Jim Henderson returns, will wait in the wings while K-Rod chases milestone

June 10, 2013

Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit picked up his 3rd save of the season yesterday afternoon.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jose Valverde had pitched in three straight.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitPhil CokeBruce Rondon6/10/13

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Milwaukee Brewers – Yesterday morning, after activating Jim Henderson from the disabled list, Ron Roenicke said that the Brewers would give Francisco Rodriguez a crack at reaching 300 career saves (he currently has 298) before handing the job back to Jim Henderson.  Unless Henderson has some awful outings in his temporarily-middle-relief role, he’ll return to the closer role inside a week or two, so we’ll leave him in that spot in our hierarchy with that understanding.  Yesterday, Henderson looked no worse for the wear in his first outing back from the DL, pitching a clean 9th inning in a non-save situation.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonFrancisco RodriguezBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson6/10/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed has pitched in back to back games.  Normally, we’d say he was game for a third straight appearance, but he might still be feeling the effects of his 55-pitch outing on Wednesday.
2. Dale Thayer/Joe Thatcher, San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.  He’s thrown 4.2 innings and 81 pitches in that span, and may have been tired in his save opportunity last night, which was one of his worst outings of the season.  Dale Thayer could get the call tonight, but he’s also pitched in four of five, albeit throwing a lot fewer pitches (50).  Joe Thatcher, meanwhile, is well rested.

David Aardsma debuts for Mets, is probably already better than almost anyone else they’ve got

June 9, 2013

New York Mets – After a solid stint in AAA, David Aardsma was called up to the bigs and pitched a scoreless inning in the Mets marathon 20-inning loss on Saturday.  Given his past experience in the 9th, a couple good outings in a row could position him for an opportunity when Bobby Parnell needs a night off.  Hierarchy change: David Aardsma to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Rice.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellBrandon LyonDavid AardsmaBobby Parnell6/9/13

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Detroit Tigers – Phil Coke has been better as of late.  This isn’t saying much, given that his ERA has been below 5 at exactly one point since opening day.  However, he’s strung together 5 straight scoreless appearances, including a nice outing on Saturday where he finished off the 7th and then pitched the 8th ahead of Jose Valverde.  Although Drew Smyly is having a much better season, Coke’s late-inning experience and recent stretch of respectability makes him the go-to lefty again in the Detroit bullpen.  Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to 2nd in line, replacing Drew Smyly.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitPhil CokeBruce Rondon6/9/13

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Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson was activated from the disabled list after Saturday’s game.  He should resume closing immediately.  Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line.

(UPDATE: Ron Roenicke said this morning that Francisco Rodriguez, currently at 298 saves, will get a shot to reach 300. Unless Jim Henderson implodes in his temporarily-middle-relief role, this will likely play out similarly to what the Mets did with Jason Isringhausen a few years ago, allowing him to reach his milestone and then returning him to lower-stress role. Once K-Rod gets two more saves, Henderson will return as closer, and as such, we’ll leave Henderson in the closer spot in our hierarchy, assuming that he’ll re-assume the role in a week or two.)

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonFrancisco RodriguezBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson6/9/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three straight.
2. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson threw 20 pitches last night, and has racked up 4 IPs in the last 4 days.

Sorry, K-Rod owners, Jim Henderson’s return is right on target

June 8, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson struck out three in a rehab appearance on Friday and said he didn’t feel any hamstring discomfort at all.  He’s likely to be activated tomorrow and will re-assume the closer role immediately.  Francisco Rodriguez did an admirable job in his place, but will have to wait a while before he gets to 300 saves.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezBrandon KintzlerMike GonzalezJim Henderson6/8/13
Jim Henderson (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland has pitched in three straight.
2. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell has pitched in back to back games and three of four.
3. Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox – It’s possible that Addison Reed needs one more day off to recover from his marathon 55-pitch outing on Wednesday.

Joe Nathan, forever waiting, for a save that will never come

June 7, 2013

Texas Rangers — Ron Washington used Tanner Scheppers in a tied eighth inning, but since (as everyone knows) “you can’t use your closer on the road in the ninth inning of a tie ballgame,” out came Michael Kirkman and his 2.18 ERA WHIP for the ninth. Double, intentional walk, three-run homer, ballgame. Maybe Ron and Joe Nathan had dinner reservations. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersRobbie RossJoe Nathan6/7/13

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San Diego Padres — After Luke Gregerson pitched the 10th and 11th innings of a tied game (on the road!), the save opportunity fell to Brad Boxberger in the 12th. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
 SDLuke GregersonDale ThayerJoe ThatcherHuston Street6/7/13
Huston Street (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jesse Crain/Ramon Troncoso, Chicago White Sox — Addison Reed threw three innings on Wednesday night and might not be ready to go until Saturday. Jesse Crain has pitched in two straight games, so if he’s out too, the Sox will likely turn to recent callup Troncoso, who earned eight saves in ten opportunities for AAA Charlotte.
2. Joe Thatcher, San Diego Padres — Luke Gregerson pitched two innings on Thursday night in his second straight day of work. Dale Thayer has also pitched in two straight, and gave up two runs last night.
3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland needed 20 pitches in a non-save ninth, one night after he threw 26.

Kelvin Herrera returns to the bigs, reassumes old role

June 6, 2013

Kansas City Royals – After five appearances in the minors in which he allowed two hits and no runs in 4.2 innings, Kelvin Herrera returned to the bigs and on Wednesday was immediately thrust back in to his old 8th inning role.  He pitched a clean inning, and another solid outing or two will re-secure his status as the the go-to guy behind Greg Holland.  Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to Set-up, Aaron Crow to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandKelvin HerreraAaron CrowGreg Holland6/6/13

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Los Angeles Angels – The Angels bullpen has been a real point of strength lately.  Converted starter Garrett Richards has taken to his new relief role, and Robert Coello’s WTF pitch has him seeing more higher-leverage innings as well.  Also, recently returning from injury was one of Mike Scioscia’s favorite arms from a year ago, Kevin Jepsen.  In five appearances since coming off the DL, Jepsen has the following line: 4.2 IP, 7 Ks, 2 hits, 1 walk, 0.00 ERA (and the walk was intentional).  Scott Downs might still be an occasional match-up play for a vulture save, but Jepsen is looking like his 2012 self and should start to see more late inning work, as he did last night, pitching the 8th in a tie game.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Jepsen to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Downs.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriGarrett RichardsKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri6/6/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez is under investigation after a package containing marijuana was delivered to his home.  He hasn’t been charged with anything, but obviously, any lengthy suspension would put his season in doubt and greatly increase Vinnie Pestano’s value.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/6/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox – In one of the most spectacular relief appearances in recent memory, Addison Reed entered with a 5-run lead in the 14th inning last night and gave up 5 runs, including a game-tying grand slam to Kyle Seager.  It was the first time in baseball history that anyone had ever hit a game-tying grand slam in extra innings, but perhaps even more amazingly, Reed went on to pitch two more innings and earn the win.  Anyway, relevant to VSW is the fact that Reed threw 55 pitches in the effort, and won’t be available today (or possibly Friday, either).  Jesse Crain will likely see the save in his absence, though the White Sox could also play matchups with lefty Matt Thornton.