David Robertson ailing; Davey Johnson sticking with Henry Rodriguez

May 15, 2012

Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez walked three men in the 9th on Monday before being replaced by Sean Burnett, who got the save.  Davey Johnson told the Washington Post that he still had a lot of confidence in Rodriguez, though the closer remains firmly on the Hot Seat.  Burnett’s usage, meanwhile, has been a bit odd.  He’s been used sparingly, but has a 0.90 ERA and could be a candidate for saves down the line should Rodriguez continue to falter.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to 2nd in line, replacing Ryan Mattheus.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |5/15/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano picked up his 2nd save last night, as David Robertson revealed he has been dealing with a nagging injury since Friday.  The young closer doesn’t think it’s too serious, but he will undergo an MRI today.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/15/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland returned from the DL over the weekend and resumed his 8th inning duties.  Hierarchy change: Greg Holland to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |5/15/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano, New York Yankees – With David Robertson ailing, the Yankees will look to Soriano for save opportunities.
2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez has pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
3. Chad Qualls/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on three consecutive nights.
4. Hector Santiago/Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has thrown 50 pitches over the last two days.
5. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four, and the Mets could give the beleaguered closer the night off.

Frank Francisco’s job in limbo; Henry Rodriguez struggling

May 14, 2012

New York Mets – Frank Francisco blew another save on Sunday, allowing 3 runs without recording an out.  His ERA ballooned to 8.56, and Terry Collins was noncommittal about the Mets’ closer role going forward, saying he would discuss it before Monday’s game.  Even if Francisco keeps his job, he’ll remain firmly on the Hot Seat, but if Collins looks elsewhere, Jon Rauch should get the first chance.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/14/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol was placed on the DL over the weekend, and on Sunday, Kerry Wood pitched the 8th inning in a 3-run game.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to DL, Kerry Wood to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Wood |Marmol |5/14/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez blew his third save of the season in dramatic fashion on Sunday, allowing a walk-off grand slam to Joey Votto.  His ERA is now 4.70.  Henry Rodriguez to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Mattheus |Storen |5/14/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez threw 28 pitches in blowing the save yesterday, the second day in a row that he’s worked.  He could get the night off.

Brian Fuentes to close; Vicente Padilla ascending

Boston Red Sox – While he doesn’t have the best numbers, the Red Sox have continued to look to Vicente Padilla in close games.  He pitched the 8th inning yesterday, setting up for Alfredo Aceves.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Albers.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Padilla |Bailey |5/13/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Juan Cruz picked up the save on Saturday.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Joel Hanrahan was on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother.  Hanrahan is expected to return to the team today.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Cruz |Grilli |Hanrahan |5/13/12

 
New York Yankees – Boone Logan picked up a save yesterday, throwing 1.1 innings in a game where the Yankees had a four-run lead.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/13/12

 
Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes picked up the save last night in what initially appeared to be a match-up play; three of the four Tigers hitters due up that inning were lefties.  But early this morning, Bob Melvin told the Oakland Tribune that Fuentes was his man for the foreseeable future.  ”We’ll give Balfour a bit of a break,” he said.  Hierarchy change: Brian Fuentes to Closer, Grant Balfour to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |Cook |5/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luis Ayala, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson and Pedro Strop have both pitched on three consecutive days, and could both be given the day off.
2. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched on three consecutive days.

Grant Balfour demoted, Brian Fuentes to close in Oakland

Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes picked up the save last night in what initially appeared to be a match-up play; three of the four Tigers hitters due up that inning were lefties.  But early this morning, Bob Melvin told the Oakland Tribune that Fuentes was his man for the foreseeable future.  ”We’ll give Balfour a bit of a break,” he said.  Hierarchy change: Brian Fuentes to Closer, Grant Balfour to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |Cook |5/13/12

Frank Francisco blows save; Scott Downs back as closer

May 12, 2012

New York Mets – Frank Francisco blew the save last night and took the loss. Jon Rauch has been pitching well and got the save when Francisco was unavailable on Tuesday.  If Francisco continues to struggle Rauch could see more save opportunities. Frank Francisco to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/12/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – The injury to Scott Downs is not serious and he should avoid a trip to the DL.  He will take over as the closer again now that he is healthy.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to closer, Ernesto Frieri to Set-up, Jordan Walden to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Downs |Frieri |Walden |Walden |5/12/12 |Hawkins(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Juan Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates  – Joel Hanrahan is not expected back until Sunday at the earliest so Juan Cruz should get the call if there is a save opportunity.
2. James Russell, Chicago Cubs – Rafael Dolis worked two innings and threw 41 innings last night so he might get the day off on Saturday.  James Russell would likely replace Dolis for the day.