Pestano the official Indians closer; Kintzler a solid #2 in Milwaukee

May 28, 2013

Cleveland Indians — As we predicted, Terry Francona has given Vinnie Pestano the closer’s mantle in Chris Perez’s absence, insisting that the righthander’s recent drop in velocity is nothing to worry about. As for the rest of the Indians’ bullpen, Bryan Shaw was used Monday night to finish off a 4-2 loss; 2011 draft pick Cody Allen has edged him out ever-so-slightly. Hierarchy change: Cody Allen to 2nd in line, replacing Bryan Shaw.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez5/28/13
 Chris Perez (DL)

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Milwaukee Brewers — For the second straight game, Mike Gonzalez pitched in the seventh inning of a game the Brewers were trailing. If this truly is a closer-by-committee situation — and we’re not convinced it is — Brandon Kintzler has the second seat at the table. Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Set-up, Mike Gonzalez to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezBrandon KintzlerMike GonzalezJim Henderson5/28/13
Jim Henderson (DL)

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Chicago Cubs — Kyuji Fujikawa was indeed placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured right forearm. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos MarmolJames Russell
Kyuji Fujikawa
5/28/13
Kyuji Fujikawa (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Jansen has a shot at a save every night under the current Dodgers bullpen setup.

Fujikawa injured, Perez on DL

May 27, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Kyuji Fujikawa left yesterday’s game with a right forearm strain.  It sounds similar to the injury he suffered earlier this season and he is likely to return to the DL. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos MarmolJames Russell
Kyuji Fujikawa
5/27/13
Kyuji Fujikawa (INJ)

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has been put on the 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness.  Manager Terry Francona did not say anything about a replacement for Chris Perez in the postgame yesterday, but Vinnie Pestano seems like the logical choice.  He recorded a franchise record 36 holds and also a couple saves when Perez was unavailable last season.   He has struggled a little bit so far this year but Francona is impressed with what Pestano has done the past couple seasons.  Joe Smith got the call yesterday in the ninth, and Peter Gammons thinks it might be Bryan Shaw while acknowledging how well Cody Allen has been pitching.  We will continue to monitor this situation to see who emerges as the closer while Perez is sidelined.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/27/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson picked up the save on Saturday but blew another one on Sunday.  The blown save on Sunday was his fourth of the season and he is still very much on the hot seat.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonDarren O’DayTommy HunterJim Johnson5/27/13

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St. Louis Cardinals – Seth Maness picked up the win yesterday, pitching part of the sixth and seventh innings ahead of Rosenthal and Mujica.  Carlos Martinez was sent down to the minors and it looks like Maness will take over his late inning role.  Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Carlos Martinez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalSeth ManessJason Motte5/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson blew the save last night and threw 37 pitches.  He also pitched in Saturday so he will likely get the day off today.
2. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Jansen is still the best pitcher in the Dodgers bullpen and could get the save if he is not needed before the 9th inning.
3. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched 3 games in a row and 4 out of the last 5.

Vinnie Pestano likely to see save chances if Chris Perez’s injury is serious

May 26, 2013

Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez left Sunday’s game early, favoring his arm after throwing a pitch.  The Indians went on to lose after Joe Smith gave up the game-winning hit on the next pitch.  Vinnie Pestano stands to get first crack at saves if Perez’s injury is serious.  Hierarchy change: Vinnie Pestano to Closer, Joe Smith to Set-up, Bryan Shaw to 2nd in line, Chris Perez injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/26/13
 Chris Perez (INJ)

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Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez inch to the lead in the Milwaukee save race

