Steve Cishek blows another save; Rex Brothers strengthens his hold

June 5, 2013

Cincinnati Reds — Although Sam LeCure gave up a two-run homer that gave the Rockies the lead, the blast broke a 10-game, 9.2-inning streak in which he had allowed no runs and only one hit. LeCure is still a strong third option in the Reds bullpen. Hierarchy change: Sam LeCure to 2nd in line, replacing J.J. Hoover.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureJonathan Broxton6/5/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers — Paco Rodriguez pitched a high-leverage seventh on Monday night; meanwhile, Ronald Belisario has been spanked in each of his last two outings, including a stint in the sixth last night. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to 2nd in line, replacing Ronald Belisario.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenPaco RodriguezKenley Jansen6/5/13

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Colorado Rockies — Now that Rex Brothers seems safely ensconced as the Rockies’ interim closer, it’s less likely that Wilton Lopez will be called upon in that role. Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRafael Betancourt6/5/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek remains on the Hot Seat in Miami after he blew his second save in seven chances, although a Seat gets only so Hot when your team is looking up at the 1909 Washington Senators.  If you have to own a Miami reliever, take stock of your life. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekChad QuallsMike DunnSteve Cishek6/5/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three of the last four games.
2. Carter Capps, Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in back-to-back games and in three of the last four.
3. Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals — Each of the Cardinals’ top three relievers were used for at least two innings on Tuesday night — plus Mitchell Boggs is in AAA Memphis and Joe Kelly is making the spot start. An ugly night could be in store for the Cards, but if you want to make a very speculative play, Seth Maness — or whomever they call up this afternoon — has a shot at a save.

Josh Fields returns to the Houston bullpen

June 4, 2013

Houston Astros — Josh Fields, back from a long stint on the disabled list, was immediately thrust into a high-leverage eighth inning against Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Hierarchy change: Josh Fields to 2nd in line, replacing Wesley Wright.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizJosh FieldsJose Veras6/4/13

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Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen gave up a run, but managed to collect the save on Monday night. Further down the bullpen, Yoervis Medina’s usage is worth monitoring; he retired all five men he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenCarter CappsCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen6/4/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Antonio Bastardo, Ryan Cook move into set-up roles

June 3, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon missed the game on Sunday with a bad sinus infection and could be out for an additional day or two.  Antonio Bastardo picked up a shaky save in his absence and will likely share 9th inning duties with Mike Adams if Papelbon needs another day to recover.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Mike Adams to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoMike AdamsJonathan Papelbon6/3/13

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Houston Astros – Jose Veras was given a day off on Sunday after pitching five of the previous six days, as mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch.  Hector Ambriz picked up his second save of the week in his place.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizWesley WrightJose Veras6/3/13

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Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook finished off the 7th and stayed on for a spotless 8th on Sunday, marking the third straight 8th-inning appearance for Cook.  Sean Doolittle, meanwhile, has struggled in his last two outings, allowing two runs each time.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Set-up, Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleGrant Balfour6/3/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up an 11th-inning save on Sunday night after the Jays had used most of the other relievers in their bullpen.  Brett Cecil pitched the 8th and 9th for Toronto and extended his scoreless innings streak to 11.  Though Neil Wagner had a strong debut earlier this week, he hasn’t pitched in a game in which the Blue Jays were winning or tied since.  Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, replacing Neil Wagner.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos6/3/13
Sergio Santos (DL)Darren Oliver (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo/Mike Adams, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon might need another day off to recover from a nasty sinus infection that kept him out on Sunday.
2. Joe Thatcher, San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer have both pitched in three straight.

Luke Gregerson and Rex Brothers move into 9th inning roles; Tom Wilhelmsen struggling

June 2, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen blew his third save in four chances on Sunday, walking the bases loaded and then allowing a walk-off triple.  Eric Wedge didn’t say anything ominous about Wilhelmsen’s job security after the game, saying that closers go through rough spots throughout the season, but should Wilhelmsen blow another save or two, Wedge will have to start considering 8th inning man Carter Capps instead.  Also in the conversation is Charlie Furbush, whose high strikeout totals (31 Ks in 23 innings) probably make him a better 9th inning candidate than Oliver Perez.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Oliver Perez.  Tom Wilhelmsen to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenCarter CappsCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen6/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Atlanta Braves – Jordan Walden now has three perfect innings since returning from the disabled list, including a clean 10th last night which earned him the win when the Braves walked off.  He might not become the team’s 8th inning guy for a while — Cory Gearrin and Luis Avilan have pitched well in that role — but now that he’s shown that he’s healthy, his previous closing experience gives him the edge for saves should anything happen to Craig Kimbrel.  Hierarchy change: Jordan Walden to Set-up, Cory Gearrin to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenCory GearrinCraig Kimbrel6/2/13
Eric O’Flaherty (DL)

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San Diego Padres – On the night that Huston Street was placed on the DL with a strained calf, Luke Gregerson got the call in the 9th inning.  Bud Black said that both Gregerson and Dale Thayer could be used in the 9th inning in Street’s absence, though “Luke is probably the guy we will turn to more.”  Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to Closer, Dale Thayer to Set-up, Joe Thatcher to 2nd in line, Huston Street to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
 SDLuke GregersonDale ThayerJoe ThatcherHuston Street6/2/13
Huston Street (DL)

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Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt hit the DL on Sunday, meaning more save chances for Rex Brothers.  Brothers, who is having a remarkable season so far (0.36 ERA), assumed his role immediately last night, pitching the 9th inning of a tie game.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt6/2/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson has pitched three innings over the last two days, and might get the day off today.
2. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros – Jose Veras has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
3. Carter Capps/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, throwing 57 pitches in the process.  Especially given the rough outing yesterday, he might get a day off today.
4. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Though Don Mattingly said yesterday that Brandon League is still his closer, that hasn’t previously stopped him from using Kenley Jansen in a tight spot in the 9th.

Rafael Betancourt injured, Rex Brothers to close

June 1, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has been placed on the disabled list with the same groin injury that has been nagging him over the past two weeks.  Rex Brothers will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt6/1/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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