What was A.J. Hinch doing exactly?

April 13, 2023

Detroit Tigers — Some weird stuff from A.J. Hinch on Wednesday. Up two in the eighth with all of his relievers rested, he called on closer Alex Lange. After Lange threw 12 pitches against Toronto’s 9-1-2 hitters, he was lifted in the ninth for Trey Wingenter, whose only career save came on a vulture opportunity in April 2019. Wingenter loaded the bases with a single, walk, and hit batsman, and left in favor of Chasen Shreve, who managed to hold the Blue Jays to two runs on sacrifice flies. Jose Cisnero finally entered in the tenth and gave up a walk-off single. Hinch didn’t offer much of a defense for his tactics after the game, and we certainly don’t have an explanation for it. Could be another long season in Detroit.

Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.

New York Mets — The Mets continue to use David Robertson as a fireman, calling on him in the seventh or eighth inning when necessary to face an opponent’s toughest hitters. Buck Showalter has buy-in from both Robertson and Adam Ottavino, each of whom should accrue his share of saves this season.  

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

New York Yankees – The Yankees are turning to Michael King again in a setup role, along with Wandy Peralta, their only lefthanded reliever. We think King is probably most likely to grab any vulture saves (unless they’re matchup-based), with Ron Marinaccio moving a step behind Peralta.

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | King | Peralta.

Los Angeles Angels — Vulture save for Jose Quijada, as we predicted in this space Wednesday morning.

Hierarchy remains: *Estevez | Quijada | Herget.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Chad Smith entered the game with a three-run lead in the eighth inning, and got six outs to finish things off. That’s a save, right? You know your MLB rules, that’s a save. Well, under Rule 9.17(c), The Man confiscated Smith’s save — Smith’s beautiful, singular, precious save — Smith’s first career save — and gave him some useless “win” in its place. This unmitigated larceny, ratified by the highest levels of the commissioner’s office, threatens all we hold dear and strikes at the heart of all we thought we knew. You’ve made a powerful enemy this day, Official Scorer.

Hierarchy remains: *May | Jimenez | Jackson.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jorge Lopez (MIN) — Jhoan Duran has appeared on two straight days (39 pitches).
2. Jordan Hicks/Zack Thompson (STL) — Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos have each gone in two straight. Hicks has struggled this year and might not be next in line anymore.

Friday:
1. Jason Adam/Colin Poche (TB) — Pete Fairbanks has gone in two of three, but has thrown only 19 pitches. An appearance today would likely see him held out on Friday. Adam has pitched in three of four himself.

Nick Anderson records a save for Atlanta

April 12, 2023

Atlanta Braves — We correctly predicted that AJ Minter wouldn’t pitch Tuesday, but Joe Jimenez got the eighth inning last night instead of the ninth. It was a good thing he pitched an inning earlier than we expected, because he allowed a two-run homer that brought the Reds within a run. Dylan Lee came on to get the last two outs of the frame, which set the stage for Nick Anderson to pitch the ninth. Anderson tossed a perfect inning for his first save of the season. He also got an eighth-inning hold on Monday night, so we’ll move him up accordingly.

Updated hierarchy: Minter | Anderson | Jimenez.

Los Angeles Angels — Carlos Estevez picked up his first save with the Angels on Tuesday, working around a walk to preserve a 2-0 win despite pitching for a third time in four days. Jose Quijada pitched a clean eighth inning and has yet to allow a run in four appearances.

Updated hierarchy: *Estevez | Quijada | Herget.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – Tyler Rogers, who earned his first save of the season a few days ago, pitched a clean eighth inning to protect what was then a two-run lead. Tyler has seen more high-leverage work than twin brother Taylor so far this season, so we’ll swap them in the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kendall Graveman (CHW) – Reynaldo Lopez has pitched in two straight.
2. Jorge Lopez (MIN) – Jhoan Duran threw 24 pitches in a blown save last night.
3. Jose Quijada (LAA) – If Phil Nevin didn’t want to use Carlos Estevez three times in four days then he definitely won’t want to use him four times in five days.
4. Dany Jimenez (OAK) – Trevor May had a 28-pitch blown save last night.
5. Luis Garcia (SD) – Josh Hader recorded a 31-pitch save on Tuesday.

