Joe Smith establishing himself in Indians’ bullpen

April 12, 2012

Cleveland Indians- The middle-inning portion of the Indians bullpen continues to be shaky, as lefty specialist Rafael Perez had a bad outing on Wednesday.  Joe Smith, who in past years has been used exclusively against righties, has been one of the few steady arms thus far, and this year is being used against both lefties and righties.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to 2nd in line, replacing Rafael Perez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |4/12/12

 
Colorado Rockies- Long reliever Tyler Chatwood recorded a three-inning save in a Rockies blowout on Wednesday.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Belisle |Betancourt |4/12/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers- Joe Nathan has pitched on each of the last two days, including a 26-pitch blown save yesterday, and may get the night off.
2. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres- Given Huston Street’s history of fragility, the Padres may give him the night off after two outings in a row.
3. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers- Jose Valverde has pitched two days in a row, including a 23-pitch outing yesterday.
4. Kenley Jansen/Matt Guerrier, Los Angeles Dodgers- Javy Guerra has pitched two days in a row, and could conceivably get a night off.  Kenley Jansen could as well, as he’s thrown more pitches than Guerra in the last two days.

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David Robertson setting up; Alexi Ogando’s role

April 7, 2012

New York Yankees- David Robertson’s mild foot injury cost him some work early in spring training, and the Yankees hinted that Rafael Soriano would set up as a result, but Robertson appears to be fine; in their first game, the Yanks went with Soriano in the 7th and Robertson in the 8th.  Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Set-up, Rafael Soriano to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Rivera |Robertson |Soriano |Robertson |4/7/12

 
Texas Rangers- The Rangers, protecting a 1-run lead in the 7th inning last night, went to Alexi Ogando rather than Koji Uehara, who is coming off a rough spring training.  Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to 2nd in line, replacing Koji Uehara.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ogando |Nathan |4/7/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
None.

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Winter dealings: Melancon, Bell, Street, Santos, etc

Lots of winter moves to report.  Visit our main page for more info.

Boston Red Sox- The Red Sox acquired Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros, and the righty will move into the closer’s role.  The Red Sox have not yet determined a role for Daniel Bard, who may be moving to the rotation.  Hierarchy change: Mark Melancon to Closer, replacing Daniel Bard. 
Houston Astros- With the trade of Mark Melancon, the Astros will probably give Brandon Lyon another shot at closing.  Lyon, in the 2nd of a 3-year, $15 million deal with Houston, was hampered by injuries last year but will be healthy to start the season.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to Closer, replacing Mark Melancon.
Texas Rangers- The Rangers have announced that Neftali Feliz will move to the rotation in 2012.  Joe Nathan will assume the closer role.  Hierarchy change: Joe Nathan to Closer, replacing Neftali Feliz.
Florida Marlins- The Marlins just gave a fat contract to Heath Bell, who will immediately assume the closer role.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Edward Mujica to Set-up, Steve Cishek to 2nd in line.
Toronto Blue Jays- The Blue Jays have traded for Sergio Santos, who will assume the closer’s role from the departing Frank Francisco.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Santos to Closer, replacing Frank Francisco.
Chicago White Sox- Down the stretch in 2011, the White Sox split closing opportunities between Sergio Santos and Chris Sale.  They’ve since traded Santos and announced that Sale will move to the rotation, which means a full revamp of the back end of their bullpen. The way it stands now, Jesse Crain will get the first crack at closing.  Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Closer, Matt Thornton to Set-up, Addison Reed to 2nd in line.
Minnesota Twins- Joe Nathan has been signed away by the Rangers, which means Matt Capps will reassume the closer role in 2012.  Hierarchy change: Matt Capps to Closer, Jose Mijares to 2nd in line.
New York Mets- The Mets acquired Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch during the winter GM meetings, and Sandy Alderson has announced that Francisco will close, with Rauch setting up.  Hierarchy change: Frank Francisco to Closer, Jon Rauch to Set-up, Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line.
San Diego Padres- The Padres acquired Huston Street from the Rockies for a player to be named later, and Street will likely assume the closer’s role vacated by Heath Bell.  Hierarchy change: Huston Street to Closer, replacing Heath Bell.