Phil Coke picks up first save after Jose Valverde injury

June 20, 2012

Detroit Tigers – While warming up in the bullpen on Tuesday, Jose Valverde hurt his wrist and was held out of the game; Phil Coke entered in his place and picked up his first save of the season.  An initial exam by the Tigers medical staff suggested that the injury was minor, but Valverde still went for an MRI after the game.  The Tigers will likely announce the results before today’s game.  Valverde himself said he didn’t think that the injury was serious, but if he does need a DL stint, Joaquin Benoit will see the bulk of the save opportunities.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |6/20/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford gave up back-to-back home runs last night, and has now given up 9 ERs in his last 5 innings pitched, a span that includes three blown saves, and a fourth outing where he needed to be bailed out by Jose Veras.  While Ron Roenicke said he’s ready to make a change just yet, Axford remains on the Hot Seat, with Francisco Rodriguez and his 292 saves waiting in the wings.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/20/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – Jason Frasor gave up 2 runs on Tuesday, pushing his ERA to 4.26.  Meanwhile, veteran lefty Darren Oliver pitched yet another scoreless inning, eventually earning the win after John Axford blew the save.  He’s been used against both righties and lefties this season, and now has a sparkling 1.48 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Darren Oliver to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Frasor. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Oliver |Santos |6/20/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – The results of Jose Valverde’s MRI have not been revealed, and if he can’t pitch today, Benoit will get the save opp.
2. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – While John Axford remains the closer in Milwaukee, he could get the night off to clear his head. Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three consecutive games, making Jose Veras the best candidate for a save if Axford stays on the bench.

Boggs filling set-up role for Cards; Luis Perez moving up in Toronto pen

April 24, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals — For the second straight night, and third in the last four, Mitchell Boggs pitched the 8th in a tight game; he has clearly passed Fernando Salas as the Cards’ top set-up option. Hierarchy change: Mitchell Boggs to Set-up, Fernando Salas to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSTL |Motte |Boggs |Salas |Motte |4/24/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen hasn’t pitched since he blew a save on April 14, and Jason Frasor has been idle since a 3-run outing on April 19. In the meantime, Luis Perez and Darren Oliver have been getting more work, including high-leverage outings by Perez on April 20 and last night. With Sergio Santos out, the bullpen situation in Toronto remains quite fluid.  Hierarchy change: Luis Perez to Set-up, Jason Frasor to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Cordero |Perez |Frasor |Santos |4/24/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
Houston Astros — Brandon Lyon has been slipping behind Fernando Rodriguez on the Astros’ depth chart, a fact that was made clearer last night when Brad Mills called upon Lyon to pitch the sixth inning, down three runs.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodriguez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |F.Rodriguez |Lyon |Myers |4/24/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays — Francisco Cordero has now pitched on two straight nights, and in three of the last four games. If the Blue Jays need to protect a close lead against the Orioles again on Tuesday, John Farrell will almost certainly go in another direction.
2. Fernando Salas,  St. Louis Cardinals — Jason Motte threw 31 pitches before blowing the save last night against the Cubs, and Mitchell Boggs has been getting regular work in the set-up role. Salas is positioned well to steal a save.