Melancon and Brothers pick up saves

May 23, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.  It appears Rafael Betancourt will avoid the disabled list and could be back tomorrow.   However, Betancourt has a history of groin injuries so we will wait and see if he is actually ready to go that soon.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt5/23/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon picked up the save on Wednesday.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jason Grill had pitched three of the last four games. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli5/23/13

.

Minnesota Twins – Josh Roenicke relieved Vance Worley in the 4th inning yesterday and his usage has been all over the place this season.  Casey Fien pitched a scoreless 7th on Tuesday and has seen more action later in games.  Hierarchy change:  Casey Fien to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Roenicke.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/23/13

.

 

Rafael Betancourt ailing; Rex Brothers and Wilton Lopez ready to go

May 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt left Tuesday night’s game with what the team immediately described as a “tight right groin” — no real surprise given its recent workload. Betancourt was initially listed as day-to-day, but if Wednesday’s MRI leads to a DL stint, it’s likely that Rex Brothers will take over the closer role. Wilton Lopez is another option if Walt Weiss wants to play matchups or reduce the injury’s impact on the eighth inning. Hierarchy change: Rafael Betancourt injured, Rex Brothers to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt5/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)

 

Rafael Betancourt out with a tight groin; Brothers and Lopez await

May 22, 2013

Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt left Tuesday night’s game with what the team immediately described as a “tight right groin” — no real surprise given its recent workload. Betancourt was initially listed as day-to-day, but if Wednesday’s MRI leads to a DL stint, it’s likely that Rex Brothers will take over the closer role. Wilton Lopez is another option if Walt Weiss wants to play matchups or reduce the injury’s impact on the eighth inning. Hierarchy change: Rafael Betancourt injured, Rex Brothers to Closer, Wilton Lopez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersWilton LopezMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt5/22/13
Rafael Betancourt (INJ)    

.

Chicago Cubs — If Dale Sveum insists on using his best reliever, James Russell, in the sixth or seventh inning, and then trusting Carlos Marmol in the eighth, then yes, we will update the Cubs’ hierarchy accordingly. Just don’t expect us to be happy about it. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line, replacing James Russell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggKyuji FujikawaCarlos MarmolKyuji Fujikawa5/22/13

.

San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla returned to the disabled list with continued right knee trouble; he will see a specialist on Wednesday, and may even need surgery. Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to DL, Jeremy Affeldt to Set-up, Jean Machi to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoJeremy AffeldtJean MachiSergio Romo5/22/13
Santiago Casilla (DL)

.

Miami Marlins – Marlins skipper Mike Redmond is prepared to use a bullpen-by-committee approach, naming Mike Dunn and Chad Qualls as potential ninth-inning options to complement the embattled Steve Cishek. Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to 2nd in line, replacing A.J. Ramos.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnChad QuallsSteve Cishek5/22/13

.

Pittsburgh Pirates — With a win and two holds in the last week, Justin Wilson has moved ahead of Tony Watson in the Pirates’ pen. Hierarchy change: Justin Wilson to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Watson.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli5/22/13

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rex Brothers/Wilton Lopez, Colorado Rockies — As noted above, Rafael Betancourt is out with a tight groin.
2. Mark Melancon/Justin Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli has pitched in three of the last four games, including a grueling 35-pitch outing last night. Mark Melancon is slightly better rested, while Justin Wilson is rather fresh.
3. Josh Lueke/Kyle Farnsworth, Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays’ top three relievers have gotten a lot of work lately, including a 1.2-inning save for Fernando Rodney last night. Off a subpar 22-pitch outing of his own, Joel Peralta might be able to go tomorrow, but if you’re in the mood for an extremely speculative bullpen play, Josh Lueke and Kyle Farnsworth are the deep sleeper options.
4. Cory Gearrin, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel picked up the win last night; it was his fourth appearance in five games.

Andrew Bailey back with Boston, while the heat goes up on Jim Johnson

May 21, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Andrew Bailey was reactivated in time for Monday’s loss to the White Sox. Although he will return to the closer’s seat immediately, John Farrell is likely to limit his workload, at least initially. Hierarchy change: Andrew Bailey to Closer, Junichi Tazawa to Set-up, Koji Uehara to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSAndrew BaileyJunichi TazawaKoji UeharaAndrew Bailey5/21/13

.

Baltimore Orioles — In under a week, a Jim Johnson blown save has gone from historical oddity to disturbing three-time trend. It’s likely that Johnson, never conventionally dominant, is simply reverting to the mean via a run of particularly bad luck. On the heels of a six-game losing streak in the competitive AL East, however, Buck Showalter may not long have the luxury of keeping faith in his large righthander. Jim Johnson to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonDarren O’DayTommy HunterJim Johnson5/21/13

.

Philadelphia Phillies — Mike Adams was placed on the disabled list with a strained back, retroactive to May 11. He hopes to return by the 27th, but in the meantime, Charlie Manuel has indicated that Justin De Fratus will see more action. Hierarchy change: Mike Adams to DL, Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Justin De Fratus to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJustin De FratusJonathan Papelbon5/21/13
 Mike Adams (DL)

.

Kansas City Royals — After Kelvin Herrera surrendered his eighth home run in his last 14 innings on Sunday, Ned Yost announced Herrera’s demotion from the setup role. Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowKelvin HerreraGreg Holland5/21/13

.

Houston Astros — Hector Ambriz is again the first choice for Houston in the eighth innings of close games, while lefty Wesley Wright has been used in earlier matchup situations. Hierarchy change: Hector Ambriz to Set-up, Wesley Wright to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizWesley WrightJose Veras5/21/13

.

Atlanta Braves — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Cory Gearrin grabbed a weird one-out save on Monday after entering with two on and a four-run lead. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelCory GearrinLuis AvilanCraig Kimbrel5/21/13
 Eric O’Flaherty (DL)Jordan Walden (DL)

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez struggled Monday in a 28-pitch outing and was lucky to avoid the loss. Although Pestano also pitched in that game, he might get the call if Perez is fatigued.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League could get a save on any night if Kenley Jansen is needed before the 9th.

Steve Cishek pulled from save opportunity as Mike Dunn cleans up mess

May 20, 2013

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour and Sean Doolittle both had the day off on Sunday after pitching the previous two days, so Ryan Cook got the call in the 9th inning.  The righty made it interesting, allowing two runners to reach, but ultimately locked down his first save of the season.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourSean DoolittleRyan CookGrant Balfour5/20/13

.
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek struggled after coming in with a man on 2nd and nobody out in the 9th inning against the Diamondbacks. He got 2 outs, but was lifted for set-up man Mike Dunn after a single and a walk. Dunn, who came in sporting a 1.77 ERA on the year, walked his first batter before closing the game out and leaving the bases loaded. The lefty is the best candidate to get save chances if Cishek is pulled from the closer role.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnAJ RamosSteve Cishek5/19/13

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cory Gearrin/Luis Avilan, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three straight and should get the night off tonight.  The Braves will likely play matchups in the 9th if they have a lead.
2. Carlos Martinez/Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica and Trevor Rosenthal have both pitched in three straight.  Carlos Martinez or Seth Maness will likely get the call in the 9th tonight, if needed.
3. AJ Ramos, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, throwing 55 pitches in the process.  Mike Dunn, meanwhile, has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.  If they’re both rested tonight, AJ Ramos is the most likely candidate for a save chance.
4. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched in back to back games and has yet to pitch on three straight days at any point this year.
5. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League could get a save on any night if Jansen is needed before the 9th.