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.

Evan Phillips, Pierce Johnson get saves and might be on verge of full-time closer gigs

April 7, 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers – In two of the past three days, Evan Phillips has picked up two clean saves and is another consecutive one away from kicking the asterisk, though it should be noted Brusdar Graterol was not available Thursday due to back tightness. With Graterol ailing and Daniel Hudson slow to recover from knee surgery, Phillips could grab hold of the job and keep it for a long, long time for one of the best teams in baseball.

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

Colorado Rockies — Pierce Johnson has the first two saves for the Rockies this season, including one Thursday night against the Nationals. Another save for Johnson could lead us to drop the asterisk here, too, at least until Daniel Bard, who is working on his mechanics during side sessions but is not yet ready for game action, returns.

Hierarchy remains: *Johnson | Hand | Lamet.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Collin McHugh was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Nick Anderson (3.2 IP, 6 Ks and a hold) has looked impressive so we’ll give him a chance in the hierarchy. Jesse Chavez and Kirby Yates also loom. Meanwhile, Raisel Iglesias has not resumed throwing yet, so AJ Minter, who got the win Thursday, should continue to gobble up save chances.

Updated hierarchy: Minter | Jimenez | Anderson.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Vulture Save Watch correctly projected an off day Thursday for Jordan Romano, but it was Adam Cimber, not Yimi Garcia, who scored the save. Garcia had the last two outs of the eighth, leaving Cimber to pitch a 1-2-3 ninth. We’ll move Cimber into our hierarchy given this usage.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Swanson | Cimber

Chicago White Sox — Congratulations are due for Liam Hendriks, who finished his final round of chemo earlier this week! He was only placed on the 15-day IL to start the year – not the 60-day IL. This suggests he could return sooner than June. Stay tuned!

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

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joe Jimenez (ATL) – AJ Minter has pitched in three of four.
2. Alex Vesia (LAD) – Evan Phillips has gone in three of five. Plus, Brusdar Graterol is currently nursing a tight back.

Saturday:
1. Brad Hand (COL) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Pierce Johnson.
2. Erik Swanson (TOR) – Same as above for Jordan Romano.

Jose Quijada grabs a save for the Angels

April 6, 2023

Los Angeles Angels — Jose Quijada is getting late-inning high-leverage work over Ryan Tepera and has moved into the Angel hierarchy as a result. On Wednesday, Carlos Estevez got an extra day of rest, with manager Phil Nevin trying to avoid overusing his top arms in the early season, and Quijada actually picked up the save.

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

Pittsburgh Pirates — David Bednar and Colin Holderman needed some rest after going in two straight games, so the Pirates used Rob Zastryzny and Duane Underwood Jr. with a late-inning lead. At least Underwood and Dauri Moreta appear to be ahead of Wil Crowe at this point in the season.

Updated hierarchy: Bednar | Holderman | Underwood.

Atlanta Braves — Protecting a four-run lead in the ninth, Collin McHugh gave up several consecutive hard-hit balls, surrendering a run and leading the Braves to call on 39-year-old Jesse Chavez for a one-out save.

Hierarchy remains: Minter | Jimenez | McHugh.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Yimi Garcia (TOR) — Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson have gone in two straight.

Friday:
1. Joe Jimenez (ATL) — If AJ Minter pitches Thursday, it will be three days in four.
2. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan threw 24 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Brad Hand (COL) — Pierce Johnson threw 28 pitches on Tuesday.

Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber to lead Red Sox committee while Tanner Houck is on IL

August 10, 2022

Boston Red Sox – As we alerted you yesterday, Tanner Houck was placed on the 15-day IL due to lower back inflammation. Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber are the only Red Sox relievers worth owning while Houck is on the IL, but if you enjoy being disappointed, you can pick up Hirokazu Sawamura, Austin Davis or Ryan Brasier.

Updated hierarchy: *Whitlock | Schreiber | Sawamura.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — David Robertson pitched a perfect eighth inning against the Marlins’ 4-5-6 hitters, which allowed Seranthony Dominguez to secure a five-pitch save in the ninth. This will remain a committee until further notice. Meanwhile, Jose Alvarado struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning for his second hold in a week. He seems to be the preferred late-inning lefty in Philadelphia, as Brad Hand hasn’t recorded a hold since July 15. 

