Iglesias Activated and Windy City Updates.

May 6, 2023
Chicago Cubs – With a 3 run lead in the 9th the Cubs handed the ball to Mark Leiter Jr. for the save chance. He put a couple guys on base, but a double play helped him secure his first save of the year. Leiter has been an excellent option for the Cubs this season, sporting a 1.69 ERA and his hot start is being rewarded with high leverage innings. It’s not quite Leiter’s coronation day, but he makes for a good speculative add if you have the room, as he is outperforming both Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer at this point.

Updated hierarchy: *Boxberger | Leiter Jr. | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — A couple days ago Reynaldo Lopez had been dealing with a “bit of dead arm” in his bicep, and was hoping to avoid an IL stint. Last night the White Sox gave him the ball in a 1 run game, and with the help of a lineout double play, he converted for his team leading 4th save of the year. This performance lowered his ERA from a woeful 8.78 to a morose 8.16 (thanks Thesaurus.com). The Vulture Save Watch predicted that Kendall Graveman would get the night off, so he’s sticking at the top of the committee for now, but if Lopez is healthy, it appears he is a viable choice on the South Side, at least until Liam Hendriks is able to return. 

Updated hierarchy: *Graveman | Lopez | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee


Tampa Bay Rays — The last time we removed an asterisk from the Tampa Bay Rays was April 19, 2021. Diego Castillo had just picked up the first 4 saves of the season. He spent 2 glorious weeks riding high as the first pitcher in 2 years to have sole possession of the Rays closer job before hitting the IL … on May 5, 2021. Nice try baseball gods, we learned our lesson last time. The asterisk stays despite Jason Adam recording 3 saves in the past 4 days. 

Hierarchy remains: *Adam | Poche | Kelly.
*=closer-by-committee

New York Mets — MLB banned the shift this year, so only 2 defenders can be on the right side of the infield. They foolishly let baserunners remain there, so line drives which would tie the game end up as outs. You know who would not have let this slide? Kennesaw Mountain Landis. He would’ve banned baserunners like they had fixed the world series. Also, Adam Ottavino got the save. 

Hierarchy Remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Smith.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — The Braves activated Raisel Iglesias from the IL yesterday. Although he didn’t find his way into the game last night. Interim closer A.J. Minter had started off the season well, but a miserable end of April ballooned his ERA to 8.53, and probably ruined any chance for him to stick at the top of the hierarchy. We’ll drop Iglesias into the top spot immediately, but he may get a low leverage look or two before he takes over full time. 

Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Minter | Anderson.

Vulture Save Watch:

  1. Jason “Axel” Foley (DET) — Alex Lange has now pitched in 3 straight games.
  2. Colin Poche (TB) — *Jason Adam has pitched in back to back and 3 of 4.
  3. Jorge Lopez/Griffin Jax — (MIN) Jhoan Duran has pitched in back to back games. Lope has too, but has kept his pitch count lower.
  4. Matt Moore (LAA) — Carlos Estevez has pitched 3 of 4 and 4 of 6.
  5. Jose Leclerc (TEX) — The day after being declared the closer, Will Smith struggled in a 27 pitch blown save. He might get the day off.

For Sunday:

  1. Sam Moll (OAK) — Today would be back to back and 3 of 4 for Zach Jackson.
  2. Giovanny Gallegos (STL) — Same for Ryan Helsley.
  3. Scott McGough (ARI) — Same for Andrew Chafin.
  4. Tyler Rogers (SF) — Same for Camilo Doval.
  5. C.J. Edwards (WAS) — Kyle Finnegan got the night off last night, but any work today would still be 4 of 5 for him.

Red Sox win ugly in Kenley Jansen’s absence

May 2, 2023

Boston Red Sox – In Kenley Jansen’s absence, the Red Sox went with Chris Martin in the 7th — who pitched a scoreless, albeit shaky frame for his 4th hold — followed by Josh Winckowski, who pitched the 8th and 9th. Through minimal fault of his own, Winckowski’s outing was adventurous, as two 8th-inning errors allowed the tying runs to score, but Winckowski stayed on for the 9th and, with some better defense behind him, pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Winckowski then earned the win when the Red Sox walked off in the bottom half. This situation remains fluid until Jansen is available again.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Martin | Winckowski.

