It’s Brad Brach time again in Baltimore

May 6, 2017

Baltimore Orioles — A source tells Baltimore Baseball that Zach Britton is returning to the disabled list with his strained left forearm. Brad Brach will resume the closer role while Britton heals.

Updated hierarchy: Brach | O’Day | Givens.

Arizona Diamondbacks — If the D-Backs are serious about keeping Archie Bradley in the bullpen this season, he has to be considered Fernando Rodney’s strongest competition for the closer role. Last night, Bradley pitched a clean eighth up four, then loaded the bases to start the ninth. He got one strikeout before handing the ball over to Rodney, who escaped with only one inherited run allowed. This round goes to Fernando.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Bradley | Hoover.

Washington Nationals — Ryan Webb’s record string of 105 games finished without a save just got a lot more secure. Matt Albers — whose own streak had reached 102 — finally has career save #1. Koda Glover is expected back soon, and we still think he will take over the ninth inning (at least until reinforcements come via trade), but Albers is the leader in the meantime.

Updated hierarchy: *Albers | Romero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson has really been struggling lately, and it was Chris Devenski who got Friday’s call for a tenth-inning save after Ken Giles blew a chance in the ninth.

Updated hierarchy: Giles | Devenski | Gregerson.

Miami Marlins — Brad Ziegler entered with a four-run lead and left behind one, after giving up six consecutive hits. Kyle Barraclough was called on to clean up Ziegler’s mess, and should have moved ahead of him in the Marlins’ pecking order.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Barraclough | Ziegler.

Los Angeles Dodgers — Josh Fields earned a four-out save in a game the Dodgers broke open in the top of the ninth. He doesn’t figure to get many more chances, but he does appear to have an advantage over lefty Luis Avilan, who entered in the sixth last night.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Fields.

Texas Rangers — Lefty Alex Claudio was the last man standing in the Rangers’ bullpen in the thirteenth inning, and he picked up a save for his trouble. Keone Kela and Jeremy Jeffress were unavailable after heavy workloads on Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Jeffress | Kela.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Darren O’Day — Brad Brach has gone in two straight (42 pitches).
2. Jeremy Jeffress — Matt Bush has also (47).

Sunday
1. Dellin Betances — It’s rare for a Yankee reliever to go in three straight games.
2. Hector Rondon/Koji Uehara — Wade Davis will have gone in four of five if he pitches Saturday, and Rondon threw 40 last night.
3. Matt Belisle — Brandon Kintzler has gone in two of three, and thrown 53 pitches.
4. Joakim Soria — Kelvin Herrera has gone in two straight.
5. Nick Vincent — Edwin Diaz has gone in three of four.

Rodney blows another save

April 30, 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks — Fernando Rodney allowed three runs in the ninth inning last night and recorded his second consecutive blown save.  After the game, manager Torey Lovullo said that Rodney is still the closer.  Archie Bradley came on to get the last two outs of the eighth inning last night, and he looks like a possible option to close games.  However when asked if Bradley would see save chances Lovullo said “not right now.”  The Diamondbacks seem intent on sticking with Rodney for now, but he will be unavailable on Sunday  so if there is a save chance it could give us a glimpse into what the plans would be if Rodney continues to struggle.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Hoover | de la Rosa.

Philadelphia Phillies – Just when it looked like Hector Neris may have settled into the closer’s role after converting three straight saves, he blew up on Saturday night.  Neris gave up back-to-back-to-back homers to the first three batters he faced in the ninth inning trying to protect a three run lead.  After the game manager Pete Mackanin stated the obvious that he would “like to have a lights-out closer, but we don’t have one right now.”  Neris should still see most save chances but this slip up could allow Benoit to get back into the conversation.

Hierarchy remains: *Neris | Benoit | Ramos.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna got back on track with a perfect inning for the save yesterday.  Jason Grilli was nowhere to be found as Joe Smith got his second consecutive eighth inning hold.  However, it was Joe Biagini who had the most important role in the win. He threw a perfect sixth and seventh inning, including stranding two inherited runners in the sixth while protecting a one run lead.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Biagini | Smith.

Texas Rangers — Keone Kela pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Matt Bush yesterday, and has yet to allow a run since getting called up in mid-April.  Kela should continue to see time in the later innings and with Jeffress coming off an outing where he gave up three runs and took the loss, he could work his way into the set-up role.

Updated hierarchy: Bush | Jeffress | Kela.

New York Mets — Hansel Robles struck out four batters in 1.2 scoreless innings yesterday, and has been pitching well recently.  Meanwhile Fernando Salas has been struggling after getting off to a solid start, giving up six runs over his past four appearances.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Reed | Robles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. J.J. Hoover/Jorge de la Rosa – Fernando Rodney threw 34 pitches in a blown save on Saturday
2. Hansel Robles/Fernando Salas – Jeurys Familia and Addison Reed have both pitched in three straight
3. Adam Ottavino – Greg Holland has pitched in two straight and the Rockies could be cautious with him this early in the season.

