Kevin Ginkel grabs a save

July 19, 2023

Arizona Diamondbacks — With Andrew Chafin on the paternity list and Miguel Castro having faced the 9-1-2 hitters in the eighth, Kevin Ginkel got the ball in the ninth with the Diamondbacks leading Atlanta, 16-13. Ginkel struck out the side to earn his first save of the season. The struggling Scott McGough got a second straight day off after back-to-back rough outings in Toronto in which he combined for 49 pitches. It’s looking more and more like Arizona will be moving back to a committee approach, and it will be interesting to see how McGough is used, if at all, if the Diamondbacks have a late-inning lead tonight.

Hierarchy remains: McGough | Chafin | Castro.

Texas Rangers – Will Smith needed just 10 pitches to complete a 1-2-3 ninth inning and secure the save in Tuesday’s win over the Rays. Aroldis Chapman did not pitch, having gone in three of four, but could very well see a save chance today as Smith has now appeared in three of four.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Chapman | Burke.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — With Genesis Cabrera designated for assignment, we welcome Chris Stratton to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Hicks | Gallegos | Stratton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Aroldis Chapman (TEX) – As noted above, Will Smith has gone in three of four.
2. Matt Moore (LAA) – Same for Carlos Estevez, though he only threw eight pitches last night.
3. Taylor Clarke (KC) – Scott Barlow threw 34 pitches last night.
4. Dylan Floro/Huascar Brazoban (MIA) – A.J. Puk has gone in two straight while Floro may need a second day of rest after throwing 30 pitches on Monday.
5. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – David Robertson has gone in two of three, including a 22-pitch save last night.
6. Gregory Soto/Jeff Hoffman (PHI) – Both Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto have gone in two of three.
7. Chris Stratton (STL) – Both Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos have gone in two straight.
8. Tyler Rogers (SF) – Camilo Doval has gone in two straight and four of five. Rogers, who was coming off pitching two straight and three of four, was one of the only Giants relievers to get a day off yesterday.

Tomorrow
1. Taylor Clarke/Carlos Hernandez (KC) – Scott Barlow may need two days off. If Clarke pitches today, that’ll be three of four for him. Hernandez should be off today after pitching two in a row but may be in line to steal a save on Thursday.
2. Kirby Yates/Joe Jimenez (ATL) – If any of the Braves’ hierarchy pitches today it’ll be two straight.
3. Gregory Soto/Jeff Hoffman (PHI) – If either Craig Kimbrel or Soto goes today it’ll be two straight and four of five.
4. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) – Should Adbert Alzolay pitch today that’ll be two in a row.

Daniel Hudson hits the IL

July 7, 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers — It was another good news/bad news day for the Dodgers’ bullpen on Thursday. The bad news is that Daniel Hudson, who earned his first save in 392 days on Wednesday, landed on the IL with an MCL sprain on his right knee. Hudson is expected to miss at least 1-2 months, if not longer. The good news is that Brusdar Graterol, who was expected to end up on the IL yesterday, avoided that and looked sharp in an efficient eighth-inning hold. With Evan Phillips still unavailable, that left the save to Alex Vesia, who was recalled from Triple-A that afternoon. Vesia looked sharp as well, earning his first save in nearly a year. Caleb Ferguson, who desperately needed a day off after three straight outings, returns to the hierarchy following the Hudson injury, but we’ll keep an eye on Vesia to see if he continues to get high-leverage looks even when the Dodgers have their full complement of relievers available.

Updated hierarchy: *Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays recorded two saves on Thursday, but none came from a member of their hierarchy. After Jordan Romano blew a save in game one of the doubleheader, Yimi Garcia got the final two outs of the 11th inning to preserve a 6-2 win. In the nightcap, Nate Pearson was the last reliever standing to earn his first MLB save.

Hierarchy remains: Romano | Swanson | Mayza.

Milwaukee Brewers — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Joel Payamps protected a 6-5 lead for his third save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Williams | Payamps | Peguero.

