Miguel Castro records save for Diamondbacks

May 21, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks — Andrew Chafin got the call in the 8th inning yesterday to face the 2-3-4 hitters in the Pirates’ lineup.  He pitched a scoreless inning and that left the save chance in the 9th inning for Miguel Castro.  Castro struck out the side for his 4th save of the season.  Castro is riding a six game scoreless streak and has not allowed a hit in his last four appearances.  He has clearly moved ahead of Scott McGough in the Diamondbacks hierarchy and could even push this to a committee.  We will continue to monitor this situation. 

Updated hierarchy: Chafin | Castro | McGough.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Kelley started the 9th inning with the Rays up 8-4 but after a pair of walks brought the tying run to the on-deck circle, Jason Adam came on to record the final two outs and pick up his 6th save of the season. 

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

New York Yankees – Ryan Weber picked up an extra-innings save yesterday as he pitched a scoreless 10th inning.  Michael King and Clay Holmes pitched earlier in the game and Wandy Peralta got the day off after pitching in three of the past four games.

Hierarchy remains: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — With the game tied 3-3 in the 8th inning, the Cardinals called on Ryan Helsely to face the top of the Dodgers’ lineup.  Hesley pitched a scoreless inning and after the Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the 8th, he came back out to try to finish off the win.  Unfortunately, Helsely struggled in his second inning of work as he allowed hits to the first three batters he faced.   Giovanny Gallegos relieved Helsley and was able to close out the game for his fourth save of the season.

Hierarchy remain: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Bryan Baker (BAL) – Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Wandy Peralta (NYY) – Michael King threw 33 pitches yesterday.
3. Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) – Kendall Graveman has pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ryan Pressly has pitched in two straight.
5. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro has pitched in three of four.
6. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – The Mets have a doubleheader…
7. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – …against the Guardians.

Monday
1. Erik Swanson (TOR) – Jordan Romano threw 32 pitches yesterday so if he pitches again today, he will get Monday off.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval threw 23 pitches yesterday and will likely get Monday off if he pitches again today.

Jackson to the IL and Tampa shuffles again.

May 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays — With a 1 run lead the Rays went with Jason Adam in the 8th inning and Pete Fairbanks in the 9th. Both got the job done to convert the Hold/Save combo. Adam arguably had the tougher assignment, as he faced the top of the order, and this being the Rays it’s doubtful anyone would really run away with the job, but this probably is Tampa’s preferred order of things when everyone is available. We’ll swap Fairbanks back to the top of the hierarchy, but its very much a 2 man show in Tampa Bay.

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

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox were up 6-1 going into the 7th inning where they handed the ball to Josh Winckowski. Winckowski retired the next 9 hitters he faced (with the help of a double play) to pick up his second save of the year, and first of the 3 inning variety. Winckowski continues to be a valuable part of the Boston Bullpen, but he won’t be taking over for Jansen anytime soon. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski

San Francisco Giants — If you read the Vulture Save Watch, you would know that Camilo Doval had seen a lot of work recently and was in line for a rest on Friday. This left the 8th and 9th inning to the Brothers Rogers, and as predicted it was Tyler Rogers picking up the save. Score one for the Vulture Save Watch and team Rogers. Doval should be available for the rest of the weekend. 

Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.

Oakland A’s — Zach Jackson was place on the IL with a strained tendon in his elbow and is going to miss 4-6 weeks. If the A’s current pace holds that means 1-3 save chances will go to some combination of Richard Lovelady, Garrett Acton, and Sam Moll.

Updated Hierarchy: *Lovelady | Acton | Moll.
* = closer-by-committee

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — Emmanuel Clase has thrown 29 pitches over the last 2 days including a blown save in the 10th inning last night.
  2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) — David Robertson has pitched in 3 straight.

