Joe Smith to close after Ernesto Frieri’s demotion

April 25, 2014

Los Angeles Angels – Prior to Friday night’s game, Mike Scioscia announced that Ernesto Frieri would get some time off from the closer role.  Joe Smith will close in his absence, though Scioscia said that he expects Frieri to win the job back eventually.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Closer, Michael Kohn to Set-up, Ernesto Frieri to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
LAAJoe SmithMichael KohnErnesto FrieriErnesto Frieri4/25/14

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Dice K records save, Chapman throws BP

April 25, 2014

New York Mets – Kyle Farnsworth had the day off yesterday, and Terry Collins proved he wasn’t kidding when he said Daisuke Matsuzaka could be an option to close games.  Matsuzaka recorded his first career save yesterday.  Carlos Torres has been pitching very well in the 8th and it looks like this could be one of those situations where the manager would rather not mess with his 8th inning guy.  Dice K should continue to get the call when Farnsworth is not available.  Hierarchy change: Daisuke Matsuzaka to Set-up, Carlos Torres to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMKyle FarnsworthDaisuke MatsuzakaCarlos TorresBobby Parnell4/25/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers have activated Brandon Kintzler from the DL.  Kintzler should jump right back into important spots in the 7th and 8th innings ahead of closer K-rod.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line, replacing Will Smith.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson4/25/14

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Cincinnati Reds – Sam LeCure struck out the side in the 8th inning last night and lowered his ERA under 1.00 on the season.  Manny Parra picked up a save earlier this season but has given up runs in 3 of his last 4 appearances.    On another note, closer Aroldis Chapman threw batting practice.  He is scheduled to throw BP again on Saturday and could head out on a rehab assignment after that.  Hierarchy change: Sam LeCure to Set-up, replacing Manny Parra.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureSean MarshallAroldis Chapman4/25/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton and Sam LeCure have both pitched 2 days in a row.
2. Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs — The Cubs could finally give Hector Rondon a chance to close today after Strop really struggled in his last outing.
3. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros — Josh Fields blew his last save chance, and Matt Albers has been unavailable the last couple days. Chad Qualls could get a shot tonight if there is a save opportunity.
4. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Oakland is still going based on match-ups so Doolittle could get the call on any night.  Jim Johnson has been pitching better and could be working his way back into a 9th inning option.

 

Joe Smith could replace Ernesto Frieri, and Hector Rondon is still waiting

April 24, 2014

Chicago Cubs — Hey, can it be Hector Rondon time yet? The rest of the Cubs bullpen combined for a brutal blown save on Wednesday, with Pedro Strop’s control problems (7 BB in 8.1 IP) the catalyst. We’ve been telling you for two weeks that Rondon’s our guy; for the sake of Jeff Samardzija’s mental health, we hope Rick Renteria agrees soon. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCPedro StropHector RondonJustin GrimmHector Rondon4/24/14

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Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri is having a terrible April. 5 of the 42 batters he’s faced have hit home runs, and opponents are hitting .359/.405/.769 against him — basically the equivalent of a Babe Ruth who didn’t like to walk. After Wednesday’s four-run meltdown, Mike Scioscia gave Frieri a vote of confidence, but the next nightmare outing is bound to be his last. Joe Smith awaits. Ernesto Frieri to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriJoe SmithMichael KohnErnesto Frieri4/24/14

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New York Mets — Terry Collins sent Mets fans into a tizzy with Wednesday’s offhand comment that Daisuke Matsuzaka was a potential option to close games. Instead, the faithful were treated to classic Farnsworth: three hits, and the tying run thrown out at the plate. A 94 MPH fastball on the last pitch to Matt Holliday may assuage concerns about the closer’s health, at least. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMKyle FarnsworthCarlos TorresGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/24/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Houston Astros — So much for pleasant bullpen news out of Houston. Pitching for the third straight day, Josh Fields coughed up the lead and the ballgame on two singles and a three-run blast. With Matt Albers unavailable with shoulder tightness, Bo Porter didn’t have many other options. More bad news: Jesse Crain still hasn’t thrown a pitch in rehab, and won’t be up for at least a month. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsMatt AlbersChad QuallsJosh Fields4/24/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs — Even if Pedro Strop doesn’t lose his job on Thursday, he’s not getting the save opportunity after Wednesday’s 31-pitch debacle.
2. Matt Albers/Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Josh Fields can’t go tomorrow, and if Albers is still hurt, Porter will probably turn to Qualls or Bass.
3. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — The next Oakland save could also go to Jim Johnson, Fernando Abad, or Dan Otero.

More trouble in Oakland; Robertson back in the Bronx

April 23, 2014

Oakland A’s — Luke Gregerson was one strike away from his fourth save of the year; instead, he blew his second in less than a week, and took the loss. Meanwhile, Fernando Abad continued his scoreless streak by picking up two outs in the eighth, and Jim Johnson was warming up as the winning run scored. Bob Melvin was incensed in his postgame press conference; it’s anyone’s guess where he’ll turn next, but Abad, Johnson, and Sean Doolittle are all options. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonSean DoolittleJim JohnsonSean Doolittle4/23/14

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New York Yankees — As we let you know on Tuesday morning, David Robertson has returned from the disabled list. Hierarchy change: David Robertson to Closer, Shawn Kelley to Set-up, Adam Warren to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYYDavid RobertsonShawn KelleyAdam WarrenDavid Robertson4/23/14

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Colorado Rockies – It seems Rex has returned from the doghouse, entering with two on and one out in a one-run eighth and immediately inducing a pivotal double play. Brothers’s heroics allowed Adam Ottavino’s shutout streak to continue. Walt Weiss stuck with the lefty against Brandon Belt to start the ninth, and he again came through. Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoRex BrothersRex Brothers4/23/14

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Houston Astros — It’s nice to have a relaxing Astros update for a change. Josh Fields got the save on Tuesday, and he didn’t even allow a hit! No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsMatt AlbersChad QuallsJosh Fields4/23/14
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Detroit Tigers — Joba Chamberlain picked up a one-out save on Tuesday night after Phil Coke gave up three runs in the ninth. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
DETJoe NathanJoba Chamberlain Al AlburquerqueJoe Nathan4/23/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — See above. In descending order, the next Oakland save could also go to Jim Johnson, Fernando Abad, or Dan Otero.
2. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — If the Astros go with someone other than Josh Fields, it probably won’t be Matt Albers.