Joel Hanrahan returns from the DL, but Andrew Bailey keeps his job

May 1, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s return from the DL today came with a clear statement of boundaries from manager John Ferrell: Andrew Bailey will remain the team’s closer for the foreseeable future. Although Hanrahan might pitch some lower-leverage innings to begin with, he will be certainly be the choice in the 9th if the oft-injured Bailey goes down again. Hierarchy change: Joel Hanrahan to Set-Up, Koji Uehara to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Hanrahan |Uehara |Bailey |5/1/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew another save last night, dropping him to a woeful 5-for-9 on the year. The Diamondbacks have no shortage of options in the bullpen, including strong set-up man David Hernandez, experienced veteran Heath Bell, and impressive lefty Matt Reynolds (who has allowed no runs and only seven baserunners through 13 innings), so although Putz is still the man for now, he should be looking over his shoulder in earnest.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Bell |Putz |5/1/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Hernandez/Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew last night’s save and has pitched in three of the last four games, and four of the last six.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour and Sean Doolittle have each pitched in three straight.

Benoit swoops in for a cheap save

April 30, 2013

Detroit Tigers — After lefty Drew Smyly retired two lefties to start the ninth, Joaquin Benoit came on to face a righty, collecting the save. Jose Valverde had pitched in two straight games and was unavailableNo hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/30/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Atchison, New York Mets — Every pitcher in the Mets bullpen got work in last night’s 15-inning slog, but Atchison faced only one batter.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour pitched two innings last night in his second straight day of work; Doolittle struck out the only man he faced.
3. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton have each thrown on back-to-back days.

Al Alburquerque continues racking up strikeouts

April 29, 2013

Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque struck out three more hitters on Sunday, and now has 21 Ks in just 11.2 innings to go along with a 1.54 ERA.  It wasn’t a save/hold situation, as the Tigers were up five, but they still used Jose Valverde in the 9th inning, which by extension makes Alburquerque’s 8th inning appearance somewhat more meaningful.  He’s now likely ahead of Phil Coke in the Detroit bullpen hierarchy; the veteran lefty has seen his ERA jump to 8.31 after a bad outing earlier this week.  Hierarchy change: Al Albuerquerque to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/29/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in three straight.
2. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.

Kevin Gregg closing, Joba Chamberlain with a save

April 28, 2013

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera and David Robertson both got the night off after pitching in three of the previous four games.  Joba Chamberlain gave up a couple hits in the 9th but ultimately got the save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Rivera |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |4/28/13

 
Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall returned from the DL and pitched a perfect inning with 2 strikeouts last night.  Look for Marshall to slide back into that late inning role for the Reds and could be an option to close when Chapman needs a day off depending on the matchups.   Hierarchy change: Sean Marshall to 2nd in line, replacing Sam LeCure.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |4/28/13

 
(UPDATED April 27, 2013 10:18 PM EDT) Chicago Cubs – Another 9th inning opportunity for Kevin Gregg, and a perfect inning for his third save of the season.  As we’ve said, Kyuji Fujikawa should take back over when he returns, so much of this is elementary; however, hard as it is to believe, Kevin Gregg appears to be the reliever to own now in Chicago.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Gregg to Closer, Carlos Marmol to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Marmol |Russell |Fujikawa |4/27/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
2. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.

 

Kevin Gregg now the closer in Chicago. Yes, really.

April 27, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Another 9th inning opportunity for Kevin Gregg, and a perfect inning for his third save of the season.  As we’ve said, Kyuji Fujikawa should take back over when he returns, so much of this is elementary; however, hard as it is to believe, Kevin Gregg appears to be the reliever to own now in Chicago.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Gregg to Closer, Carlos Marmol to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Marmol |Russell |Fujikawa |4/27/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|