Shawn Kelley to close in New York; Ryan Cook returns from DL

April 8, 2014

New York Yankees – David Robertson sustained an injured groin and is going on the disabled list. For what it’s worth, Robertson only expects to miss the minimum 15 days. Hierarchy change: Shawn Kelley to Closer, Adam Warren to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYYShawn KelleyAdam WarrenMatt ThorntonDavid Robertson4/7/14
David Robertson (DL)

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Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook returned from the disabled list and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-3 Oakland win. He should take over the 7th-inning role previously held by Luke Gregerson. Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to 2nd in line, replacing Luke Gregerson.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKJim JohnsonSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook4/8/14

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Boston Red Sox – Left-hander Chris Capuano got the call in the 8th inning of a 2-1 game with two of the three Rangers due up that inning batting from the left side. The move paid off, as he allowed just one hit and escaped the inning unscathed. Capuano has been solid in his four innings of work this year, not allowing a run and striking out five, but for the moment is still behind Edward Mujica and Junichi Tazawa. No Hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaEdward MujicaKoji Uehara4/5/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
2. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal threw 27 pitches in a non-save situation yesterday.

Houston’s committee is a real thing; Jose Veras struggles

April 7, 2014

Chicago Cubs – Rick Renteria might be saying he’s not worried about Jose Veras, but we’re just not sure that we believe him.  Yesterday, Veras was summoned in a non-save situation and could only get two outs before being bailed out by Pedro Strop.  So far on the year, the Cubs’ closer has allowed 3 ERs in 1.2 innings while walking 6 and hitting a batter.  Veras appears to have some time to turn this around, but a few more bad outings and the Cubs may have to look to Strop, who has yet to allow a run in 3.1 innings so far.  Jose Veras to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCJose VerasPedro StropHector RondonPedro Strop4/7/14

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Cincinnati Reds – Manny Parra pitched the 8th inning for the Reds in a 1-run game on Sunday, and then, with two lefties due up in the 9th, stayed on and picked up his first career save.  With Jonathan Broxton due to be activated as early as tomorrow, Parra probably won’t be getting many more opportunities, but the lefty is off to a fine start this season, having logged 4.2 scoreless innings.  Hierarchy change: Manny Parra to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/7/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Jonathan Broxton (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Houston Astros – So, unfortunately, it looks like the Astros are serious about this committee thing.  On Sunday, Chad Qualls was called upon to put out an Anthony Bass fire, and retired the final two hitters for his first save of the year.  Of the three relievers that Bo Porter tapped to share the stopper role in Houston before the season started, it’s actually Matt Albers who has been the best — he’s thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks.  But so far, Qualls and Josh Fields are the ones with one save apiece.  We still like Fields the best of these three, as he’s been used only twice, and both times was given the keys to the 9th inning.  But get used to seeing Qualls and Albers in the Vulture Save Watch indefinitely.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Matt Albers to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/7/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers – J.P. Howell picked up his first hold of the year on Sunday.  Should something happen to Kenley Jansen, we don’t think the Howell would be tapped for the 9th inning ahead of Chris Perez, but the lefty has been a key cog in the Los Angeles bullpen thus far.  Three of his four appearances have come in the 8th inning ahead of Jansen.  Hierarchy change: J.P. Howell to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon League.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezJ.P. HowellKenley Jansen4/7/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will have Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2014 season.  As previously mentioned, Jose Valverde will close for the foreseeable future, while Kyle Farnsworth is the best bet to step in if Valverde falters.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/7/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games and in four of the last five.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.

J.J. Hoover blows save, Adam Ottavino racking up Ks

April 6, 2014

Cincinnati Reds – J.J. Hoover blew his first save opportunity of the season yesterday, as he gave up a walk-off grand slam to Ike Davis. Jonathan Broxton should be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday and immediately take over as closer. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureLogan OndrusekAroldis Chapman4/6/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Jonathan Broxton (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Colorado Rockies – The Rockies went to Adam Ottavino in the 7th inning last night protecting a 2 run lead. He proceeded to strike out the side in a scoreless inning and now has 8 Ks in 3 innings of work so far this season. Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsRex BrothersAdam OttavinoRex Brothers4/6/14

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Philadelphia Phillies – Jacob Diekman pitched a scoreless 8th inning yesterday with the Phillies up 2. He picked up his second hold of the season, and it looks like he will be used in the later innings ahead of closer Jonathan Papelbon. Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to 2nd in line, replacing Justin De Fratus.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonB.J. RosenbergJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon4/6/14
Mike Adams (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH

1. Sam Lecure, Cincinnati Reds — J.J. Hoover recorded 0 outs in blowing the save yesterday and could get the day off Sunday.

2. Chad Qualls, Houston Astros — The Astros used all three members of their closer committee yesterday but Qualls threw the least amount of pitches so he could be used today if there is a save opportunity.

3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has pitched 2 days in a row and Wade Davis has appeared in 3 of the Royals last 4 games.

 

Mujica roughed up, Nate Jones to DL

April 5, 2014

Boston Red Sox — The Red Sox brought in Edward Mujica yesterday with the game tied in the 9th inning.  Mujica ended up taking the loss after giving up 4 runs.  Manager John Farrell has said that Junichi Tazawa and Mujica are “interchangeable,” but Tazawa has been used more often in the 8th so far, and has pitched better.  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 Uehara4/5/14

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Chicago White Sox — Nate Jones has been placed on the DL with a strained hip that is related to his injury during spring training.  Robin Ventura has said that Daniel Webb and Maikel Cleto will see time in the later innings. Hierarchy change: Daniel Webb to 2nd in line, Nate Jones to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromRonald BelisarioDaniel WebbNate Jones4/5/14
Nate Jones (DL)

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New York Mets — Jose Valverde picked up his first save of the season, and it was Kyle Farnsworth who pitched the 8th ahead of him.  The back end of the Mets’ bullpen is far from set, outside of Valverde, but if Farnsworth can string together a couple good outings, he could solidify himself in the set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Kyle Farnsworth to Set-up, Gonzalez Germen to 2nd in line

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/5/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Miami Marlins — Brad Hand picked up a three-inning save last night, but he still does not factor into the Marlins late-inning bullpen plans moving forward.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekA.J. RamosMike DunnSteve Cishek4/5/14

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Texas Rangers — Neftali Feliz is starting to get his velocity back in the minors.  He was sent down over concerns that his velocity was down in spring training, but could be a guy to keep an eye on, if he can regain his stuff from a couple years ago, when he had 32 saves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/5/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Albers and Chad Qualls, Houston Astros –– The Astros are going with a committee and, while we think that Josh Fields should see the majority of the save chances, Qualls or Albers could be called upon on any given night.
2. Shawn Kelley, New York Yankees — David Robertson is unavailable today after throwing in back-to-back games.