Santiago Casilla’s struggles continue; Charlie Furbush hits the DL

July 19, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla continues to struggle, allowing two runs in the 10th inning last night before being bailed out by the Giants’ offense the next inning.  He’s now blown 5 of his last 8 saves and remains firmly on the Hot Seat, as the Giants are reportedly testing the trade market for relievers.  “We need him whether we make an adjustment or not,” Bruce Bochy told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can’t answer that now. But there comes a time with every player when you have to change it up.”  Despite the demands from fans, it’s still unlikely that Sergio Romo becomes a full-time closer this year, as the Giants don’t want him to pitch too frequently for fear he re-aggravates an injury.  If Casilla is demoted, however, Romo could share the 9th inning role with Jeremy Affeldt.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Affeldt |Wilson |7/19/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Charlie Furbush was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained triceps.  Lefthander Lucas Luetge (1.46 ERA) will move into Furbush’s late-inning role.  Hierarchy change: Lucas Luetge to 2nd in line, Charlie Furbush to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Luetge |Wilhelmsen |7/19/12 |Furbush(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has given up three HRs and 5 ERs over the last two days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could be given the day off today.
2. Sergio Romo/Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants – After Casilla’s latest outing, he may be given the day off today.  Sergio Romo or Jeremy Affeldt would be candidates to clos ein his place.
3. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Francisco Rodriguez to close in Milwaukee; Glen Perkins and Jared Burton to split chances in Minnesota

July 18, 2012

Texas Rangers – Alexi Ogando returned from the DL and was placed back in to the bullpen, where he will remain for the foreseeable future.  He pitched 0.2 innings yesterday and will be used in a late-innings role, as he was before.  Hierarchy change: Alexi Ogando to 2nd in line, replacing Tanner Scheppers. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ogando |Nathan |7/18/12

 
Minnesota Twins – Before Tuesday’s game, the Twins said Matt Capps would be unavailable due to a strained shoulder; then, in the wee hours this morning, they put him back on the DL.  Glen Perkins and Jared Burton will resume their closer-by-committee in the mean time.  Burton got the save last night.  Hierarchy change: Glen Perkins to Closer, Jared Burton to Set-up, Tyler Robertson to 2nd in line, Matt Capps to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Robertson |Perkins |7/18/12 |Capps(DL) |

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said before Tuesday’s game that John Axford would be relieved of his closing duties for the time being.  Francisco Rodriguez will inherit the 9th inning role, effective immediately.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Rodriguez |Axford |Veras |Axford |7/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. John Axford/Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight games.
2. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman got the save last night, and has pitched in four of the last five games.
3. David Robertson, New York Yankees – Rafael Soriano has pitched on back to back days, and in four of the last five.
4. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Through Monday, Jose Valverde pitched in four straight and could conceivably be given a second day off today.
5. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.
6. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Matt Capps back on the DL, closer-by-committee resumes in Minnesota

July 18, 2012

Minnesota Twins – Before Tuesday’s game, the Twins said Matt Capps would be unavailable due to a strained shoulder; then, in the wee hours this morning, they put him back on the DL.  Glen Perkins and Jared Burton will resume their closer-by-committee in the mean time.  Burton got the save last night.  Hierarchy change: Glen Perkins to Closer, Jared Burton to Set-up, Tyler Robertson to 2nd in line, Matt Capps to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Robertson |Perkins |7/18/12 |Capps(DL) |

John Axford out as closer in Milwaukee, Francisco Rodriguez to get saves

Milwaukee Brewers – Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said before Tuesday’s game that John Axford would be relieved of his closing duties for the time being.  Francisco Rodriguez will inherit the 9th inning role, effective immediately.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Rodriguez |Axford |Veras |Axford |7/17/12

Mike Dunn earns first save in Miami’s closer-by-committee; Wilton Lopez returns

July 17, 2012

Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez has returned from the disabled list and resumed his 8th inning duties on Monday, throwing a clean inning on Monday ahead of Brett Myers.  Lopez could get save chances if and when the Astros deal Brett Myers.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lopez |Lyon |Myers |7/17/12

 
New York Mets – Frank Francisco had a setback in his rehab and will take a few days off before attempting to throw again.  Bobby Parnell remains the team’s closer for the foreseeable future.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Beato |Francisco |7/17/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn pitched the 9th inning on Monday to pick up his first save of the season.  Heath Bell pitched a clean 8th inning, and is still potentially in the mix for saves, but Cishek and Dunn have gotten the first two opportunities since Ozzie Guillen installed a closer by committee.  Hierarchy change: Mike Dunn to Set-up, Heath Bell to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |Bell |7/17/12 |Oviedo(SUSP)|Mujica(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in four straight games.
2. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.