Tomorrow
1. Cionel Perez (BAL) – If Felix Bautista pitches today, that will be two of three.
2. Ian Gibaut (CIN) – Same goes for Alexis Diaz.
3. Colin Holderman/Duane Underwood (PIT) – If David Bednar pitches today after his 20-pitch blown save on Tuesday, that will be two straight and three of four. The same is true of Holderman.
4. Jordan Hicks (STL) – If either Ryan Helsley or Giovanny Gallegos goes today that will be two in a row.

Andrew Chafin seizes lead role in Arizona’s committee

April 11, 2023

New York Mets – It was a 5-run game, but the Mets flipped the script on their early season bullpen deployment, with David Robertson getting the 8th (against the top of the order) and Adam Ottavino handling the 9th. Though Robertson seems to be the top arm here, this usage bolsters the strength of the asterisk if he’s going to be used as the relief ace rather than as traditional closer.

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

Arizona Diamondbacks – Andrew Chafin picked up his 2nd save of the year on Monday, following a clean 8th from Scott McGough. Chafin now leads the pair in saves (2 to 1) and hasn’t allowed an earned run this year, earning him the top spot of the committee.

Updated hierarchy: *Chafin | McGough | Ginkel.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Joe Kelly was placed on the IL with a right groin strain. Look for Aaron Bummer’s hold chances to increase in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: *Lopez | Graveman | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joe Jimenez – AJ Minter has gone back to back.
2. Trevor Stephan – Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak have both gone back to back.
3. Diego Castillo – Paul Sewald (45 pitches across three outings) and Matt Brash (49 pitches across three outings) could both be off today.

Tomorrow
1. Cionel Perez/Bryan Baker – The whole Baltimore hierarchy pitched Monday; depending who goes tonight will determine tomorrow’s usage.
2. Kendall Graveman/Aaron Bummer – Likewise for the White Sox.
3. Carl Edwards Jr. – If Kyle Finnegan goes today, it’s back to back and four of five.
4. Ian Gibaut – If Alexis Diaz goes today, it’s back to back and three of four.
5. Brad Boxberger – If Michael Fulmer goes today, it’s back to back.

Andres Munoz hits the IL; Bryan Abreu impressing

April 10, 2023

Houston Astros – Bryan Abreu got the 8th inning ahead of Ryan Pressly on Sunday and now has 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings to go along with his two holds. At the very least, he deserves a place on the hierarchy, and he might move in to the handcuff spot if his usage continues in this fashion.

Updated hierarchy: Pressly | Montero | Abreu.

Cincinnati Reds – Alexis Diaz got the day off after throwing 32 pitches on Saturday, allowing Ian Gibaut to pick up his first save. Given Reiver Sanmartin’s early struggles, we’ll move Gibaut up.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Gibaut | Law.

San Francisco Giants – Camilo Doval got the day off after pitching two straight, allowing Tyler Rogers to pick up his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ta. Rogers | Brebbia.

Toronto Blue Jays – Tim Mayza picked up a 10th inning save, closing out a wild 12-11 victory over the Angels. The rest of the Toronto hierarchy had already appeared.

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Swanson | Cimber.

Seattle Mariners – Andres Munoz was placed on the IL with a right deltoid strain. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be serious, but this means that Paul Sewald will likely get the majority of save opportunities for the next couple weeks.

Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Brash | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jose Quijada/Jimmy Herget – Carlos Estevez has gone back to back.
2. Ron Marinaccio – Clay Holmes has gone back to back.
3. Chris Martin – Kenley Jansen threw 27 pitches yesterday and could get the day off.

