Monday. But instead of Jose Soriano we saw Lopez, who with this usage will slot in right behind Estevez and we’ll see how the two are deployed moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Lopez | Moore.
Atlanta Braves – A.J. Minter was activated from the injured list Monday and slots right into the setup role for Atlanta.
Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Minter | Yates.
Oakland A’s — Sam Moll was traded to the Reds. Lucas Erceg may see more late-inning looks as a result.
Updated hierarchy: May | Long | Ecerg.
Cincinnati Reds – Cincinnati acquired lefty Sam Moll on Monday, but he shouldn’t figure too much into the late-inning plans for the Reds.
Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Farmer.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Gregory Soto (PHI) – Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight, three of four and four of six.
2. Mason Thompson (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan has gone in two of three and three of five. Mason Thompson has had the same workload, but we’re mostly listing the Nationals situation here as Finnegan has been the subject of trade rumors, so he could be moved.
3. Brad Hand (COL) – Justin Lawrence and Daniel Bard have both worked in two straight.
4. Justin Topa (SEA) – Andres Munoz has gone in three of four.
Wednesday:
1. Yennier Cano (BAL) – Felix Bautista threw 35 pitches Monday and if he goes again Tuesday he very likely won’t go out there Wednesday.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – If he goes Tuesday, that would be three of four for Camilo Doval.
3. Nick Martinez/Robert Suarez (SD) – A Tuesday outing would be three of four for Josh Hader. Nick Martinez has been busy lately, too (three of four entering Tuesday).
