Shawn Kelley to lead Washington committee with Jonathan Papelbon on DL

June 14, 2016

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon has been placed on the disabled list with a right intercostal strain. Shawn Kelley (13.1 K/9, 1.96 FIP) was last night’s closer, and we think he has the edge at picking up save opportunities during Papelbon’s absence. He has had two Tommy John surgeries, however. Dusty Baker says the choice might depend on matchups, though, so Felipe Rivero, a lefthander with a 95 MPH fastball, is another key option. The Nationals shouldn’t miss a beat in middle relief, as Blake Treinen and Sammy Solis have been very effective, but Papelbon’s injury may also push them into trade talks a little earlier than anticipated.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Rivero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

Jonathan Papelbon sits with soreness

June 14, 2016

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon (aka the “D.C. Strangler”) stayed firmly planted on the Nationals’ dugout bench last night, while Shawn Kelley pitched a five-out save against the Cubs. After the game, Dusty Baker commented that Pap was “sore” and “ailing,” but claimed that the soreness was not arm-related. This confusing development comes as Pap is putting up career-low strikeout numbers and has clearly lost some juice on his fastball. Baker said that Pap will be evaluated today; we’ll be keeping an eye on the situation.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Oakland A’s — Zach Neal, who was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Friday, snagged his first career save last night, pitching three innings to close out the Rangers in front of Draymond Green in Oakland.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Doolittle | Axford.

San Francisco Giants — In somewhat of a box score oddity, Derek Law became the fifth Giants’ pitcher to record a save this year — in a 11-5 win. Law came into the game in the eighth inning up four, but with the go-ahead run on deck. After San Francisco added two runs in its half of the ninth, he finished the game to pick up one of the more stress-free saves you are likely to see.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Gearrin | Strickland.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — As noted, Jonathan Papelbon is sore and likely unavailable tonight.
2. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers — K-Rod has gone in three straight, including a 33-pitch outing Monday.
3. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals — Both Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera have pitched in three straight.
4. Josh Smith/A.J. Morris, Cincinnati Reds — Who? Bear with us here. Tony Cingrani has pitched in four of five, and Ross Ohlendorf labored through 27 pitches last night. Blake Wood went two innings himself (36 pitches). It’s thin behind these three (although Alfredo “Big Pasta” Simon just joined the bullpen, and Raisel Iglesias should be back soon), but Smith and Morris are ready to serve.

Closer Hot Seat update: June 13, 2016

Welcome to our weekly Closer Hot Seat column! Each week — usually on Mondays — 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.

—–

Latest update: June 13, 2016

The closer carousel is beginning to spin as we get to the middle of June.  In the past couple weeks, Luke Gregerson and Kevin Jepsen have lost their jobs due to performance, while Jake McGee went down with an injury.  If you missed out on the replacements for those three guys, where should you look next?  Probably still those teams, as their bullpens are not exactly settled.

Brandon Kintzler leads the committee in Minnesota right now, but Fernando Abad has better numbers, and was likely going to get the call in the ninth on Sunday if all had gone according to plan. Kintzler pitched the eighth with a three-run lead but got no one out, and was pulled for Abad.  Abad went two innings without allowing an earned run, but still got tagged with a blown save because he let one of Kintzler’s runners score to tie the game.

In Houston, Will Harris has been good, but he gave up a run in his last save opportunity. Ken Giles has been pitching better and Gregerson is still hanging around.  Ross Ohlendorf might deserve another look in Cincinnati: Tony Cingrani has seven saves but also five blown saves.  Ohlendorf picked up his first save over the weekend and could challenge for saves if Cingrani keeps struggling — as well as on occasions when Cingrani, the only lefty in the Reds’ bullpen, is used earlier in a game. Santiago Casilla has also had a rough June.  He has two losses and one blown save, and he was pulled from another save opportunity.  Hunter Strickland has classic closer stuff, but Cory Gearrin has been the better pitcher this year.

