Sixth Mariners reliever earns save through first 15 games

April 12, 2019

Seattle Mariners — Both Anthony Swarzak and Roenis Elias have been busy lately and were held out of Thursday’s matchup against the Royals, leaving Connor Sadzeck to pitch a clean 10th inning for his first save. He has been impressive in the early going (4 IP, 4 K, 0 R) since being called up and could be the mix for future opportunities behind Swarzak and Elias. Brandon Brennan, who got the win yesterday after striking out three Royals in the ninth inning, has also been impressive so far this season in 9.2 IP (0.00 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 10 K).

Updated hierarchy: *Swarzak | Elias | Sadzeck.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — Brad Boxberger’s run in Kansas City continues to be bumpy. After allowing a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning of a tie game on Wednesday, Boxberger was handed the keys to a ninth-inning save opportunity Thursday. He blew it, giving up two runs on three hits to the red-hot Mariners. Ian Kennedy had pitched in two of three, including a 34-pitch outing on Wednesday, so he likely was held out of Thursday afternoon’s game. And while the use of Boxberger in a tight spot is still notable, it’s difficult to imagine him getting (or converting) a save chance anytime soon. Plus, the Royals have lost 10 straight games, so perhaps this isn’t the bullpen situation you want to mess with anyway.

Hierarchy remains: *Kennedy | Peralta | Diekman.
* = closer-by-committee

San Diego Padres — As predicted by the Vulture Save Watch, Kirby Yates got Thursday off. Craig Stammen did pitch, but it was in a fireman role after the Diamondbacks crawled back from a 6-1 deficit to tie the game. So no save for him unfortunately… but don’t complain too much! He ended up recording one out and got credit for the win when the Padres took the lead in the next half inning. Trey Wingenter cleaned things up in the ninth for his first save. 

Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Wingenter.

Chicago Cubs – Now that’s how they drew it up! Pedro Strop polished off a tidy 2-0 win with his first save after a perfect ninth inning Thursday against the Pirates. Steve Cishek was handed the eighth inning, as expected. If this scenario continues to play out this way, we may kick that asterisk — that is, until Brandon Morrow returns.

Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles placed Richard Bleier on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis, an injury the team believes is related to a torn left lat from last year. There’s no timetable for his return. In his place, let’s turn to the one remaining player with a hold or save AND an ERA under 10.00: Jimmy Yacabonis (1-0, 1 HLD, 2.25 ERA). Others like Mike Wright (12.79 ERA) and Miguel Castro (11.57 ERA) could ascend if they start pitching better.

Updated hierarchy: *Givens | Fry | Yacabonis.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Joe Biagini/Tim Mayza — Ken Giles has appeared in three of the last five games and threw 26 pitches in a blown save Thursday. He could get a breather Friday. Biagini has gone in two of three and threw 20 pitches Thursday, so the Blue Jays could turn to Tim Mayza, who has gone in four of six but has only thrown 15 pitches over his last two outings.

Friday:
1. Tony Watson — Will Smith has pitched in two straight games. Friday would make it three in a row.
2. Jeurys Familia — Same for Edwin Diaz.

AJ Minter nabs a save; Phillies keep spreading chances around

April 9, 2019

Tampa Bay Rays – Hunter Wood pitched the final three innings of a four-run game to register his first save of the season. It was an impressive outing, but Wood does not factor in to the Rays’ usual late-game plans.

Hierarchy remains: Alvarado | Castillo | Roe.

Philadelphia Phillies – Another 8th inning appearance for David Robertson meant another save opportunity for a non-Robertson reliever, and this time, it was veteran Pat Neshek. Neshek made things interesting, allowing a leadoff homer and then a double, but retired the next three hitters for his first save.

Hierarchy remains: *Robertson | Dominguez | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Arodys Vizcaino got a night off after pitching in three of the previous five, allowing AJ Minter to pick up his first save of the year. This could turn into a shared role in a hurry, so we’ll keep a close eye on this one going forward.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Minter | Sobotka.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Pressly – Roberto Osuna has gone back to back and three of four.
2. Andrew Miller – Jordan Hicks has pitched 2.1 innings over the past two days.