Monday:
1. Nate Jones – David Robertson threw 33 pitches on Saturday and if he pitches again on Sunday, he would likely be rested on Monday.
2. Andrew Miller/Brian Shaw – If Cody Allen pitches on Sunday, that will be the fourth time in five days.  Miller threw 29 pitches on Saturday so if he also pitches on Sunday, that could leave Brian Shaw for the save on Monday.

Fernando Rodney’s quiver is almost empty

April 28, 2017

Arizona Diamondbacks –The monkey is keeping a close eye on this situation, folks. With a four-run lead in the ninth Thursday, the D-Backs opted to use J.J. Hoover, who pitched a clean inning. Jorge De La Rosa was available, but Torey Luvullo’s use of Hoover may indicate he’s the man to own behind the tired (he had pitched in three of five days) and bad (11.00 ERA) Fernando Rodney, who has to be on a short leash. Many locals are pulling for long reliever Archie Bradley to close, but he may be better suited for the rotation as Shelby Miller is considering Tommy John surgery.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hoover | de la Rosa.

Los Angeles Angels – The Angels have used a hodgepodge of relievers to bridge the gap in save situations over the last week, including David Hernandez, Yusmeiro Petit, Deolis Guerra, Blake Parker and Jose Alvarez. But one thing has been most consistent: Bud Norris (four saves)  has picked up each save chance and converted each time the Angels had a slim lead in the ninth lately, including on Thursday. With Cam Bedrosian nursing a sore groin and Huston Street out until at least June 1, Norris is the clear man to own for the Angels.

Hierarchy remains: Norris | Parker | Hernandez.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays stink. Nothing has gone right, and that’s especially true for closer Roberto Osuna, who had another rough outing and blown save Thursday. Osuna gave up a game-tying, two-out, two-run HR in the 9th to Randal Grichuk as the Jays lost again. After the game, manager John Gibbons said Osuna “just has to figure it out.” No kidding.

Hierarchy remains: Osuna | Grilli | Biagini.

St. Louis Cardinals – Seung Hwan Oh pitched a scoreless ninth inning with the score tied in the first game of a doubleheader, so in the nightcap with Oh unavailable, Trevor Rosenthal got his second vulture save. Rosenthal has really pitched well this year (2.84 ERA, 13 K’s, 2 SV in 7 G) and may have the inside track to the closer gig if Oh falters.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Rosenthal | Bowman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Blake Parker/David Hernandez — We may find out who the No. 2 man for the Angels is on Friday, as Bud Norris has pitched in two straight and three of the last for days. Looking further back, Norris has pitched in six of the last eight days.
2. Derek Law — Both Mark Melancon (three of the last four days) and Hunter Strickland (three straight, four of five) have been busy and pitched Thursday. Law, who got the night off Thursday, would presumably be available for the save situation Friday if needed.

Saturday:
1. Blake Parker/David Hernandez — If Norris gets the ball AGAIN on Friday, that’ll be three straight and four of five for him. That wouldn’t be shocking, as he pitched in four of five last week, but a Friday appearance would bring his workload to an unsustainable level (pitching in seven of the last nine days).
2. Andrew Miller — If Cody Allen pitches Friday, that’ll be three appearances in three days for him. He would almost certainly get rest Saturday, giving Miller a chance.
3. Sergio Romo — Sergio Romo may get a save chance Saturday because if Kenley Jansen pitches Friday, that’ll be his third appearance in four days.
4. Nick Vincent/Mark Rzepczynski — Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight games, so a Friday appearance would mean he’d need a rest Saturday.
5. Joaquin Benoit — Hector Neris has pitched in two straight. If he goes again Friday, look for Benoit to get a shot Saturday. Also, these two pitch in a Pete Mackanin committee, so we suppose Benoit could get the call on any given night (but let’s face it – Neris is the guy to own).

Shawn Kelley finally gets the Nationals’ closer role all to himself

April 27, 2017

Washington Nationals — Shawn Kelley will have the chance to run with the Nationals’ closer job now that Koda Glover is headed to the DL with pain in his left hip, the same one that troubled him at the end of last season. Matt Albers and Joe Blanton will rise in Glover’s absence, and Blanton’s early struggles (10.13 ERA) give Albers the edge.

Updated hierarchy: Kelley | Treinen | Albers.

