Frank Francisco returns from injury, should close right away

August 3, 2012

New York Mets – Frank Francisco is expected to be activated from the DL today.  Bobby Parnell has been OK, but not great, in his place, so Francisco should resume closing immediately.  Hierarchy change: Frank Francisco to Closer, Bobby Parnell to Set-up, Jon Rauch to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Parnell |Rauch |Francisco |8/3/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has had two laborious outings over the last two days, allowing 4 ERs in 2 innings and throwing 62 pitches in the process.  His job is not in jeopardy, but he’ll likely get a night off tonight.
2. 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 tonight, as Perkins pitched 2 innings on Thursday.

Jonathan Broxton and Josh Lindblom establishing themselves in their new bullpens

August 2, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies picked up Josh Lindblom in the Shane Victorino trade, and proved they would use him in tight spots immediately.  He was one of three relievers to record an out in the 8th to bridge the gap to Jonathan Papelbon.  Hierarchy change: Josh Lindblom to 2nd in line, replacing Jake Diekman.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Bastardo |Lindblom |Papelbon |8/2/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – In Wednesday’s game, the Reds used newly-acquired Jonathan Broxton for the 8th inning after Sean Marshall pitched the 7th.  It appears Broxton is now the man to get saves on days when Aroldis Chapman is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Set-up, Sean Marshall to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Madson |8/2/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two games in a row.  The Reds have been reluctant to pitch him three consecutive nights (they’ve done so only once all season), meaning Broxton could get his first save chance as a Red.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri got knocked around last night, allowing 4 runs and throwing 26 pitches in the 9th and 10th innings.  It was his second consecutive night of work, and he could get the day off.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Greg Holland to close in KC; deadline moves affect hierarchies for Reds, Cardinals

August 1, 2012

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds acquired Royals closer Jonathan Broxton on Tuesday.  Aroldis Chapman will remain the closer, while Broxton will share the 8th inning role with Sean Marshall.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Broxton |Madson |8/1/12

 
St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals acquired Edward Mujica from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.  Mujica will likely pitch the 7th inning for the Cardinals, which is a role they’ve been trying to fill all season.  Hierarchy change: Edward Mujica to 2nd in line, replacing Victor Marte.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Marte |Motte |8/1/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs was placed on the DL prior to Tuesday’s game.  With a 4-run lead, Kevin Jepsen got out of a jam in the 7th inning before giving way to Jason Isringhausen for the 8th.  Ernesto Frieri pitched the 9th in a non-save situation.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line, Scott Downs to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Jepsen |Isringhausen|Walden |8/1/12 |Downs(DL) |

 
Boston Red Sox – Franklin Morales got a 1-out save in the 6th inning on Tuesday, retiring a hitter before the tarp came out.  The game was never resumed, and Morales was awarded one of the more bogus saves of the season.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Miller |Bailey |8/1/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Francisco Giants – After pitching three of the last four games, including a blown save on Monday, Santiago Casilla was given the night off.  In a 3-run game, Jeremy Affeldt pitched the last two innings for his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |8/1/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, said Royals manager Ned Yost, though Aaron Crow will be nipping at Holland’s heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

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

Jonathan Broxton traded; Greg Holland to close in Kansas City

July 31, 2012

Kansas City Royals – The Royals have traded closer Jonathan Broxton to the Cincinnati Reds, where he will serve as a set-up man.  Greg Holland will inherit the closer job in Kansas City, with Aaron Crow nipping at his heels if he struggles.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Closer, Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Crow |Herrera |Holland |7/31/12 |Soria(DL) |

Wilton Lopez finally to close for Houston; Brandon League traded to Dodgers

July 31, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – Jerome Williams pitched the last 4 innings of a blowout on Monday, earning his first save.  Williams’s outing was pretty hideous (8 hits, 5 ERs), and he doesn’t factor in the the Angels usual late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Jepsen |Walden |7/31/12

 
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners traded set-up man Brandon League to the Dodgers early Tuesday morning.  Lucas Luetge and Josh Kinney will now share 8th inning duties.  With Tom Wilhelmsen getting a night off last night (his wife was expecting a child), Kinney and Luetge combined to get through the 9th inning, with Luetge picking up the one-out save.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to Set-up, Josh Kinney to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Luetge |Kinney |Wilhelmsen |7/31/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
New York Mets – In a game with lots of bullpen ineptitude on both sides, Manny Acosta picked up a shaky save for the Mets in the 10th inning.  Acosta does not fit in to the Mets usual late-inning plans; they’d already used all their top arms when they summoned him last night.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Edgin |Francisco |7/31/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
Houston Astros – Some speculated that Francisco Cordero’s decent outing on Sunday may have saved his job, but tonight, he was the first man out of the bullpen for the Astros.  Coming on in the 7th inning, Cordero allowed an inherited runner to score, then gave up the tying run.  He also pitched to one batter in the 8th, allowing a leadoff double, before being lifted and eventually taking the loss.  Based on Cordero’s usage tonight, and his general awfulness in his return to the National League thus far, Wilton Lopez looks like he will finally get his shot to finish games.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Closer, Wesley Wright to Set-up, Francisco Cordero to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Wright |Cordero |Lopez |7/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Lucas Luetge/Josh Kinney, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen’s wife just gave birth, so the Seattle closer may still be unavailable today.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.