Tomorrow
1. Craig Stammen/Trey Wingenter – If Kirby Yates goes tonight, it’ll be back to back and four of five. Likewise for Craig Stammen.

David Robertson collects another save

September 1, 2018

New York Yankees – David Robertson picked up another save last night, and went through August without giving up an earned run in 11 appearances. As the Vulture Save Watch noted, Dellin Betances threw 31 pitches in taking the loss on Thursday, so he was likely unavailable. Zach Britton was used in the 7th and 8th of a tie game, giving up a run, and he was in line for the loss until the Yankees’ bats came alive in the bottom of the 8th. While Betances and Britton have both been solid in Aroldis Chapman’s absence, Robertson has been better, which prompts us to move him to the top of the committee while Chapman is out.

Updated hierarchy: *Robertson | Betances | Britton.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — The Dodgers acquired Ryan Madson yesterday to bolster their bullpen going into the playoffs. Madson didn’t have a great year with the Nationals, and his recent results have not been good, but it wouldn’t be the first time a change in scenery prompted a bump in performance. The Dodgers plan to use him in the late innings, and Kenley Jansen’s recent struggles (seven runs allowed in the last five games) may have prompted the trade, although Jansen did pick up a clean save last night. Madson will probably have to prove he has turned a corner before he consistently cracks the late innings, but if he can get anywhere close to his 2017 form, he is the best set-up option the Dodgers would have.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Maeda | Alexander.

Washington Nationals – The Nats traded Ryan Madson to the Dodgers yesterday. Madson never really found his footing with the Nationals and will look to right the ship on the West Coast. Meanwhile, the biggest bust signing of the offseason, Greg Holland, has been really good since being picked up by Washington, only giving up one run in 12 appearances. Holland even snagged a save in his last outing, and he’ll likely replace Madson and look to finish out a forgettable year on a high note.

Updated hierarchy: *Miller | Holland | Glover.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Angels – Ty Buttrey pitched the 9th inning ahead of Blake Parker last night to pick up his third hold of the season. The rookie has been solid since his call-up, and last night he worked out of a self-imposed jam by striking out Jose Altuve and getting Carlos Correa to pop up. Buttrey posted excellent numbers at AAA this season  (2.20 ERA, 74 Ks in 49 innings) and looks ready to be a key piece of the big-league bullpen. Meanwhile, Cam Bedrosian has not pitched with a lead since August 14th.

Updated hierarchy: Parker | Anderson | Buttrey.

San Diego Padres — Kirby Yates was placed on bereavement leave and will miss the next few days. Phil Maton and Matt Strahm both picked up holds last night before the Padres scored five runs and took away the save situation. We expect Craig Stammen to get a majority of the save chances while Yates is out.

Hierarchy remains: Yates | Stammen | Strahm.

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox traded Xavier Cedeno to the Brewers on Friday. This bullpen will continue to be volatile, but Juan Minaya picked up a hold yesterday and may get some more opportunities in September.

Updated hierarchy: *Fry | Gomez | Minaya.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians — Brad Hand got the save again last night with a perfect 9th inning. Cody Allen had a strong outing as well, pitching a perfect 8th with two strikeouts. This is the second straight scoreless appearance for Allen, which is following a stretch that saw him give up six runs in five games. Cleveland is trying to get Allen ready for the playoffs, but Hand has been its stopper for the past two weeks. We are keeping the “committee” tag on as long as Terry Francona insists it exists, but Hand has been Cleveland’s first choice recently.

Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – The Marlins’ bullpen has been in shambles recently. Last night they blew a four-run lead in the 9th, with Drew Steckenrider taking the loss after Kyle Barraclough loaded the bases with only one out. Miami’s best option isn’t clear right now, but with a month to go in the season, if anybody can string together a few good appearances, they may hold onto the job for the rest of the way. Keep an eye out for any good performances from Adam Conley, Steckenrider or Barraclough, as they could be a cheap addition that snags some vital saves in the fantasy playoffs.

