Sergio Santos likely out as Blue Jays closer

May 3, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays — Sergio Santos blew his second straight save tonight, and after the game, Manager John Gibbons said that they might have to re-arrange some things in the bullpen. Brett Cecil pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th inning tonight and has 18 ks in 10.1 innings this year.  He should get the first chance at closing but might not be available tomorrow after throwing 31 pitches tonight.  Steve Delabar could also be an option to close games until Casey Janssen returns from the DL. Hierarchy change: Cecil | Delabar | Santos.
.

Zach Britton pitching his way out of long relief

May 2, 2014

Los Angeles Dodgers – Chris Perez came on in a save spot in the 8th inning, and then stayed on for the 9th after the Dodgers stretched their lead for his first save of the year.  He’s entrenched as the Los Angeles set-up man and stands to inherit the job should anything happen to Kenley Jansen.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrian WilsonKenley Jansen5/2/14

.
Minnesota Twins – Coming in to 2014, Jared Burton had every reason to be given a long leash as the Twins primary set-up man, as he was the team’s steadiest and best middle reliever over the past two years.  But it’s been a different story for the righty this year, as he’s got an ERA of almost 9 and a 6/9 K/BB ratio through 10.1 innings thus far.  Despite the terrible numbers, he was still being used ahead of Glen Perkins — prior to Thursday, his last two outings were 8th inning holds.  But maybe Ron Gardenhire has finally realized that he’s actually got a great bullpen this year (Casey Fien, Brian Duensing, and Michael Tonkin have all been excellent), and yesterday, Burton was finally given a low-leverage inning to sort himself out.  We still get the feeling that Burton could be used as the backup closer if Perkins needs a night off, so we’ll monitor his usage closely over the weekend.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/2/14

.
Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up a long relief save on Thursday, but he doesn’t factor in to the usual late-inning plans for Toronto.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos5/2/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.
Baltimore Orioles – He started the season as a long reliever, but Zach Britton has been getting more high-leverage innings as of late.  In the first game of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday, he pitched the 7th inning and earned his 4th hold of the year.  Hierarchy change: Zach Britton to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Matusz.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayZach BrittonTommy Hunter5/2/14

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Grant Balfour picked up saves in both halves of Tampa’s doubleheader on Thursday and will likely be unavailable today.
2. Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles – Both Tommy Hunter and Darren O’Day pitched in both games of the Orioles’ doubleheader on Thursday.
3. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – As we’ve said for the past week, we think Jim Johnson gets the next save chance in Oakland, and we think the job is his again if he converts it.
4. Chad Qualls/Raul Valdes, Houston Astros – What would the Vulture Save Watch be without a couple of awesome Houston relievers on it?  (Answer: Shorter and less sarcastic.)

Jim Johnson still on the cusp of closing; Hector Rondon nearly official

May 1, 2014

Oakland A’s — Jim Johnson remains undefeated — for his career! — when protecting an 11-run lead. Luke Gregerson, who hadn’t pitched since Saturday, got the eighth inning in this laugher, and it seems all but official that JJ will claim the next high-leverage ninth. We’ll slide him up one slot, for now. Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to Set-Up, Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonJim JohnsonSean DoolittleSean Doolittle5/1/14

.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs had a save situation all lined up for our man Hector, but then double agent Sean Marshall boosted them into a five-run lead. Rondon was warming for the ninth, and although Renteria refuses to make a commitment, it appears that Hector has a corner on the closer market. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon5/1/14

.

Colorado Rockies – Rather than pitch LaTroy Hawkins on three straight days, Colorado called on Rex Brothers with a two-run lead. He couldn’t get the job done, sending the game into extra innings. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoRex BrothersRex Brothers5/1/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chris Perez, Los Angeles Dodgers — LA has a doubleheader tomorrow and might not wish to use Kenley Jansen in both games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Same goes for Glen Perkins.
3-6. Darren O’Day, Junichi Tazawa, Joel Peralta, and Tony Watson — Their teams all got rained out on Wednesday, so they could pick up vulture saves in the nightcaps of tomorrow’s doubleheaders.

Too many walks in Boston and Toronto

April 30, 2014

Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica has allowed at least one run each of the last five times he’s faced more than one batter, but John Farrell isn’t worried by his 10.00 ERA, or even the nearly sixfold increase in his walk rate. Farrell believes Mujica is struggling with his command due to infrequent use, suggesting that his role won’t be reduced — but we can’t imagine that he’d retain the advantage over Junichi Tazawa if Koji Uehara goes down with another injury. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Set-Up, Edward Mujica to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaEdward MujicaKoji Uehara4/30/14

.

Los Angeles Angels — For the second straight game, Fernando Salas pitched a high-leverage eighth inning in front of new closer Joe Smith. Michael Kohn had already been used in a tight spot in the sixth. No matter which of those two is higher in the pecking order, we think Ernesto Frieri — who pitched two perfect innings against the Yankees over the weekend — is more likely to pick up a save going forward. Hierarchy change: Ernesto Frieri to Set-Up, Michael Kohn to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
LAAJoe SmithErnesto FrieriMichael KohnErnesto Frieri4/30/14

.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays are missing Casey Janssen, who remains at least two weeks away from a return. On Tuesday, Sergio Santos entered with two on and one out in a high-leverage eighth, and proceeded to give up two inherited runs, plus three of his own. Last year, Santos threw three times as many innings, and walked half as many men. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/30/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.

Colorado Rockies – The oldest player in the National League just keeps on rolling, racking up his ninth save in as many attempts. BMWs for everyone! No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoRex BrothersRex Brothers4/30/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers — The indefatigable K-Rod, new co-holder of the April save record, has pitched on four of the last five day. Jim Henderson has gone two in a row himself, but Kintzler had Tuesday off.
2. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s — We believe Jim Johnson will see the next save opportunity in Oakland and reclaim the job. Expect an alert if that happens.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — You can’t possibly need saves this badly.

Smith sharp in first save opportunity for Angels

April 29, 2014

Los Angeles Angels – Joe Smith came on in the ninth inning with a three-run lead and allowed just one hit to pick up his first save of the season against his former team. No hierarchy change.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
LAAJoe SmithMichael KohnErnesto FrieriErnesto Frieri4/29/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – The A’s bullpen got a night off after Sonny Gray threw a complete-game shutout, but Jim Johnson will likely see the next save opportunity in Oakland. If he converts it, we think he’ll reclaim the job.  Expect an alert if that happens.
2. Kevin Siegrist, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal threw 31 pitches in two innings of work last night during a tie game while Carlos Martinez has pitched on back-to-back nights.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Both Huston Street and Joaquin Benoit have pitched in two straight tilts.
4. Chad Qualls/Raul Valdes, Houston Astros – It’s anyone’s guess on a given night.