Ernesto Frieri to close for Angels; Andrew Cashner struggles

May 7, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra blew another save on Sunday, and for the first time, manager Don Mattingly expressed wavering confidence in the righty, saying that he’d have to keep looking at the closer role.  Guerra will likely get one more shot to close before being benched, though he remains firmly on the Hot Seat and is a good bet to lose his job with one more blown save.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Lindblom |Guerra |5/7/12

 
San Diego Padres – Despite throwing 100+ mph gas all night, Andrew Cashner was knocked around on Sunday, giving up 4 earned runs in a tie game in the 8th inning.  He’s still likely the Padres go-to guy while Huston Street recovers, but could quickly lose that distinction if he falters again.  Andrew Cashner to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Cashner |Gregerson |Thayer |Street |5/7/12 |Street(DL) |

 
Miami Marlins – As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Steve Cishek threw 52 pitches over 3 innings on Friday and was again unavailable on Sunday, so the Marlins went to Edward Mujica for the save in the 9th.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Mujica |Bell |Bell |5/7/12

 
Atlanta Braves – For the second day in a row, the Braves had a comfortable late-inning lead, and a long reliever notched a save; this time, it was Cristhian Martinez, who pitched 2.2 clean innings in the blowout.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |Venters |O'Flaherty |Kimbrel |5/7/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was helped off the field after sustaining an apparent knee injury in the 9th inning on Sunday.  He will undergo evaluation, but he was spotted on crutches after the game, so he’s likely to miss at least a few days.  LaTroy Hawkins also was injured in the game, and while the Angels did not name a new closer, Mike Scioscia appears to be reluctant to give the closer job back to Jordan Walden, instead mentioning Ernesto Frieri as a possible candidate.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs injured, Ernesto Frieri to Closer, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Walden |Isringhausen|Walden |5/7/12 |Downs(INJ) | |Hawkins(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith/Tony Sipp, Cleveland Indians – Both closer Chris Perez and set-up man Vinnie Pestano have pitched in 4 of the last 5 games, and the Indians have a doubleheader today, meaning 7th-inning men Joe Smith and Tony Sipp could get save opportunities.
2. James Russell/Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs – Rafael Dolis pitched 2 innings yesterday, and has pitched in 4 out of the last 5 games.
3. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched on three consecutive days.
4. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Andrew Cashner threw 39 pitches in a rough outing yesterday and could have the night off.
5. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched 4.2 innings over the past three days, throwing 69 pitches in the process.

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.

Heath Bell finally loses his job; Steve Cishek likely to close

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

Rafael Dolis, David Robertson inherit jobs; Heath Bell still the closer in Miami

May 4, 2012

Miami Marlins – Edward Mujica got the save Thursday afternoon, as Heath Bell was unavailable.  Ozzie Guillen insisted before the game that Bell, despite a disastrous first month, is still the closer in Miami.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/4/12

 
New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera tore his ACL while shagging fly balls during warmups before Thursday’s game. He’s out for the year and his career may be over. Rafael Soriano was used in the 8th inning yesterday with the Yankees down by a run, leaving little doubt that it will be David Robertson who steps in and attempts to fill Rivera’s big shoes. Hierarchy change: Mariano Rivera to DL, David Robertson to Closer, Rafael Soriano to Setup, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/4/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol had another terrible outing today and after the game Manager Dale Sveum said he is definitely thinking about removing Marmol as closer. Sveum mentioned Rafael Dolis and James Russell as potential replacements.  Dolis should get the first shot as he was brought on today to try and clean up Marmol’s mess. Hierarchy change: Rafael Dolis to Closer, James Russell to set-up, Carlos Marmol to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Marmol |Marmol |5/4/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Ryan Cook/Brian Fuentes, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour was held out of Wednesday’s game due to heavy use and a nagging back injury. If his back is still keeping him out, the A’s will look to Ryan Cook or Brian Fuentes for the save opportunity.

Heath Bell close to losing his job; Brian Fuentes as temporary closer

May 3, 2012

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour threw 29 pitches in blowing a save on Tuesday, and has been dealing with a sore back, so Brian Fuentes picked up the save in his absence on Wednesday.  But while Balfour remains on the Hot Seat, this isn’t an indication that he’s lost his job yet.  If his back continues to bother him, Brian Fuentes or Ryan Cook will get save opportunities.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |5/3/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Tim Collins has been used in some tight spots lately, and he recorded the win on Wednesday after getting 2 outs in a tie game in the 8th inning.  Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Mijares.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Crow |Collins |Broxton |5/3/12 |Soria(DL) |Holland(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica/Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew another save last night, and for the first time, Ozzie Guillen indicated that he may have to look elsewhere for the 9th inning role.  Whether or not Guillen anoints a new closer remains to be seen, but either way, Bell is almost certain to get the day off today, giving Edward Mujica or Steve Cishek the chance to nab a save.