AJ Ramos dealing with a jammed finger

August 8, 2016

Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos has been dealing with a jammed finger, and while the Marlins have not discussed a stint on the disabled list, Ramos was apparently unavailable for the weekend. On Sunday, Fernando Rodney picked up his 18th save of the season — and first for the Marlins — in Ramos’s stead.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.

Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz got the night off after pitching in four of the last five, so Tom Wilhelmsen picked up the save in his stead. Meanwhile, the Vulture Save Watch patted itself on the back.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Storen.

Baltimore Orioles – Ubaldo Jimenez picked up a three-inning save in a blowout yesterday. Did you have him in your lineup? Send us a screenshot as proof and we’ll give you Closer Monkey Premium for a year!

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin Wilson/Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight and four of five.
2. Fernando Rodney, Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos is day-to-day with a sore finger.
3. Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers – Both Sam Dyson and Jeremy Jeffress have pitched back to back games and three of four (and neither was particularly good yesterday), so Diekman could get a save opp if they both get the night off.
4. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – Ken Giles threw 36 pitches last night in an effort that spanned the 8th and 9th innings.

Miller and Watson record saves

August 7, 2016

Cleveland Indians – It wasn’t fun for Andrew Miller, but he did pick up his first save since being traded to Cleveland.  The Indians’ hope to be able to use Miller to close out games, but manager Terry Francona also likes Miller’s versatility.  Miller will occasionally be used in big spots prior to the 9th inning, but he should still see the majority of save chances.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson bounced back from a blown save on Friday night to record his second save since closer Mark Melancon was traded.  Despite the slip up on Friday, Watson should continue to see save chances for the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Watson | Feliz | Rivero.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tom Wilhemsen, Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight, and four of the past five.
2. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera has pitched in two straight, throwing a total of 45 pitches
3. Felipe Rivero, Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson and Neftali Feliz have both appeared in back-to-back games

Closer Hot Seat update: August 6, 2016

Welcome to our Closer Hot Seat column! We’ll update this space to give you an easy-to-reference guide on who might be closest to losing their jobs. Note that this isn’t necessarily a ranking of the best closers; rather, it’s a guide to job security.

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Latest update: August 6, 2016

It has been quite an eventful past couple weeks.  Between the trade deadline and recent struggles for veteran closers, such as Huston Street and Steve Cishek, there has been a slew of new closers. Carlos Estevez could be replaced at any moment, so the best speculative add is probably Adam Ottavino — but don’t forget about John Axford and Mauricio Cabrera, both of whom are backing up struggling veterans. There’s a pretty big gap between the “warmish” and “hot” seats this week; guys at 23 and above look pretty safe, but the bottom seven are iffy.

Hottest: In a committee or on the verge of losing their job right now.
30. Carlos Estevez (Handcuff: Adam Ottavino)
29. Cam Bedrosian (Handcuff: Fernando Salas)
28. Jake Barrett (Handcuff: Enrique Burgos)

Hot: Guys who could be in danger after their next blown save.
27. Ryan Madson (Handcuff: John Axford)
26. Jim Johnson (Handcuff: Mauricio Cabrera)
25. Santiago Casilla (Handcuff: Sergio Romo)
24. Tony Watson (Handcuff: Neftali Feliz)

Warmish: Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble.
23. Sam Dyson
22. Tyler Thornburg
21. Jeanmar Gomez
20. Ken Giles
19. Tony Cingrani
18. Edwin Diaz
17. Brandon Maurer
16. Brandon Kintzler

Cool: These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy.
15. Andrew Miller
14. David Robertson
13. Francisco Rodriguez
12. Roberto Osuna
11. A.J. Ramos
10. Alex Colome
9. Seung Hwan Oh
8. Jeurys Familia
7. Kelvin Herrera
6. Dellin Betances
5. Mark Melancon
4. Craig Kimbrel
3. Aroldis Chapman

Sub-zero: These players would have to blow 4+ consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy.
2. Zach Britton
1. Kenley Jansen

Adam Ottavino could be closing very soon for Colorado

August 6, 2016

Colorado Rockies — Carlos Estevez had a rough outing last night, giving up four runs and recording only one out while trying to protect a two-run lead. This meltdown, which snapped a six-game scoreless streak for Estevez, was his second blown save in 13 attempts, and has led to speculation that Adam Ottavino will get the next save opportunity. Ottavino has been outstanding in 14 scoreless appearances since his return from Tommy John surgery; in fact, he hasn’t given up a run in exactly 23 months (25.1 IP). Walt Weiss said in July that he wanted to work Ottavino back into the closer’s role, and this game may serve as a catalyst. This may be your last shot to grab Ottavino before he officially takes over as the closer.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Ottavino | Logan.

