Bobby Parnell likely to be placed on the disabled list

August 5, 2013

New York Mets – Bobby Parnell is likely to be placed on the disabled list, retroactive to last week.  David Aardsma has gotten the save chances so far in his absence, while LaTroy Hawkins also has an outside shot at earning saves.  Hierarchy change: David Aardsma to Closer, LaTroy Hawkins to Set-up, Scott Atchison to 2nd in line, Bobby Parnell to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMDavid AardsmaLaTroy HawkinsScott AtchisonBobby Parnell8/5/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Steve Delabar hits DL; Kintzler, Smith seeing bigger innings

August 5, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Just a week ago, John Axford was being mentioned by Ron Roenicke as a possible part-time closer, but after a dominant stretch, the beleaguered righty has now given up 6 runs in his last 3.1 innings.  He’s been dropped back to middle inning duty, while Brandon Kintzler and Mike Gonzalez have gotten all the big 7th- and 8th-inning work ahead of re-established closer Jim Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Set-up, John Axford to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerJohn AxfordJim Henderson8/5/13

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Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith pitched the 8th ahead of Chris Perez in both games this weekend, and has temporarily reclaimed his job as primary set-up man in Cleveland.  Cody Allen has struggled lately, having allowed 3 runs and 7 hits over his last 3.1 innings of work.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Cody Allen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez8/5/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays placed All Star set-up man Steve Delabar on the DL yesterday with shoulder inflammation.  The move is retroactive to August 3.  Brett Cecil will take over 8th inning duties in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Sergio Santos to 2nd in line, Steve Delabar to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenBrett CecilSergio SantosSergio Santos8/2/13
Steve Delabar (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ closer-by-committee was a wreck on Sunday, with Ernesto Frieri and Dane de la Rosa combining with several other relievers to blow the game.  Frieri was summoned with 2 outs in the 8th inning, and retired the first hitter he faced, but in the 9th, he only recorded one out while allowing a hit and hitting a player with a pitch.  De la Rosa then entered and allowed both of the inherited runners to score, saddling Frieri with the loss.  This whole bullpen is still on the Hot Seat, though Kevin Jepsen was nowhere to be found during this mess, having pitched in back to back games prior to Sunday.  Maybe he’ll get the call next time.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/5/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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San Diego Padres – Colt Hynes, a 28-year-old rookie who has been in the bigs for about 3 weeks, got his first career hold on Sunday, facing the heart of the Yankees order in the 8th inning and escaping unscathed.  In the minors this year, Hynes had a strikeout-to-walk ratio that would make even Cliff Lee jealous, as the lefty racked up 58 strikeouts while walking only 2 hitters (yes, 2, as in two, dos, deux, due; that’s not a typo) in 47.1 innings.  While Hynes hasn’t broken on to our hierarchy yet, based on that ratio alone, he’s become a reliever to watch in the second half.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonDale ThayerHuston Street8/5/13

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Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday for his second straight save and looks to be the new closer for the Mariners.  Hierarchy change: Danny Farquhar to Closer, Oliver Perez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/4/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien/Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in three straight.
2. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three straight.
3. Ronald Belisario/Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and the Dodgers could play matchups in the 9th tonight.
4. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri and Dane de La Rosa both contributed to the blown save last night, and the latter has pitched in three straight.

Danny Farquhar looks like new closer for Mariners

August 4, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday for his second straight save and looks to be the new closer for the Mariners.  Hierarchy change: Danny Farquhar to Closer, Oliver Perez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/4/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Danny Farquhar gets save for Mariners

August 4, 2013

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners got their first save opportunity since Robby Thompson announced he would be going to a closer-by-committee.  Charlie Furbush was the first guy out of the pen as he came on in the 7th inning.  Furbush immediately allowed two inherited runners to score but finished the 7th and got the first 2 outs of the 8th.  Danny Farquhar came on to face righty Adam Jones and got him to fly out to end the 8th.  The Mariners added 2 more runs in the top of the 9th to make it a 4 run lead.  Farquhar stayed on and finished the game for his first save of the season.  Farquhar’s season ERA is over 5 but he has an incredible 52 ks in 34.1 innings.  He also has given up just one hit and no walks while racking up 11 strikeouts in his last 6 1/3 innings.  If Farquhar continues to bring that ERA down, he might take over as the primary closer for the Mariners.  Hierarchy change: Danny Farquhar to Set-up, Yoervis Medina to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezDanny FarquharYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/4/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma/LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell might be back today but if he isn’t the Mets could go to Aardsma or Hawkins.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins and Casey Fien have both pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
3. Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar picked up the save last night and could get the call again if the match-ups are right.

New closer-by-committee in Seattle, failed closer-by-committee in Houston

August 3, 2013

Seattle Mariners – Prior to Friday’s game, Robby Thompson said that he’d go to a closer-by-committee, mentioning lefties Charlie Furbush and Oliver Perez, and righties Yoervis Medina and Danny Farquhar.  Friday’s game offered no clues into who gets first crack, as the Mariners lost and used only Brandon Maurer in relief, but over the last several weeks, Furbush has been, unquestionably, the 8th inning guy.  The set-up man doesn’t always ascend to the role, though, and Perez and Medina are the relievers who have gotten odd save opps earlier this season; they could jump him in the hierarchy as a result, particularly since Thompson is an interim manager, and may not want to give someone new (Furbush) a chance.  Farquhar, meanwhile, has been brilliant lately, but we rank him fourth among the potential options in Seattle.  Hierarchy change: Oliver Perez to Closer, Yoervis Medina to Set-up, Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEAOliver PerezYoervis MedinaCharlie FurbushTom Wilhelmsen8/2/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Houston Astros – The Houston Astros got their first save opportunity since the Jose Veras trade and four relievers combined to blow two late inning leads.  Unfortunately that doesn’t tell us much about what is going to happen moving forward.  Jose Cisnero started the 8th inning facing the top of the Twins lineup and promptly gave up 3 hits and a run to tie the game.  Wesley Wright and Josh Fields combined to finish the 8th.  The Astros took the lead again in the top of the 9th.  Fields stayed on to start the 9th but gave up a leadoff walk.  Chia-Jen Lo came on with 1 out and gave up the tying run.  The most notable absence in all this was Travis Blackley, but other than that it is hard to know who Bo Porter will go to next time since all his relievers failed him this time.   Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to Closer, Chia-Jen Lo to Set-up, Josh Fields to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroChia-Jen LoJosh FieldsJose Cisnero8/3/13

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New York Mets – With Bobby Parnell unavailable last night, the Mets went with David Aardsma in the 9th.  Unfortunately for the Mets, Aardsma was unable to get the job done.  Bobby Parnell will be unavailable on Saturday as well and even though he blew his first opportunity, we would not be surprised if the Mets gave Aardsma another shot.  Hierarchy change: David Aardsma to Set-up, LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellDavid AardsmaLaTroy HawkinsBobby Parnell8/3/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma/LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will not be available to pitch tonight and Mets could give Aardsma another shot or they could go with Hawkins, who has been their 8th inning man.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and three of the past four.
3. Yoervis Medina/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – The Mariners are going with a closer-by-committee so they could go with Medina or Furbush on any night.