Davey Martinez names Kyle Finnegan as closer for Nationals with Tanner Rainey out

July 15, 2022

Washington Nationals — Manager Davey Martinez said Thursday that Kyle Finnegan is going to be “the guy” with Tanner Rainey on the 60-day IL. He adds that if Finnegan is unavailable, Carl Edwards Jr., Steve Cishek and Jordan Weems are all candidates for save chances. 

Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Edwards | Cishek.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Brusdar Graterol (right shoulder inflammation) on Thursday joined a growing list of Dodgers relievers on the IL. Look for Alex Vesia, who recently secured his first save, to get some more late-inning looks.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Phillips | Vesia.

Colorado Rockies – As an astute follower of the Vulture Save Watch, this is news you already know since he was in your lineup. But for those who didn’t heed the advice… Carlos Estevez pitched a scoreless ninth Thursday for his first save. Daniel Bard had gone in three of four, and Alex Colome battled hamstring cramps earlier this week and is day to day.

Hierarchy remains: Bard | Colome | Estevez.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Vulture Save Watch came up big here, too. Josh Hader got the night off Thursday and Devin Williams earned the save.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Williams | Boxberger.

Seattle Mariners — Score yet another one for the Vulture Save Watch. On Thursday, Diego Castillo secured his sixth save. Paul Sewald pitched twice on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Castillo | Muñoz.

Cincinnati Reds – Closer Hunter Strickland came into Thursday’s contest with the game tied (after Jeff Hoffman allowed a tying two-run shot) and allowed a walk and a hit-by-pitch before recording the last out of the eighth. He stayed in the game in the ninth inning and struck out Aaron Judge before he was pulled with the game still tied in favor of Reiver Sanmartin, who finished off the ninth but ran into trouble in the tenth inning, when he allowed a two-run homer with a three-run lead. Eventually, Dauri Moreta was called in to get the final two outs and secure his first save. Alexis Diaz had gone in three of the previous four, so he was apparently unavailable. Moreta (7.36 ERA) won’t typically factor into the late-inning plans for the Reds, even in this beleaguered bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Diaz | Hoffman.

Tampa Bay Rays — Jalen Beeks on Thursday became the eighth different Ray to record a save this season after Brooks Raley and Jason Adam pitched earlier in the game (Perhaps the record of 14 different save-getters is not necessarily safe?). Colin Poche had gone in three of five entering Thursday, so perhaps he was not available.

Hierarchy remains: *Poche | Adam | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Trevor Williams pitched three scoreless innings to end Thursday’s game to earn his first career save. He won’t factor into normal late-inning circumstances.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Ottavino | Lugo.

New York Yankees — Jonathan Loaisiga returned to action Thursday after a long layoff and did not look sharp, allowing three runs on four hits in the eighth inning to balloon his ERA to 8.31. It does not appear he’s ready for primetime work yet and won’t crack this hierarchy for the time being.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Eli Morgan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has gone in two straight and three of four.
2. Alex Vesia (LAD) – Craig Kimbrel and Evan Phillips have each pitched in two straight.
3. Dominic Leone (SF) – Camilo Doval threw 41 pitches Thursday and has gone in two in a row.
4. Anthony Bass (MIA) – Tanner Scott has gone in two straight and had a stretch of three in a row to end last week. He’s been busy.
5. A.J. Minter/Will Smith (ATL) – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight. A.J. Minter has gone in two of three and threw 20 pitches Thursday. Dylan Coleman (unvaccinated) cannot pitch in Toronto.
6. Alexis Diaz (CIN) – Hunter Strickland has gone in two straight.
7. Taylor Clarke (KC) – Scott Barlow has gone in three of four, including two appearances across Monday’s doubleheader.
8. Yerry de los Santos (PIT) – David Bednar and Wil Crowe have each gone in four of six. Bednar didn’t pitch Thursday so he could potentially be available Friday.

Saturday:
1. Alex Colome/Carlos Estevez (COL) – A Friday outing would be four of six for Daniel Bard.
2. Rafael Montero (HOU) – An outing Friday would be three of four for Ryan Pressly.
3. Michael King (NYY) – Same as above for Clay Holmes.
4. Devin Williams (MIL) – The above is also true for Josh Hader.
5. Diego Castillo (SEA) – Paul Sewald pitched twice on Wednesday and if he goes Friday, he could need rest Saturday.

Kenley Jansen expected to be activated today

July 13, 2022

Atlanta Braves — Kenley Jansen is expected to be activated today and should immediately return to the closer’s role. AJ Minter has collected the Braves’ last three saves, including one last night, and we’ll reward him with a few more hours at the top of this hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Smith | Matzek.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – After Cincinnati scored four runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead against the Yankees, Alexis Diaz came on in the bottom half of the frame to close out the contest for his third save of the season. After the game, manager David Bell said that they planned for Diaz to be their guy if the game was tied but that they didn’t want to get two guys up, which meant Diaz got the save opportunity instead of Hunter Strickland. Bell did have high praise for Diaz’s performance on Tuesday, and while the Reds’ manager plans to continue using Strickland in save situations for now, Diaz certainly showed that he has what it takes to be his team’s closer.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Diaz | Hoffman.

