Liam Hendriks returns; Jason Adam to lead Tampa committee

May 30, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks – Three-inning saves are rare; four-inning saves even rarer. And four-inning saves whereby the opposing team was within traditional save range — ie: down by three runs or less — the entire time? A hard stat to track, but we’re comfortable asserting that this is rarer than a no-hitter these days. (Sidenote: A save of this sort beyond four innings is virtually unheard of in the modern era — outside of some random lefty who got his only career save, a five-inning job, in this 2014 game — what a flash in the pan that guy must have been.) But Drey Jameson was one out away from accomplishing this odd feat when Randal Grichuk laced a single to left field with two down in the 9th. Cruelly, this was it for Jameson, as Torey Lovullo summoned Andrew Chafin, who greedily lapped up the one-batter save. Jameson, a first-round pick in 2019, might have no memory of this appearance later in his life, especially if his career flourishes in the way many expect. But for us, it was a fun little game within a game on an otherwise quiet Monday night.

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

Chicago White Sox – With 2 runs allowed on 3 hits, it surely wasn’t quite the return that Liam Hendriks was hoping for, but we still got chills watching him run in from the bullpen for the first time this year. Watch it here.

Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Lopez | Kelly.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks was placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation. Jason Adam should be the primary source of saves while Fairbanks is out, with Colin Poche and Kevin Kelly also in the mix. 

Updated hierarchy: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jorge Lopez – Jhoan Duran threw 29 pitches across two innings yesterday — his second appearance in three days — and is likely off tonight.
2. Ryne Stanek – This whole hierarchy is gassed after yesterday’s extra-inning affair, so digging deep for a vulture candidate.
3. Miguel Castro – Andrew Chafin has gone back to back, so it’s likely Castro’s turn tonight.

Tomorrow
1. Chris Devenski – If Carlos Estevez goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.

Pete Fairbanks to the IL

May 29, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays — Pete Fairbanks was placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation. Jason Adam should be the primary source of saves while Fairbanks is out but it’s the Rays so guys like Colin Poche and Kevin Kelly could also be in the mix. 

Updated hierarchy: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee

Pete Fairbanks tweaks hip during warmup

May 29, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays – Pete Fairbanks’ hip “locked up” during his warmup on Sunday and he limped to the dugout for further tests. An IL stint isn’t a certainty, but if he needs to miss some time, watch this space for an alert. In his absence, Jason Adam picked up a 2-inning save and will be the committee leader if Fairbanks needs to miss time.

Hierarchy remains: *Fairbanks | Adam | Poche.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Liam Hendriks returns to the big leagues today. We’ve touched on his medical journey following his cancer diagnosis, and perhaps most notable is how far ahead of schedule he is in terms of his return to baseball. Whether he pitches in high-leverage spots right away isn’t really the story here, but of course, we will dutifully track his usage and update this hierarchy when appropriate. Welcome back, Liam.

Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Lopez | Kelly.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – After pitching in three straight, Dylan Floro wasn’t going to appear on Sunday, and with Tanner Scott and Matt Barnes used bridging the gap to the 9th, that left JT Chargois for the save. It wasn’t the most inspiring outing, (3 baserunners, 0 Ks), but Chargois has had a fine season (2.79 ERA, 0.83 WHIP) so we’ll focus on the fact that he got the job done.

Updated hierarchy: Floro | Scott | Chargois.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Andrew Chafin came on in a tight spot during the 7th, meaning the 9th was again left to Miguel Castro, who converted for his 5th save. Chafin still has more saves on the year, but Castro has four of the last six, so consider them basically co-closers at this point.

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

St. Louis Cardinals – After yesterday’s loss, Ryan Helsley now has four blown saves — as many as he had all of last season. Meanwhile, Giovanny Gallegos’ strong start (2.08 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), coupled with his success whenever Helsley has needed a day off (still more often than most closers) has meant that the two actually have the same number of saves on the season with six. We’re not asterisking this yet, but it could happen soon.

Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Aroldis Chapman – Scott Barlow has gone back to back.
2. Colin Holderman – Same for David Bednar…
3. Giovanny Gallegos – …and Ryan Helsley.

Tomorrow
1. Yennier Cano – If Felix Bautista goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Jason Foley – Same for Alex Lange…
3. Justin Topa – …and Paul Sewald.
4. Tyler Rogers – Camilo Doval threw 29 pitches on Saturday; if he goes again today, he might need Tuesday off.