Chicago White Sox – Joe Kelly landed on the IL with right elbow inflammation, which means Reynaldo Lopez has returned to the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Graveman | Kelly | Lopez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Genesis Cabrera (STL) — Both Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos have gone back-to-back days.
2. Nick Martinez (SD) — Josh Hader may get a second straight day of rest after he pitched three in a row earlier this week.
3. Elvis Peguero (MIL) — This is a bit of a long shot, but if Devin Williams gets a second consecutive night off, Peguero could vulture a save since Joel Payamps has pitched in two straight.

Tomorrow:
1. Erik Swanson (TOR) — If Jordan Romano pitches today that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Gregory Santos (CHW) — Same is true for Kendall Graveman.
3. Jose Alvarado (PHI) — And for Craig Kimbrel.
4. Lucas Sims (CIN) — If Alexis Diaz pitches today it will be two in a row.

Brusdar Graterol might be hurt, leaving the save to Daniel Hudson

July 6, 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers — LA has wasted little time getting Daniel Hudson back into the late-innings mix, turning to him for a rocky save on Wednesday — his first in 392 days — when Evan Phillips needed rest. The bad news for the Dodgers is that Brusdar Graterol was unavailable with an “arm thing” that could land him on the IL as early as today.

Updated hierarchy: *Phillips | Graterol | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Hicks’s wildness was to blame for last night’s wild 10-9 loss to Miami, but the culprit wasn’t a slider or a 105 mph fastball. It was a double-clutched 45 mph putout attempt that Hicks threw 10 feet over Paul Goldschmidt’s head, allowing the Marlins to walk off the victory.

Hierarchy remains: Hicks | Gallegos | Cabrera.

San Diego Padres — It hasn’t been Luis Garcia pitching more high-leverage innings with Steven Wilson out; it’s been rookie lefty Tom Cosgrove, back from his own IL stint and boasting a 0.59 WHIP through 20.1 innings.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Martinez | Cosgrove.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC) — Adbert Alzolay has appeared in three of the last four.
2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) — David Robertson too.
3. Joel Payamps/Elvis Peguero (MIL) — And Devin Williams.
4. Dylan Floro (MIA) — AJ Puk has gone in two of three.
5. Ryan Brasier (LAD) — If Graterol still can’t go and Evan Phillips needs a second day of rest, there’s not much left in the Dodger pen. We’ll speculate with Brasier.

Friday:
1. Hector Neris (HOU) — An appearance Thursday will be four out of five for Ryan Pressly.

Cubs’ Daniel Palencia impressive in debut; Guardians’ Emmanuel Clase in rough stretch

July 5, 2023

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs remade their bullpen a bit Tuesday, calling up hard-throwing righty Daniel Palencia. He came on in a tight spot Tuesday night, pitching scoreless tenth and eleventh innings on just 12 pitches to earn his first major league win. Meanwhile, it would appear Julian Merryweather has pitched his way into more late-inning looks for the Cubs. He earned a seventh-inning hold Tuesday and has recorded five holds since the start of June. Manager David Ross turned to him again Tuesday after he had a rough outing Monday in which he allowed three runs – his first earned runs allowed since May 26 – and perhaps this shows he has the manager’s trust more than Michael Fulmer, who pitched in a bulk role Monday, has a 4.50 ERA on the season and hasn’t had a hold in three weeks.

Updated hierarchy: *Alzolay | Leiter Jr. | Merryweather.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Andrew Nardi was placed on the injured list Tuesday with left triceps inflammation. Huascar Brazoban has been impressive as of late and could see more late-inning appearances as a result.

Updated hierarchy: Puk | Floro | Brazoban.

Cleveland Guardians – Emmanuel Clase had his third straight rough outing Tuesday, allowing a game-tying home run to Ozzie Albies to blow the save. He also allowed four runs in an outing Sunday and two runs (one earned) in an appearance Thursday. Prior to this stretch, his previous run allowed came May 26, so he was going strong for a while and of course he has earned the benefit of the doubt. His ERA (3.54) and WHIP (1.18) are pretty pedestrian for an elite closer, though we’re sure fantasy managers are enjoying his 24 saves, a total that’s one back from the major league lead.

