Jose Valverde takes over in New York and Brian Wilson hits the DL

April 2, 2014

New York Mets — Bobby Parnell’s diminished velocity led to a blown save on Opening Day. After he complained of forearm tightness, an examination revealed a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Parnell, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection, will rest for at least two weeks, then begin a throwing program to determine if surgery will be necessary. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Jeurys Familia to Set-Up, Scott Rice to 2nd in line, Bobby Parnell to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeJeurys FamiliaScott RiceBobby Parnell4/2/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Houston Astros — In the first sign that Houston’s closer-by-committee system will be as unpleasant for fantasy owners as it is for the players involved, putative “closer” Chad Qualls was summoned Tuesday in the eighth inning, up six. We still think he has the inside track at the most save opportunities with Jesse Crain out, but it’s best to think of anything you get from any Astros pitcher as gravy. Specifically, the gravy that dog food makes. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUChad QuallsJosh FieldsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/2/14
 Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers — How about this? We let you know that Brian Wilson is headed to the disabled list with nerve irritation, and you just go ahead and make up your own punchline. Hierarchy change: Chris Perez to Set-up, Brandon League to 2nd in line, Brian Wilson to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrandon LeagueKenley Jansen4/2/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Ned Yost has picked $4.8 million man Wade Davis as the team’s official set-up guy with Luke Hochevar out for the year. Davis and Aaron Crow had a rough time on Monday, however, and what seemed like a strength for Kansas City now appears very shaky indeed. Hierarchy change: Wade Davis to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandWade DavisKelvin HerreraGreg Holland4/2/14

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Someone needs to stop Brandon League; Marmol and Herrera disappear

June 26, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to quickly make it a one-run game. Paco Rodriguez took over and allowed another single before retiring the next three hitters to earn his first career save. This outing will almost certainly end League’s reign of terror in late/close situations; Don Mattingly says he will use League in easier spots until and unless he improves. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to Set-Up, Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen6/26/13

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Chicago Cubs — 23 revelers were arrested Tuesday in Wrigleyville; we assume their riotous celebration was inspired by early word of Carlos Marmol’s demotion. With James Russell still the only lefty in the Cubs pen and Dale Sveum loath to use him in the ninth, we’re ready to predict that Blake Parker — with seven saves at AAA Iowa and great numbers in eight June appearances with the big club — takes on a larger role. Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerJames RussellKevin Gregg6/26/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Garrett Richards has not collected a hold in the month of June, and he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last five outings (10.1 IP). Scott Downs has 14 holds and saved nine games for the Angels last year; he’s been facing more than just lefties too, although his splits against right-handed hitters are unimpressive. Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to 2nd in line, replacing Garrett Richards.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenScott DownsErnesto Frieri6/26/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was sent to Omaha on Tuesday; fans of the mercurial righthander are advised to turn their tickets in and get their money back at the door. Ned Yost says that Herrera will pitch in a starting role at the AAA club, in the hope that he can “slow the game down” and start threading the needle again with all of his pitches. Yost added that Herrera’s eighth-inning role, truly the heart of matters, would be filled by Aaron Crow and lefty Tim Collins going forward. Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowTim CollinsGreg Holland6/26/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night, and a return to the Indians should follow very shortly. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/26/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, throwing 23 pitches in each of them.

Brandon League gets save in extras, Broxton to DL

June 16, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — Brandon League picked up the save in the 11th inning last night after Kenley Jansen blew the save in the 9th.  Even with the blown save, Mattingly is not thinking about making another change back to League.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
LADKenley JansenBrandon LeaguePaco RodriguezKenley Jansen6/16/13


Cincinnati Reds – Jonathan Broxton was finally put on the DL Saturday with a right forearm injury.  Sam LeCure should see time in the set-up role while Broxton is out.   Hierarchy change: Sam LeCure to Set-up,  J.J. Hoover to 2nd in line, Jonathan Broxton to DL.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CINAroldis ChapmanSam LeCureJ.J. HooverJonathan Broxton6/16/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs – Kevin Gregg has pitched in four straight games
2. Carter Capps/Charlie Furbush, Seattle Mariners – Oliver Perez got the first save chance but with Eric Wedge playing match-ups in the 9th, Capps or Furbush could also see opportunities.
3. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – Ron Roenicke has said that he will try to give K-Rod the opportunity to reach 300 saves for his career.  He only needs 2 more.

Brandon League with yet another blown save; Kenley Jansen awaits

June 11, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — After an effective eighth from Kenley Jansen, Brandon League was a comprehensive disaster, allowing four runs to earn the Dodgers their league-leading 13th blown save of the year. League has a 6.00 ERA and four blown saves; Jansen has 44 strikeouts in 32 innings and a WHIP of 1.00. Don Mattingly suggested that he was playing matchups by using League to close, but the best type of matchup for the Dodgers right now is the one that leaves him in the bullpen. Brandon League to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenPaco RodriguezKenley Jansen6/11/13

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San Diego Padres — After Tim Stauffer gave up a three-run homer to let the Braves back into the game in the ninth inning, it was Dale Thayer (as predicted in yesterday’s VSW) who nailed down the ensuing (chancy) save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDLuke GregersonDale ThayerJoe ThatcherHuston Street6/11/13
Huston Street (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ramon Troncoso, Chicago White Sox — If Robin Ventura sends Addison Reed out for a fourth consecutive game, less than a week after keeping him in for three innings and 55 pitches, someone ought to put him in another headlock. Most other Sox relievers have also pitched a lot lately, so it could be Troncoso time on Tuesday.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers — Although Jim Henderson is Milwaukee’s closer, Ron Roenicke has promised, in a surfeit of benevolence, to help K-Rod get to 300 saves. He needs two more.
3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland pitched in his second straight game on Monday; notably, it was his fifth appearance in six days, over which he has thrown a whopping 86 pitches. Holland has been very effective, but some rest should be in order.
4. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — Andrew Bailey needed 32 pitches to blow a save in the tenth last night, just one day after he threw 24. Tazawa went for 20 pitches on Monday, but he had Sunday off.
5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Don Mattingly claims (however disingenuously) that he would have used Jansen in the ninth depending on matchups, so he might get another shot at a save going forward.
6. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney threw 33 pitches last night in a 1.2-inning appearance.