St. Louis Cardinals — Ryan Helsley was tasked with facing the 9-1-2 hitters in the eighth inning of a 7-5 game, which left the ninth to Giovanny Gallegos. After allowing a leadoff homer, Gallegos recovered to earn his 10th save of the season. We also have to give a tip of the cap to Packy Naughton, who entered the seventh inning of a one-run game and pulled off a Houdini.

Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos | Cabrera.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays – With the Rays leading Boston, 3-2, Tampa’s bullpen wheel landed on Brooks Raley for the ninth inning and he struck out two en route to earning his fifth save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Poche | Adam | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees — After a rare poor outing by Clay Holmes in last night’s ninth inning, the Yankees turned to Wandy Peralta to try and complete a Houdini and preserve a 3-2 win. Peralta came within a strike of doing so, but he gave up a two-run single that put the Reds ahead, 4-3. It is clear, however, that Peralta is ahead of Aroldis Chapman right now in this hierarchy. 

Updated hierarchy: Holmes | King | Peralta.

Boston Red Sox – Matt Strahm suffered a left wrist contusion during this embarrassing display of defense. He got an X-ray after the game and we’ll let you know if he ends up on the IL.

Hierarchy remains: Houck | Schreiber | Strahm.

Colorado Rockies – Alex Colome left last night’s game in the middle of the eighth inning with a hamstring cramp. The Rockies will know more today on the severity of Colome’s injury.

Hierarchy remains: Bard | Colome | Estevez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Tepera (LAA) – Raisel Iglesias threw 25 pitches last night.
2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – Edwin Diaz may get a second straight night off following three straight days of work.
3. Brock Burke (TEX) – Brett Martin and Dennis Santana have both pitched in two straight and four of five.
4. Diego Castillo/Kyle Finnegan (SEA/WAS) – The Mariners and National play a doubleheader today.

Tomorrow
1. Adam Cimber (TOR) – If Jordan Romano pitches today that will be two in a row.
2. Devin Williams/Brad Boxberger (MIL) – The same is true of Josh Hader and the entire Brewers hierarchy…
3. Michael King/Wandy Peralta (NYY) – …as well as Clay Holmes and the entire Yankees hierarchy.
4. Giovanny Gallegos/Genesis Cabrera (STL) – Ryan Helsley has pitched in three of four while Gallegos threw 23 pitches last night. Cabrera was off last night.
5. Wil Crowe/Yerry de los Santos (PIT) – David Bednar and Crowe have both pitched in three of four entering Wednesday.
6. Alex Colome/Carlos Estevez (COL) – If Daniel Bard pitches today that will be two straight and three of four.
7. Michael Fulmer/Andrew Chafin (DET) – The same is true of both Gregory Soto and Fulmer.

Craig Kimbrel struggles and Alex Vesia bails him out for save

July 8, 2022

Los Angeles Dodgers – Craig Kimbrel had a tough outing in the ninth on Thursday, allowing a run on a double. He also threw a wild pitch and allowed a walk. He recorded two outs before being pulled for Alex Vesia, who struck out the final batter for his first save. Kimbrel had a recent injury scare so it’s possible it affected his performance. Though, it’s also worth noting Kimbrel can be wild, at times. The situation is worth keeping an eye on. On a side note, Brusdar Graterol left Thursday’s game with right side soreness. We’ll keep an eye on that as well!

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Graterol | Phillips.

St. Louis Cardinals — Giovanny Gallegos pitched the seventh inning on Thursday, allowing a run. Ryan Helsley then was called upon to get the last out of the eighth inning, all the outs in the ninth inning and all of them in the tenth inning. He needed 26 pitches across 2.1 innings. He didn’t allow an earned run, but a ghost runner scored on him in the tenth inning to tie things up again. St. Louis then took another lead and manager Oliver Marmol turned to Packy Naughton, who converted for his first save.

Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – If you are a loyal reader who takes full advantage of the Vulture Save Watch, you potentially picked up Jeff Hoffman for Thursday’s action. As it turns out, Hoffman started a bullpen game for the Reds in Game 2 of a doubleheader and gave you 1.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts. He didn’t get a save, of course, but you’ll take the ratio help! You’re welcome.

Hierarchy remains: Strickland | Hoffman | Kuhnel.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Felix Bautista (BAL) – Jorge Lopez has gone in two in a row, three of four and five of seven.
2. Joe Mantiply (ARI) – Mark Melancon has gone in three of four.
3. Alex Colome (COL) – Daniel Bard has gone in two straight and three of five.
4. Brusdar Graterol/Evan Phillips (LAD) – Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight and Brusdar Graterol could potentially be unavailable after he was lifted from Thursday’s game with right side soreness.

