Sean Burnett leading candidate to close in Washington

Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson said before Tuesday’s game that he was moving Henry Rodriguez to a “less demanding” role.  While Tyler Clippard expressed that he badly wants the chance to close, Johnson told Washington Post reporter Adam Kilgore that he still liked Clippard as a high-leverage set-up guy, and that he would base the 9th inning on match-ups and whoever was healthy.  With two saves in the past week, Sean Burnett has the inside track, with Craig Stammen also in the mix along with Clippard.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to Closer, Craig Stammen to Set-up, Tyler Clippard to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Burnett |Stammen |Clippard |Storen |5/22/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard could enter closer-by-committee in Washington

May 22, 2012

Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez had to be bailed out again on Monday, as Sean Burnett came in for the 9th inning and got the final two outs for the save.  The young righty, already on the Hot Seat, may be placed in to a committee, or worse.  ”I’m going to sleep on it, but I’m looking at other alternatives,” Davey Johnson told the Washington Post.  Johnson mentioned a possible closer-by-committee, which would likely involve Rodriguez, Burnett and Tyler Clippard.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |5/22/12 |Storen(DL) |Lidge (DL) |

 
Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall got a one-out save on Monday.  As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Aroldis Chapman had pitched in four of the last five, and had the night off.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |5/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves and Vicente Padilla have both pitched three games in a row, and four of the last five.

Aroldis Chapman is Reds new closer; Jose Valverde expected back Tuesday

Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde is still day-to-day with a sore back and Joaquin Benoit recorded a shaky save in his place on Sunday.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |5/21/12

 
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners summoned Charlie Furbush in the 7th inning on Sunday, whereupon he pitched a clean inning with 2 Ks.  The lefty, a former starting pitcher, has shown the ability to pitch out of the bullpen to both lefties and righties.  Hierarchy change: Charlie Furbush to 2nd in line, replacing Steve Delabar.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Furbush |League |5/21/12

 
Cincinnati Reds – Dusty Baker said before Sunday’s game that Aroldis Chapman was his new closer, then sent him out for the 9th inning against the Yankees where the hard-throwing lefty recorded his first save.  Logan Ondrusek and Sean Marshall will share eighth-inning duties.  Hierarchy change: Aroldis Chapman to Closer, Sean Marshall to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |5/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Logan Ondrusek/Sean Marshall, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight games and four of the last five, throwing 76 pitches over that span.  Dusty Baker said he will play matchups in the event that Chapman is unavailable, with Logan Ondrusek facing righties and Sean Marshall facing lefties.
2. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves has pitched in two straight and three of the last four, throwing 54 pitches over that span.

Sean Marshall officially loses job, Aroldis Chapman is new closer

Cincinnati Reds – Dusty Baker told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that Aroldis Chapman will be his new closer going forward.  Chapman won’t close today, as he’s pitched in three of the last four games, but he’s now the man in Cincinnati going forward.  Hierarchy change: Aroldis Chapman to Closer, Sean Marshall to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Marshall |Ondrusek |Madson |5/20/12

Aroldis Chapman on verge of closing for Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall had to be bailed out again yesterday, as Jose Arredondo was summoned to record the game’s final two outs.  After the game, Dusty Baker told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he was considering giving the closer job to Aroldis Chapman.  ”Who knows – maybe graduation time is here?” Baker said of Chapman.  ”We’re got to discuss it, talk about it.”  Even if Marshall keeps the job, he’ll remain on a blazing Hot Seat, but the Reds clearly could look elsewhere sooner rather than later.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Marshall |Chapman |Ondrusek |Madson |5/20/12

 
Houston Astros – Brandon Lyon, who is completely healthy for the first time in a while, has been solid all month, lowering his ERA to 1.76.  With Fernando Rodriguez unavailable, Lyon pitched the 8th inning yesterday, setting up for Brett Myers.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Rodriguez |Lyon |Myers |5/20/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luis Ayala, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson threw 21 pitches in his outing yesterday, his fourth game out of the last five.  Pedro Strop has also pitched in four of the last five, including the last three games in a row.