Kyle Finnegan and Caleb Ferguson record saves

May 28, 2023

Washington Nationals – The National used their hierarchy in order last night with Carl Edwards pitching a scoreless 7th, Hunter Harvey a scoreless 8th, and Kyle Finnegan a scoreless 9th for his 11th save of the season.  Finnegan has been up and down this season but still has produced double digit saves already and should continue to be the best bet for the save on any given night.

Hierarchy remains: *Finnegan | Harvey | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ committee kept rolling yesterday as Brusdar Graterol got the 7th inning, Evan Phillips pitched the 8th and started the 9th before Caleb Ferguson came on for the last two outs to pick up the save.  Philllips recorded four saves in a row in early May but has not recorded any of the last three.  We will see if this continues or if the Dodgers start to turn to Phillips again more regularly in save chances.

Hierarchy remains: *Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — The Twins used Jhoan Duran in the 8th inning against the 2-3-4 hitters and then went with Jorge Lopez to start the 9th.  Lopez really struggled as he allowed three hits, including a home run, and hit another batter without recording any outs.  Brock Stewart relieved Lopez and was able to retire three of the four batters he faced to pick up his first save of the season.  Stewart has pitched 14 scoreless innings so far this year and although he walks too many batters (11 walks in 14 innings), the sparkling ERA is enough to get Stewart on the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Duran | Lopez | Stewart.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless 9th inning with the game tied and ended up with the win after the Cardinals took the lead in the top of the 10th.  Giovanny Gallegos pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th inning for his 6th save of the season. 

Hierarchy remains: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Duane Underwood Jr. was designated for assignment after struggling in May.  Robert Stephenson will likely be the top option to take over the 7th inning.  

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Stephenson. 

Los Angeles Angels – Matt Moore will be placed on the IL due to an oblique injury.  Chase Silseth should see more time in the later innings with Moore out.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Devenski | Silseth.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight.
2. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro has pitched in three straight.
3. Gregory Soto (PHI) – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Mason Thompson (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, and Carl Edwards have all pitched in three of the past four.

Monday
1. Justin Lawrence/Daniel Bard (COL) – If Pierce Johnson pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Justin Lawrence.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval threw 30 pitches yesterday so if he pitches again Sunday, he will get Monday off.

Kimbrel records his 400th save, 2 others record their first.

May 27, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies – Craig Kimbrel became the 8th player to earn 400 career saves last night, pitching a clean 9th inning against Atlanta, the team that drafted him. Over 14 menacing seasons Kimbrel and his unique stance led the NL in saves 4 times, finished in the top 10 of MVP voting twice, won a World Series with the Red Sox and is one of only 4 players (and the only reliever) to strike out 4 batters in an inning multiple times. It’ll be years before we see another reliever crack 400 saves, so a hearty congratulations to one of the best to ever do it!

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Soto | Dominguez.

San Francisco Giants – The Giants stormed out to a 9 run lead by the 3rd inning and never looked back. They gave the ball to Tristan Beck with 2 outs in the 5th and he stuck all the way through the ninth to earn his first career save. Beck has been a starter on his way through the minors and is currently in a long relief role with the Giants so we don’t expect to see too many late inning opportunities for the rookie.

Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.

Washington Nationals – The Vulture Save Watch told you that Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey would be getting a rest on Friday, but when Carl Edwards was called upon to put out a fire in the 7th inning and when he loaded the bases in the 8th inning the Nationals turned to Chad Kuhl to protect their lead. He allowed 2 inherited runners to score, but pitched a clean 9th inning for the first save of his career. Kuhl began the season as a starter, but after struggling in that role he moved to the bullpen. He has yet to give up a run of his own in that role, although it has only been 2 appearances.  

Hierarchy remains: *Finnegan | Harvey | Edwards.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – With a 3 run lead, David Robertson took the 8th inning to face the top of the Rockies lineup. He gave up a leadoff homer, but got out of the inning. This put Brooks Raley in line for the save in the 9th, but a pair of walks got him an early hook and let Adam Ottavino finish the game with a little help from confused baserunning. Ottavino has had a few rough outings in May, so this may have been a chance for Raley to assert himself in the committee, but it looks like Ottavino will hold onto his 1st in line spot for now. 

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Matt Barnes (MIA) — Dylan Floro has thrown 33 pitches over the past 2 days and Tanner Scott has gone in 3 straight while Barnes is well rested.
  2. Nick Martinez (SD) — Josh Hader has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.

For Sunday:

  1. Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam.
  2. Gregory Soto (PHI) — The same is true for 400 save man Craig Kimbrel.
  3. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase threw 32 pitches last night, so any work today would earn him a rest.