Brandon League still fighting for his job; Oliver Perez brilliant so far

May 16, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Burke Badenhop pitched in the 7th inning last night in a game the Brewers were losing and has been surpassed on the Brewers’ threadbare depth chart by Brandon Kintzler.  Kintzler has put together a stretch of five straight scoreless outings, a span that includes two 8th-inning holds ahead of Jim Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Set-up, Burke Badenhop to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerBurke BadenhopJim Henderson5/16/13
Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

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Seattle Mariners – Oliver Perez pitched the 8th inning ahead of Tom Wilhelmsen last night, marking the second time in the past week he’s been used in that spot.  Perez, who has a 1.17 ERA, has been the most reliable lefty in the Seattle bullpen all year and has surpassed the erratic Charlie Furbush on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to 2nd in line, replacing Charlie Furbush.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEATom WilhelmsenCarter CappsOliver PerezTom Wilhelmsen5/16/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers – Don Mattingly said yesterday afternoon that he wasn’t ready to anoint Kenley Jansen as the new closer yet, and a few hours later, it was Jansen who emerged from the bullpen for a four-out hold in the 7th and 8th innings.  Brandon League got the save in the 9th.  There’s no hints yet as to whether this is a platoon — in which Jansen will have a serious edge — or whether League still has a good chance to hold the job.  League’s next outing will likely be key, as another good inning might give him a chance to fully reclaim the role for the time being.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenBrandon LeaguePaco RodriguezKenley Jansen5/16/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has seen a pretty high workload this week, having pitched in back to back games and five of the last seven. Mark Melancon is slightly well rested and could get the save opp if the Pirates give Grilli the night off.

Kenley Jansen closes for the Dodgers; John Axford is still lousy

May 15, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — After 132 pitches got Clayton Kershaw only 26 outs, Don Mattingly turned to Kenley Jansen, not Brandon League, to finish off the 2-0 win. Although Mattingly recently declared League his closer “for now,” that tepid reassurance apparently came with an expiration date. The Dodger relievers might swap roles over the next few weeks, but Jansen — clearly the best pitcher in the pen — is likely to take full advantage of this opportunity. Hierarchy change: Kenley Jansen to Closer, Brandon League to Set-up, Paco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenBrandon LeaguePaco RodriguezKenley Jansen5/15/13

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Chicago White Sox — Jesse Crain entered in the eighth inning to hold a two-run lead; he leads the league with 10 holds and has regularly performed in a set-up role over the last few weeks, while lefty Matt Thornton has been used more situationally. Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to Set-up, replacing Matt Thornton.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedJesse CrainMatt ThorntonAddison Reed5/15/13

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Milwaukee Brewers — After using Burke Badenhop and Brandon Kintzler to get through the sixth and seventh innings, respectively, Ron Roenicke went to John Axford in the eighth. Roenicke’s patience was repaid with another blown save, albeit one that managed to lower Axford’s still-astronomical ERA and WHIP. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBurke BadenhopBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson5/15/13
Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels — Ryan Madson had a successful rehab appearance on Monday. If all goes well in his next game on Wednesday, he may return from the DL this weekend — although he will not start off as the team’s closer. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriScott DownsGarrett RichardsErnesto Frieri5/15/13
Ryan Madson (DL)Kevin Jepsen (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Adding to the Blue Jays’ injury woes, Sergio Santos will need surgery to clean out bone spurs from his elbow. Expect him back in early July. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenDarren OliverSteve DelabarSergio Santos5/15/13
Sergio Santos (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson blew the save last night, managing to squeeze four singles, a hit batsman, and three outs from a mere 13 pitches. Of course he’s in no danger, as it was his first blown save since last July, a string of 35 successes broken. Perhaps someone could inform the Oriole “fans” on Twitter. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonDarren O’DayTommy HunterJim Johnson5/15/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates — Whatever kept Jason Grilli from playing on Monday didn’t interfere with his Tuesday performance — he struck out the side in a perfect ninth. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconTony WatsonJason Grilli5/15/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney struck out the side last night, but it was his fourth appearance in six days. Peralta is slightly more well-rested.
2. Boone Logan, New York Yankees — Mariano Rivera and David Robertson have each pitched on three of the last four days, and five of the last seven. It’s not inconceivable that Logan could be called upon in a close ninth inning.

