Broxton back with the Reds; Santos doing well for Toronto

April 9, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, and though manager Bryan Price says he would like to let him “get his feet wet” before returning him to the ninth, it’s clear that he will be the Reds’ closer going forward. Meanwhile, J.J. Hoover entered in the seventh inning with Cincinnati trailing, and appears to have fallen behind the other members of the team’s short-lived closer committee. Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Closer, replacing J.J. Hoover.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/9/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Brett Cecil pitched the eighth last night after Steve Delabar was used to finish the sixth. Keep an eye on Sergio Santos too — he struck out the side in the ninth, and could have a shot at keeping the closer job even after Casey Janssen returns. Janssen will throw a side session on Wednesday before starting a few rehab outings. Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Steve Delabar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarCasey Janssen4/9/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria entered in the ninth inning of a 10-4 game and scattered four hits among three strikeouts, surrendering three runs. With Neftali Feliz impressing in the minors, another outing like that one could send Soria to the Hot Seat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/9/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera/Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has had two long outings in a row, and set-up man Wade Davis threw 27 pitches on Tuesday.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Josh Fields remains the best bet for Astros save chances, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
3. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched on two straight days, including throwing 27 pitches on Monday.

Sergio Santos to close as Casey Janssen starts season on DL

March 30, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays – Casey Janssen has been placed on the disabled list with a lower back strain.  Sergio Santos will close in his place, while Steve Delabar moves up to 8th inning duties.  Hierarchy change: Sergio Santos to Closer, Steve Delabar to Set-up, Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, Casey Janssen injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosSteve DelabarBrett CecilCasey Janssen3/30/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Melancon could remain Pirates closer even after Grilli’s return

September 3, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon’s outstanding performance as the Bucs’ interim closer could give Clint Hurdle the luxury of easing Jason Grilli back into high-leverage use. Grilli struck out the side in his Monday rehab appearance with the Altoona Curve; he’s expected to make one last rehab appearance on Wednesday for AAA playoff team Indianapolis, unless the big club calls him up first. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up (DL).

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITMark MelanconTony WatsonJustin WilsonJason Grilli9/3/13
Jason Grilli (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Steve Delabar returned from the disabled list after almost a month and jumped right back into the eighth inning, earning a hold on Monday. Toronto has been leaning on Sergio Santos more than Brett Cecil over the past two weeks, so Santos keeps his slot at #3 for the Jays. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, replacing Brett Cecil.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarSergio SantosSergio Santos9/3/13

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Houston Astros — If you’re still chasing saves right now, you’re probably in your fantasy playoffs — and if you’re in your fantasy playoffs, you’ve probably stayed far away from the hellscape of the post-Veras Houston bullpen. The events of Labor Day won’t inspire you to change that sound plan: after a solid sixth and seventh from putative closer Josh Fields, Kevin Chapman let an inherited runner score to tie the game. Chia-Jen Lo came out for the ninth, which might have been enough to edge him past Fields in our hierarchy. If, that is, Lo hadn’t loaded the bases in time for a Chris Colabello grand slam. On the bright side, Houston’s minor league teams have the best combined record in baseball. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoKevin ChapmanJosh Fields9/3/13

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Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Jose Veras who earned the save by finishing off a shutout of Boston. Bet he’s glad he got out of Houston. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJoaquin BenoitJose Veras Drew SmylyJose Veras9/3/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has three saves in the last three days.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has pitched on four of the last five days, and Ryan Cook has pitched in three of four himself. Doolittle had Labor Day off.
3. Sergio Santos/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in three of the last four games, and it may be too early for John Gibbons to use Steve Delabar on back-to-back days.

Jim Johnson is back on the Hot Seat

August 15, 2013

Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson blew his third straight save and ninth of the year on Wednesday. Even before the game, the Baltimore Sun was asking its readers whether Johnson should be demoted, with 92% saying yes at the time of this report. Although Buck Showalter insists that he “can’t live in that world,” won’t “shoot the wounded,” and has no intention to give any save opportunities to K-Rod, we’ve heard that tune before. Johnson can’t afford another mistake. Hierarchy change: Francisco Rodriguez to Set-up, Tommy Hunter to 2nd in line, Jim Johnson to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonFrancisco RodriguezTommy HunterJim Johnson8/15/13

