Chris Sale, Steve Cishek to close; Huston Street ailing

Philadelphia Phillies – Jose Contreras has struggled since returning from the disabled list, and was used early in the game on Friday.  Antonio Bastardo was called on in the 7th, and he pitched a clean inning.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Contreras.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Bastardo |Papelbon |5/5/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vicente Padilla was unable to hold a 1-run lead in the 7th inning on Friday, and now as an 8.38 ERA.  Matt Albers (2 ER in 14 IPs) came on and preserved a tie game in the 8th and the 9th inning.  Hierarchy change: Matt Albers to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Albers |Bailey |4/29/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Colorado Rockies – Matt Belisle pitched a clean 7th inning on Friday, preserving a tie game for the Rockies; Edgmer Escalona took the loss in extras.  Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, replacing Edgmer Escalona. 

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

 
Baltimore Orioles – Luis Ayala pitched two innings in a tie game Friday, and has now gone 13 innings without allowing a run this season.  He’s surpassed Matt Lindstrom on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Luis Ayala to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Ayala |Johnson |5/5/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays – Joel Peralta recorded a one-out save on Friday.  As noted in the vulture save watch, Fernando Rodney had been used a lot lately, so he was given a night off.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Howell |Farnsworth |5/5/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell just blew his 4th save in 7 chances, prompting manager Ozzie Guillen to say after the game that he had do something about the closer role, and that he couldn’t wait around any longer.  Steve Cishek has out-pitched Edward Mujica so far this season, and is in line to inherit the job.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Mujica |Bell |Bell |5/5/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale has been moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen and will immediately take over as closer.  Chris Sale experienced elbow soreness after his last start and the White Sox decided a move to the bullpen would be better for his health.  Sale will be given a few days off and will start closing on Monday in Cleveland.  Hierarchy change: Chris Sale to Closer, Hector Santiago to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Sale |Santiago |Thornton |Sale |5/5/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1.  Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres – Huston Street left Friday’s game early and was diagnosed with a posterior shoulder strain.  He said the injury was minor– earlier this season, a similar injury pulled Nick Blackburn out of a game, but he didn’t miss a start– but Street, who will have an MRI today, will probably be given at least a day or two off.
2. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek appears to be the man for the Marlins now that Ozzie Guillen is finally pulling the plug on Heath Bell, but Cishek threw 51 pitches yesterday in a 3-inning effort.  Edward Mujica could see the save opportunity tonight.
3. Hector Santiago/Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale is the new closer in for the White Sox, but he won’t be called upon until Monday.  Hector Santiago or Matt Thornton will get 9th inning chances until then.
4. James Russell/Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs – New closer Rafael Dolis has pitched on three consecutive days, so Dale Sveum will likely play the match-ups to determine his 9th inning man tonight.
5. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez has pitched on three consecutive nights.
6. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched on three consecutive nights.
7. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves threw 38 pitches in a 2.2 inning outing on Friday.

Javy Guerra has another poor outing, Vincente Padilla moving up in Boston pen

April 29, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Josh Lindblom pitched the 8th last night and has been used recently in close game situations in the later innings.  Scott Elbert started the 9th because there were two lefties up and it looks like he will be used more as a situational lefty.  Ultimately Javy Guerra came on and gave up the go ahead runs.  No closer change yet but it will be interesting to see who gets called on for the next save opportunity.  Hierarchy change: Josh Lindblom to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Elbert. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Lindblom |Guerra |4/29/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vincente Padilla came on to record the last out in the 8th with a 1 run lead last night.  He has had a couple good appearances since his 5 run meltdown and has re-established himself as a late innings option for the Red Sox.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line, replacing Junichi Tazawa.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Padilla |Bailey |4/29/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers  – Javy Guerra threw 22 pitches giving up the go ahead runs last night and Mattingly may want to give his a closer a mental break on Sunday.  Mattingly also may be finally ready to make the move from Guerra to Jansen.  Either way there is a pretty good chance that Jansen is brought on for the save if there is an opportunity.

Jim Johnson still hospitalized; Heath Bell blows yet another save

April 27, 2012

Miami Marlins — Another day, another debacle for big-ticket closer Heath Bell, who blew his third save in five chances with a 46-pitch, four-walk nightmare on Thursday. After the game, Ozzie Guillen gave Bell a vote of confidence as the  Miami closer; it seems the Marlins have 27 million reasons to stay the course.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |3/20/12

 
Baltimore Orioles — With Jim Johnson hospitalized all week with a mystery illness, the Orioles have had to turn elsewhere in the ninth during their last three games. After two straight saves for Pedro Strop, Thursday was Luis Ayala’s turn.  Manager Buck Showalter says Johnson could be released from the hospital Friday “if he can hold the food down.” No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa picked up a three-inning save in last night’s blowout win over the White Sox. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins — Ozzie Guillen promised to give Heath Bell the day off on Friday, so if the Marlins need a save, they’ll likely turn to set-up man Mujica.
2. Aroldis Chapman,  Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall blew his first save of the year on Thursday, and also pitched for the second straight day. Watch for Chapman to get the call in the ninth on Friday, if need be.
3. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres —  Huston Street has pitched two days in a row, albeit in fairly short outings. There’s a chance he might get Friday off.

Greg Holland to the DL; Cordero earns save for Blue Jays

April 23, 2012

Boston Red Sox – After Daniel Bard’s turn in the rotation was rained out on Sunday night, Bobby Valentine announced he will use Bard to bolster the back end of the team’s bullpen — but also vowed that Bard will still make his next scheduled start on Friday. Another debacle like Saturday’s, however, and Bard might wrest the closer job from Alfredo Aceves. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12

 
Kansas City Royals- Greg Holland was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a “stress reaction” in his ribs. Although the ensuing bone scan showed no fracture, he might be three weeks away from returning to the Royals pen. Lefty José Mijares will likely move to 2nd in line, but young fireballer Jeremy Jeffress could move up quickly if he can harness his stuff. Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, José Mijares to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Mijares |Broxton |4/23/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |

  
Toronto Blue Jays- With Sergio Santos on the DL, new closer Francisco Cordero picked up a somewhat rocky save in his first day on the job. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Janssen |Frasor |Santos |4/23/12 |Santos (DL) |

  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Janssen or Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays– Francisco Cordero has pitched in two of the last three games, and if the Blue Jays want to limit his workload, another pitcher might get a shot to close on Monday.

Frank Francisco struggling; Junichi Tazawa ascending

April 22, 2012

New York Mets – Frank Francisco has given up 6 runs in his last three appearances, and his ERA has ballooned to 8.53.  Jon Rauch had to bail him out last night after he blew a save chance, and will be first in line for saves if Francisco continues to struggle.  Frank Francisco to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Batista |Francisco |4/22/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Junichi Tazawa was the only member of the Red Sox bullpen who was able to get anyone out on Saturday, throwing a clean 1.1 innings.  Vicente Padilla gave up 5 runs while only recording one out.  Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched on three consecutive days, and in four of the last five.