Closer changes aplenty highlight tumultuous Tuesday

August 10, 2016

Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, and later that night Fernando Rodney picked up the save. One name to keep an eye on is Brian Ellington, who picked up his first hold of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.61. He may see more high-leverage chances with Ramos on the DL.

Updated hierarchy: Rodney | Barraclough | Dunn.

Colorado Rockies — As we had been predicting for a while, Walt Weiss decided to go back to Adam Ottavino “for the most part” in the closer’s role. Carlos Estevez will slip back to at least fourth-chair, behind Ottavino, Boone Logan, and Jake McGee.

Updated hierarchy: Ottavino | Logan | McGee.

Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with middle finger tendinitis. With Joe Smith shipped off to the Cubs and Huston Street still hurting, we think Fernando Salas is the best bet for saves for the time being. JC Ramirez could also factor in to the mix, though a 5-1 loss on Tuesday night did little to clarify who may pitch where.

Updated hierarchy: *Salas | Ramirez | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Don’t say we didn’t warn you. With a runner on second and Cleveland holding on to a 2-0 lead, Andrew Miller was summoned in the seventh inning. He got out of the jam, and despite allowing a leadoff home run in the eighth, he retired the next hitter before Cody Allen picked up the save in the ninth. It’s become quite clear that Terry Francona and his staff are not afraid to use Miller in unconventional spots if deemed necessary to win.

Hierarchy remains: *Miller | Allen | Shaw.
* = closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Raisel Iglesias earned his first career save on Tuesday night, just as the Vulture Save Watch predicted. It probably won’t be his last this season, as not only does Iglesias want the job, but manager Bryan Price seemed comfortable with the idea of Iglesias closing more games. The job is still Tony Cingrani’s for now, but his seat is getting warmer.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Iglesias | Lorenzen.  

Atlanta Braves — The Vulture Save Watch completed a 2-for-3 night Tuesday when Jim Johnson got a night off, which paved the way for Mauricio Cabrera to collect his third save of the season. Ian Krol was sharp in the eighth inning, retiring both batters he faced. In other news, Shae Simmons was activated off the DL and placed on the Triple-A roster.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson | Cabrera | Krol.

Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel retired two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth, but four walks and one run allowed led John Farrell to pull him in favor of Matt Barnes, who struck out Mark Teixeira to record his first career save. Kimbrel did get a hold for his troubles, though he has just one save in three appearances since returning from the DL and claims his sore knee is not affecting his performance.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Tazawa.

Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene hasn’t pitched since Saturday thanks to a posterior oblique injury. The Tigers have been trying to get through it without sending Greene to the DL. If Greene does miss an extended period of time, Alex Wilson may get more high-leverage looks. He has thrown 14 straight scoreless innings, including last night when he inherited a bases-loaded, no-out jam and retired all three hitters he faced to keep the Tigers in front.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.

Chicago White Sox – After a David Robertson blown save, Lieutenant Dan Jennings recorded the final out of the 10th inning to pick up his first career save. And hopefully some ice cream.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Albers.

Tampa Bay Rays — Erasmo Ramirez collected his first career save by pitching the final three innings in a 9-2 victory. While he’s appeared in our hierarchy in the past, he won’t factor in the Rays’ late-inning plans unless Brad Boxberger gets hurt again.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Boxberger.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kyle Barraclough, Miami Marlins – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight and four of the last five games.
2. Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox – Craig Kimbrel struggled through a 37-pitch outing on Tuesday.

AJ Ramos dealing with a jammed finger

August 8, 2016

Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos has been dealing with a jammed finger, and while the Marlins have not discussed a stint on the disabled list, Ramos was apparently unavailable for the weekend. On Sunday, Fernando Rodney picked up his 18th save of the season — and first for the Marlins — in Ramos’s stead.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Rodney | Barraclough.

Seattle Mariners – Edwin Diaz got the night off after pitching in four of the last five, so Tom Wilhelmsen picked up the save in his stead. Meanwhile, the Vulture Save Watch patted itself on the back.

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Wilhelmsen | Storen.

Baltimore Orioles – Ubaldo Jimenez picked up a three-inning save in a blowout yesterday. Did you have him in your lineup? Send us a screenshot as proof and we’ll give you Closer Monkey Premium for a year!

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Brach.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Justin Wilson/Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers – Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three straight and four of five.
2. Fernando Rodney, Miami Marlins – A.J. Ramos is day-to-day with a sore finger.
3. Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers – Both Sam Dyson and Jeremy Jeffress have pitched back to back games and three of four (and neither was particularly good yesterday), so Diekman could get a save opp if they both get the night off.
4. Pat Neshek, Houston Astros – Ken Giles threw 36 pitches last night in an effort that spanned the 8th and 9th innings.

Brandon Maurer wobbles through his first save for the Padres

July 2, 2016

San Diego Padres — True to his word, Andy Green gave Brandon Maurer the first save opportunity in the post-Fernando Rodney era, although it wasn’t the smoothest debut. Maurer entered in the ninth, up four with two men on, and allowed a run-scoring double, an RBI groundout, and a wild pitch that lowered the lead to one. After yet another double, Maurer escaped with back-to-back groundouts for his first save. The 25-year-old has the inside track for now, but Ryan Buchter might well press him for saves while this bullpen settles.

Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Buchter | Quackenbush.

