Aroldis Chapman headed to rotation; Frank Francisco won’t be ready for Opening Day

March 7, 2013

New York Mets – Frank Francisco’s elbow inflammation will not be healed come opening day, Terry Collins said earlier this week.  “It’ll be Bobby [Parnell],” said Collins.  “And you know what?  He can take that job and run with it.”  Parnell has gotten several chances to “run with it” in the past and has never come through, but it sounds as if he’ll have the opportunity to keep the job if he performs well early on.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to Closer, Brandon Lyon to Set-up, Josh Edgin to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Lyon |Edgin |Parnell |3/7/13 |Francis(INJ)|

 
Cincinnati Reds – All signs point to Aroldis Chapman heading to the rotation.  Even Mike Leake, who has pitched well so far this spring, told the Dayton Daily News that he thinks Chapman will win the 5th starter’s spot.  Jonathan Broxton will close, while Sean Marshall sets up.  Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Closer, Sean Marshall to Set-up, Jose Arredondo to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Broxton |Marshall |Arredondo |Broxton |3/7/13

 
Detroit Tigers – A decision has not yet been made on Bruce Rondon’s role this season, though his spring struggles have led to rampant speculation that the Tigers will trade for a closer.  For now, Rondon is still the best candidate to enter the season as the stopper, but a few good spring outings would certainly put everyone at ease.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Rondon |Coke |Benoit |Rondon |3/7/13

Spring Training 2013: Closer Battles to Watch

New York Mets – Frank Francisco is recovering from an injury and may not be ready for the start of the season.  Bobby Parnell will close if Francisco doesn’t make it back in time.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Frank Francisco, Set-up- Bobby Parnell, 2nd in line- Brandon Lyon.

Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen enters camp as favorite to hold the Toronto closer job, but Sergio Santos was brought in last season to finish games, and could easily seize the job if Janssen falters.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Casey Janssen, Set-up- Sergio Santos, 2nd in line- Darren Oliver.

Detroit Tigers – With Jose Valverde’s departure, the early favorite to win the closer job is rookie fireballer Bruce Rondon.  But if Rondon struggles this spring, veterans Phil Coke or Joaquin Benoit could get a shot at finishing games.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Bruce Rondon, Set-up- Phil Coke, 2nd in line- Joaquin Benoit. 

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour recently underwent surgery and will miss six weeks.  If he’s not ready to start the season, Ryan Cook should get the early chances.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Grant Balfour, Set-up- Ryan Cook, 2nd in line- Sean Doolittle.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds are keeping ambiguous their intentions with Aroldis Chapman.  Until they say otherwise, Chapman should still be expected to close.  Jonathan Broxton will be the 9th inning man if Chapman is moved to the rotation.  Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Aroldis Chapman, Set-up- Jonathan Broxton, 2nd in line- Sean Marshall. 

At a glance:

 |Closer |Set-Up |Updated |Closer |Set-Up |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |2/24/13 ATL |Kimbrel |Walden |2/24/13BOS |Hanrahan |Bailey |2/24/13 MIA |Cishek |Dunn |2/24/13NYY |Robertson |Aardsma |2/24/13 NYM |Francisco |Parnell |2/24/13TB |Rodney |Peralta |2/24/13 PHI |Papelbon |Adams |2/24/13TOR |Janssen |Santos |2/24/13 WAS |Soriano |Storne |2/24/13CHW |Reed |Thornton |2/24/13 CHC |Marmol |Camp |2/24/13CLE |C.Perez |Pestano |2/24/13 CIN |Chapman |Broxton |2/24/13DET |Rondon |Coke |2/24/13 MIL |Axford |Henderson |2/24/13KC |Holland |Herrera |2/24/13 PIT |Grilli |Melancon |2/24/13MIN |Perkins |Burton |2/24/13 STL |Motte |Boggs |2/24/13HOU |Veras |Ambriz |2/24/13 ARI |Putz |Hernandez |2/24/13LAA |Frieri |Downs |2/24/13 COL |Betancourt |Belisle |2/24/13OAK |Balfour |Cook |2/24/13 LAD |League |Jansen |2/24/13SEA |Wilhelmsen |Pryor |2/24/13 SD |Street |Gregerson |2/24/13TEX |Nathan |Soria |2/24/13 SF |Romo |Casilla |2/24/13

Random saves all over the place as closers’ arms are rested

October 2, 2012

Philadelphia Phillies – Phillippe Aumont picked up his second save of the season on Monday.  Jonathan Papelbon had pitched in two straight and was unavailable.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Aumont |Bastardo |Papelbon |10/2/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – With Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli unavailable after pitching in two straight, Jared Hughes picked up his second save of the season.  No hierarchy change.

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

 
Colorado Rockies – Josh Roenicke picked up his first career save on Monday, retiring the final two batters in extra innings.  Roenicke was the sixth man out of the pen.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |10/2/12

 
Houston Astros – Though Wilton Lopez was available, the Astros went to Wesley Wright for the final four outs on Monday.  However, this was a match-up play, as Wright faced off against several lefties in earning his first save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Lopez |Valdez |Wright |Lopez |10/2/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three straight.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – Both Grant Balfour and Ryan Cook have pitched in three straight.
3. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Matt Lindstrom finishing strong

October 1, 2012

Arizona Diamondbacks – Matt Lindstrom tossed another scoreless inning on Sunday, and finished September having allowed only 1 run in 11 outings.  Brad Ziegler has given up runs in three of his last four outings, while Lindstrom picked up two holds in the last week.  Hierarchy change: Matt Lindstrom to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Ziegler.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Lindstrom |Putz |10/1/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Jonny Venters back on track; Craig Stammen and Kelvin Herrera pick up saves

September 30, 2012

Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera picked up a save in the 14th inning on Saturday.  Greg Holland blew the save in the 9th, but his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |9/30/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Atlanta Braves – Jonny Venters is finishing his up-and-down season on the up side.  After picking up the hold in the 8th inning yesterday, he’s got six straight scoreless appearances, and has lowered his ERA from a high of 4.40 in July to 3.28.  Hierarchy change: Jonny Venters to 2nd in line, replacing Chad Durbin.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Durbin |Kimbrel |9/30/12

 
Washington Nationals – Craig Stammen picked up an extra-inning save on Saturday.  Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, and Sean Burnett had already appeared in the game.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Storen |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |9/30/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.