Juan Cruz as temporary closer; another save for Henry Rodriguez

April 19, 2012

Pittsburgh Pirates – As noted in yesterday’s vulture save watch, Joel Hanrahan is still sidelined with a mild hamstring injury, allowing Juan Cruz to pick up his second save in as many days.  While Hanrahan could return as soon as Friday, the Pirates have shown that Cruz will get any save opportunities when Hanrahan is unavailable, while Jason Grilli remains the 8th inning guy regardless.  Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to Set-up, Jason Grilli to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Cruz |Grilli |Hanrahan |4/19/12

 
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save on Wednesday after Brad Lidge logged the Tuesday save.  It’s Lidge’s turn again in the Nats’ strict back-and-forth platoon.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/19/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit/Phil Coke, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched on back to back days, and in three of the last four.  Joaquin Benoit has also been used heavily the past four days, but he or Phil Coke could get a save opp if the Tigers give Valverde the night off.

Santiago Casilla to close for Giants; Joel Hanrahan day-to-day

April 18, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla recorded the save for the Giants on Tuesday night, and Bruce Bochy indicated that he will get the majority of San Francisco’s save opportunities for the time being.  ”We have confidence in Casilla.  He’s another guy who throws 95 and gets it done like he did tonight,” said Bochy.  While Sergio Romo was, by all measures, one of the best relievers in all of baseball last year, he was hurt late in the season and Bochy may have concerns about his arm strength and ability to pitch on back-to-back nights.  The Giants skipper said before the game that this was still a platoon, but that Casilla will get the most save chances at the outset.  Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to Closer; Sergio Romo to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |4/18/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has sustained a mild hamstring injury, and Juan Cruz picked up the save in his absence last night.  Hanrahan’s job is not in jeopardy and he is considered day to day, but Cruz has been solid this season, having not allowed any runs through 5 innings so far.  Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to 2nd in line, replacing Evan Meek.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |4/18/12

 
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook was brought in for the 8th inning, the second consecutive game that he has been used over Brian Fuentes to bridge the gap to Grant Balfour.  Cook has yet to allow a run in 5.1 innings so far this season.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Set-up, Brian Fuentes to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |4/18/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge, our listed closer, got the save on Tuesday.  That means Henry Rodriguez will get the next opportunity.  Davey Johnson’s strict back-and-forth platoon will only be affected if one of the two righties falters, and so far, neither of them have.
2. Juan Cruz/Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan could be out as much as three more days with a balky hamstring. Cruz, who got the save Tuesday, and Grilli, the Pirates 8th inning man all year, are candidates for save opps in his absence.
3. Rex Brothers, Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt threw 20 pitches in recording the save last night, and has pitched on 4 of the last 6 days.

Santiago Casilla to close for San Francisco Giants

April 18, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla recorded the save for the Giants on Tuesday night, and Bruce Bochy indicated that he will get the majority of San Francisco’s save opportunities for the time being.  While Sergio Romo was, by all measures, one of the best relievers in all of baseball last year, he was hurt late in the season and Bochy may have concerns about his arm strength and ability to pitch on back-to-back nights.  The Giants skipper said before the game that this was still a platoon, but that Casilla will get the most save chances at the outset.  Hierarchy change: Santiago Casilla to Closer; Sergio Romo to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |4/18/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
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Hector Santiago on the Hot Seat; Scott Downs returns

April 17, 2012

Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago had an ugly outing on Monday, allowing two HRs and blowing the save against the Orioles.  It was Santiago’s first blown save this year, but he now has a 6.75 ERA.  Given that he won the job at the 11th hour in spring training– and the fact that he’s now got a total of 6 MLB appearances in his career– Robin Ventura will have him on a short leash.  Hector Santiago to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/17/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs returned from his injury last night, pitching a clean 8th inning in a 3-run game.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Jason Isringhausen to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Walden |Downs |Isringhausen|Walden |4/17/12

 
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save for the Nationals on Monday.  As previously noted, Davey Johnson is using a strict, back-and-forth platoon with Rodriguez and Brad Lidge.  Lidge will get the next opportunity.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/17/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on back to back nights, throwing 40 pitches in the process.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight games. His pitch count has been low, so the Rays will likely use him again if necessary, but if they decide to give him a night off, Joel Peralta will close.

Chad Qualls, Jason Grilli gaining fantasy value

April 16, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Mark Melancon, sporting a 22.50 ERA so far this year, has fallen out of favor in the Red Sox bullpen.  Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla both pitched well in bridging the gap to Alfredo Aceves on Sunday, and are now both ahead of Melancon on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Vicente Padilla to 2nd in line, replacing Mark Melancon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Padilla |Bailey |4/16/12

 
Philadelphia Phillies – Protecting a 1-run lead in the 8th inning on Sunday, the Phillies went to Chad Qualls over Antonio Bastardo.  Philadelphia also used Qualls to protect a 2-run lead in the 8th in their last win, on Thursday.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Bastardo |Papelbon |4/16/12 |Contrera(DL)|

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched the 8th inning in four of the last six games for the Pirates.  Grilli has surpassed Evan Meek, who struggled during spring training, on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Evan Meek to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Meek |Hanrahan |4/16/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz was given the day off on Sunday– Bryan Shaw got the save in his place– after giving up a walk-off 2-run HR to the Rockies on Saturday.  But Saturday was Putz’s first blown save of the year and his job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |4/16/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Henry Rodriguez, Washington Nationals – Brad Lidge and Henry Rodriguez have both pitched several times since the Nats’ last save opportunity, but it’s still Rodriguez’s turn should one arise.
2. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched on back to back days and might get Marathon Monday off.