Saturday:
1. Luis Garcia (SD) – A Friday outing would be four of six for Taylor Rogers.
2. Dylan Coleman (KC) – Same as above for Scott Barlow.
3. Kyle Finnegan (WAS) – Ditto for Tanner Rainey.
4. Jeff Hoffman (CIN) – It’s also true for Hunter Strickland.
5. Wil Crowe (PIT) – A Friday appearance would be three of four for David Bednar.
6. Dominic Leone (SF) – Same as above for Camilo Doval.
7. Kendall Graveman (CWS) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of five for Liam Hendriks.
8. Adam Cimber (TOR) – Same as above for Jordan Romano.
9. Rowan Wick (CHC) – The three-of-five workload would also be true for David Robertson if he goes Friday.

Hunter Strickland and Alexis Diaz may close with Tony Santillan injured

June 17, 2022

Cincinnati Reds — Tony Santillan was placed on the injured list with a back issue. In his absence, the Reds’ closer committee will comprise Hunter Strickland, Alexis Diaz, and Joel Kuhnel — each of whom has a save this week. In other news, former closer Lucas Sims was placed on the 60-day IL.

Updated hierarchy: *Strickland | Diaz | Kuhnel.
* = closer-by-committee

Kendall Graveman to close for White Sox after Liam Hendriks hits IL

June 15, 2022

Chicago White Sox – We alerted you yesterday that Liam Hendriks will need an IL stint thanks to a right forearm strain; no word yet on the severity. Kendall Graveman will close in his absence. We’ll also welcome Joe Kelly to the hierarchy. He was activated from the IL on Tuesday and protected a 5-1 lead with a perfect eighth inning against the Tigers’ 4-5-6 hitters. After the game, Tony La Russa expressed confidence in using Kelly in any situation. 

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Ruiz | Kelly.

Philadelphia Phillies – Corey Knebel’s struggles continued on Tuesday night, as he blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning thanks to a less-than-encouraging performance. Knebel was a candidate for the IL over the weekend and he has a good chance of landing there later today. 

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Dominguez | Hand.

St. Louis Cardinals — With one out in the eighth and the 2-3-4 hitters due up, the Cardinals turned to Ryan Helsley to protect a 3-1 lead. Helsley walked the first batter he faced but struck out the next two. That allowed Giovanny Gallegos to close out the win in the ninth. Helsley is still the favorite for saves, but Tuesday’s usage shows that manager Oliver Marmol is willing to use Helsley in the highest leverage situation no matter what inning it is.

Hierarchy remains: *Helsley | Gallegos | Cabrera.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – The third time was the charm for the Reds bullpen, as they held the lead in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings. Alexis Diaz was the first reliever out of the ‘pen, but he allowed the ghost runner to score. Luis Cessa got a two-run lead to protect in the 11th, but a couple wild pitches helped him blow a 3-1 lead. Finally, in the 12th, Joel Kuhnel needed just five pitches to protect a 5-3 lead and earn his first MLB save. We keep saying that this bullpen is “extremely fluid,” and that remains true. Alexis Diaz probably has the best stuff of all the Reds’ late-inning options and has now had two clear save chances over the last three games, so we’ll welcome him back to the hierarchy after a brief hiatus.

Updated hierarchy: *Santillan | Strickland | Diaz.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – Tyler Kinley is on the IL with an elbow injury and unfortunately the prognosis isn’t good, with Tommy John surgery a possibility. We’ll add Carlos Estevez back to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Colome | Estevez.

Atlanta Braves – Jackson Stephens earned his second three-inning save of the season on Tuesday night in a 10-4 victory over Washington.

Hierarchy Remains: Jansen | Smith | Minter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Daniel Hudson (LAD) – Craig Kimbrel threw 27 pitches last night.
2. Jake McGee (SF) – Camilo Doval has gone in two straight, including a 22-pitch outing last night.
3. Felix Bautista (BAL) – Jorge Lopez earned a five-out save on Tuesday so he may need today off, though he only threw 17 pitches last night.
4. Brad Hand (PHI) – We’re expecting Corey Knebel to be placed on the IL and Seranthony Dominguez has pitched in two straight.

Tomorrow
1. Eli Morgan/Trevor Stephan (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase pitches today that will be two straight and three of four. Eli Morgan should get today off after a 24-pitch Tuesday, but if he appears on Wednesday then Trevor Stephan may get a chance on Thursday.
2. Alex Colome/Carlos Estevez (COL) – If Daniel Bard pitches today that will be two straight and four of five. An appearance for Alex Colome today will be two straight for him as well.