Veras out as Cubs closer; Rondon, Strop, Grimm all in the mix

April 12, 2014

Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria just announced that Jose Veras will be moved from the closer role, and Cubs save situations going forward will be matchup-dependent. As we mentioned earlier today, Hector Rondon has been pitching great and would be our pick to close — but unfortunately for him, he’s pitched the last three days (and four of the last five), and is almost certainly unavailable today. If there’s a save situation today that goes to Pedro Strop, Strop just might get the opportunity to make the job his own. We’ll be watching closely. Hierarchy change: Hector Rondon to Closer, Pedro Strop to Set-Up, Justin Grimm to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon4/12/14

.

Koji Uehara has tightness in shoulder, Veras blows another save

April 12, 2014

Boston Red Sox – Edward Mujica pitched a perfect 9th inning last night to pick up his first save of the season. Closer Koji Uehara was unavailable with shoulder tightness. The Red Sox are saying the injury is not serious but Uehara said he experienced similar tightness in Texas a couple years ago and it took him two months to get over it. Junichi Tazawa has pitched better this season but manager John Farrell likes that Mujica has had success as a closer before so he might be the first option to close if Uehara misses more time. Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to Set-up, Junichi Tazawa to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaEdward MujicaJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara4/12/14

.

Chicago Cubs — Jose Veras blew another save last night and his ERA is over 12 so far this season. The ERA will obviously come down but he also has 7 walks in 3.2 innings. Manager Rick Renteria said that Veras is still their closer. Hector Rondon ended up getting the save as he pitched a scoreless 11th inning. Pedro Strop pitched the 8th ahead of Veras, but Rondon has now made 15 straight scoreless appearances dating back to last season and could be given a chance to close if Veras continues to struggle.  Hierarchy change: Hector Rondon to Set-up, Pedro Strop to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCJose VerasHector RondonPedro StropPedro Strop4/12/14

.

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathon Broxton got his first work of the season last night, pitching a scoreless 9th inning with 2 ks. Manager Bryan Price previously said that he didn’t want to use Broxton in a save situation for his first appearance. Now that Broxton has gotten that first inning out of the way he should see the save opportunities until Aroldis Chapman is able to return. Speaking of Chapman, he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/12/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica/Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara is day-to-day with shoulder tightness.  Mujica got the call last night but the Red Sox could use Tazawa as well.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Josh Fields remains the best bet for Astros save chances, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.

Oakland’s committee becoming a little more clear

April 11, 2014

Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin is giving Jim Johnson a break from closing duties for the time being.  Johnson may have the chance to win the job back if he pitches well, but for now, the A’s are going closer by committee.  Sean Doolittle, Luke Gregerson, Ryan Cook, and Dan Otero all figure to be involved, though Melvin offered a hint yesterday about his preferred options when he summoned Cook in the 8th inning of a 4-run game.  Cook had 16 saves over his first two seasons, but he’s still rounding into form after starting the season on the DL.  His usage yesterday suggests that Luke Gregerson is the preferred right-hander in the committee right now.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to Closer, Luke Gregerson to Set-up, Ryan Cook to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKSean DoolittleLuke GregersonRyan CookRyan Cook4/10/14

.
New York Yankees – With both Shawn Kelley and Adam Warren unavailable, David Phelps picked up his 2nd career save, throwing a spotless 2.1 innings with 3 Ks.  With the rest of the bullpen now rested, Phelps will return to his swingman role and is unlikely to see many more late game appearances.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYYShawn KelleyAdam WarrenMatt ThorntonDavid Robertson4/11/14
David Robertson (DL)

.
Houston Astros – After Chad Qualls pitched the 8th, Josh Fields came on for the 9th inning in a 5-run ballgame yesterday.  But Fields, who previously had been considered the likely leader of Houston’s closer by committee, had his worst outing of the year, allowing three runs to score.  With Matt Albers on paternity leave, Anthony Bass was called upon to bail Fields out, and Bass picked up his first save of the year.  Houston’s bullpen is more volatile than any other team’s in baseball right now, so Bass could certainly get another opportunity like this in the future, but for now, we still consider him to be behind Fields, Qualls, and Albers.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/11/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

