Boggs filling set-up role for Cards; Luis Perez moving up in Toronto pen

April 24, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals — For the second straight night, and third in the last four, Mitchell Boggs pitched the 8th in a tight game; he has clearly passed Fernando Salas as the Cards’ top set-up option. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to Set-up, Fernando Salas to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Salas |Motte |4/24/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen hasn’t pitched since he blew a save on April 14, and Jason Frasor has been idle since a 3-run outing on April 19. In the meantime, Luis Perez and Darren Oliver have been getting more work, including high-leverage outings by Perez on April 20 and last night. With Sergio Santos out, the bullpen situation in Toronto remains quite fluid.  Hierarchy change: Luis Perez to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Perez |Frasor |Santos |4/24/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
Houston Astros — Brandon Lyon has been slipping behind Fernando Rodriguez on the Astros’ depth chart, a fact that was made clearer last night when Brad Mills called upon Lyon to pitch the sixth inning, down three runs.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodriguez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |F.Rodriguez |Lyon |Myers |4/24/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays — Francisco Cordero has now pitched on two straight nights, and in three of the last four games. If the Blue Jays need to protect a close lead against the Orioles again on Tuesday, John Farrell will almost certainly go in another direction.
2. Fernando Salas,  St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte threw 31 pitches before blowing the save last night against the Cubs, and Mitchell Boggs has been getting regular work in the set-up role. Salas is positioned well to steal a save.

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.

Sergio Santos to DL; Francisco Cordero takes over as Toronto closer

April 22, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays- Sergio Santos was placed on the disabled list on Saturday with right shoulder inflammation; insurance policy Francisco Cordero will step into the role of closer until Santos can return. Hierarchy change: Santos to DL, Cordero to Closer, Casey Janssen to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Janssen |Frasor |Santos |4/22/12 |Santos (DL) |

Sergio Santos looking shaky; Franklin Morales’s new role

April 10, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays- Sergio Santos blew his second consecutive save on Sunday and looked ugly doing it, walking three hitters and only recording two outs.  Experienced set-up man Francisco Cordero could see some opportunities if Santos continues to falter.  Sergio Santos to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Santos |Cordero |Janssen |Santos |4/10/12

 
Boston Red Sox- Alfredo Aceves, yet to record an out this year, pitched a clean inning in recording the save on Monday.  However, as Aceves closed out the game, Bobby Valentine had Franklin Morales– not Mark Melancon, who has given up runs in both of his appearances thus far– staying loose in the bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Franklin Morales to Set-up, Mark Melancon to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Melancon |Bailey |4/10/12

 
Washington Nationals- Henry Rodriguez took the loss Monday, allowing a walk-off single in a tie game, but the real news came off the field, as Drew Storen was sent to Dr. James Andrews for further evaluation on his elbow.  Manager Davey Johnson said the outlook isn’t good, but Storen’s season appears to be in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/10/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers– John Axford has pitched on each of the last two days, throwing a combined 53 pitches.

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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.