O’Day picks up save, Santos bounces back

April 19, 2014

Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day picked up the save last night.  He got the last out of the 8th inning with the Orioles up 3 and then Orioles added another run in the top of the 9th.  O’Day stayed on to finish the game and record his first save of the season.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayEvan MeekTommy Hunter4/19/14

.

Toronto Blue Jays — Before yesterday’s game, manager John Gibbons said that Sergio Santos has been tremendous this season.  Santos successfully closed out the Indians on Friday but it wasn’t smooth, as he allowed a hit and 2 walks in the 9th inning.  He is 5 out of 6 in save chances this season but he has struggled with walks and will need to get that under control if he wants to keep the job.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/19/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Addison Reed blew his first save of the season on Friday, giving up the game-tying solo homerun to Juan Uribe.  The Diamonbacks would go on to win the game in extra innings and former starter Trevor Cahill earned his first career save.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ARIAddison ReedJ.J. PutzBrad ZieglerAddison Reed4/19/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos has pitched in 2 straight and 3 of the last 4, throwing a total of 56 pitches.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson has seen more save chances that Doolittle since Jim Johnson’s demotion but this is still looking like a committee so Doolittle could get the call based on match-ups.
3. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
4. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – If the Astros ever get another save opportunity they could use pretty much anyone at this point.

Brian Wilson has a strong return; Sergio Santos walks everyone

April 18, 2014

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brian Wilson was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, and on Thursday, he picked up where he left off, earning an 8th inning hold in a 2-run ballgame.  Hierarchy change: Brian Wilson to Set-up, Chris Perez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenBrian WilsonChris PerezKenley Jansen4/18/14

.
Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos had been solid in filling in for Casey Janssen so far this season, but Thursday was a disaster for the right-hander. He entered the game with two runners on in the 8th inning and a 2-run lead, and proceeded to walk the only three hitters he would face, throwing only four total strikes.  Casey Janssen’s rehab was temporarily shut down after he aggravated an injury, but this doesn’t provide Santos a ton of job security after yesterday.  Brett Cecil still has a 0.00 ERA on the year, and should Santos continue to struggle, the lefty could potentially hold down the 9th inning job until Janssen’s return.  Sergio Santos to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/18/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – No one has emerged from the Houston committee as a consistent 9th inning option.
2. Sean Doolittle/Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – If the A’s continue to use their committee, then Sean Doolittle or Luke Gregerson will continue to share 9th inning duties. However, the A’s are expected to re-evaluate their bullpen today, which means a possible reclamation of the job for Jim Johnson. If that happens, we’ll send out an alert.
3. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – As previously mentioned, if we were running the Cubs, Hector Rondon would be our choice for the 9th inning. But Rondon’s usage on Wednesday suggests that Strop might be the guy in Chicago going forward. (Expect an alert on this, too, should it happen.)
4. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen threw 30 pitches last night; two days prior he threw 25.

Uehara and Kimbrel to return; Strop gets an edge

April 17, 2014

Oakland A’s — It was Luke Gregerson’s turn to blow a save on Wednesday. Bob Melvin has said that he’ll consider making some changes in the bullpen on tomorrow’s off day; don’t be surprised if Jim Johnson gets back into it. Hierarchy change: Jim Johnson to 2nd in line, replacing Ryan Cook.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonSean DoolittleJim JohnsonSean Doolittle4/17/14

.

Boston Red Sox — After Wednesday’s extra-inning slog against the White Sox, today’s expected return of Koji Uehara should be huge for Boston. Burke Badenhop was the last man standing to pick up the save in the 14th. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaEdward MujicaJunichi TazawaKoji Uehara4/17/14

.

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs were swept by the Yankees in a Wednesday doubleheader, and both Justin Grimm and Hector Rondon entered with Chicago trailing — Rondon in the sixth. The Cubs are behind a lot, and somebody has to pitch, but this might point to Pedro Strop as the most likely recipient of the next (rare) save opportunity. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHCHector RondonPedro StropJustin GrimmHector Rondon4/17/14

.

Seattle Mariners — Fernando Rodney was all over the place on Wednesday night, turning a Felix Hernandez gem into a loss with two unearned runs. The Mariners’ bullpen is somewhat unsettled; although Tom Wilhelmsen would probably be the most likely replacement closer, he hasn’t been used in exclusively high-leverage spots. Nor has Danny Farquhar, who watched Charlie Furbush and Yoervis Medina handle the eighth last night. We’re not quite sure what to tell you about Seattle, other than not to trust the guy with the crooked hat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
SEAFernando RodneyTom WilhelmsenDanny FarquharDanny Farquhar4/17/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Josh Fields has pitched on two straight days, and anyone can get a save in Houston anyway.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 40 pitches over the last two days.
3. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox — Matt Lindstrom pitched two innings and Daniel Webb threw 59 pitches on Wednesday. Maikel Cleto also issued three walks during his appearance, and Robin Ventura has said he’s comfortable using Petricka in high-leverage situations.
4. Joaquin Benoit, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched on three of the last four days.
5. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo has also pitched on three of the last four days.