Hierarchy remains: *Steckenrider | Conley | Barraclough.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Craig Stammen — As we noted, Kirby Yates is on the bereavement list at least for this weekend’s series.
2. Blake Parker — Blake Parker has pitched in back-to-back games and three of the last four.
3. Josh Hader/Joakim Soria — Jeremy Jeffress has thrown 62 pitches over the last three days, so somebody else will likely get the save chance today in this committee.

Sunday:
1. Keone Kela — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Felipe Vazquez
2. Ryan Tepera — Same for Ken Giles.

Dave Roberts gives Kenley Jansen the vote of confidence

August 31, 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers — Josh Fields was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday. We imagine he’ll eventually factor into a setup role, but that remains to be seen with Kenta Maeda and Scott Alexander currently manning the ship in front of Kenley Jansen. Dave Roberts reiterated before Thursday’s game that Jansen will continue to be the closer despite recent performance issues.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Maeda | Alexander.

Milwaukee Brewers — As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Jeremy Jeffress got the night off after throwing 39 pitches over two innings on Wednesday, but other members of a tired bullpen weren’t so lucky. Josh Hader recovered from a rough outing on Wednesday (four earned runs; 24 pitches) to toss a scoreless 11th inning Thursday for his 11th save. Joakim Soria pitched ahead of him, appearing for the fourth time in five games. Our pick Corbin Burnes did pitch the ninth, but the game was tied.

Hierarchy remains: *Jeffress | Hader | Soria.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Steve Cishek — Pedro Strop and CJ Edwards have each pitched in three of four.
2. Zach Britton — Dellin Betances has thrown in two of three, including a disastrous Thursday outing where he allowed three runs on 31 pitches to blow the save.

Saturday:
1. Justin Anderson — Blake Parker has pitched in two of three and four of the last six.
2. Craig Stammen/Matt Strahm — Kirby Yates has pitched in two of three. Stammen has gone in two straight himself, so if both men are used Friday, Strahm may get a chance Saturday.
3. Hector Rondon — Even with Thursday off, Roberto Osuna has still pitched in four of six entering Friday.
4. Archie Bradley — Brad Boxberger has gone in two straight.
5. Jared Hughes — If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, he’ll have gone in three of four.
6. Cody Allen — Same with Brad Hand.

Jace Fry nabs a save; James Pazos sent down

August 20, 2018

Chicago White Sox – The White Sox used five relievers to navigate the final three innings of the game, with Jace Fry getting the final two outs by strikeout to pick up his second save. (He was preceded, in reverse order, by Thyago Vieira, Luis Avilan, Xavier Cedeno, and Jeanmar Gomez.) While it seems like any of these players could get a save on any given night, the lefties have had the edge lately in one of the few lefty-heavy bullpens in baseball, as Fry, Avilan, and Cedeno have recorded the last three saves. We’ll leave Cedeno in the catbird seat, as he’s got the lowest ERA of the three. Also, probably best to not own any of these guys unless your league is super deep, in case that wasn’t obvious.

Updated hierarchy: *Cedeno | Avilan | Fry.
* = closer-by-committee

Seattle Mariners – In a surprise move, the Mariners sent James Pazos (2.68 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) to the minors on Sunday to work on his mechanics, he’d lost a couple of ticks off his fastball since the All Star break. Nick Vincent slides into his spot on the hierarchy, while Zach Duke could be the beneficiary of a few more holds.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Colome | Vincent.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Keone Kela – Felipe Vazquez has gone back to back and three of four.

Tomorrow
1. Cory Gearrin – If Jose LeClerc goes today, it’ll be back to back and four of five.
2. Craig Stammen – Kirby Yates labored through a 28-pitch loss last night, and could get the day off tomorrow if he has another extended outing tonight.