.
New York Mets – Carlos Torres came on in a tie game in the 6th inning on Thursday night, then stayed on for the 7th after the Mets took the lead.  Torres would go on to earn the win, striking out 3 in his 2 innings of work.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Torres to 2nd in line, replacing Gonzalez Germen.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthCarlos TorresBobby Parnell4/11/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

.
Chicago White Sox – Other than Matt Lindstrom, who is entrenched as Chicago’s not-very-good closer, the White Sox bullpen has been a different animal almost every night this season.  Yesterday, it was Daniel Webb who bridged the gap to Lindstrom, throwing two perfect innings with 2 Ks.  Webb now has a 2.84 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and a 7/2 K/BB ratio this season.  As mentioned yesterday, Ronald Belisario is hurting and has an ERA in the teens.  Hierarchy change: Daniel Webb to Set-up, replacing Ronald Belisario.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromDaniel WebbMaikel CletoNate Jones4/11/14
Nate Jones (DL)

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – I guess Anthony Bass has to be in here every day now, too.  Gross.

Jim Johnson out as closer, replaced by committee involving Doolittle, Gregerson, Cook

April 10, 2014

Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin is giving Jim Johnson a break from closing duties for the time being.  Johnson may have the chance to win the job back if he pitches well, but for now, the A’s are going closer by committee.  Sean Doolittle, Luke Gregerson, Ryan Cook, and Dan Otero all figure to be involved.  Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to Closer, Ryan Cook to Set-up, Luke Gregerson to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKSean DoolittleRyan CookLuke GregersonRyan Cook4/10/14

.

Who could replace Jim Johnson as Oakland closer?

April 10, 2014

Oakland A’s — It’s hard to raise a 15.00 ERA, but Jim Johnson pulled it off today. When asked to comment on potential replacements, Bob Melvin helpfully offered, “I’m just saying that I’m not saying anything.” Aha. We see Sean Doolittle as the best alternative, with Luke Gregerson behind him in a virtual tie with Ryan Cook, who’s still recovering from shoulder issues. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKJim JohnsonSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook4/10/14

.

Philadelphia Phillies — In a tie game on Wednesday, the Phils called on Jake Diekman in the seventh, and he struck out the side. After Antonio Bastardo came out for the eighth, the Brewers pulled away with three runs, including a two-run triple from even bigger cheater Ryan Braun. Ryne Sandberg has been somewhat inconsistent handing out high-leverage work, but Bastardo would certainly be in the mix if Jonathan Papelbon goes down, or just keeps getting worse. Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line, replacing Jacob Diekman.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergAntonio BastardoJonathan Papelbon4/10/14
Mike Adams (DL)

.

Chicago White Sox — Ronald Belisario entered a tie game with one on; he gave up five singles and wound up tagged for five runs. This probably wouldn’t be news if he hadn’t also left the game with tightness in his lower back. Maikel Cleto continues to pitch well and would probably slide into a set-up role if the injury is at all serious. Hierarchy change: Maikel Cleto to 2nd in line, replacing Daniel Webb.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromRonald BelisarioMaikel CletoNate Jones4/10/14
Nate Jones (DL)

.

Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan blamed his early-season struggles on a “dead arm,” then downplayed its significance, comparing it to “knowing there’s second base on the field.” Somebody tell Fred Merkle. Nathan followed up the controversy by blowing a three-run lead for his second blown save in three chances, but he told reporters that the ball felt better coming out of his hand. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
DETJoe NathanAl Alburquerque Joba ChamberlainJoe Nathan4/10/14

.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Josh Collmenter pitched well in earning a four-inning save on his way to the rotation. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ARIAddison ReedJ.J. PutzBrad ZieglerAddison Reed4/10/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Josh Fields remains the best bet for Astros save chances, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
2. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – John Axford has pitched on three of the last four days.
3. Matt Thornton/Dellin Betances, New York Yankees — Shawn Kelley had a difficult 30-pitch outing on Wednesday, and has pitched on three of four days. Adam Warren has also pitched three of the last four days.