April 7, 2014
Chicago Cubs – Rick Renteria might be saying he’s not worried about Jose Veras, but we’re just not sure that we believe him. Yesterday, Veras was summoned in a non-save situation and could only get two outs before being bailed out by Pedro Strop. So far on the year, the Cubs’ closer has allowed 3 ERs in 1.2 innings while walking 6 and hitting a batter. Veras appears to have some time to turn this around, but a few more bad outings and the Cubs may have to look to Strop, who has yet to allow a run in 3.1 innings so far. Jose Veras to Hot Seat.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated |
CHC | | Jose Veras | | Pedro Strop | | Hector Rondon | | Pedro Strop | | 4/7/14 |
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Cincinnati Reds – Manny Parra pitched the 8th inning for the Reds in a 1-run game on Sunday, and then, with two lefties due up in the 9th, stayed on and picked up his first career save. With Jonathan Broxton due to be activated as early as tomorrow, Parra probably won’t be getting many more opportunities, but the lefty is off to a fine start this season, having logged 4.2 scoreless innings. Hierarchy change: Manny Parra to 2nd in line, replacing Logan Ondrusek.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated |
CIN | | J.J. Hoover | | Sam LeCure | | Manny Parra | | Aroldis Chapman | | 4/7/14 |
| | Aroldis Chapman (DL) | | Jonathan Broxton (DL) | | Sean Marshall (DL) | | | | |
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Houston Astros – So, unfortunately, it looks like the Astros are serious about this committee thing. On Sunday, Chad Qualls was called upon to put out an Anthony Bass fire, and retired the final two hitters for his first save of the year. Of the three relievers that Bo Porter tapped to share the stopper role in Houston before the season started, it’s actually Matt Albers who has been the best — he’s thrown 4.2 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts and 0 walks. But so far, Qualls and Josh Fields are the ones with one save apiece. We still like Fields the best of these three, as he’s been used only twice, and both times was given the keys to the 9th inning. But get used to seeing Qualls and Albers in the Vulture Save Watch indefinitely. Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Matt Albers to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated |
HOU | | Josh Fields | | Chad Qualls | | Matt Albers | | Josh Fields | | 4/7/14 |
| | | | Jesse Crain (DL) | | | | | | |
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Los Angeles Dodgers – J.P. Howell picked up his first hold of the year on Sunday. Should something happen to Kenley Jansen, we don’t think the Howell would be tapped for the 9th inning ahead of Chris Perez, but the lefty has been a key cog in the Los Angeles bullpen thus far. Three of his four appearances have come in the 8th inning ahead of Jansen. Hierarchy change: J.P. Howell to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon League.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated |
LAD | | Kenley Jansen | | Chris Perez | | J.P. Howell | | Kenley Jansen | | 4/7/14 |
| | | | Brian Wilson (DL) | | | | | | |
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New York Mets – Bobby Parnell will have Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2014 season. As previously mentioned, Jose Valverde will close for the foreseeable future, while Kyle Farnsworth is the best bet to step in if Valverde falters. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2015 Closer | . | Updated |
NYM | | Jose Valverde | | Kyle Farnsworth | | Gonzalez Germen | | Bobby Parnell | | 4/7/14 |
| | Bobby Parnell (DL) | | | | | | | | |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games and in four of the last five.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.