San Diego Padres – Domingo Tapia pitched the 8th inning with the Padres up by 3, then stayed on for the 9th once they stretched the lead even further to earn his first career save.

Hierarchy remains: Hader | Martinez | Wilson.

New York Yankees – Clay Holmes was staked to a 2-0 lead, but allowed three runs in the top of the 9th and took the loss. He’s not necessarily on the hot seat yet — it was only his second blown save of the year and the runs were unearned due to a throwing error — but it’s worth noting that he has a 5.29 ERA across 34 innings since the All Star Break in 2022.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. James Karinchak – Emmanuel Clase has pitched in three of the last four.
2. Erik Swanson – Jordan Romano only threw three pitches yesterday, but it was his third outing in the last four days.
3. Bryan Abreu – Ryan Pressly and Rafael Montero have both gone back to back.
4. Adam Ottavino – David Robertson threw 35 pitches across two innings yesterday.

Tomorrow
1. Nick Anderson – If AJ Minter goes today, it’s back to back.

Carlos Estevez, Kyle Finnegan kick their asterisks

May 1, 2023

Seattle Mariners – After Paul Sewald kept the game tied with a scoreless 9th inning, Matt Brash earned his first save of the season in the bottom of the 10th after Seattle took the lead. Seattle continues to use a number of arms in mixing-and-matching its way through the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: Sewald | Topa | Brash.

Baltimore Orioles – As forecast in the Vulture Save Watch, Yennier Cano got his 2nd save of the year. For those keeping track, he also extended his 0.00 WHIP streak past the “perfect game” mark, as he’s now gone 9.2 innings this season without allowing a baserunner.

Hierarchy remains: Bautista | Cano | Baker.

Los Angeles Angels – Sunday brought a 6th save for Carlos Estevez, who seems to have found his form (1.32 ERA and only three baserunners around in his last six outings) and is shedding his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Moore | Loup.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers used five relievers to get the game’s final 13 outs, and the last of those was Evan Phillips, who picked up his third save (though his first in a while), much to the relief of his fantasy owners. He’s still top dog in this committee for now.

Hierarchy remains: *Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
* = closer-by-committee

Washington Nationals – It wasn’t a save chance, but another successful 9th inning for Kyle Finnegan means he’s kicked his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Edwards | Harvey.

Boston Red Sox – Chris Martin is back from the IL, and should go back to being one of the key set-up men for Kenley Jansen. If Boston thinks he’s ready right away, he may get a save chance or two while Jansen deals with a back injury.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Martin | Schreiber.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Chris Martin – Kenley Jansen’s back is bothering him.
2. Ian Gibaut – Alexis Diaz has gone back to back and Lucas Sims has also seen a lot of work lately (61 pitches over the last five days).
3. Caleb Ferguson/Shelby Miller – Evan Phillips has gone back to back and Brusdar Graterol has gone three straight.
4. Nick Anderson – The Braves have a doubleheader…
5. Adam Ottavino – …against the Mets.

Tomorrow
1. Carl Edwards Jr. – If Kyle Finnegan goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Nick Martinez – Same for Josh Hader.

Carlos Estevez regaining control of Angels’ closer role

April 28, 2023

Los Angeles Angels – The pendulum has swung in the direction of Carlos Estevez again for the Angels. On Thursday, Estevez came on to secure his team-high fifth save with a scoreless ninth that dropped his ERA to 1.42. Jose Quijada, who has four saves himself, allowed two runs (one earned) Thursday and all of a sudden has a 6.00 ERA. Estevez has taken the lead again for this committee and could run away with the job if he continues to pitch well.

Updated hierarchy: *Estevez | Quijada | Moore.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – AJ Puk pitched the eighth inning Thursday with a 4-0 deficit, likely just getting some work in as it had been several days since he last appeared in a game. Puk pitched a clean frame, and when Miami stunningly scored five runs in the top of the ninth to take the lead, Dylan Floro came on to retire the side for his first save. So while you missed out on a Puk save, be happy with the vulture win! And be happy because he most likely to be the main saves option moving forward and is another clean save away from kicking that asterisk.

