Hunter Strickland and Roman Mendez have arrived

September 23, 2014

San Francisco Giants — Since Bruce Bochy’s late-August announcement that Santiago Casilla would share save opportunities with a committee, Casilla has continued to get every available chance. On Monday, though, Casilla pitched the eleventh and twelfth (in a tie game on the road!!), leaving the save for Hunter Strickland, whom you know all too well as the closer for the mighty Richmond Flying Squirrels. Since Strickland came to the big club on September 1, he has seven strikeouts in seven scoreless appearances. The committee isn’t really a thing, but the Giants might want to keep testing whether Strickland could be.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Houston Astros — Last offseason, Houston signed three free agent relievers: Chad Qualls, who has been a serviceable closer since May; Matt Albers, who made it into eight games before hitting the DL; and Jesse Crain, who earned $3.25 million for throwing as many pitches for Houston as your mother did. Now GM Jeff Luhnow says the team will again prioritize relief spending in the winter, in the hopes Houston can hit the rarefied air of “75 [or] 80 wins.” Keep dreaming that crazy dream, Jeff.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Texas Rangers — Rookie Roman Mendez has been getting several high-leverage outs lately for Texas; he was used in the eighth inning up a run on Monday night. Meanwhile, Alexi Ogando is so injured that they put him on the winter league disabled list.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Cotts | Mendez.

San Diego Padres — Kevin Quackenbush earned another save in Joaquin Benoit’s stead. Benoit’s first appearance (on Sunday) was uneventful, so if the Padres are telling us the truth, he should return to the closer role soon.

Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

Cleveland Indians – Unbeknownst to us, Cody Allen couldn’t come back out for the tenth inning of the Indians’ suspended game against the Royals, because rookie lefty Kyle Crockett had already been announced as the new pitcher before the game was called in late August. That left it to Scott Atchison to pick up the save, 22 days later.

Hierarchy remains: Allen | Shaw | Atchison.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates — The Bucs are riding their bullpen hard as they approach the postseason; Mark Melancon has now thrown on four of the last five days (67 pitches), and five of the last seven (84).
2. Neal Cotts, Texas Rangers — Neftali Feliz has pitched on two straight days, and he hasn’t gone three in a row all year.
3. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has thrown 20+ pitches each of the last two days.

Joakim Soria and Rafael Soriano make their returns

September 11, 2014

Oakland A’s — After a successful outing on Wednesday, Sean Doolittle is on track to return from the DL on Friday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

Houston Astros — With a lefty-heavy Mariners lineup in the 9th, it was Tony Sipp (mentioned in Wednesday’s VSW) who earned the save last night. It’s Josh Fields who will get most of the save chances as long as Chad Qualls is hurt, however.

Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria returned from the DL on Wednesday, giving up one run in the ninth with the team behind. If Joe Nathan’s arm troubles worsen, Brad Ausmus could turn to the experienced Soria.

Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Chamberlain | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano returned from a five-day hiatus to pitch in a low-leverage outing on Wednesday. Club brass hopes he’ll be willing to accept a set-up role as the postseason approaches.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Kansas City Royals — With Greg Holland remaining unavailable, Wade Davis picked up another save on Wednesday.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Baltimore Orioles — The Orioles led 10-1 entering the bottom of the ninth and somehow still managed to squeeze out a save for Darren O’Day. Joe Saunders gets credit for the assist; he gave up two more baserunners than starter Wei-Yin Chin, while recording only 20 fewer outs.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Miller.

NFL — After an anonymous law enforcement source claimed that he sent a copy of the damning Ray Rice video to NFL officials in April, commissioner Roger Goodell announced that former FBI director Robert Mueller will head up an investigation into the league’s handling of evidence in the case. As cries for his dismissal grow louder, Goodell should be looking over his shoulder at Condoleeza Rice, who combines impressive professional credentials with a deep love of football — and could allow the Ravens to repurpose all their now-worthless “RICE” jerseys. Also in the mix is the logorrheic choice of the football gods, Gregg “TMQ” Easterbrook, who has written more words about the NFL than you have ever said. About anything.

Updated hierarchy: Goodell | Rice | Easterbrook.
Roger Goodell to Hot Seat.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Josh Fields, Houston Astros — As noted, Chad Qualls remains unavailable.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — As does Huston Street, until Friday.
3. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — No news yet on Joaquin Benoit’s return.
4. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland might still be hobbled.
5. Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod and Jonathan Broxton have been used a lot the last few days, and Wisconsin loves Pig Latin rap.

Street, Perkins, Qualls all dealing with minor injuries

September 10, 2014

Houston Astros — Interim manager Tom Lawless chose Josh Fields to close out the Seattle Mariners; after the game, we learned that Chad Qualls was day-to-day with a minor injury.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

Minnesota Twins — With Glen Perkins still battling tingling in his shoulder and neck, Jared Burton earned Tuesday night’s save. Perkins hopes to return to action on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Perkins | Burton | Fien.

New York Mets — When Jenrry Mejia loaded the bases on two hits and a walk, Terry Collins used lefty Josh Edgin and set-up guy Jeurys Familia to nail down the win. With Vic Black returning from the disabled list and Familia outpitching Mejia down the stretch, the Mets closer remains firmly on the Hot Seat.

