Andrew Bailey dealing with bicep soreness

May 3, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan came on for the save instead of Andrew Bailey yesterday. After the game, John Farrell said that Bailey was dealing with “biceps soreness” and said he hoped the injury would not keep him out for long. Hanrahan has pitched horribly to start the year, so it is unlikely he would take over the closer role unless the injury to Bailey would keep him out long term.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Hanrahan |Uehara |Bailey |5/2/13

 
Houston Astros – Hector Ambriz pitched the 8th inning with Houston up by a run last night, so he’s still the best guess as to who would close if Jose Veras were unavailable. But behind him, the Astros bullpen doesn’t present many options. The team sent Rhiner Cruz to the minors on Thursday, leaving reliable lefty Wesley Wright as the only real option. We’ve been reluctant to add Wright to the saves chart though, as he’s been a matchup guy his entire career, but the Astros probably don’t have any alternatives at this point. Hierarchy change: Wesley Wright to 2nd in line, replacing Rhiner Cruz.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Veras |Ambriz |Wright |Veras |5/3/13

 
New York Yankees – Joba Chamberlain hit the DL yesterday with a strained right side.  Boone Logan will likely fill the 7th inning role in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Boone Logan to 2nd in line, Joba Chamberlain to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Rivera |Robertson |Logan |Robertson |5/3/13 |Chamberl(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Hanrahan, Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey is day-to-day with biceps soreness.
2. Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Addison Reed, Jesse Crain, and Matt Thornton have all pitched on back to back days, but Reed and Crain have both thrown 45 pitches in that span, while Thornton has only thrown 9.  If both righties get the night off tonight, Thornton will be the man for the save.

Joel Hanrahan picks up save as Andrew Bailey is dealing with “Biceps Soreness”

Boston Red Sox – Joel Hanrahan came on for the save instead of Andrew Bailey tonight. After the game, Manager John Farrell said that Bailey was dealing with “Biceps Soreness” and he hoped the injury would not keep him out for long. Hanrahan has pitched horribly to start the year, and the Red Sox all but announced that Andrew Bailey is the Closer two days ago. It is unlikely Joel Hanrahan would take over the closers role unless the injury to Bailey would keep him out long term. No Hierarchy Change.

 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Hanrahan |Uehara |Bailey |5/1/13

Rays bullpen continues letting them down

May 2, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays – An ugly April for the Rays bullpen has spilled into May, as 7th inning man Jake McGee gave up 5 runs on Wednesday against the Royals.  McGee’s ERA jumped from 6.48 to 11.00 after the shellacking, and with hard-throwing righty Kyle Farnsworth struggling, the Rays may have to start leaning on journeyman Jamey Wright to get a few high-leverage outs late in games.  Wright has been one of the few reliable arms in Tampa, with a 1.54 ERA in 12 games so far.  Hierarchy change: Jamey Wright to 2nd in line, replacing Jake McGee.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Wright |Rodney |5/2/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dane De La Rosa/Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri threw 35 pitches last night, and has thrown 62 total over the past three days.  Scott Downs would be the man to earn the save in his absence, but he suffered a ribcage injury last night, and might not be available tonight.  If that’s the case, the job likely falls to young righty Dane De La Rosa.

Joel Hanrahan returns from the DL, but Andrew Bailey keeps his job

May 1, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s return from the DL today came with a clear statement of boundaries from manager John Ferrell: Andrew Bailey will remain the team’s closer for the foreseeable future. Although Hanrahan might pitch some lower-leverage innings to begin with, he will be certainly be the choice in the 9th if the oft-injured Bailey goes down again. Hierarchy change: Joel Hanrahan to Set-Up, Koji Uehara to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Bailey |Hanrahan |Uehara |Bailey |5/1/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew another save last night, dropping him to a woeful 5-for-9 on the year. The Diamondbacks have no shortage of options in the bullpen, including strong set-up man David Hernandez, experienced veteran Heath Bell, and impressive lefty Matt Reynolds (who has allowed no runs and only seven baserunners through 13 innings), so although Putz is still the man for now, he should be looking over his shoulder in earnest.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Bell |Putz |5/1/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Hernandez/Heath Bell, Arizona Diamondbacks — J.J. Putz blew last night’s save and has pitched in three of the last four games, and four of the last six.
2. Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour and Sean Doolittle have each pitched in three straight.

Benoit swoops in for a cheap save

April 30, 2013

Detroit Tigers — After lefty Drew Smyly retired two lefties to start the ninth, Joaquin Benoit came on to face a righty, collecting the save. Jose Valverde had pitched in two straight games and was unavailable. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/30/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Atchison, New York Mets — Every pitcher in the Mets bullpen got work in last night’s 15-inning slog, but Atchison faced only one batter.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour pitched two innings last night in his second straight day of work; Doolittle struck out the only man he faced.
3. Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton have each thrown on back-to-back days.