John Axford claimed by Pirates; Brian Wilson gets knocked around

August 15, 2014

Cleveland Indians – The Indians placed John Axford on waivers earlier this month, and yesterday, he was claimed by the Pirates, who will pick up the remaining $1.1 million of his salary. We’ll leave him off the Pirates hierarchy until we see how they’re going to use him, but in Cleveland, look for Scott Atchison to continue his recent run of 7th inning holds.

Updated hierarchy: Allen | Shaw | Atchison.

Milwaukee Brewers – Will Smith has had an up and down season, which we’ve been thoroughly happy to chronicle with help from his IMDB page. Right now, he’s back on the upswing, with a bunch of recent 8th inning holds to his name. Last night, Smith pitched a perfect 8th with two strikeouts and is again the most likely candidate for saves when Francisco Rodriguez needs a night off.

Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Smith | Kintzler.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brian Wilson had an ugly outing last night, allowing three earned runs in 0.2 innings and forcing Kenley Jansen into an extended appearance. Prior to last night, Wilson had been sort of decent lately, and his strikeout totals are still excellent (50 in 39.1 IPs). But he’s still walking way too many guys, leading to an ERA and WHIP of 5.26 and 1.70 — unseemly numbers for the would-be set-up man on the NL’s best team. With Brandon League pitching very effectively lately, Wilson might not be Jansen’s handcuff at this point. We’ll watch how this unfolds in the coming days.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Wilson | League.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Boxberger, Tampa Bay Rays – With his appearance last night, Jake McGee has now worked 3 innings over the last 3 days.

Scott Downs picks up rare save; Jose Valverde released

May 27, 2014

New York Mets — They say that if you love something, you should let it go; apparently, the Mets have a thing for mediocre relievers on the high side of 35. On the heels of turning Kyle Farnsworth into Inigo Montoya, New York axed Jose Valverde on Monday for giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning. Even after his successful spot start on Sunday, Dice-K still appears to be the next guy up in the bullpen — but if Vic Black, freshly recalled from AAA, can improve his command, the Mets might be able to leave thirtysomethings behind them for good.

Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Familia | Matsuzaka.

Los Angeles Dodgers — After Hyun-Jin Ryu lost his perfect game and shutout in the eighth inning, Brian Wilson entered and loaded the bases while yielding two inherited runs. Kenley Jansen bailed everyone out with a four-out save, but the rest of the Dodgers’ bullpen has become a series of question marks. Wilson has allowed an astonishing 36 baserunners in 16.2 innings, and Chris Perez’s ERA over the last three weeks is 17.35. On the whole, LA relievers are 4-12 with a 1.42 WHIP. Brandon League and J.P. Howell have been pitching the best, if only by default, but Howell is limited by his status as the only non-Paul Maholm lefty in the pen. We think Wilson’s last outing has dropped him below these two, but in this bullpen right now, nothing is certain.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | League | Howell.

Chicago White Sox — After Zach Putnam loaded the bases with a four-run lead in the eighth, Scott Downs came in and retired his fellow lefty, pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy. Downs stayed on to pitch the ninth and earn his first save of the year. As the only lefty in the White Sox pen, Downs is likely to see continued use in a matchup role.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Pittsburgh Pirates — As predicted in Monday’s Vulture Save Watch, Mark Melancon earned another save on Monday as Jason Grilli is eased back into the closer role.

Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Melancon | Watson.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Adam Warren, New York Yankees — David Robertson has pitched on three of the last four days.
2. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has pitched on two straight days, including a 21-pitch blown save on Monday.

Jason Grilli back as closer, Howell pitching in big spots for Dodgers

May 24, 2014

Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli was activated from the DL on Friday and immediately got the call in the 9th inning.  He worked around a lead-off walk and picked up his 5th save of the season.  Mark Melancon pitched well in Grilli’s absence, and is worth handing onto in case Grilli struggles, but it looks like he will go back to his set-up role for now.

Updated Hierarchy: Grilli | Melancon | Watson

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers called on Brandon League in the 7th inning last night with a 2 run lead.  League loaded the bases while recording no outs.  J.P. Howell came on and finished off the 7th inning by stranding all three runners.  Howell has 10 holds on the season, an ERA just over 2, and proved last night that he can be trusted to pitch in tough spots in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Wilson | Howell.

San Francisco Giants — Jean Machi picked up his 2nd save of the season last night.  He entered the game with two men on and one out in the 8th inning with the Giants up 4.  He got a double play to get out of that inning and then came back for the 9th inning to finish the game.

Hierarchy Remains: Romo | Machi | Lopez.

Colorado Rockies – Walt Weiss has said that LaTroy Hawkins is still their closer but he also mentioned that Adam Ottavino could be an option to close down the road.  Hawkins has given up 22 hits, with only 6 strikeouts, in his 16 innings of work so far this year so Weiss might be forced to give Ottavino a shot at closing sooner rather than later.

Hierarchy Remains: Hawkins | Ottavino | Brothers.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli returned last night and got the save but Melancon could still see some save opportunities if the Pirates want to ease Grilli’s workload right after coming back from his injury.
2. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – O’Day could still get the call in the 9th inning over Britton if the match-ups are right
3. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians – The Indians could give Allen another night off after a heavy workload this week.

 

Matt Lindstrom out for three months; Cubs turn to Schlitter

May 22, 2014

Chicago White Sox — Bad news for Matt Lindstrom Wednesday; the righthander will need surgery on his injured ankle and is unlikely to return before late August. In his absence, Robin Ventura has chosen Ronald Belisario and his speedy sinker as the team’s closer.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Webb | Petricka.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Chris Perez hasn’t pitched since May 17, and when he has been used, he’s been strikingly ineffective in some low-leverage spots. We can’t yet tell you whether injury, fatigue, or ineffectiveness is to blame for him being passed over in situations like Wednesday’s tight seventh and eighth, but we’re concerned enough to move him out of the top three until he proves he’s okay.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Wilson | League.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Jason Grilli expects to return on Saturday, and should slide back into the closer role soon thereafter. He’s owned in over 80% of ESPN and Yahoo! leagues, so we won’t issue an email alert when he comes back, but if he’s available in your league, act now.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Wilson.

San Francisco Giants — Santiago Casilla injured his right hamstring during a rare plate appearance late Wednesday. He’ll be tough to replace, but the search should start with Jean Machi, who’s working on a 15-game scoreless streak.

Updated hierarchy: Romo | Machi | Lopez.

Chicago Cubs — The euphonious Brian Schlitter pitched a scoreless eighth before Hector Rondon blew his first save of the year and Jose Veras lost a game of dodgeball with John Ryan Murphy. Schlitter happens to be getting what passes for high-leverage work in the Cubs bullpen lately.

Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Ramirez | Schlitter.

Texas Rangers — When Tanner Scheppers returns from the disabled list after this weekend’s rehab assignment, he will do so as a set-up reliever, the role that he filled so ably for the team in 2013.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Frasor | Ogando.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson/Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s — New closer Sean Doolittle might not be ready to pitch in three straight games.
2. Chris Perez, Los Angeles Dodgers — If he’s healthy and mentally sound, he’s the best-rested option.
3. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Still a possibility at any time.

Houston’s committee is a real thing; Jose Veras struggles

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
CHCJose VerasPedro StropHector RondonPedro Strop4/7/14

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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
CINJ.J. HooverSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/7/14
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
HOUJosh FieldsChad QuallsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/7/14
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
LADKenley JansenChris PerezJ.P. HowellKenley Jansen4/7/14
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
NYMJose ValverdeKyle FarnsworthGonzalez GermenBobby Parnell4/7/14
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.