Arizona Diamondbacks — One bright spot for Arizona is that only a record-low 12,215 fans saw Fernando Rodney blow Wednesday’s night save (5 runs, 6 hits). Another has been the work of young Archie Bradley, whose three-inning, five-strikeout outing appeared to be an effort to stretch him out for the rotation with Shelby Miller hurt. If Bradley does stay in the bullpen, he could be ideal in the Andrew Miller stopper role.

Hierarchy remains: Rodney | de la Rosa | Hoover.

Colorado Rockies — Back spasms sent Mike Dunn to the 10-day DL, backdated to Sunday. Chad Qualls was activated to replace him, but it looks like Jake McGee will slide into his role, with Qualls and Carlos Estevez also late-inning hold options.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Ottavino | McGee.

Texas Rangers — When Sam Dyson returns from the disabled list (as early as Friday), he won’t be anywhere near the ninth inning. It’s Matt Bush’s job now.

Hierarchy remains: Bush | Jeffress | LeClerc.

Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes will be out of vulture save contention through Saturday; he dropped his appeal of a four-game suspension for throwing a 90 MPH fastball behind Manny Machado’s head.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Barnes | Hembree.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Dellin Betances — Aroldis Chapman struggled through a 33-pitch save on Wednesday and could get Thursday off.
2. Jorge de la Rosa — Rodney’s rough Wednesday could earn him a day off.

Friday:
1. Dellin Betances/Tyler Clippard — If Chapman does go Thursday, he’ll be off Friday. If Betances pitches Thursday, the Friday save should go to Clippard.
2. Danny Farquhar — Although the Rays have Thursday off, Alex Colome still will have pitched on two of the last three days, and four of the last six (87 pitches).
3. Blake Parker — Bud Norris is close to losing the committee asterisk, but if he pitches again on Thursday, he’ll probably get Friday off.
4. Hunter Strickland/Derek Law — Another outing for Mark Melancon would be his third in four days. Both Strickland and Law have been busy too, so this is contingent on a day off for them.

No trust in Hector Rondon…yet

April 5, 2017

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs are two games into their season and Hector Rondon’s name hasn’t been called yet. The Cubs never led on Sunday, but with a one-run lead on Tuesday, it was Koji Uehara and Pedro Strop serving as the bridge to Wade Davis. Joe Maddon wasn’t ready to panic this past weekend over Rondon’s rough spring, but it certainly looks like he is hoping to ease Rondon into the season with some low-leverage work. Expect more of Uehara, Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. in the late innings until Rondon can find his groove again.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Strop | Uehara.

Colorado Rockies — Mike Dunn pitched a clean eighth inning ahead of Greg Holland on Tuesday. This comes after a strong seventh inning on Monday. He has struck out five of the seven batters he has faced and has yet to allow a hit this season. This has come after an outstanding spring. Meanwhile, Jake McGee’s 2017 debut on Tuesday consisted of one batter faced and one hit allowed.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Ottavino | Dunn.

Arizona Diamondbacks — Randall Delgado made his 2017 debut on Tuesday…in the fifth inning. It was just a 3-2 deficit for the D-Backs before Delgado allowed a leadoff homer as part of a five-hit, five-run inning for the Giants. Needless to say, not exactly setup material. We’ll see what happens when Arizona actually has a lead to protect, though some good news is that Jake Barrett is expected to throw live batting practice on Wednesday.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Hoover | Delgado.

Oakland A’s — For the second straight night, Ryan Madson got the eighth inning and the task of facing the heart of the Angels’ order. He retired Mike Trout and got Albert Pujols to ground into a double play. However, unlike Monday, Bob Melvin tabbed Ryan Dull and not Santiago Casilla for the ninth. Melvin liked the matchups for Dull, though it didn’t work out, as Dull allowed a three-run homer. Melvin, who said Casilla was unavailable, looks committed to playing matchups when the A’s hold a late lead, with Madson likely getting the toughest assignments no matter the inning. Good luck, everybody.

Hierarchy remains: *Madson | Casilla | Doolittle.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies — All three of the Rockies’ big arms have pitched two straight games, but Greg Holland is unlikely to go in three straight, so Ottavino may get that honor.
2. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen and Andrew Miller have both pitched in the last two games, which means Shaw is likely to get the call. It is worth noting, however, that Miller only threw 21 pitches over the two games.
3. Will Harris, Houston Astros — Both Ken Giles and Luke Gregerson have thrown in two straight games.

Thursday (new feature):
1. Will Harris, Houston Astros — If Giles and Gregerson both go on Wednesday, definitely don’t expect them to pitch in Thursday’s series finale.
2. Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels — Cam Bedrosian may not get three straight games this early in the season, and Mike Scioscia may share closing duties anyway.
3. Bruce Rondon, Detroit Tigers — Rondon may get a look if K-Rod throws a heavy ninth on Wednesday.