Axford out as Brewers closer, Jim Henderson to take over

April 8, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford got a vote of confidence from manager Ron Roenicke after a rough outing on Wednesday, but after taking the loss in an extra-inning game over the weekend, it appears that Roenicke is ready to make a move.  In a save situation this afternoon against the Cubs, it was Jim Henderson who emerged from the Milwaukee bullpen, not Axford.  The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had speculated on such a move this morning, and Henderson got the job done, striking out two while only allowing one hit.  Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Gonzalez |Axford |4/8/13

Greg Holland, Steve Cishek struggling

April 8, 2013

Miami Marlins – After getting knocked around in a non-save situation on Friday, Steve Cishek blew a save on Sunday, allowing 2 runs and taking the loss against the Mets.  Cishek doesn’t have a ton of competition in the Miami bullpen.  Mike Dunn got a couple saves last year, but is mostly a match-up guy, while Jon Rauch and Chad Qualls have been around the block a few times and aren’t particularly imposing at this point.  If Cishek continues to struggle, though, the Marlins may have to give someone else a try.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Dunn |Rauch |Cishek |4/8/13

 
Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland had another rough outing on Sunday, one day after blowing the save and taking the loss against the Phillies.  After putting several runners on, Holland had to be pulled for Kelvin Herrera, who cleaned up the mess and earned his first save of the year.  The job still belongs to Holland for now, but Herrera, a fireballer who already has 7 Ks in 3.1 innings this season, could challenge for it if Holland continues to struggle.  Greg Holland to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |4/8/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell picked up his first save of the season on Sunday.  The save came two innings after JJ Putz had blown it in the 9th, and David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler had already pitched.  The blown save was the first of the season for Putz, who is not in danger of losing his job.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |4/8/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.

Marmol out on Chicago’s North Side; Crain ascending in the South

April 7, 2013

Chicago Cubs — It seems that Carlos Marmol is finally done as the Cubs closer after giving up two home runs in the ninth to lose to Atlanta. Although Dale Sveum pointed out that Kyuji Fujikawa also pitched poorly on Saturday night, and offered Shawn Camp and James Russell as potential alternatives, we believe the Cub most likely to land in the closer role is the longtime Japanese relief ace.  Hierarchy change: Kyuji Fujikawa to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-Up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Fujikawa |Camp |Russell |Fujikawa |4/7/13

 
Chicago White Sox — The Sox turned to Jesse Crain in a very important spot in the eighth inning on Saturday, and it seems that he has moved ahead of Matt Lindstrom in Chicago’s bullpen. Hierarchy change: Jesse Crain to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Crain |Reed |4/7/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers –– Brandon League and Kenley Jansen have each pitched in two straight games.
2. Matt Belisle, Colorado Rockies — Rafael Betancourt has thrown twice in a row.

Carlos Marmol finally out as Cubs closer

April 7, 2013

Chicago Cubs — It seems that Carlos Marmol is finally done as the Cubs closer after giving up two home runs in the ninth to lose to Atlanta. Although Dale Sveum pointed out that Kyuji Fujikawa also pitched poorly on Saturday night, and offered Shawn Camp and James Russell as potential alternatives, we believe the Cub most likely to land in the closer role is the longtime Japanese relief ace.  Hierarchy change: Kyuji Fujikawa to Closer, Shawn Camp to Set-Up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

Brad Ziegler moving up in Arizona; more wackiness in Detroit

April 6, 2013

Detroit Tigers — Jim Leyland is just messing with us now, leaving long man Drew Smyly in for a four-inning save, as the Tigers slowly pulled away from the Yankees. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/6/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks — Arizona has used Brad Ziegler in a few high-leverage spots so far this season, while Heath Bell’s only appearance left him with an 81.00 ERA and more home runs allowed than batters retired. At this point, Bell is strictly a reliever of last resort. Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to 2nd in line, replacing Heath Bell.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Ziegler |Putz |4/6/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners –– Tom Wilhelmsen loaded the bases and needed 34 pitches to get last night’s save. Stephen Pryor could be sidelined too; he threw 28 pitches over two innings himself.
2. Mike Dunn/Jon Rauch, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek threw 30 pitches on Friday and 10 on Thursday.