Kameron Loe, Matt Albers rising; Heath Bell could lose the job he never had

August 13, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – Kameron Loe picked up his first save of the season as Ron Roenicke continues to follow through on his threat that everyone in the Brewers bullpen will get a shot at closing.  Jim Henderson is still the best bet for saves moving on, but Loe should now be on fantasy radars.  Hierarchy change: Kameron Loe to 2nd in line, replacing Francisco Rodriguez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Loe |Axford |8/13/12

 
Miami Marlins – Prior to Sunday, Heath Bell had only given up 1 run since the All Star break, and he had lowered his ghastly ERA by nearly a point and a half.  Ozzie Guillen had been impressed enough to say earlier this week that he’d be giving Bell another shot at closing.  The Marlins haven’t had a save chance since Guillen made his declaration, but in the 8th inning on Sunday, Bell took a major step back, allowing 4 earned runs while only recording 1 out.  Despite Guillen’s plans for Bell, Steve Cishek is now a great bet to get the next save opp.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/13/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Albers, acquired in the Craig Breslow deal, pitched a clean 8th inning with the Diamondbacks leading by five runs.  Takashi Saito came on for the 9th and gave up two runs before JJ Putz came on to bail him out.  Saito’s ERA climbed to 6.14 with the bad outing, while Albers is yet to give up a run in the NL.  Hierarchy change: Matt Albers to 2nd in line, replacing Takashi Saito.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Albers |Putz |8/13/12

 
New York Mets – Jon Rauch picked up his second save of the season, bailing out both Josh Edgin and Frank Francisco, who couldn’t combine to get three outs in what was initially a blowout.  The Mets have already said that Bobby Parnell could get some save opps while Francisco regains his strength, and this outing makes Parnell all the more appealing.  Frank Francisco to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |8/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Dale Thayer and Grant Balfour inherit closer jobs again

August 12, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – A day after inheriting the closer job from a struggling John Axford, Jim Henderson took the loss for the Brewers on Saturday night.  He came on in the 9th inning and struck out the side, but then couldn’t find the plate in the 10th, as all four runners he faced reached base.  Given the volatility of the Brewers bullpen and Ron Roenicke’s recent tendency to try anyone and everyone in the closer role, this outing is enough to put Henderson on notice.  Jim Henderson to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Rodriguez |Axford |8/12/12

 
Miami Marlins – Since Heath Bell supposedly regained his closer job a few days ago, the Marlins haven’t had a save opportunity.  But even if they’d had one last night (they ended up winning by four), it wouldn’t have gone to Bell, who pitched in the 8th inning with the Marlins up by two runs.  While this could’ve been a final tuneup before he re-enters the closer role, Steve Cishek is still certainly worth holding on to until Ozzie Guillen proves that he meant what he said earlier this week.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/12/12

 
Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin has removed Ryan Cook from the closer role, saying he wanted to use the rookie in lower-pressure situations.  Melvin emphasized that the move may not be permanent, but that he’d go with a closer-by-committee for the time being.  Grant Balfour got the save on Saturday after Cook pitched in the 7th and 8th, and Balfour is the best short-term (and possibly long-term) option for saves at this point.  Hierarchy change: Grant Balfour to Closer, Ryan Cook to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Neshek |Cook |8/11/12

 
San Diego Padres – Huston Street took his 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak to the disabled list today after straining his calf on the final play of last night’s game. Bud Black offered three options to the San Diego Union-Tribune last night: a return to Dale Thayer, an elevation of Luke Gregerson, or the dreaded “closer-by-committee.” Although Gregerson has the best numbers in the Padres pen, it seems most likely that Black will keep him in the set-up role and go back to Thayer come the 9th. Hierarchy change: Huston Street to DL, Dale Thayer to Closer, Brad Brach to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Brach |Street |8/11/12 |Street (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in back to back games, and the Reds have used him thrice in a row only once all season.
2. Wesley Wright/Fernando Rodriguez, Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez threw 40 pitches over two innings on Saturday, his second consecutive night of work.  The Astros could play match-ups to determine their closer tonight.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Ryan Cook loses closer job for now, Grant Balfour pitches 9th inning in his place

August 11, 2012

Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin has removed Ryan Cook from the closer role, saying he wanted to use the rookie in lower-pressure situations.  Melvin emphasized that the move may not be permanent, but that he’d go with a closer-by-committee for the time being.  Grant Balfour got the save on Saturday after Cook pitched in the 7th and 8th, and Balfour is the best short-term (and possibly long-term) option for saves at this point.  Hierarchy change: Grant Balfour to Closer, Ryan Cook to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Neshek |Cook |8/11/12

Huston Street heads to the DL — Dale Thayer likely to close over Luke Gregerson

August 11, 2012

San Diego Padres – Huston Street took his 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak to the disabled list today after straining his calf on the final play of last night’s game. Bud Black offered three options to the San Diego Union-Tribune last night: a return to Dale Thayer, an elevation of Luke Gregerson, or the dreaded “closer-by-committee.” Although Gregerson has the best numbers in the Padres pen, it seems most likely that Black will keep him in the set-up role and go back to Thayer come the 9th. Hierarchy change: Huston Street to DL, Dale Thayer to Closer, Brad Brach to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Brach |Street |8/11/12 |Street (DL) |

 

Jim Henderson takes over for good; Huston Street injury may open door for Dale Thayer

August 11, 2012

San Diego Padres – Huston Street suffered what initially appeared to be a bad injury on Friday night, pulling up lame as he went to cover first base on the last out of the game.  Reports from after the game suggested the injury was not as bad as it appeared, though Bud Black still speculated that the injury would keep Street out for a few days.  If the injury does require a trip to the disabled list, then Dale Thayer could close in Street’s absence, Bud Black told the San Diego Union-Tribune. Luke Gregerson could also be in the mix.No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Gregerson |Thayer |Street |8/11/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford blew his 8th save of the season last night.  After the game manager Ron Roenicke said that Jim Henderson was only guy in the bullpen pitching well, and also went on to say about Henderson, “We’ll give the ball to him and see what happens there.”  Henderson will get a chance to close and could very well hold the job for the rest of the season if he continues to convert his chances.   Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Rodriguez |Axford |8/11/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Even if Huston Street avoids the DL, he’s unlikely to pitch today.
2. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.