Hierarchy remains: Clase | Stephan | Hentges.

Texas Rangers – A day after a deflating blown save, Will Smith was called into the game Tuesday in a save situation with two runners on, two outs and a four-run lead and delivered for his 15th save.

Hierarchy remains: *Smith | Chapman | Sborz.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds — Lucas Sims notched a pair of strikeouts in a clean ninth inning Tuesday for his first save of the season, as predicted by Tuesday morning’s Vulture Save Watch. Alexis Diaz had gone in two straight and three of four.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Sims | Farmer.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. A.J. Minter (ATL) – Raisel Iglesias has gone in three straight.
2. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Evan Phillips has also pitched in three in a row.
3. Aroldis Chapman (TEX) – Will Smith has gone in two straight and three of four.
4. Daniel Palencia/Michael Fulmer (CHC) – Adbert Alzolay has pitched in two of three, and both outings were taxing (52 total pitches). Mark Leiter Jr., meanwhile, has gone in two straight and Julian Merryweather has gone in three of four. Who would be next? Perhaps it’s Daniel Palencia, who looked impressive in his major league debut. Michael Fulmer also lurks as a potential option.
5. Nick Martinez (SD) – Josh Hader has appeared in two straight days.

Thursday
1. Andres Munoz (SEA) – If he goes Wednesday, that would be four of five for Paul Sewald.
2. Adam Ottavino (NYM) – If David Robertson pitches Wednesday, that would be three of four and five of seven for him.
3. Lucas Sims (CIN) – An outing Wednesday would be four of six for Alexis Diaz.
4. Sam Moll (OAK) – Trevor May threw 20 pitches to earn the save Tuesday and another appearance Wednesday would be two straight and four of six for him.
5. Trevor Stephan (CLE) – Emmanuel Clase has had two rough appearances this week. If he goes again Wednesday, that would be two straight and three of four.
6. Erik Swanson (TOR) – If Jordan Romano appears Wednesday, that would be two straight and three of four for him.
7. Jose Alavardo (PHI) – Same as above for Craig Kimbrel.
8. Elvis Peguero (MIL) – The above is also true for Devin Williams.
9. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Ditto for Ryan Pressly.

Brock Stewart and Steven Wilson hit the IL

June 29, 2023

Minnesota Twins — Tendinitis in the throwing elbow put Brock Stewart on the IL, where he joins Jorge Lopez (mental health). This leaves Emilio Pagan and Jovani Moran inheriting the middle innings, while Jhoan Duran is now the unquestioned closer ahead of Griffin Jax.

Updated hierarchy: Duran | Jax | Pagan.

San Diego Padres — Steven Wilson, who has been extremely effective this season in middle relief, went on the IL, retroactive to June 25, with a right pectoral strain. Luis Garcia is likely to inherit Wilson’s role.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Martinez | Garcia.

Washington Nationals — Yet another save for Hunter Harvey, who certainly seems to have the inside track on the Nationals’ ninth. We’ll pull the asterisk sooner than later if current trends hold.

Hierarchy remains: *Harvey | Finnegan | Thompson.
* = closer-by-committee

Texas Rangers — Alex Speas, a former top prospect who left the game for a while, is blowing away hitters in the minors and has been promoted to Triple-A. He could be with the big club before too long.

Hierarchy remains: Smith | Sborz | Anderson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joel Payamps (MIL) — Devin Williams has pitched in three of the last four.
2. Andrew Chafin (ARI) — Scott McGough threw 31 pitches in a blown save Wednesday.

Friday:
1. Chris Devenski (LAA) — An appearance today would be three out of four for Carlos Estevez.
2. Daniel Bard/Jake Bird/Pierce Johnson (COL) — Justin Lawrence threw 24 pitches on Wednesday.`