A proven closer collects another save

May 17, 2023

New York Yankees – You read the Vulture Save Watch yesterday and knew Michael King still isn’t pitching on consecutive days, which paved the way for Clay Holmes in the eighth and Wandy Peralta in the ninth to close out a Yankee win.

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

Texas Rangers – Josh Sborz has a hold in each of his last three appearances, including the eighth inning of last night’s win. Jonathan Hernandez had a second consecutive rough outing on Tuesday and may soon be surpassed by Jose Leclerc, who continues to work through his own struggles, or the recently recalled Joe Barlow.

Updated hierarchy: Smith | Sborz | Hernandez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Justin Topa (SEA) – Paul Sewald threw 27 pitches last night.
2. Bryse Wilson (MIL) – Both Devin Williams (27 pitches) and Peter Strzelecki (30 pitches) had heavy workloads last night.
3. Miguel Castro (ARI) – Andrew Chafin has gone in two straight and four of five. Scott McGough threw 49 pitches last night.
4. John Brebbia (SF) – Camilo Doval (39 pitches) has pitched in two straight games while Tyler Rogers threw 27 pitches last night, so Brebbia (19 pitches last night) is the best rested of the Giants hierarchy.

Tomorrow
1. Wandy Peralta/Clay Holmes (NYY)– If Michael King pitches tonight, don’t expect him to pitch on Thursday.

Michael King earns 3rd save; Pete Fairbanks is back

May 16, 2023

New York Yankees – After Ian Hamilton got into a little trouble in the 8th, Michael King came on and recorded the last four outs of the game to earn his 3rd save. King maintains his spot atop this committee, though we’d still like to see if/when he can pitch back to back games before we consider making any changes here.

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

Houston Astros – An 18-pitch outing on Sunday was enough for the Astros to give Ryan Pressly the day off on Monday. In his place, Hector Neris earned his second save of the year.

Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Abreu | Neris.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs placed Brad Boxberger on the IL on Sunday. Michael Fulmer’s high-leverage usage should increase a bit as a result.

Updated hierarchy: *Leiter Jr. | Alzolay | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – Pete Fairbanks is back from the IL, and while the Rays will likely be a bit cautious with his usage at the outset, we expect him to reclaim a prominent position in the Tampa hierarchy.

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brusdar Graterol – Evan Phillips has pitched in three of the last four, including a 17-pitch blown save last night.
2. Justin Lawrence – Pierce Johnson has gone in two of the last three and threw 19 pitches last night in earning the save. Johnson has yet to go back to back games this year, so Lawrence could get a chance tonight.
3. Wandy Peralta/Clay Holmes – Michael King pitched yesterday and hasn’t gone back to back all year.

Tomorrow
1. Tyler Rogers – If Camilo Doval goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Bryan Abreu – If Ryan Pressly goes today, then today’s Hector Neris save suggests that someone else will get the chance tomorrow.

AJ Puk hits the injured list; Raisel Iglesias struggling

May 15, 2023

Miami Marlins – A.J. Puk was placed on the IL with nerve irritation. Dylan Floro picked up the save on Sunday; expect him to lead the Miami Committee with Tanner Scott and Matt Barnes also in the mix.

Updated hierarchy: *Floro | Scott | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels – After a dreadful outing against Cleveland on Saturday, the Angels designated Ryan Tepera for assignment. We’re guessing the veteran will catch on somewhere; meanwhile, look for Chris Devenski to get a few more hold opportunities.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Moore | Devenski.

Atlanta Braves – Raisel Iglesias started his season with two scoreless innings, but his last two outings have been concerning. After giving up two runs on Wednesday, he blew the save on Sunday as the Blue Jays walked him off in the 9th. Nobody really established themselves in Iglesias’s early season absence, but he’ll need to find his form quickly if he’s going to maintain his role.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Minter | Anderson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor Stephan – Emmanuel Clase has thrown 52 pitches over the last three days.
2. Lucas Sims – Alexis Diaz threw 41 pitches on Saturday (and 15 on Friday) and might need a second day off.

Tomorrow
1. Matt Moore – If Carlos Estevez goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Colin Poche – Same for Jason Adam…
3. Bryan Abreu/Hector Neris – …and Ryan Pressly…
4. Tanner Scott – …and Dylan Floro.
5. Jason Foley – If Alex Lange goes today, it’s back to back.
6. Colin Holderman – Same for David Bednar…
7. AJ Minter/Nick Anderson – …and Raisel Iglesias.

A.J. Puk to IL

May 14, 2023
Miami Marlins – A.J. Puk was placed on the IL with nerve irritation. Expect Dylan Floro to lead the Miami Committee with Tanner Scott and Matt Barnes also in the mix.

Updated hierarchy: *Floro | Scott | Barnes.
* = closer-by-committee

Wandy Peralta and Kendall Graveman record saves

May 14, 2023

New York Yankees — Wandy Peralta pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his second straight save. The Yankees bullpen is wide open right now and two straight saves are enough to get Peralta back on the hierarchy.  We will continue to monitor this situation to see if anybody can emerge as the primary closer moving forward.

Updated hierarchy: *King | Peralta | Holmes.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — Kendall Graveman closed out a 3-1 White Sox victory to record his second save of the season.  Graveman should continue to be the best bet for saves on any given night until Liam Hendriks is able to return.  Hendriks is currently on a rehab assignment and is expected to pitch today and again Tuesday or Wednesday before being re-evaluated. 

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

Cleveland Guardians – After the Guardians scored six runs in the bottom of the 8th to take a two run lead, Trevor Stephan came out for the save opportunity in the top of the 9th.  Stephan put a couple runners on but was able to work a scoreless inning for his second save of the season.  Stephan also got the 8th inning on Friday ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase and seems to have moved ahead of James Karinchak on the Guardians’ hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Clase | Stephan | Karinchak.

Philadelphia Phillies — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Craig Kimbrel got the day off yesterday and Gregory Soto pitched a perfect 9th inning for his first save of the season. 

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

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsely got the day off after throwing 28 pitches on Friday and that allowed Giovanny Gallegos to earn his third save of the season with a scoreless 9th inning.

Hierarchy remain: Helsley | Gallegos | VerHagen.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ flip-flopped Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol last night with Phillips getting the 8th inning and Graterol getting the 9th.  Phillips pitched a scoreless inning and Graterol recorded outs on the first two batters he faced, but after allowing back-to-back singles, Caleb Ferguson came on in relief of Graterol.  Ferguson struck out the only batter he faced and picked up his first save of the season.  We will see if this sort of usage continues and pushes this back towards a committee. 

Hierarchy remains: Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Yennier Cano – Felix Bautista has pitched in two straight.
2. Chris Martin – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight and three of four.
3. Lucas Sims – Alexis Diaz has pitched in two straight, including a 41 pitch outing yesterday.
4. Miguel Castro – Andrew Chafin has pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Brusdar Graterol – Evan Phillips has pitched in two straight.

Monday
1. Bryan Abreu – If Ryan Pressly pitches Sunday, it will be two of three and four of six.
2. Adam Ottavino – David Robertson threw 40 pitches on Friday so if he pitches on Sunday, he will likely get Monday off.
3. Lucas Sims/Ian Gibault – Alexis Diaz could get a couple days off after his 41 pitch outing on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday.