Brett Cecil and Mike Dunn pick up saves; Jose Cisnero still the favorite in Houston

August 1, 2013

Houston Astros – The Astros have played two games since dealing Jose Veras, and neither has netted them a save situation, but the clues that have been presented continue to suggest that Jose Cisnero gets the first crack at the closer role, despite Bo Porter’s insistence that he’s using a committee.  Yesterday, Cisnero pitched the 9th in a blowout, picking up a strikeout while allowing 2 hits and no runs.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose CisneroTravis BlackleyJosh ZeidJose Cisnero8/1/13

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Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek got the night off on Wednesday, and Mike Dunn picked up a 4-out save in his absence.  Dunn and Chad Qualls will continue to share the 8th inning role.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekChad QuallsMike DunnSteve Cishek8/1/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Brett Cecil picked up a 10th inning save on Wednesday, after Casey Janssen and Steve Delabar had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos8/1/13
Sergio Santos (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched in three straight and five of six and is nearly certain to get the night off tonight.
2. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara threw two innings in an extra-inning game last night.

Antonio Bastardo, Ryan Cook move into set-up roles

June 3, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon missed the game on Sunday with a bad sinus infection and could be out for an additional day or two.  Antonio Bastardo picked up a shaky save in his absence and will likely share 9th inning duties with Mike Adams if Papelbon needs another day to recover.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to Set-up, Mike Adams to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoMike AdamsJonathan Papelbon6/3/13

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Houston Astros – Jose Veras was given a day off on Sunday after pitching five of the previous six days, as mentioned in the Vulture Save Watch.  Hector Ambriz picked up his second save of the week in his place.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizWesley WrightJose Veras6/3/13

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Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook finished off the 7th and stayed on for a spotless 8th on Sunday, marking the third straight 8th-inning appearance for Cook.  Sean Doolittle, meanwhile, has struggled in his last two outings, allowing two runs each time.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Set-up, Sean Doolittle to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
OAKGrant BalfourRyan CookSean DoolittleGrant Balfour6/3/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Loup picked up an 11th-inning save on Sunday night after the Jays had used most of the other relievers in their bullpen.  Brett Cecil pitched the 8th and 9th for Toronto and extended his scoreless innings streak to 11.  Though Neil Wagner had a strong debut earlier this week, he hasn’t pitched in a game in which the Blue Jays were winning or tied since.  Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, replacing Neil Wagner.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos6/3/13
Sergio Santos (DL)Darren Oliver (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo/Mike Adams, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon might need another day off to recover from a nasty sinus infection that kept him out on Sunday.
2. Joe Thatcher, San Diego Padres – Luke Gregerson and Dale Thayer have both pitched in three straight.

Neil Wagner with impressive debut; Kyuji Fujikawa done for the year

May 30, 2013

Atlanta Braves – Jordan Walden returned from the DL to pitch a scoreless inning on Wednesday.  Though Cory Gearrin and Luis Avilan have pitched well in their roles as the 8th inning triage team, Walden’s experience would have to throw him into immediate consideration for saves should anything happen to Craig Kimbrel.  Hierarchy change: Jordan Walden to 2nd in line, replacing Luis Avilan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelCory GearrinJordan WaldenCraig Kimbrel5/30/13
Eric O’Flaherty (DL)

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Chicago Cubs – Reports emerged yesterday that Kyuji Fujikawa will undergo Tommy John surgery.  He can safely be dropped in any non-keeper league.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos MarmolJames Russell
Kevin Gregg5/30/13

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Toronto Blue Jays – With many of their top relievers injured, the Blue Jays on Wednesday called up their AAA closer, Neil Wagner, and immediately thrust him in to a big spot.  Wagner, 29, a hard-throwing righty, pitched the 7th and 8th innings in a 3-run game before giving way to Casey Janssen.  He allowed only one hit and struck out two.  Wagner’s stats in AAA are very impressive (20.1 IP, 0.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 13 saves, and 32 Ks/8 BBs), and the lack of (healthy) closing experience in the Toronto bullpen puts him immediately in the conversation if Janssen’s recent shoulder complaints turn into something real.  Hierarchy change: Neil Wagner to 2nd in line, replacing Brett Cecil.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarNeil WagnerSergio Santos5/30/13
Sergio Santos (DL)Darren Oliver (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica has pitched in four straight.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight and four of five.
3. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour has pitched in three straight.  Sean Doolittle has gotten the 8th lately, but he’s pitched 4.1 innings over the past four days, and might be rested tonight as well, meaning a possible save opp for Ryan Cook.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in three straight.
5. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros – Jose Veras has pitched in three straight.

Steve Delabar could be closing soon for the Blue Jays

May 29, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays — With Darren Oliver on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, Steve Delabar has ascended to the setup role in the threadbare Jays bullpen. Right behind him is an equally overworked Brett Cecil, who has struck out eight of the last fourteen batters he’s faced. As Casey Janssen was held out of Tuesday’s game with a “tender” shoulder, Delabar may see ninth-inning action very soon. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, Darren Oliver to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos5/29/13
Sergio Santos (DL)Darren Oliver (DL)

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Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn entered in the eighth with a one-run lead and gave up three singles to tie the game; sent back out for the bottom of the ninth, he allowed two more singles and took the loss after Chad Qualls surrendered a game-ending hit. Those looking for clarity from this bullpen should prepare to wait two more weeks for the next save situation. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnChad QuallsSteve Cishek5/29/13

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New York Yankees — Joba Chamberlain was reactivated from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game. Although the Yankees’ pen has grown somewhat crowded in his absence, he should get a chance to regain his seventh-inning role. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonJoba ChamberlainDavid Robertson5/29/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez had an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed tendinitis in his right rotator cuff. The injury is not expected to be serious, and Perez should return from the disabled list on or around June 11. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez5/29/13
 Chris Perez (DL)

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Minnesota Twins — Brian Duensing got his first save of the season on Tuesday by pitching a scoreless fourteenth inning. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/29/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals — Edward Mujica has pitched in three straight.
2. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have each had two straight lengthy outings.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins blew a save last night in a 29-pitch outing, and Burton is slightly better rested.
4. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has had two somewhat strenuous outings back-to-back.
5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Jansen has at least a putative shot at a save every night under the current Dodgers bullpen setup.