Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard share closer role in Washington; JJ Putz to Hot Seat

May 23, 2012

Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson said before Tuesday’s game that he was moving Henry Rodriguez to a “less demanding” role, and that he’d use a closer-by-committee for the 9th inning.  Johnson said he was going to keep Tyler Clippard as his high-leverage set-up guy, but Johnson ended up giving the first save opportunity to the righty, who expressed a strong desire to close before the game.  ”I want it bad,” he said.  With two saves in the past week and a little experience in the role last year, Sean Burnett (0.71 ERA) still has the inside track to get the most opportunities, and Craig Stammen could also in the mix.  But the next save opportunity will be key; if Clippard is the 9th-inning man again, then it’s probable that Johnson has taken his words to heart, and the long-time set-up man could be the new closer going forward.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to Closer, Tyler Clippard to Set-up, Craig Stammen to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Burnett |Clippard |Stammen |Storen |5/23/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers, who closed for a short time last year but has struggled throughout 2012, was sent to the minors on Tuesday.  Matt Belisle (2.86 ERA, 17 Ks/2 BBs) is the most likely candidate for 8th inning work.  Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to Set-up, Matt Reynolds to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Reynolds |Betancourt |5/23/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz blew his third save of the season on Tuesday, raising his ERA to an ugly 7.20.  David Hernandez (2.25 ERA, 29 Ks in 20 IPs) proved to be a solid fill-in closer last year and would get the first chance to close if the D’Backs look elsewhere.  JJ Putz to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |5/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard/Craig Stammen, Washington Nationals – As noted above, Sean Burnett is the favorite to get the most opportunities in Washington’s closer by committee, but Tyler Clippard or Craig Stammen could snag a save on any night.
2. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched three days in a row, and in four of the last five.
3. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz blew a save in a 26-pitch outing on Tuesday.  While he won’t lose the job yet, he could get the day off today.
4. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Over the past two days, Santiago Casilla has thrown 3 innings and 43 pitches and could get the night off.

Chad Qualls, Jason Grilli gaining fantasy value

April 16, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Mark Melancon, sporting a 22.50 ERA so far this year, has fallen out of favor in the Red Sox bullpen.  Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla both pitched well in bridging the gap to Alfredo Aceves on Sunday, and are now both ahead of Melancon on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Melancon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Padilla |Bailey |4/16/12

 
Philadelphia Phillies – Protecting a 1-run lead in the 8th inning on Sunday, the Phillies went to Chad Qualls over Antonio Bastardo.  Philadelphia also used Qualls to protect a 2-run lead in the 8th in their last win, on Thursday.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Bastardo |Papelbon |4/16/12 |Contrera(DL)|

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched the 8th inning in four of the last six games for the Pirates.  Grilli has surpassed Evan Meek, who struggled during spring training, on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Evan Meek to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Meek |Hanrahan |4/16/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz was given the day off on Sunday– Bryan Shaw got the save in his place– after giving up a walk-off 2-run HR to the Rockies on Saturday.  But Saturday was Putz’s first blown save of the year and his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |4/16/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez have both pitched several times since the Nats’ last save opportunity, but it’s still Rodriguez’s turn should one arise.
2. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched on back to back days and might get Marathon Monday off.

Drew Storen out until All Star break; Scott Downs injured

April 13, 2012

Los Angeles Angels- Set-up man Scott Downs suffered a gruesome ankle injury on Thursday, and was seen on crutches after the game.  The Angels have yet to determine whether to place him on the DL, but he’ll likely miss some action.  In the mean time, the Angels could look to Jason Isringhausen, who is spotless in three outings so far this year and has surpassed LaTroy Hawkins on the depth chart, to close games on nights that Jordan Walden is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Jason Isringhausen to Set-up, replacing Scott Downs.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Walden |Isringhausen|Hawkins |Walden |4/13/12 |Downs(INJ) |

 
Detroit Tigers- Phil Coke was the last of several relievers used by the Tigers to bridge the gap to 8th inning man Joaquin Benoit yesterday, and he’s been used 3 times in the 8th inning in pressure spots, pitching to both righties and lefties.  Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to 2nd in line, replacing Octavio Dotel.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |4/13/12

 
Washington Nationals- Drew Storen underwent surgery earlier this week and will be out until the All Star break, with Davey Johnson indicating that he would continue to alternate between Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez.  Lidge, however, blew the save Thursday; another bad outing for him could mean Rodriguez wins the full-time job.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/13/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
Arizona Diamondbacks- Bryan Shaw pitched the 8th inning in front of JJ Putz yesterday, and, in Takashi Saito’s absence, has established himself as the go-to set-up man when David Hernandez is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Brian Shaw to 2nd in line, replacing Takashi Saito.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |4/13/12

 
Texas Rangers- Mike Adams, yesterday’s #1 candidate for a vulture save, filled in yesterday for Joe Nathan, who had the night off.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ogando |Nathan |4/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals- It’s Rodriguez’s turn for a save opp in Davey Johnson’s back-and-forth rotation between he and Brad Lidge.  Rodriguez should be owned in all leagues at this point.
2. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers- Jose Valverde has pitched on three consecutive nights and will almost certainly get the day off on Friday.
3. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers- Javy Guerra has also pitched three consecutive nights, so the Dodgers will look to Jansen for any save chances.
4. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins- Matt Capps has pitched on two consecutive nights, and in three of the last four.
5. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants- Brian Wilson has pitched on two consecutive nights, throwing a total of 56 pitches.

New closer in TB; Red Sox bullpen a mess

Boston Red Sox- Alfredo Aceves and Mark Melancon both blew save chances in Sunday’s Red Sox game, with manager Bobby Valentine saying after the game that there were lots of options on the table, including possibly bringing Daniel Bard back to the bullpen.  Franklin Morales, who had a strong outing Sunday, could also be a candidate to close.  Hierarchy change: Franklin Morales to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Melancon |Morales |Bailey |4/9/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks- Bryan Shaw picked up the save on Sunday, as JJ Putz had pitched two consecutive days prior.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Saito |Putz |4/9/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Fernando Rodney closed out Sunday’s game against the Yankees, notching his second save in as many days.  It seems that Joel Peralta’s leash was at short as it could be, as Rodney will close until Kyle Farnsworth returns from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodney to Closer, Joel Peralta to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |4/9/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Kerry Wood- Carlos Marmol has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Vinnie Pestano/Rafael Perez- Chris Perez has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.  So, too, has Pestano, however, so Rafael Perez is also a candidate for a vulture save opp.
Jon Rauch- Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Greg Holland- Jonathon Broxton has pitched two days in a row.

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