September 9, 2023
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs got a little bit of bullpen help for the stretch run when Brad Boxberger was activated from the 60 day IL yesterday. He didn’t pitch yesterday, but did string together 4 scoreless appearances in his rehab outing before getting called back up. Boxberger was a key part of the Cubs bullpen before his injury, although the forearm injury that sidelined him was evident in his below average results. It’s too early to know how he will be deployed, but he could emerge as a sneaky holds candidate for the contending Cubs.
Hierarchy remains: Alzolay | Leiter Jr. | Merryweather.
Oakland A’s – What if I told you that the Oakland A’s have won 5 of their last 7 games? Granted 3 of those were a sweep of the flailing Angels, but even so, Trevor May has now recorded 19 saves on the season. Behind him, Dany Jimenez, who picked up the 8th inning hold last night, has emerged as a relatively reliable bridge to the 9th inning, so he rejoins the hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: May | Erceg | Jimenez.
Vulture Save Watch:
- Reynaldo Lopez (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase has pitched in 3 straight, while Trevor Stephan has gone in back to back and 3 of 4.
- Colin Poche (TB) — Pete Fairbanks has gone in 3 of 4 and threw 23 pitches last night, while Poche is well rested.
For Sunday:
- Jordan Hicks (TOR) — Jordan Romano threw 29 pitches yesterday, so another outing today could earn him a day off.
- Luis Erceg (OAK) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Trevor May.
- Brusdar Graterol (LAD) — Today would be 3 in a row for Evan Phillips.
- Tyler Rogers (SF) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for San Francisco.
