Ryan Cook loses closer job for now, Grant Balfour pitches 9th inning in his place

August 11, 2012

Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin has removed Ryan Cook from the closer role, saying he wanted to use the rookie in lower-pressure situations.  Melvin emphasized that the move may not be permanent, but that he’d go with a closer-by-committee for the time being.  Grant Balfour got the save on Saturday after Cook pitched in the 7th and 8th, and Balfour is the best short-term (and possibly long-term) option for saves at this point.  Hierarchy change: Grant Balfour to Closer, Ryan Cook to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Neshek |Cook |8/11/12

Huston Street heads to the DL — Dale Thayer likely to close over Luke Gregerson

August 11, 2012

San Diego Padres – Huston Street took his 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak to the disabled list today after straining his calf on the final play of last night’s game. Bud Black offered three options to the San Diego Union-Tribune last night: a return to Dale Thayer, an elevation of Luke Gregerson, or the dreaded “closer-by-committee.” Although Gregerson has the best numbers in the Padres pen, it seems most likely that Black will keep him in the set-up role and go back to Thayer come the 9th. Hierarchy change: Huston Street to DL, Dale Thayer to Closer, Brad Brach to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Thayer |Gregerson |Brach |Street |8/11/12 |Street (DL) |

 

Jim Henderson takes over for good; Huston Street injury may open door for Dale Thayer

August 11, 2012

San Diego Padres – Huston Street suffered what initially appeared to be a bad injury on Friday night, pulling up lame as he went to cover first base on the last out of the game.  Reports from after the game suggested the injury was not as bad as it appeared, though Bud Black still speculated that the injury would keep Street out for a few days.  If the injury does require a trip to the disabled list, then Dale Thayer could close in Street’s absence, Bud Black told the San Diego Union-Tribune. Luke Gregerson could also be in the mix.No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Gregerson |Thayer |Street |8/11/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford blew his 8th save of the season last night.  After the game manager Ron Roenicke said that Jim Henderson was only guy in the bullpen pitching well, and also went on to say about Henderson, “We’ll give the ball to him and see what happens there.”  Henderson will get a chance to close and could very well hold the job for the rest of the season if he continues to convert his chances.   Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Rodriguez |Axford |8/11/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Even if Huston Street avoids the DL, he’s unlikely to pitch today.
2. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Jim Henderson new closer in Milwaukee after John Axford blows another save

August 11, 2012

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford blew his 8th save of the season last night.  After the game manager Ron Roenicke said that Jim Henderson was only guy in the bullpen pitching well, and also went on to say about Henderson, “We’ll give the ball to him and see what happens there.”  Henderson will get a chance to close and could very well hold the job for the rest of the season if he continues to convert his chances.   Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Closer, John Axford to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Henderson |Axford |Rodriguez |Axford |8/11/12

Heath Bell used in the 7th one day after being named closer

August 10, 2012

Miami Marlins – Just a day after Ozzie Guillen said that Heath Bell would be moved back in to the closer role, he sent Bell out for the 7th inning with the Marlins losing by two runs.  Guillen saying one thing and then doing another is certainly nothing new, so Bell’s usage over the next few days will determine whether he has actually regained the job.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |8/9/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – With the Pirates down by 1 run in the 7th, they went to Jared Hughes, who got knocked around and was unable to escape the inning.  The Pirates traded for Chad Qualls at the deadline, and used him in the 8th inning ahead of Joel Hanrahan on Wednesday; he’s now ahead of Hughes on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Qualls |Hanrahan |8/10/12

 
Detroit Tigers – Octavio Dotel got the last two outs of the 7th inning on Thursday two days after he earned an 8th inning hold.  The veteran has been used in higher-leverage spots than Phil Coke in recent weeks.  Hierarchy change: Octavio Dotel to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Dotel |Valverde |8/10/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.