Bell out as closer, D-Backs to use committee headed by Ziegler

July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell has lost his hold on the closer’s role, and the D-Backs are going to a closer by committee. Arizona will be playing matchups for the time being, but Brad Ziegler was brought in to close the game tonight, and sports a 2.49 ERA, the best of the relievers in the Arizona pen. He has some experience closing from his days in Oakland, and it is likely that he will be given the opportunities going forward. Former closer J.J. Putz could find himself back in that role as well, as he had pitched the last two games and Gibson ruled him out before the game. Hierarchy change: Brad Ziegler to Closer, replacing Heath Bell.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz7/11/13

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Kirk Gibson pondering closer change; Steve Delabar picks up first save

July 11, 2013

Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell blew his second straight save on Wednesday, prompting Kirk Gibson to say about the back end of his bullpen “I’m sure I’ll be up early thinking about it.”  Bell, who is already on the Hot Seat, has been pretty terrible lately, but the upside for the Diamondbacks is that J.J. Putz is looking healthy and was finally given the keys to the 8th inning last night.  He only needed 10 pitches to retire the side in order, and now has logged six appearances (five of them scoreless) since coming off the DL.  Putz could be re-named closer as early as today.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Putz to Set-up, David Hernandez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellJ.J. PutzDavid HernandezJ.J. Putz7/11/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Steve Delabar picked up a one-out save last night, replacing Casey Janssen, who was struggling to get through the 9th.  Though it was a little odd to see Janssen get yanked in the middle of a save opp, he’s only got one blown save all year.  Maybe the Blue Jays are boosting Delabar’s profile for the ridiculous, all-reliever AL final All Star vote.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos7/11/13
Sergio Santos (DL)

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St. Louis Cardinals – Kevin Siegrist continues to flat-out dominate, as he’s now amassed 17 Ks in 12.1 scoreless innings since being called up.  But it’s Seth Maness who has been getting the call ahead of Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica lately.  After pitching the 7th a few days ago, Maness got the call for the 6th and 7th last night, earning the win.  Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Kevin Siegrist.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalSeth ManessJason Motte7/11/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in back-to-back games and six of the last seven.

Grab Bastardo while you can; Casilla struggles in high-A rehab

July 10, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Antonio Bastardo earned his second save of the year on Tuesday, allowing Jonathan Papelbon some much-needed rest. With Mike Adams now on the long-term disabled list and Papelbon possibly moving to Detroit or Boston, Bastardo’s value could soon increase dramatically. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJustin De FratusJonathan Papelbon7/10/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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San Francisco Giants — Jeremy Affeldt pitched very poorly in Tuesday’s eighth inning, breaking the game open for an eventual Mets victory. Meanwhile, Santiago Casilla’s fourth minor league rehab appearance consisted of three walks in four batters faced. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoJeremy AffeldtGeorge KontosSergio Romo7/10/13
Santiago Casilla (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen/Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez has pitched on four straight days and Joe Smith and Cody Allen have each appeared in three straight games. Allen has thrown the fewest pitches, but if the Tribe have a two- or three-run lead going into the ninth on Wednesday, Terry Francona might take a chance on rehabilitating Vinnie Pestano.

Vinnie Pestano moved out of setup role; Matt Thornton facing extra pressure?

July 9, 2013

Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano’s failure to thrive after returning from an elbow injury has finally resulted in his demotion from the 8th inning role. Terry Francona says that Joe Smith will take over setup duties, with Cody Allen filling in when necessary — although the goal is to rehabilitate Pestano to his 2012 form. 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 Perez7/9/13

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Colorado Rockies — Matt Belisle pitched a perfect eighth in a close game on Monday, and Walt Weiss seems to again prefer him to Wilton Lopez in higher-leverage situations. Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt7/9/13

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Chicago White Sox — Matt Thornton, the subject of several recent trade rumors, was ineffective in a tied eighth inning on Monday night and caught the loss. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt ThorntonMatt LindstromAddison Reed7/9/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria returned on Sunday after almost two years of recovery from Tommy John surgery; in his first two games back, he has picked up holds in the sixth and eighth innings. We’re not ready to move Soria into Texas’s hierarchy just yet, but don’t count him out. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersNeal CottsJoe Nathan7/9/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon struggled on Monday night; he has pitched on two straight days and four of the last five.
2. Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight games.
3. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Although Chris Perez threw only seven pitches on Monday, it was his third straight day of work.

Scott Downs hasn’t allowed a run since May 1; Neal Cotts dominating

July 8, 2013

Texas Rangers – With Tanner Scheppers coming off a rough outing on Saturday, the Rangers went to lefty Neal Cotts for the 8th inning hold on Sunday.  Cotts, called up in May, has been nothing short of spectacular since joining the big league club.  He’s got a 1.09 ERA and a 31-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 24.2 innings, and with Robbie Ross’s recent struggles, Cotts has become the go-to lefty in the Texas bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Neal Cotts to 2nd in line, replacing Robbie Ross.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersNeal CottsJoe Nathan7/8/13

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Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs had become an out-and-out LOOGY for the better part of two months, but he’s been pitching so well that the Angels have returned him to a full-time set-up role.  He hasn’t allowed an earned run in 24 straight appearances dating back to May 1, a stretch which has lowered his ERA to 1.42, and he got the call in the 8th last night, where he pitched a clean inning against the top of the Red Sox lineup.  Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to Set-up, Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriScott DownsKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri7/8/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Oakland A’s – Jesse Chavez picked up a 4-inning save last night.  He does not factor in to the A’s usual late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleGrant Balfour7/8/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Oliver Perez, Seattle Mariners – Last night, Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his 2nd save since being sorta-kinda-renamed closer, but Eric Wedge previously indicated that he’ll sometimes be playing matchups in the 9th inning.