Tomorrow
1. Brad Hand – If Pierce Johnson goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Colin Holderman – Same goes for David Bednar…
3. Matt Bush – …and Devin Williams…
4. Joe Jimenez – …and AJ Minter…
5. Will Smith – …and Jose Leclerc…
6. Dany Jimenez – …and Trevor May…
7. Rafael Montero – …and Ryan Pressly…
8. James Karinchak – …and Emmanuel Clase.

Aroldis Chapman vultures a save while Carl Edwards picks up a save for Washington

April 9, 2023

Kansas City Royals – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, Scott Barlow got the day off yesterday after pitching in two straight.  That left Aroldis Chapman for the save chance and he converted by pitching a perfect 9th inning with a pair of strikeouts.  Chapman has been great to start the season as he has worked four scoreless innings, including eight strikeouts and, more importantly, only one walk.  Scott Barlow has also been good in his first three appearances of the season so Chapman isn’t challenging him quite yet but if he can keep it up, he could work this into a committee.

Hierarchy remains: Barlow | Chapman | Coleman.

Washington Nationals – After a disastrous 9th inning on Tuesday, Kyle Finnegan has bounced back with two scoreless outings.  However, both of those were in non-save situations and after Anthony Banda turned a 7-2 Nationals 9th inning lead quickly to a 7-4 Nationals lead, it was Carl Edwards who came on for the save chance.  Edwards allowed a pair of hits and a pair of runs (one charged to Banda), but was able to close out the game for his first save of the season.  We aren’t ready to move Edwards to the top of the hierarchy but he is certainly in the mix for saves and will likely move to the top if he gets the next save chance.

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

New York Mets – David Robertson pitched a perfect 9th inning for his second save of the season.  Robertson has recorded both saves for the Mets so far and if he gets the next save, we will remove the asterisk.

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

Seattle Mariners — Paul Sewald got the call in the 9th inning last night with the Mariners protecting a one run lead.  He allowed a couple of base runners but was able to pitch a scoreless inning for his second save of the season.  After Anthony Muñoz picked up the Mariners’ first save of the season on opening day, Sewald has now received the last two save chances and converted both.  This is likely still a committee and Muñoz will see some save chances, but Sewald ended up with the most saves for the Mariners last season and it is trending that way again early on this season.

Hierarchy Remains: *Sewald | Muñoz | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – Clay Holmes picked up his second save of the season yesterday and has settled in after allowing two runs in his first outing of the season.  Set-up man Jonathan Loaisiga was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation and will not throw for at least a couple weeks.  Wandy Peralta pitched a scoreless 8th inning ahead of Clay Holmes last night and will join the hierarchy while Loasiga is out.

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Marinaccio | Peralta.

Minnesota Twins – After Jovani Moran made a mess of things in the 9th inning by allowing two runs to score and allowing two more runners to reach base, Jhoan Duran came on to close things out.  Duran struck out the only batter he faced to pick up his second save of the season.  Jorge Lopez struck out the side in the 7th inning to pick up his second hold of the season.  Lopez’s only save of the season came on a night when Duran was unavailable so it looks like Duran could be close to kicking the committee tag.

Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Caleb Thielbar – Jhoan Duran and Jorge Lopez have both pitched in two straight, though Duran only threw three pitches yesterday.
2. Andres Muñoz – Paul Sewald has pitched in two straight.
3. Erasmo Ramirez – Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards, and Hunter Harvey have all pitched in two straight.
4. Steven Wilson – Josh Hader and Luis Garcia have both pitched in two straight.
5. Taylor Rogers – Camilo Doval has pitched in two straight.

Monday
1. Ron Marinaccio – If Clay Holmes pitches today, it will be two straight.
2. Reiver Sanmartin/Derek Law – Alexis Diaz threw 32 pitches yesterday and if he pitches again today, he will get Monday off.