St. Louis Cardinals — In an attempt to challenge everyone’s spelling abilities, Kevin Siegrist was put on the disabled list with mononucleosis, and AAA closer Sam Tuivailala, a converted reliever and future closer prospect, was recalled to take his place. With Siegrist sidelined, Mike Matheny identified Jonathan Broxton, Trevor Rosenthal, and Seung Hwan Oh as the “three great options” still available in relief for St. Louis.

Updated hierarchy: *Oh | Broxton | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins — On Friday, Don Mattingly made it official that A.J. Ramos would remain Miami’s closer, tempting the baseball gods by saying, “He’s been perfect.” Ramos proceeded to blow his first save of the year last night, giving up the tying home run. Since freshly shaven setup man Fernando Rodney had pitched the eighth, Dustin McGowan wound up with the save once the Marlins took the lead in the twelfth. Ramos has indeed been excellent, so one blown save won’t change Mattingly’s mind, but with Rodney putting up some of the best numbers of the year, Ramos’s seat is a little bit warmer.

Hierarchy remains: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

Los Angeles Angels — Joe Smith returned from his DL stint and pitched a scoreless sixth with the Angels down one. Mike Scioscia indicated that Smith will be eased back into action, and won’t see eighth-inning work immediately. Cam Bedrosian has been impressive in that role lately, and we think he’ll get the first crack at saves when Street is unavailable. We’ll trust Scioscia’s word on Smith for now, but he’s been a premier set-up man for the last seven years, so don’t be surprised if he quickly climbs the ladder again.

Updated hierarchy: Street | Bedrosian | Salas.

Cincinnati Reds — Raisel Iglesias has found a home in the Reds bullpen, appearing in the seventh and eighth innings in his last two outings. Iglesias is not a typical relief prospect, throwing from multiple arm angles and relying on control and movement more than power, so it may take him a while to find a consistent role. With the Reds still setting records for bullpen futility, he’s one of the team’s better options.

Updated hierarchy: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Iglesias.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino has pitched in two straight, three of four (74 pitches), and five of seven — while Johnson was held out of last night’s 12-inning game.
2. Jason Grilli, Toronto Blue Jays — Roberto Osuna has gone in three of four (57 pitches).
3. Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners — Steve Cishek has pitched in two straight and three of four (56 pitches).
4. Felipe Rivero, Washington Nationals — The Nationals have said they’ll be careful with Shawn Kelley’s workload, and he’s gone in three of four and four of six (82 pitches).

Marlins to make decision Friday on Fernando Rodney’s role

July 1, 2016

Miami Marlins – The Marlins acquired San Diego closer Fernando Rodney on Thursday, but he did not play against the Braves. Manager Don Mattingly said he will announce his intentions with Rodney on Friday, but we believe he will stick with A.J. Ramos, who has converted 33 straight save opportunities, as his closer.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

San Diego Padres – The cupboard is pretty bare in San Diego after the departure of closer Fernando Rodney, but Ryan Buchter was named the primary set-up man in early June and we suspect he has the best shot to close for the Padres, who have yet to make any official announcement.

Updated hierarchy: Buchter | Villanueva | Quackenbush. 

Atlanta Braves – Recent call-up Mauricio Cabrera picked up his first career save for the Braves Thursday night after closer Arodys Vizcaino ran into some trouble in what was originally a non-save situation in the ninth. Vizcaino recorded two quick outs, but followed that by allowing two walks and an RBI single. Interim manager Brian Snitker then turned to Cabrera, who had never even pitched with the lead in his short career (two previous major league games). He was impressive, touching 102 mph on the radar gun in recording the final out. If Vizcaino gets traded, keep an eye on Cabrera.

Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cervenka.

Oakland A’s – Lefthanded setup man (and sometimes closer) Sean Doolittle has been placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury. Manager Bob Melvin said the pitcher will be shut down because of “subtle changes” in his labrum. An MRI Thursday showed inflammation in the shoulder. Doolittle, who had been considered a trade candidate, said there’s no specific timetable for when he will resume throwing and added that he was “frustrated.” No kidding. Ryan Dull (2.23 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 4 holds), who has pitched in wins in his last five appearances, slides into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Dull.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Bryan Shaw, Cleveland Indians — The red-hot Indians have won 13 games in a row, which has meant a lot of work for closer Cody Allen, who has pitched in three straight. Shaw, meanwhile, has only gone in two straight.
2. Kevin Siegrist/Jonathan Broxton, St. Louis Cardinals — We’re pretty sure Seung Hwan Oh will get the bulk of the save chances moving forward, but it’s still a committee, and Siegrist or Broxton (but definitely not Trevor Rosenthal) could be called upon, too.

Fernando Rodney headed to the Marlins; Ryan Buchter to close for Padres

June 30, 2016

Miami Marlins – Rumors have been flying all afternoon, and the teams have just made it official: Fernando Rodney is headed to the Marlins in exchange for a minor leaguer. Despite the year he’s having, we think it’s unlikely that Rodney would close given his volatile history and the year that A.J. Ramos is having. Still, he bolsters a Marlins bullpen and provides another option when Ramos is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Rodney | Phelps.

San Diego Padres – The cupboard is pretty bare in San Diego after the departure of closer Fernando Rodney, but Ryan Buchter was named the primary set-up man in early June and we suspect he has the best shot to close for the Padres, who have yet to make any announcements.

Updated hierarchy: Buchter | Villanueva | Quackenbush.