Miami Marlins — After 50 appearances from the bullpen, David Phelps returned to the starting rotation Friday, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings on 70 pitches. Kyle Barraclough has earned three holds this week and will be Miami’s main seventh-inning man.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.

Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna was unavailable last night, so when the Jays took the lead in the ninth, they turned to the already-warm Joaquin Benoit to protect it. Benoit worked around an error and a single to pick up his first save of the year. Osuna should be back in action tonight.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Benoit.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — Even if Carlos Estevez doesn’t lose his job permanently, he has thrown 40 pitches over the past two days, and could need a break.
2. Tom Wilhelmsen/Drew Storen, Seattle Mariners — New closer Edwin Diaz has pitched in three of four (and five of seven).
3. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has pitched on three of the last four days.
4. Peter Moylan, Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera threw 29 pitches in a loss yesterday, while Joakim Soria has gone back-to-back. This could open the door for Peter Moylan to pick up his first save of the year.

Surprise! Cleveland uses Andrew Miller in sixth inning

August 5, 2016

Cleveland Indians – Losers of three straight games against the hapless Minnesota Twins, the first-place Indians were desperate for a win Thursday. Things were so desperate that manager Terry Francona turned to Andrew Miller with a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning — no, not the 9th… or even the 8th. Miller recorded four outs to secure a hold (though some ESPN Fantasy players may have seen that for a time Thursday, ESPN credited Miller with a hold AND a save). Tito’s explanation after the game? “I prefer not to use him that early,” said Francona. “That won’t have happen a lot. This was a little bit of a unique situation. Cody (Allen), Bryan Shaw and Miller were probably going to finish the game. So to wait, didn’t seem to make any sense.” Notice the order Francona said those names. We’ll read into it a little bit, but not too much, and designate this situation a committee. Miller may be called upon to get the most crucial outs at any point in a game, while Allen may pick up more saves if Miller has already been used.

Updated hierarchy: *Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – Former closer Steve Cishek was placed on the disabled list Thursday with a hip injury. Tom Wilhelmsen and the recently acquired Drew Storen may see opportunities when 22-year-old phenom Edwin Diaz isn’t available to close for the M’s.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Storen.

Texas Rangers – Former Brewers closer Jeremy Jeffress got into his first game with the Rangers Thursday, pitching a scoreless seventh inning in an eventual 4-1 win. After the game, manager Jeff Banister called Jeffress’s arm “electric.” As for the other Texas arms, Matt Bush pitched the eighth inning while Jake Diekman, who hasn’t pitched since July 31, warmed in the bullpen. It’ll be interesting to see who gets any save chances when Dyson is unavailable, but our money is on Jeffress – for now – in a crowded-but-talented bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Jeffress | Diekman.

Boston Red Sox – Brad Ziegler earned the vulture save for the Red Sox in an extra-innings victory over the Mariners Thursday night. Craig Kimbrel earned the win after getting the last out in the ninth and striking out the side in the 10th.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Tazawa.

Oakland A’s – Ryan Dull picked up his second of the season on Thursday after pitching a clean 10th inning. John Axford and Ryan Madson had already appeared in the game. In related bullpen news, injured reliever Sean Doolittle is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this weekend.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Axford | Dull.

Cincinnati Reds – Opening Day closer JJ Hoover, armed with a 13.50 ERA, hasn’t pitched in the majors since late June. He cleared waivers Thursday and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville. He’s completely off the Reds’ 40-man roster.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Iglesias | Lorenzen.  

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna has pitched in two straight and in three out of the last four days.
2. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Who will get the next Cleveland save? Andrew Miller or Cody Allen?
3. Fernando Salas/J.C. Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia has labeled this a committee, so any one of Cam Bedrosian (the favorite), Fernando Salas or J.C. Ramirez could get the next Angels save.