For Sunday:

  1. Matt Moore/Chris Devinksi (LAA) — Today would be 3 in a row for Carlos Estevez.
  2. Yennier Cano/Bryan Baker (BAL) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Felix Bautista and Yennier Cano (who gave up his first run on the season last night).
  3. Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Same for Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam.
  4. Reynaldo Lopez (CHW) — and Kendall Graveman.
  5. A.J. Minter (ATL) — And Raisel Iglesias

Zach Jackson to IL, replaced by a new committee in theory

May 19, 2023

Oakland A’s — Zach Jackson has a strained tendon in his elbow and is going on the injured list. No pitcher on the active roster has a save, but we expect the rare chances to be split among Richard Lovelady, Garrett Acton, and Sam Moll.

Hierarchy remains: *Lovelady | Acton | Moll.
* = closer-by-committee

Marlins’ Dylan Floro taking hold of closer role

May 19, 2023

Miami Marlins – With A.J. Puk out, Dylan Floro has collected the past three saves for the Marlins, doing so in just a five-day stretch this week, including on Thursday. It sure seems like this is Floro’s job at this point, at least until Puk returns.

Updated hierarchy: Floro | Scott | Barnes.

New York Yankees – The Vulture Save Watch called an off-day Thursday for Michael King, but Wandy Peralta also got the night off after he worked in two straight, leaving Ron Marinaccio to close out the ninth on seven pitches for his first save. This is a pretty fluid situation that we’ll continue to monitor.

Hierarchy remains: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Liam Hendriks plans to throw live batting practice Friday and if that goes well, he’ll return to the majors “soon thereafter.”

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

Seattle Mariners – Andres Munoz has resumed a throwing program as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation. If all goes well in his rehab, he could be back relatively soon, though Seattle will certainly take it slow with the talented right-hander.

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Topa | Brash.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – David Robertson has gone in two straight.
2. Tanner Scott (MIA) – Dylan Floro has also pitched in two straight.
3. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval pitched in three straight earlier this week and could use more time off Friday.

Saturday:
1. Tyler Rogers (SF) – An outing Friday would be four of five for Camilo Doval.
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of five and five of seven for Evan Phillips.

Big blown saves for Tampa and the Cubs

May 18, 2023

Tampa Bay Rays — Jason Adam’s position at the head of the Tampa committee was already iffy with the return of Pete Fairbanks, but blowing a three-run save to the Mets Wednesday night should really have him looking over his shoulder. The concern with Fairbanks, though, remains whether he can pitch effectively in cold weather — and giving up his own three-run homer in the tenth doesn’t exactly clear up those concerns. The walk-off blast ended Fairbanks’s 30-inning scoreless streak.

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

Chicago Cubs — Chicago went to Adbert Alzolay and Mark Leiter Jr. an inning earlier than usual, which left Keegan Thompson to protect a three-run lead in the ninth. Single, homer, walk, and in came Brandon Hughes. Double, intentional walk, out, two-run single, and that’s a blown save. Leiter sprinkled a triple, double, and single around three strikeouts in his inning, so no one in the Cubs’ bullpen covered himself in glory on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: *Leiter Jr. | Alzolay | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Gregory Soto pitched the eighth on Wednesday in a tie game and gave up three runs on a series of ground ball singles. It wasn’t a terrible performance, but it probably gives Craig Kimbrel even more of a leash.

Hierarchy remains: *Kimbrel | Soto | Dominguez.
* = closer-by-committee

Arizona Diamondbacks — As we predicted Wednesday morning, lots of recent work for Andrew Chafin and Scott McGough left the vulture save for Miguel Castro.

Hierarchy remains: Chafin | McGough | Castro.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Wandy Peralta (NYY) — We expect Michael King won’t go in two straight, and though Peralta has too, he’s thrown only 13 pitches. Ron Marinaccio and Albert Abreu are lesser options.
2. Drew VerHagen/Genesis Cabrera (STL) — Ryan Helsley threw 24 pitches yesterday and Giovanny Gallegos threw 36.
3. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) — Evan Phillips has gone in two of three (and four of six).

Friday:
1. Adam Ottavino (NYM) — If David Robertson pitches today, he probably won’t go in three straight.
2. Tyler Rogers (SF) — Camilo Doval has thrown on three straight days and might get two days off.