May 26, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Ron Roenicke said he is unlikely to name any single closer, but some of his afternoon comments after the Brewers officially put Jim Henderson on the DL, combined with the way he used the bullpen in a losing effort on Saturday, gave some clarity as to who might be the best bet for saves.  It’s not John Axford, as Roenicke was asked specifically about him and said “I like what we’re doing with Ax.  I’d like to continue to do it that way,” reinforcing his comments by sending Axford out to pitch the 8th yesterday.  It’s also probably not Brandon Kintzler, as Roenicke said that the young righty might “move” to the 8th inning role, which was a little confusing since Kintzler has pitched the 8th inning for the past month.  Tom Gorzelanny had also seen some 8th inning action earlier this year, but he returned from the DL to pitch the 5th inning yesterday, so he’s also out of the mix.  That leaves Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez who, along with Kintzler, were the only members of the bullpen who didn’t see action yesterday.  If Roenicke is being honest about not using any one player to close games, K-Rod and Gonzalez could share duties based on matchups.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Closer, Mike Gonzalez to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILFrancisco RodriguezMike GonzalezBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson5/26/13
Jim Henderson (DL)

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Tampa Bay Rays – Joe Maddon on Saturday gave Fernando Rodney yet another vote of confidence after the closer’s fifth blown save of the year.  But with his ERA now at 6.05 on the season, Rodney remains on the hottest of Hot Seats, and Joel Peralta’s continued efficiency makes him a great speculative add, if he’s available.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney5/18/13

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Los Angeles Dodgers – For the first time in 11 days, someone on the Dodgers got a save, and that someone was Brandon League.  Kenley Jansen, who Don Mattingly has continued to use in the highest-pressure situations, pitched in the 7th and 8th innings against the heart of the St. Louis lineup, striking out 4 in 1.1 innings of work.  With high-pressure situations occurring earlier rather than later for the Dodgers, League is probably the better bet for saves for the time being.  Hierarchy change: Brandon League to Closer, Kenley Jansen to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenPaco RodriguezKenley Jansen5/26/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched two in a row, three of the last four, and five of the last seven.
2. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Now that we’ve swapped Brandon League and Kenley Jansen in the hierarchy, it’s Jansen’s turn to show up regularly in the Vulture Save Watch. If the highest-pressure spot comes up in the 9th inning, Jansen could get the call.

Brandon Kintzler, Francisco Rodriguez best bets to close in Jim Henderson’s absence

May 25, 2013

(UPDATE: Ron Roenicke has confirmed that Jim Henderson will be out for “a while,” and that he intends to use a committee of closers in Henderson’s absence.) Milwaukee Brewers – After recording two outs, Jim Henderson went down with a hamstring injury, and the recently-returning Francisco Rodriguez got the last out for his first save of the season.  Henderson isn’t certain of the severity of the injury, saying after the game that he was hoping it was just a cramp.  Ron Roenicke was less optimistic though, offering that Henderson could miss a few days, and said that he could play matchups and go with a closer-by-committee until Henderson is back.  The Brewers have three pitchers with 9th inning experience: Rodriguez, Mike Gonzalez, and John Axford, but it’s been righty Brandon Kintzler who has gotten the 8th inning over the last few weeks.  If Henderson is missing time, we’ll handicap the race as follows until we hear more: Kintzler (30%), Rodriguez (30%), Axford (25%), Gonzalez (15%).  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Closer, Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Jim Henderson injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILBrandon KintzlerFrancisco RodriguezJohn AxfordJim Henderson5/25/13
Jim Henderson (INJ)Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri got a night off last night after throwing 35 pitches on Thursday, and Garrett Richards picked up a 1.2 inning save in his absence.  No hierarchy change. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriScott DownsGarrett RichardsErnesto Frieri5/25/13
Ryan Madson (DL)Kevin Jepsen (DL)

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Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera was sent to the minors earlier this week to sort himself out.  Luke Hochevar and Tim Collins are likely to share the 7th inning role ahead of set-up man Aaron Crow.  Hierarchy change: Luke Hochevar to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowLuke HochevarGreg Holland5/25/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros – Jose Veras threw 29 pitches in a rough outing last night and could get the day off today.
2. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League could get a save on any night if Kenley Jansen is needed before the 9th.