Tony Cingrani and Caleb Thielbar pitching well in relief

June 22, 2013

Cincinnati Reds — J.J. Hoover was brought on in the 5th inning on Friday and his usage has been all over the place this season.  Tony Cingrani has made three scoreless appearances since moving to the bullpen and clearly has the stuff to pitch at the back end of games if he isn’t need as a starter. Hierarchy change: Tony Cingrani to 2nd in line, replacing J.J. Hoover.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CINAroldis ChapmanSam LeCureTony CingraniJonathan Broxton6/22/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

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Minnesota Twins – Caleb Thielbar has a 0.00 ERA in 12.2 innings since being called up in late May and should see time later in games if he keeps that up.  Hierarchy change:  Caleb Thielbar to 2nd in line, replacing Casey Fien.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCaleb ThielbarGlen Perkins6/22/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon Lyon, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson has pitched in three straight so there is no better opportunity for the Brewers to give him a night off and let K-Rod continue to chase 300 career saves.

Joaquin Benoit to close after Jose Valverde is designated for assignment

June 21, 2013

Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has been designated for assignment and Joaquin Benoit will close when he is available.  Al Alburquerque was brought back up from Triple-A Toledo and could work his way into the discussion for the 9th inning if he can keep his walks down.  Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Drew Smyly to Set-up, Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyAl AlburquerqueBruce Rondon6/21/13

Junichi Tazawa likely to get another crack at closing; K-Rod might not relinquish job

June 21, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – With an 8th-inning blown save last night, Jim Henderson is adding some intrigue into the closer debate in Milwaukee.  Since returning from the DL, he’s pitched five innings, allowing three runs and two home runs, while Francisco Rodriguez has strung together six straight scoreless appearances to lower his season ERA to 0.68.  Given their respective numbers, it’s no longer a guarantee that Henderson gets the job back once K-Rod gets to 300 saves.  Also last night, John Axford pitched the 9th inning in a tie game, and has been used in higher-leverage spots than Brandon Kintzler as of late.  Hierarchy change: John Axford to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon Kintzler.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonFrancisco RodriguezJohn AxfordJim Henderson6/21/13

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Detroit Tigers – Before yesterday’s game, Jim Leyland said that Joaquin Benoit would be his closer for “tonight,” but the Tigers skipper continued to refuse to name any one player as the go-to stopper (Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is fine with this, by the way).  This looks like a full out platoon now, with Jose Valverde, Drew Smyly, Benoit, and possibly Phil Coke all involved.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce Rondon6/21/13

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Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson picked up a two-inning save on Thursday.  Jason Grilli, Mark Melancon, and Justin Wilson had all received pretty heavy workloads this week, and all three were given the night off.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli6/21/13

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Boston Red Sox — After yet another blown save by Andrew Bailey, John Farrell finally announced that he was ready to try another option at closer. Although Farrell says that they will discuss the identity of the replacement “internally,” we again believe that the Sox will turn to Junichi Tazawa, while keeping 38-year-old Koji Uehara — whose workload Farrell has limited — in a setup role. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-Up, Andrew Miller to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSJunichi TazawaKoji UeharaAndrew MillerJunichi Tazawa6/20/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gone three straight.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod continues his quest for save #300.
3. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – The VSW is likely to be littered with Tigers until their platoon shakes out.  Tonight’s save opp, if there is one, will go to Valverde or Benoit, while Drew Smyly needs a day or two off after throwing 39 pitches last night.

Andrew Bailey axed from closer role; Tazawa likeliest to benefit

June 20, 2013

Boston Red Sox — After yet another blown save by Andrew Bailey, John Farrell finally announced that he was ready to try another option at closer. Although Farrell says that they will discuss the identity of the replacement “internally,” we again believe that the Sox will turn to Junichi Tazawa, while keeping 38-year-old Koji Uehara — whose workload Farrell has limited — in a setup role. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-Up, Andrew Miller to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSJunichi TazawaKoji UeharaAndrew MillerJunichi Tazawa6/20/13

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