Hierarchy remains: *Puk | Floro | Scott.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves — Miami’s Puk earned the win because Braves closer A.J. Minter couldn’t keep it together in the ninth on Thursday. Staked with a four-run lead, Minter was charged with five runs on five hits, including three separate RBI singles. Jesse Chavez did no favors for Minter in allowing the go-ahead RBI double, leading to a blown save and third loss for Minter, whose ERA is now above 8.00. Minter has allowed 10 hits and 10 runs in his past 3.2 innings. Fortunately for the Braves, closer Raisel Iglesias is finally on a rehab assignment, but in the meantime we’re going to label the Braves closer situation a committee. Nick Anderson (3.86 ERA overall and a scoreless 8th inning Thursday) could see some chances in the near future.

Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Anderson | Jimenez.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save of the season Thursday, striking out two in an inning of work. Jose Alvarado was notably absent Thursday, but he did throw 22 pitches when he earned the save Wednesday. He also worked on Sunday and last Friday. We’ll presume Kimbrel is still behind for now, but stay tuned.

Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Kimbrel | Dominguez.

Chicago Cubs – Michael Fulmer pitched a clean sixth inning on Thursday, dropping his ERA to 7.84. Brad Boxberger (3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) eventually came on in the ninth to record his second save. Boxberger still appears to be the top guy.

Hierarchy remains: *Boxberger | Fulmer | Hughes.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Yankees – Michael King made quick work of the Rangers on Thursday, recording the final seven outs on just 26 pitches to record his first save. King hadn’t pitched since Sunday so he was well-rested. The usage is also consistent with prior work as a high-leverage bulk reliever for the Yankees, so don’t be worried that he’s about to usurp Clay Holmes or something.

Hierarchy remains: Holmes | King | Peralta.

New York Mets — Adam Ottavino was placed on the paternity list on Thursday and will likely be out for a few games.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Liam Hendriks will be in Chicago next week to get a check-up before he is approved to begin a rehab assignment. Garret Crochet, meanwhile, might also be going on a rehab assignment soon.

Hierarchy remains: *Lopez | Graveman | Bummer.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jorge Lopez (MIN) – Jhoan Duran might not be available Friday because of an immigration-related appointment that requires travel.
2. Drew Smith (NYM) – David Robertson and Brooks Raley have gone in two straight, while Adam Ottavino is on the paternity list.
3. Carl Edwards Jr. (WAS) – Kyle Finnegan has pitched in two straight.
4. Yennier Cano (BAL) – Felix Bautista has also gone in two straight.
5. Nick Anderson (ATL) – A.J. Minter had a disastrous outing Thursday and threw 23 pitches.

Saturday:
1. Jose Quijada (LAA) – If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Carlos Estevez.
2. Bryan Abreu (HOU) – Same as above for Ryan Pressly.
3. Tyler Rogers (SF) – The Giants are off Friday but Camilo Doval has been busy this week.
4. Scott McGough (ARI) – If he goes Friday, that would be two of three and three of five for Andrew Chafin.

Daniel Bard back from the injured list

April 20, 2023

Colorado Rockies — Daniel Bard returned from the injured list and had an uneventful eighth inning with the Rockies up 11. He should immediately resume his role as Colorado’s regular closer.

Updated hierarchy: Bard | Johnson | Hand.

Milwaukee Brewers — Devin Williams had thrown 53 pitches over the last three days, so the Brewers used Matt Bush to nail down the save on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Williams | Bush | Strzelecki.

New York Mets — The Mets’ two-headed closer continues to roll. Adam Ottavino picked up his second straight save after David Robertson was called on for a high-leverage eighth. Over the past five days, each man has two saves.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Ottavino | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants — Taylor Rogers has had a rough start to this season (13.50 ERA, 2.36 WHIP, 11.6 BB/9), but in closing out the eleventh inning on Wednesday, he earned his first save.  

Hierarchy remains: Doval | Ty. Rogers | Brebbia.

Minnesota Twins — Brent Headrick’s MLB debut came Wednesday, and for protecting a big lead for three innings, he left Fenway Park with a three-inning save. If you had Headrick in your lineup yesterday, congratulations are in order — because you are Brent Headrick.

Hierarchy remains: *Duran | Lopez | Thielbar.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jose Quijada (LAA) — Carlos Estevez has pitched a lot lately (56 pitches over three days).
2. Seranthony Dominguez (PHI) — Jose Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel have pitched in two straight.

Friday:
1. Brooks Raley (NYM) — Both David Robertson and Adam Ottavino have seen some heavy use.