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Dominguez | Alvarado.
* = closer-by-committee

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers had yesterday off, which made Devin Williams’ absence from Tuesday’s ninth inning a bit suspicious. Milwaukee instead turned to Matt Bush for the save, and he tossed a perfect frame for his first save with the Brewers. After the game, manager Craig Counsell explained that Williams needed an extra day of rest to recover from last week’s heavy workload. In addition, Counsell said that Taylor Rogers got a cortisone shot in his knee over the weekend, which meant he was also unable to pitch on Tuesday.

Hierarchy remains: Williams | Boxberger | Rogers.

Kansas City Royals – The Royals needed to use Scott Barlow to get out of an eighth-inning jam in game one of a doubleheader, so after Barlow protected their 4-1 lead, Dylan Coleman got the ball in the ninth. Coleman struggled, however, allowing two hits, giving up an RBI sac fly and hitting a batter. Jose Cuas, recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday when Taylor Clarke landed on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain, recorded the final two outs for his first MLB save. We’ll move Coleman into Clarke’s spot on the hierarchy for now, though if Cuas gets another high-leverage look, he could quickly replace Coleman.

Updated hierarchy: Barlow | Staumont | Coleman.

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks committee kept rolling on Tuesday, as Mark Melancon secured his second save in three days. Ian Kennedy had pitched in three of four while Joe Mantiply had appeared in three straight.

Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Melancon | Mantiply.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals — Davey Martinez needed to use Kyle Finnegan in the seventh inning to try and protect a two-run lead with two on and nobody out. While Finnegan did give up the lead, he earned the win when Washington regained its advantage and Carl Edwards Jr. closed the door in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.

Atlanta Braves – After the entire Atlanta hierarchy had already pitched, Tyler Matzek threw a perfect 11th inning to close out a 9-7 victory.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Iglesias | Minter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Luis Garcia (SD) – Josh Hader blew his first save chance with the Padres, throwing an inexplicable 37(!!) pitches last night after tossing 21 pitches on Monday.
2. Dillon Tate (BAL) – Felix Bautista has gone back-to-back.
3. John Schreiber (BOS) – Garrett Whitlock threw 26 pitches over two innings last night.
4. Wandy Peralta (NYY) – Clay Holmes has gone in two straight, throwing 37 pitches in that span.

Tomorrow
1. Rafael Montero/Hector Neris (HOU) – If Ryan Pressly pitches today, that will be two straight, though the same is also true of Montero and Neris.
2. Kendall Graveman/Jake Diekman (CHW) – An appearance today will also be two straight for Liam Hendriks and the rest of the White Sox hierarchy.
3. Emmanuel Clase (CLE) – Clase came in Tuesday for a three-pitch save, but if he appears today then that will be two straight and four of five.
4. John Schreiber/Hirokazu Sawamura (BOS) – Alex Cora likes to give Garrett Whitlock two days off after he throws multiple innings, while Schreiber will have gone in two straight and three of four if he appears today.
5. Josh Staumont/Dylan Coleman (KC) – If Scott Barlow pitches today that will be two straight and three of four. It’ll also be two in a row for Staumont and Coleman.

Recapping a busy day of trades and back injuries

August 3, 2022

Pittsburgh Pirates – David Bednar hasn’t pitched since Friday, his only appearance since a July 24 outing, which made it a bit surprising that it was Wil Crowe who got the ninth inning on Tuesday. Crowe converted his third save of the year and after the game manager Derek Shelton said that Bednar’s lower back was bothering him again. Shelton added that they’ll determine whether or not he’ll need an IL stint in the next day or two. Expect Crowe to be the first option for saves if Bednar does indeed land on the IL.

Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Crowe | de los Santos.

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles traded closer Jorge Lopez to the Twins on Tuesday. Brandon Hyde said that Felix Bautista, Dillon Tate and Cionel Perez are candidates to close depending on matchups. We’ll put an asterisk here for now based on Hyde’s comments, but Bautista should be the clear favorite for save chances most nights.

Updated hierarchy: *Bautista | Tate | Perez.

Minnesota Twins – It was a busy day for the Twins, as they added Baltimore closer Jorge Lopez and Detroit setup man Michael Fulmer. Manager Rocco Baldelli said that he expects Lopez to pitch “a fair amount in the ninth inning.” We expect Lopez to get the bulk of save chances, but that Jhoan Duran and Fulmer will be in the mix as well depending on matchups.

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

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies upgraded their bullpen by adding Cubs closer David Robertson on Tuesday. We expect Robertson to be the leader for saves in Philadelphia, but apparently Seranthony Dominguez and Brad Hand will still get plenty of save opportunities while Robertson “figures into the late-inning mix.” You don’t say.