Doolittle bested by a Trout; seven walks for sorry Brothers

April 16, 2014

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle blew a save late Tuesday night, courtesy of a Mike Trout home run. No instant alert for this one — they were even anyway — but we’re ready to shuffle Luke Gregerson to the top of the Oakland closer committee. Note also the resurgence of Jim Johnson, who’s pitched five scoreless innings since he was moved out of the ninth inning. Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to Closer, Sean Doolittle to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKLuke GregersonSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook4/16/14

.

Colorado Rockies – Rex Brothers has been awful this year, and Walt Weiss has decided to give the lefty a few days off. Boone Logan, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh on Tuesday night, should reap some high-leverage rewards. For his part, Adam Ottavino has been practically unhittable. Hierarchy change: Adam Ottavino to Set-up, Boone Logan to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoBoone LoganRex Brothers4/16/14

.

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton picked up his first save of the year on Tuesday night, cementing his hold on Cincy’s closer job until the return of Aroldis Chapman. On Monday, Chapman threw off a mound for the first time since his injury, and the Reds are cautiously optimistic. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/16/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

.

Chicago White Sox — The Sox signed ex-closer Frank Francisco on Monday and assigned him to their AAA team in Charlotte. With the struggles in the White Sox pen so far, Francisco has a good shot at being this year’s Kevin Gregg. That might be the saddest sentence I’ve ever typed. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromDaniel WebbMaikel CletoNate Jones4/16/14
Nate Jones (DL)

.

Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless inning for class-A Dunedin on Tuesday; he’s expected to make two more minor league appearances before returning in about a week. What role he’ll have upon his arrival is still unknown. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/16/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Carpenter/Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel is still day-to-day with a sore shoulder.
2. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels — Ernesto Frieri has pitched in four of the last five games, as has Joe Smith, who got blasted on Tuesday.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — It’s Houston, what are you gonna do?
4. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs — Rick Renteria might call on Strop after demoting Jose Veras. Heck, he might call on Kevin Gregg, or Gregg Olson.
5. Ryan Cook/Dan Otero, Oakland Athletics — Luke Gregerson is most likely to get an A’s save on Wednesday, but these two have a shot.
6. Brian Wilson/J.P. Howell, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has thrown in three of the last four games, including a 25-pitch outing yesterday, and Brian Wilson has returned from the disabled list.

Craig Kimbrel out with sore shoulder; Phillies get an arm back

April 15, 2015

Atlanta Braves – David Carpenter got the save in a wild 9-6 win at Philadelphia – unexpected to everyone except Fredi Gonzalez, who held closer Craig Kimbrel out due to right shoulder soreness that crept up over the weekend. Kimbrel plans to rest for a few days, which means Carpenter is the best bet for saves in the interim. Jordan Walden, who has prior experience as a closer, will also be in the mix. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelDavid CarpenterJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel4/3/14

.

Philadelphia Phillies – With both Jonathan Papelbon and Antonio Bastardo unavailable, Jacob Diekman blew the save last night in a wild game against Atlanta that no team seemed to want to win. Before Diekman’s implosion, B.J. Rosenberg made history in the eighth inning when he became the first pitcher in major league history to face three batters and allow three home runs. The Phillies did get some good bullpen news yesterday, however, as Mike Adams is set to be activated off the DL today. He’ll likely slide into the seventh inning for the time being.  Hierarchy change:  Mike Adams to 2nd in line, replacing B.J. Rosenberg.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoMike Adams
Jonathan Papelbon4/15/14

.

Oakland A’s –After the Angels’ Ernesto Frieri blew a 3-2 lead in the ninth, Luke Gregerson earned his second save of the season in the bottom half of the inning. Oakland’s committee continues to shine, with Gregerson likely getting the call thanks to the pair of righties due up in the ninth.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKSean DoolittleLuke GregersonRyan CookRyan Cook4/13/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson picked up his second save of the season on Monday. We’ve still got Doolittle as our listed closer, but until the A’s decide to give Jim Johnson another chance, either of these two could get the call on any given night.
2. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Nearly any Astros reliever could get a 9th inning chance at this point.