Updated hierarchy: Mejia | Familia | Black.

Milwaukee Brewers — Milwaukee is now 1-13 over its last 14 games, with the latest loss coming on the strength of two two-out home runs surrendered by closer Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod’s 14 home runs allowed are the highest in the league for a reliever.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Broxton | Smith.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals — Drew Storen has earned three saves in three days, retiring all nine men he’s faced. Although he appears to be cementing his position as interim closer, he’ll be unavailable on Wednesday.
2. Josh Fields/Tony Sipp, Houston Astros — Chad Qualls is day-to-day with a minor injury.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres — Joaquin Benoit is presumably still hurting, and Kevin Quackenbush struggled in a 28-pitch outing last night.
4. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street was unavailable with a tight hamstring on Tuesday; although Mike Scioscia expects him back on Wednesday, you never know.

Drew Storen gets first save in Washington committee

September 8, 2014

Kansas City Royals – With Greg Holland getting some extra rest to recover from a minor triceps injury, Wade Davis picked up his second save in the past three days. Holland actually said before the game that he was available, but it seems Ned Yost decided to play it safe; Holland should be back in short order.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Toronto Blue Jays – The last two days have brought some good news for Casey Janssen owners: On Saturday, Aaron Sanchez was summoned in the 7th inning, and on Sunday, he was nowhere to be seen, allowing Janssen to pick up his 22nd save. Sanchez will probably vulture a few more chances down the stretch, but Janssen should still be able to get his share of saves.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

Oakland A’s — Eric O’Flaherty has been unavailable with lower back tightness and will not pitch on Monday.

Hierarchy remains: O’Flaherty | Cook | Gregerson.

Washington Nationals – The first save chance since Rafael Soriano’s maybe-temporary-maybe-not demotion went to Drew Storen, who converted. We’ll bump him to the top of the hierarchy and asterisk him for now until he (or someone else) is given the exclusive job.

Updated hierarchy: Storen | Clippard | Soriano.

Baltimore Orioles – Andrew Miller picked up his first save of the season in an 11-inning game. Zach Britton had blown the save in the 9th, but his job is not in jeopardy.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | Miller | O’Day.

Texas Rangers – Neal Cotts has struggled as of late (7 ERs in his last 4 IPs), so Shawn Tolleson was given the 8th inning ahead of Neftali Feliz. Tolleson has only allowed runs in 2 of his past 13 outings.

Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Tolleson | Cotts.

Houston Astros – After Chad Qualls blew his fourth save of the season against the A’s on Saturday (invoking Pedro Martinez in the aftermath), the Astros sent Tony Sipp and Josh Fields out for the 9th inning on Sunday. Sipp got the first two outs, and Fields got the last one for his third save of the year.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Wade Davis should keep getting the save opps if Greg Holland needs more recovery time.
2. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres – Joaquin Benoit will probably need a few more days.
3. Ryan Cook/Dan Otero, Oakland A’s — Eric O’Flaherty is still unavailable and Cook blew yesterday’s save.

Mujica replaces Uehara as closer, Soriano to hot seat

September 6, 2014

Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica will now close for the Red Sox, with Koji Uehara taking a few days off, then returning to a non-closing role to work through his struggles. If all goes well, Uehara will apparently close again by the end of the month.

Updated hierarchy: Mujica | Tazawa | Uehara.

Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano blew his second straight save on Friday night.  When manager Matt Williams was asked about Soriano as closer, he said “We need to address it.” Soriano has really struggled since the All-Star break, with an ERA of almost 7.00.  If Williams decides to make a change we expect Clippard to get the first chance, but Storen is also an option as he has more closing experience.

Rafael Soriano to Hot Seat
Hierarchy remains: Soriano | Clippard | Storen.

Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen blew another save last night.  He gave up three runs on five hits, while only recording one out.  After Aaron Sanchez got the save on Wednesday, it sounds like manager John Gibbons told Janssen that Sanchez would get the save opportunities when he is available.  Janssen then recorded the save on Thursday but wasn’t able to get it done yesterday.  He could still be in the mix for saves, and we will leave him there for now, but if Sanchez gets the next save chance and converts it, that should confirm a change.

Casey Janssen to Hot Seat
Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

Kansas City Royals — Super set-up man Wade Davis picked up his first save of the season yesterday.  Davis struck out both batters that he faced with the tying run on second base.  Greg Holland got the day off, as he has a minor triceps issue, and if he misses more time, Davis should continue to see the save chances.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Houston Astros – Tony Sipp recorded his third save of the season last night, as he pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four batters.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.

Los Angeles Angels – Kevin Jepsen got the save in extra innings last night.   Huston Street and Joe Smith had already pitched so Jepsen was left to finish the game.  Jepsen lowered his ERA to under 2.00 for the season but still remains behind Street and Smith for save chances.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays – It sounds like Sanchez could be the closer whenever he is available, and he hasn’t pitched in two days while Janssen blew the save last night.
2. Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland is dealing with a triceps injury that the team is calling minor but if he can’t go today, Davis should get the call again.
3. Tyler Clippard/Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – The Nats could give Clippard or Storen a shot after Soriano blew the save yesterday.