Jason Grilli possibly out for a few days; Santiago Casilla returning to the Giants

May 14, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli left the clubhouse abruptly on Monday due to personal reasons, and should be considered day-to-day. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconTony WatsonJason Grilli5/14/13


San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla told MLB.com this past weekend that he expects to be available again on Tuesday. Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to Set-up, Jeremy Affeldt to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoSantiago CasillaJeremy AffeldtSergio Romo5/14/13


New York Yankees — Adam Warren picked up his first career save on Monday with four innings of two-hit ball. Although Warren entered in the 6th to protect a one-run lead, he presents as more of a long man or spot starter. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonBoone LoganDavid Robertson5/14/13
Joba Chamberlain (DL)


Kansas City Royals — Luke Hochevar also earned the first save of his career on Monday night, pitching three innings in a blowout of the Angels. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandKelvin HerreraAaron CrowGreg Holland5/14/13


VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates — As noted above, Jason Grilli left the team for personal reasons on Monday and might not be available for Tuesday night’s game.

Brandon League barely hanging on to his job; Heath Bell blows a save

May 13, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League entered Sunday’s game with the Dodgers up by four, and promptly allowed two runs to score before nailing down the final out.  His ERA climbed to 6.28 after the crummy outing, and he remains firmly on the Hot Seat.  One more bad outing, and Kenley Jansen could finally inherit the job.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen5/13/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell looked like the Heath Bell of 2012 on Sunday, blowing the save and watching as the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th.  It was Bell’s first blown save since inheriting the job, but since Kirk Gibson said early on that Bell and David Hernandez could both be used in the 9th inning, Bell might not get another opportunity if he blows up again.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezBrad ZieglerJJ Putz5/13/13
JJ Putz (DL)

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Tom Gorzelanny was placed on the DL over the weekend.  Brandon Kintzler picked up an 8th-inning hold earlier this week and stands to get more high-leverage chances in Gorzelanny’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Burke Badenhop to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line, Tom Gorzelanny to DL.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
MILJim HendersonBurke BadenhopBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson5/13/13
Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

 
New York Mets – Scott Rice’s ratios have been ugly all season, but early on, he was at least getting outs.  His high walk rate has started to catch up to him though, and given that he has a tough time facing righties, it’s unlikely the Mets would go to him in a save spot unless they were playing matchups.  Veterans LaTroy Hawkins and Brandon Lyon are both more likely to get a 9th inning chance on nights when Bobby Parnell is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
NYMBobby ParnellLaTroy HawkinsBrandon LyonBobby Parnell5/13/13
Frank Francisco (DL)

 
Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee picked up his second 7th-inning hold in the past week on Sunday.  McGee has an extremely high ERA, but it’s mostly due to one horrible outing he had in early May.  On the rare night when both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta were unavailable, he’d likely get the save opp.  Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Jamey Wright. 

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney5/13/13

 
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen picked up a one-inning save in the 10th inning for the Indians on Sunday.  Chris Perez experienced some mild stiffness as he was warming up, but expects to be fine tomorrow.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/13/13
Vinnie Pestano (DL)

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez was unavailable last night, and if he can’t go today, Joe Smith could get a save opportunity.  Even if Perez is available, Smith is a decent add, as the Indians have a doubleheader today.
2. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell threw 30 pitches in a 1.1 inning outing on Sunday.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has been unavailable for a few days with a strained side.

Hanrahan out for season, Burton gets save

May 12, 2013

Boston Red Sox – Joel Hanrahan will have surgery and miss the rest of the season.  Fill in closer Junichi Tazawa came on for the 9th in a tie game last night and took the loss after giving up a go-ahead homerun to Adam Lind.   Tazawa has given up 4 runs in his last 4.2 innings.  The Red Sox could choose to go with Uehara while Bailey is out if Tazawa continues to struggle.  Junichi Tazawa to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/12/13 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Minnesota Twins – Jared Burton picked up the save last night.  Glen Perkins was unavailable yesterday with a sore left side but it does not appear to be serious.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Roenicke |Perkins |5/12/13

 
Los Angeles Angels – Garrett Richards pitched a perfect 8th inning with the Angels up one on Saturday.  Richards was recently moved to the bullpen and it looks like he will move into a late inning role.  Also, Ryan Madson could begin a rehab assignment on Monday and, if everything goes well, be back with the Angels by the end of the week.  Hierarchy change: Garret Richards to 2nd in line, replacing Dane De La Rosa 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Richards |Frieri |5/12/13 |Madson(DL) |Jepsen (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Josh Roenicke, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has a sore left side and Jared Burton has pitched 3 days in a row.
2. Scott Downs/Garret Richards, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in three straight games.