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New York Mets — We’re not even going to make a joke about poor LaTroy Hawkins, who took a comebacker to the groin, gave up a game-tying home run, and was feeling the effects well after the game. Ouch. Wear your cup, kids. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMLaTroy HawkinsDavid AardsmaScott RiceBobby Parnell8/15/13
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — As we expected, Brett Cecil got a shot at a save on Wednesday night; unfortunately for anyone who listened to us, he surrendered a two-run homer to tie the game, then loaded the bases. Never trust a man with two first names. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenBrett CecilSergio SantosSergio Santos8/15/13
Steve Delabar (DL)

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Seattle Mariners — Danny Farquhar had a nightmare ninth inning on Wednesday, falling a home run short of yielding the cycle, all without retiring a single batter. It was his first blown save as Seattle’s closer, though, and he should have some more leeway before he approaches the Hot Seat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaDanny Farquhar8/15/13

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Cleveland Indians — Joe Smith picked up a save in the twelfth inning on Wednesday after Chris Perez gave up a game-tying home run in the tenth. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez8/15/13

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Houston Astros — The latest reliever to leave the Houston organization? Aussie former set-up man Travis Blackley. Meanwhile, Philip Humber, who hadn’t been seen since he gave up 5 runs in less than an inning three months ago, coughed up a one-run lead in the seventh. Did we mention you’re pitching the sixth for the Astros tomorrow? Get to Oakland by 8:30 am; they’ll cover your cab fare from the airport, but no tip. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJosh FieldsChia-Jen LoJosh ZeidJosh Fields8/15/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Aardsma, New York Mets — LaTroy Hawkins deserves a little rest, don’t you think?

Steve Delabar hits DL; Kintzler, Smith seeing bigger innings

August 5, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – Just a week ago, John Axford was being mentioned by Ron Roenicke as a possible part-time closer, but after a dominant stretch, the beleaguered righty has now given up 6 runs in his last 3.1 innings.  He’s been dropped back to middle inning duty, while Brandon Kintzler and Mike Gonzalez have gotten all the big 7th- and 8th-inning work ahead of re-established closer Jim Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Kintzler to Set-up, John Axford to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MILJim HendersonBrandon KintzlerJohn AxfordJim Henderson8/5/13

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Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith pitched the 8th ahead of Chris Perez in both games this weekend, and has temporarily reclaimed his job as primary set-up man in Cleveland.  Cody Allen has struggled lately, having allowed 3 runs and 7 hits over his last 3.1 innings of work.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Cody Allen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez8/5/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays placed All Star set-up man Steve Delabar on the DL yesterday with shoulder inflammation.  The move is retroactive to August 3.  Brett Cecil will take over 8th inning duties in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Sergio Santos to 2nd in line, Steve Delabar to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenBrett CecilSergio SantosSergio Santos8/2/13
Steve Delabar (DL)

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Los Angeles Angels – The Angels’ closer-by-committee was a wreck on Sunday, with Ernesto Frieri and Dane de la Rosa combining with several other relievers to blow the game.  Frieri was summoned with 2 outs in the 8th inning, and retired the first hitter he faced, but in the 9th, he only recorded one out while allowing a hit and hitting a player with a pitch.  De la Rosa then entered and allowed both of the inherited runners to score, saddling Frieri with the loss.  This whole bullpen is still on the Hot Seat, though Kevin Jepsen was nowhere to be found during this mess, having pitched in back to back games prior to Sunday.  Maybe he’ll get the call next time.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriDane de la RosaKevin JepsenErnesto Frieri8/5/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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San Diego Padres – Colt Hynes, a 28-year-old rookie who has been in the bigs for about 3 weeks, got his first career hold on Sunday, facing the heart of the Yankees order in the 8th inning and escaping unscathed.  In the minors this year, Hynes had a strikeout-to-walk ratio that would make even Cliff Lee jealous, as the lefty racked up 58 strikeouts while walking only 2 hitters (yes, 2, as in two, dos, deux, due; that’s not a typo) in 47.1 innings.  While Hynes hasn’t broken on to our hierarchy yet, based on that ratio alone, he’s become a reliever to watch in the second half.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDHuston StreetLuke GregersonDale ThayerHuston Street8/5/13

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Seattle Mariners – Danny Farquhar pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday for his second straight save and looks to be the new closer for the Mariners.  Hierarchy change: Danny Farquhar to Closer, Oliver Perez to Set-up.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SEADanny FarquharOliver PerezYoervis MedinaTom Wilhelmsen8/4/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien/Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in three straight.
2. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in three straight.
3. Ronald Belisario/Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in back to back games and three of four, and the Dodgers could play matchups in the 9th tonight.
4. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri and Dane de La Rosa both contributed to the blown save last night, and the latter has pitched in three straight.