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Dominguez | Hand.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs traded both David Robertson and Mychal Givens on Tuesday, leaving Rowan Wick as the man for the ninth inning. 

Updated hierarchy: Wick | Hughes | Uelman.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves added depth to their bullpen by trading for Angels closer Raisel Iglesias on Tuesday. Manager Brian Snitker said that Kenley Jansen will remain as the team’s primary closer and that Iglesias will be the “secondary closer.” 

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Iglesias | Minter.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels dealt Raisel Iglesias and his multi-year deal to Atlanta on Tuesday. The first save chance in the post-Iglesias era went to lefty Jose Quijada, who tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his third MLB save (and second this season). Manager Phil Nevin said before the game that Quijada, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup would be his three options to pitch the ninth going forward. The A’s had two lefties due up in the ninth last night, so Quijada’s usage makes sense. We’ll leave Tepera at the top of this committee for now and see how Nevin deploys his relievers in other situations.

Updated hierarchy: *Tepera | Quijada | Loup.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays added a familiar face to their roster when they traded for Anthony Bass, who pitched for the club in 2020 when they were based in Buffalo. We expect Bass to be one of the main setup men for closer Jordan Romano.

Updated hierarchy: Romano | Bass | Garcia.

Miami Marlins – The Marlins traded Anthony Bass traded to Toronto, but they did also add to their bullpen on Tuesday with the return of Anthony Bender from the IL. Pitching for the first time since May 18, Bender was sharp last night, striking out two in a perfect eighth inning. We’ll slot Bender into Bass’ spot in the hierarchy for now.

Updated hierarchy: Scott | Bender | Floro.

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers traded setup man Michael Fulmer to Minnesota and then proceeded to defeat the Twins later that night. After Andrew Chafin tossed a perfect seventh inning, Joe Jimenez took Fulmer’s usual eighth-inning role, pitching a scoreless frame ahead of Gregory Soto.

Updated hierarchy: Soto | Jimenez | Chafin.

Seattle Mariners — The Mariners deployed Paul Sewald in the seventh inning to face the top of the Yankees’ order and protect a 7-6 lead. Sewald was perfect with two strikeouts, which paved the way for Andres Munoz to pitch the ninth. After he struck out the first two hitters he faced, the Yankees were able to load the bases, but Munoz battled back with a strikeout to end the game and earn the save.

Updated hierarchy: *Sewald | Munoz | Swanson.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – A night after Hunter Strickland secured a save, it was Alexis Diaz’s turn to close out a Reds win. Expect Cincinnati to continue to utilize both Strickland and Diaz in the ninth inning, though Diaz has more long-term upside.

Hierarchy remains: *Strickland | Diaz | Sanmartin.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – The Yankees acquired A’s closer Lou Trivino and Cubs’ setup man Scott Effross at the deadline. Both additions made their Yankee debuts on Tuesday; we’ll slot Effross into the hierarchy for now and see if he can continue his strong rookie campaign.

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | Peralta | Effross.

New York Mets – The Mets traded for Mychal Givens on Tuesday and are expected to activate Trevor May from the IL later today, giving their bullpen some more depth heading into the stretch run. We’ll see how Buck Showalter, who managed Givens in Baltimore, deploys Givens, May and Seth Lugo going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Ian Kennedy struck out all three batters he faced to earn his fifth save of the season. Hopefully you read yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch!

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Kennedy | Mantiply.

Heaven – The Celestials added one of the all time greats when Vin Scully passed away at the age of 94 yesterday. The best to ever do it, and maybe the best there ever will be. Rest in Peace Vin Scully, we were glad to spend a part of so many days with you. 

Updated hierarchy: Scully | Caray | Harwell.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andres Munoz/Matt Festa (SEA) — Paul Sewald and Erik Swanson have both pitched in three of four and Munoz threw 25 pitches last night, which could open the door for Matt Festa to steal a save opp. 
2. Garrett Whitlock (BOS) — Tanner Houck has thrown back-to-back and a combined 35 pitches. 
3. Joe Jimenez/Andrew Chafin (DET) — Gregory Soto is still a Tiger, but he has pitched back to back and thrown 43 pitches over that span. Jimenez has gone back-to-back as well, but kept his pitch count low.
4. Wil Crowe (PIT) — As mentioned at the top, David Bednar has a sore back and may end up on the IL.

Tomorrow
1. Anthony Bass/Yimi Garcia (TOR) — Today would be two straight and four of five for Jordan Romano, although he has kept his pitch counts low.