Drew Storen struggling; Heath Bell may not have Arizona job for long

July 5, 2013

Washington Nationals – Last week, on a night when Rafael Soriano was unavailable, Drew Storen got the save chance over Tyler Clippard, which surprised us, since Storen has generally been the 7th-inning guy for Washington this year, and he hasn’t been particularly good at it.  On Thursday, Storen continued being not particularly good at pitching the 7th, giving up three runs on two home runs, which raised his ERA to 5.40.  A string of good outings might cause Washington to return to their gameplan from last week, whereby Storen jumps ahead of Clippard on nights when Soriano is unavailable, but after last night, we don’t see Storen getting save chances until he straightens himself out.  Hierarchy change: Tyler Clippard to Set-up, Drew Storen to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
WASRafael SorianoTyler ClippardDrew StorenRafael Soriano7/5/13

.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Brad Ziegler picked up a 15th-inning save on Thursday afternoon; he’s not in the picture for saves in Arizona.  However, his save came two innings after Heath Bell blew a 13th-inning opportunity, and with J.J. Putz getting stronger (he’s now appeared three times; two of those appearances were scoreless), Bell could be yanked from the closer role very soon.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/5/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jose Cisnero, Houston Astros – Jose Veras had to pulled from a game last night with a bruised right pinky.  If he can’t go today, Cisnero is the best bet for the save chance.
2. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in back to back games and four of the last five.
3. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has pitched in back to back games and three of four, throwing 3.2 innings in that span.

Wilhelmsen back to closer role, Crain to DL

July 4, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a 10th inning save on Wednesday and should resume closing immediately.  Eric Wedge said that he used Wilhelmsen because he liked the match-up so he did not necessarily come out and name him the closer.  However it is clear that the Mariners bullpen is at his best with Wilhelmsen in the closer role so expect him to see the majority of the save opportunities moving forward.   Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenYoervis MedinaOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen7/3/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox have placed Jesse Crain on the 15-day DL with a shoulder strain.  Matt Lindstrom ended up taking the loss last night but he has pitched well so far this year and has picked up 9 holds.  He should see more time in the late innings while Crain is out. Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to Set-up, Matt Lindstrom to 2nd in line, Jesse Crain to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt ThorntonMatt LindstromAddison Reed7/4/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

.

Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon got the last two outs of the seventh inning last night before Smyly and Benoit pitched the 8th and 9th.  Rondon’s number in the minors this season were incredible and he looks to be the closer of the future for the Tigers.  Hierarchy change: Bruce Rondon to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce RondonBruce Rondon7/4/13

.

Houston Astros – The Astros optioned Hector Ambriz to the minors.  Jose Cisnero and Travis Blackley should see time in the set-up role with Ambriz gone..  Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Set-up, Travis Blackley to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasJose CisneroTravis BlackleyJose Veras7/4/13

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Drew Smyly/Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit has pitched in two straight and hasn’t pitched in three straight yet this season.
3. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
4. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera has pitched in three straight
5. Yoervis Medina/Oliver Perez, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Tom Wilhelmsen closing once again

July 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a 10th inning save tonight and will resume closing immediately.  Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Oliver Perez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenYoervis MedinaOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen7/3/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.

Tom Wilhelmsen on verge of winning job back; Blake Parker worth stashing

July 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Eric Wedge said prior to Tuesday’s game that Tom Wilhelmsen was close to regaining his closer status, and that the righty would be given another outing or two in a set-up role, and if those go well, he’d return to his old job (Mariners closer, that is, not bartender).  Wilhelmsen pitched the 9th last night in a 7-run game, throwing a clean inning, and seems to be, at most, one more decent outing away from returning to the role.  It’s sad news for owners of Oliver Perez and Yoervis Medina, who over the past three weeks have picked up a whopping one save each.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom WilhelmsenTom Wilhelmsen7/3/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

.
Chicago Cubs – Following the trade of Scott Feldman, the Cubs announced that Carlos Villanueva would be headed back to the rotation.  As Kevin Gregg draws interest from other teams, that makes Blake Parker an intriguing sleeper option for saves, come trade deadline time.  He might be worth rostering in deeper leagues.  Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerJames RussellKevin Gregg7/3/13

.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Kirk Gibson told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that JJ Putz would be used in lower-leverage situations for the time being.  Heath Bell will close for now, with David Hernandez behind him.  Josh Collmenter was also mentioned as a candidate for more late-inning work.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, David Hernandez to Set-up, JJ Putz to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/2/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – Ron Roenicke has said that he’ll use Francisco Rodriguez in 9th inning most of the time, but might also go to Jim Henderson based on match ups, and today might be a day where Henderson is especially likely to see a save opp, as K-Rod has thrown a total of 58 pitches over the last three days.

J.J. Putz pulled from closer role, will attempt to regain velocity

July 2, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Kirk Gibson told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that JJ Putz would be used in lower-leverage situations for the time being.  Heath Bell will close for now, with David Hernandez behind him.  Josh Collmenter was also mentioned as a candidate for more late-inning work.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, David Hernandez to Set-up, JJ Putz to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezJ.J. PutzJ.J. Putz7/2/13

.