Hottest: In a committee or on the verge of losing their job right now.
30. Brandon Kintzler (Handcuff: Fernando Abad)

Hot: Guys who could be in danger after their next blown save.
29. Tony Cingrani (Handcuff: Ross Ohlendorf)
28. Will Harris (Handcuffs: Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson)
27. Carlos Estevez (Handcuffs: Jason Motte, Boone Logan)
26. Ryan Madson (Handcuff: Sean Doolittle)
25. Santiago Casilla (Handcuffs: Cory Gearrin, Hunter Strickland)

Warmish: Two blown saves in a row and these players might be in trouble.
24. Jeremy Jeffress
23. Jeanmar Gomez
22. Sam Dyson

Cool: These players would have to blow 3 consecutive saves for their jobs to be in jeopardy.
21. Huston Street
20. Steve Cishek
19. Francisco Rodriguez
18. Roberto Osuna
17. A.J. Ramos
16. Jonathan Papelbon
15. Alex Colome
14. Cody Allen
13. Fernando Rodney
12. Arodys Vizcaino
11. Trevor Rosenthal
10. Jeurys Familia
9. Brad Ziegler
8. David Robertson
7. Hector Rondon
6. Mark Melancon
5. Craig Kimbrel
4. Aroldis Chapman

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

Jason Grilli gives Roberto Osuna some much-needed rest

June 13, 2016

Toronto Blue Jays – A stretch of 10 appearances in a 17-day span prompted John Gibbons to give Roberto Osuna a second consecutive day off on Sunday, and Jason Grilli got the save in his place. Osuna’s job is perfectly safe, and Grilli has quickly established himself as the youngster’s handcuff.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Floyd. 

Colorado Rockies – A day after being named closer, Carlos Estevez needed a night off due to recent workload. In his stead, the Rockies played matchups in the 9th, with Jason Motte starting off the inning and then Boone Logan picking up the last out for his first save of the year. You can expect to see something similar on nights when Estevez isn’t available in the future.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | Motte | Logan.

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla retired both hitters he faced last night for his 13th save. He had some help at the start of the inning, as lefty Javier Lopez was used to get Adrian Gonzalez (who tried to bunt his way on!), but it was still an encouraging outing for the righty, who has been shaky of late.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Gearrin | Strickland.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has pitched in three straight.
2. Will Smith/Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers – Jeremy Jeffress has pitched in three straight, while Will Smith has gone in four of the last five.

Carlos Estevez is the new closer in Colorado

June 12, 2016

Colorado Rockies – Jake McGee was placed on the DL yesterday and rookie Carlos Estevez recorded the save in his place.  Jason Motte was originally sent out for the 9th but after he allowed a double and hit a batter, he was pulled for Estevez.  After the game, manager Walt Weiss named Estevez the closer while McGee is out.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Motte | Logan.

Houston Astros — Will Harris ended his streak of 27 straight scoreless innings on Saturday, but still recorded his third save of the season.  Harris has converted three straight save opportunities since Gregerson was demoted and he looks to be the primary closer for now.

Hierarchy remains: Harris | Giles | Gregerson.

Cincinnati Reds – Ross Ohlendorf recorded his first save for the Reds yesterday.  Tony Cingrani pitched a perfect 8th with a switch hitter, who bats better against righties, and a lefty due up first.  Since Cingrani is the only lefty in the Reds’ bullpen this could happen occasionally, but he still should be considered the closer and receive the majority of save chances.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Wood.

Toronto Blue Jays — Before yesterday’s game, manager John Gibbons said that closer Roberto Osuna would be unavailable and Jason Grilli would serve as closer.  There didn’t end up being a save opportunity on Saturday, but Grilli still pitched the ninth and struck out the side.  Grilli slides into the set-up role and should see any vulture save chances moving forward.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Grilli | Floyd.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds – Tony Cingrani has pitched in three straight and four of five.
2. Jason Motte/Boone Logan, Colorado Rockies – Carlos Estevez has pitched in two straight and four of the past five.
3. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has gone in three straight games
4. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla has appeared in two straight and four of five.
5. Fernando Salas, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street threw 28 pitches in a blown save yesterday and also threw 30 pitches on Thursday so he could get Sunday off.