Steve Cishek to lead closer by committee in Miami

July 10, 2012

Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen told The Dan LeBatard Show today that he would use a closer-by-committee after the All Star Break.  Steve Cishek is the best candidate for saves, while Mike Dunn could see some opportunities against lefty-heavy lineups.  Juan Oviedo (nee Leo Nunez) will also be in the mix when he returns from suspension.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to Set-up, Juan Ovideo to Set-up (Suspended). 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |7/10/12 |Oviedo(SUSP)|Mujica(DL) |

Heath Bell on the verge of losing his job again

July 9, 2012

Arizona Diamondbacks – Patrick Corbin picked up a 3-inning save on Sunday.  He does not factor in to Arizona’s normal late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |7/9/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew his 10th save of the season on Sunday.  After the game, Ozzie Guillen told the Miami Herald that he stood behind Bell, but in typically cryptic fashion, also said that “I have to make a decision, a solution, it will be drastic. But I will do it. We’ll wait until the All-Star break, and I will pick whoever is better out there to do the job.’’  Should Bell get demoted, Steve Cishek stands to inherit the job.  Juan Oviedo, the man formerly known as Leo Nunez, could also get a shot at his old job when he returns from his suspension later this month.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |7/9/12 |Mujica(DL) |

Matt Thornton and Scott Downs get saves

July 8, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – With two lefties due up in the 9th, the Angels went to Scott Downs.  He pitched a perfect inning for his 8th save.  Ernesto Frieri is still the closer but Downs will continue to get saves if both continue to get the job done.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Hawkins |Walden |7/8/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton picked up the save yesterday as predicted in the vulture save watch.  Addison Reed is still the closer and was just given the night off after pitching in the previous three days.   No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Jones |Reed |7/8/12 |Crain (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde had a rough outing yesterday and pitched in three straight games so he will likely get the day off on Sunday.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
3. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan threw 36 pitches in two innings yesterday.  This was the first time all season that Nathan had pitched more than one inning so he could be given the day off on Sunday.

Sergio Romo picks up another save

July 7, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo picked up his 5th save of the season last night as Santiago Casilla was unavailable due to a blister.  Manager Bruce Bochy said before Friday’s game that he was not considering a change at closer, and Romo came out after the game and also said that the closer job was still Casilla’s.  However, Casilla has struggled lately, giving up 6 runs and 11 hits over his last 4.1 innings.  Romo could see more save opportunities going forward, but it is unlikely that he would ever become the full time closer this season, as the Giants are limiting his workload to keep him from reinjuring his knee or elbow. He’s only pitched on three consecutive nights once this season.   Hierarchy change: Sergio Romo to Set-up, Jeremy Affeldt to 2nd in line.

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

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in four straight games and six of the last seven.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
3. Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in three straight games.

 
 
 
 
Henry Rodriguez is back for the Nationals
 
 
July 6, 2012
Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez was recently activated from the DL and pitched the 8th in a close game last night.  He has 9 saves from earlier in the season and it looks like the Nationals would prefer to use Craig Stammen in situations that call for multiple innings. Hierarchy change: Henry Rodriguez to 2nd in line, replacing Craig Stammen.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Rodriguez |Storen |6/18/12 |Storen(DL) |
 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Steve Cishek, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in three straight games and five of the last six games.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
3. Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has pitched in three straight games.