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.

Jim Henderson new closer in Milwaukee after John Axford blows another save

August 11, 2012

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

Heath Bell used in the 7th one day after being named closer

August 10, 2012

Miami Marlins – Just a day after Ozzie Guillen said that Heath Bell would be moved back in to the closer role, he sent Bell out for the 7th inning with the Marlins losing by two runs.  Guillen saying one thing and then doing another is certainly nothing new, so Bell’s usage over the next few days will determine whether he has actually regained the job.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/9/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – With the Pirates down by 1 run in the 7th, they went to Jared Hughes, who got knocked around and was unable to escape the inning.  The Pirates traded for Chad Qualls at the deadline, and used him in the 8th inning ahead of Joel Hanrahan on Wednesday; he’s now ahead of Hughes on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Qualls |Hanrahan |8/10/12

 
Detroit Tigers – Octavio Dotel got the last two outs of the 7th inning on Thursday two days after he earned an 8th inning hold.  The veteran has been used in higher-leverage spots than Phil Coke in recent weeks.  Hierarchy change: Octavio Dotel to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Dotel |Valverde |8/10/12

 
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.

Jim Henderson may win closer job soon; Heath Bell back to closing

August 9, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson picked up his second save in as many days on Wednesday, leading many to anoint him the new Milwaukee closer.  But there’s been no word on the 9th inning role from Ron Roenicke since before the game on Wednesday, when he told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that “We can work them both in,” referring to Henderson and John Axford.  For his part, Axford has been much better of late– he earned the win by pitching a scoreless 8th inning last night– so the next save chance will be key.  If Henderson gets the call, he becomes the favorite as the reliever most likely to earn saves the rest of the year; anyone else, and Axford is still the best bet.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Rodriguez |Axford |8/9/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vicente Padilla hit the DL this week, making hard-throwing lefty Andrew Miller the best option for saves on nights when Alfredo Aceves is unavailable.  Mark Melancon, who has a 4.09 ERA since returning the majors in June, is the only active Red Sox reliever to have earned a hold this week, and he moves up as well.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Miller to Set-up, Mark Melancon to 2nd in line, Vicente Padilla to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Miller |Melancon |Bailey |8/9/12 |Bailey(DL) |Padilla(DL) |

 
Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen said before Wednesday’s game that Heath Bell would be moved back into the closer role.  “We’re going to give him another opportunity,” said Guillen to several media outlets.  Steve Cishek has pitched quite well since taking over the role, and with Guillen also saying that he reserved the right to use other relievers in the 9th, Bell will begin immediately on the Hot Seat.  But, in a rather stunning move, he’s back in as the Marlins’ closer.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Steve Cishek to Set-up.

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

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight, and has pitched 4.0 innings over the last four days.
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 whenever match-ups are right.

Heath Bell is the closer again in Miami

August 8, 2012

Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen said before Wednesday’s game that Heath Bell would be moved back into the closer role.  “We’re going to give him another opportunity,” said Guillen to several media outlets.  Steve Cishek has pitched quite well since taking over the role, and with Guillen also saying that he reserved the right to use other relievers in the 9th, Bell will begin immediately on the Hot Seat.  But, in a rather stunning move, he’s back in as the Marlins’ closer.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Closer, Steve Cishek to Set-up.

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