Andrew Miller to be activated Wednesday

July 8, 2015

New York Yankees — Andrew Miller will be activated today and immediately take over the closer role he ceded to Dellin Betances, who will slide back to the 8th inning after going 5-of-6 in save opportunities during Miller’s absence. Justin Wilson and Chasen Shreve will likely combine for a majority of the holds ahead of Miller and Betances.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Betances | Wilson.

Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen has been suffering from a stiff back, and it kept him out of Tuesday’s game, which Bryan Shaw saved in the ninth. Manager Terry Francona said that he expects Allen to be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.

Seattle Mariners – After a stretch of nine-straight scoreless appearances, Fernando Rodney was up to his old tricks again, allowing a solo shot in the 8th inning to blow a one-run lead. In Rodney’s defense, it was Yoenis Cespedes who crushed a 98-mph fastball over the centerfield fence. Carson Smith pitched the 9th and 10th in a tie game and struck out five of the six batters he faced. With manager Lloyd McClendon unavailable to manage the series with Detroit, bench coach Trent Jewett said that both Smith and Rodney will be used as the team’s closer. After 36 pitches from Smith on Tuesday, Rodney is all but a lock for the next chance.

Hierarchy remains: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Roberto Osuna grabbed another save on Tuesday and with Brett Cecil and Steve Delabar nowhere to be found last night in a 2-1 game, it’s safe to say the asterisk can be removed.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Delabar | Cecil.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — Jason Grilli has pitched in three straight, and Johnson got a crucial night off on Tuesday.
2. Hector Rondon/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Jason Motte threw 21 pitches during Tuesday’s doubleheader, while Rondon and Strop only appeared in one of the two tilts.
3. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla, who had a tired arm last week, has pitched in two straight. Romo struggled in his last outing, but is still the most likely to get the nod if Casilla is held out.

Jenrry Mejia returns from his PED suspension

July 7, 2015

Atlanta Braves — After a string of bad outings that culminated in an extra-inning disaster on Sunday against the Phillies, Nick Masset has been sent packing for Triple-A. Luis Avilan, who sports a sub-3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 10 holds, enters the hierarchy to replace Masset.

Updated hierarchy: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.

New York Mets — Jenrry Mejia returns from his 80-game Stanozolol suspension today; although he won’t challenge Jeurys Familia for the closer role, he should get his share of later-inning work.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Parnell | Mejia.

Washington Nationals — After the birth of his first child on Monday, David Carpenter will be out a few days on paternity leave. Matt Thornton and Blake Treinen could see increased usage in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Janssen | Thornton.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — The last time Jason Grilli threw in back-to-back games, Jim Johnson got the next save opportunity.

Fernando Rodney enjoying a nice stretch; Roberto Osuna pulling away

July 6, 2015

Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney put two men on in the 9th inning, but managed to earn the save. Despite our continued whining about Lloyd McClendon’s refusal to give the job to Carson Smith, Rodney has been effective lately, and Sunday was his 9th straight scoreless appearance. His ratios are still pretty bad — he’s had 6 Ks and 5 BBs during his scoreless stretch — so the wheels could fall off again at any moment. But he’s likely to continue to get chances if he continues to put up zeroes.

Hierarchy remains: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets – Logan Verrett picked up a three-inning save in a blowout on Sunday. Verrett has been solid, but he remains a longshot for holds at this point.

Hierarchy remains: Familia | Parnell | Robles.

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal had pitched in three straight, so Kevin Siegrist filled in on Sunday, earning his fourth save. The Vulture Save Watch snags another one.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Maness.

Toronto Blue Jays – On a day when no other Toronto reliever pitched particularly well, Roberto Osuna picked up his third save of the year. The four-out save came a day after Steve Delabar — his prime competition for the closer role — got roughed up. One more save and we might be ready to get rid of Osuna’s asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Osuna | Delabar | Cecil.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon has pitched in back to back games and three of four.

J.P. Howell records save, Melancon pitching well

July 5, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — J.P. Howell recorded his first save since 2011 last night, as Kenley Jansen was given the night off after pitching in three of the last four days.  Pedro Baez got the last out of the 8th and stayed on to get the first two outs of the 9th, before Howell came on to strike out the only batter he faced.  If Baez had been able to pitch a cleaner 9th inning he would have gotten the save, and since Yimi Garcia was used for one out in the 8th, it looks like Baez could be the go-to righty on days when Jansen is not available.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Garcia.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Remember all the concern over Mark Melancon back in April when his velocity was down?  Well there isn’t any reason for concern now as Melancon recorded his 26th save yesterday, and hasn’t given up any earned runs in last 25 appearances.  Jared Hughes wasn’t needed on Saturday so instead he got to celebrate being the only active player born on the 4th of July with a day off.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar had another rough outing on Saturday, giving up 2 runs while only recording 1 out.  Brett Cecil, on the other hand, now has five scoreless appearances since being demoted from the closer’s role.  The Blue Jays bullpen is still unsettled at this point but with Delabar struggling, Roberto Osuna could have a chance to solidify himself as the closer.

Updated hierarchy: *Osuna | Delabar | Cecil.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin Wilson, New York Yankees – Dellin Betances has pitched in two straight, and three of the last four.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has appeared in three games in a row.
3. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – Brad Boxberger took the loss yesterday and has pitched in three straight.

Detroit is Joba-less and John Axford returns

July 4, 2015

Detroit Tigers – Just nine days ago, Joba Chamberlain had an ERA under 2, but after it doubled thanks to a few three-run outings, the Tigers shockingly cut the former Yankee phenom, designating him (and Tom Gorzelanny) for assignment. Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque will slide up a few spots in the team’s late-innings hierarchy but, given their recent performance, both should be worried about newly promoted Jeff Ferrell, a converted starter who earned 15 saves between Erie and Toledo this year.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.

Texas Rangers — Well, never mind that business yesterday about Neftali Feliz. After his first outing (two scoreless innings, two hits, 1 K, high of 95 MPH) on Friday, the Rangers immediately designated him for assignment. Feliz will be released if he doesn’t attract trade interest or agree to a demotion to AAA.

Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Scheppers | Kela.

Colorado Rockies — John Axford returned to the team on Friday and is likely to be reactivated for Saturday’s game. During an incredibly stressful season, Axford has found baseball to be a peaceful haven.

Updated hierarchy: Axford | Hawkins | Kahnle.

Cleveland Indians — After Zach McAllister retired the final batter in the seventh, Bryan Shaw came on and struck out two batters in the eighth. Shaw and his 1.88 ERA have moved ahead of McAllister in the Tribe pen.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | McAllister.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Over the last 10 days, Arquimedes Caminero has given up six runs in five innings; meanwhile, Jared Hughes has given up no runs and only three hits in his last 10 appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Watson | Hughes.

Seattle Mariners — Carson Smith didn’t do himself any favors in the fight for Seattle saves, giving up a couple runs after coming on with a six-run lead in the ninth inning.

Hierarchy remains: *Rodney | Smith | Lowe.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Jason Grilli got the night off after working in two straight, allowing Jim Johnson to pick up a vulture save.

Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Johnson | Masset.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla saw a team doctor on Friday and is expected to avoid the DL, but he probably won’t pitch on Saturday.
2. Kevin Siegrist/Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal threw 24 pitches on Friday and has appeared in three of four games.
3. Hector Rondon/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — It’s Joe Maddon, you know the routine.
4. Yimi Garcia, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen picked up the loss on Friday and needed 24 pitches. He’s now thrown in three out of four (53 pitches).