Santiago Casilla out as closer in San Francisco, Jeremy Affeldt to lead committee

August 8, 2012

San Francisco Giants – Jeremy Affeldt just picked up his 3rd save of the season and is a good bet to continue getting save chances for the Giants.  Bruce Bochy said that the acquisition of Jose Mijares allowed him to move Affeldt into a full-fledged committee with Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez.  Casilla will not be part of the mix, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.  Romo is still being held out of back-to-back action for the most part as he recovers from several long-term injuries and Lopez is more of a LOOGY type who will be situational at best.  That leaves Affeldt, who has been steady and solid for the Giants all season.  Hierarchy change: Jeremy Affeldt to Closer, Sergio Romo to Set-up, Javier Lopez to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Affeldt |Romo |Lopez |Wilson |8/8/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson picked up his first big league save on Tuesday night, pitching a 1-2-3 inning.  John Axford had thrown 29 pitches the night before, but the outing for Henderson was also well-deserved– the 29-year-old rookie now has a 1.50 ERA.  Axford is still the best bet to emerge from the Brewers’ closer-by-committee, but Tuesday’s outing is a precursor for a more regular high-leverage role for Henderson.  Hierarchy change: Jim Henderson to Set-up, Francisco Rodriguez to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Rodriguez |Axford |8/8/12

 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek has been rock solid of late, and has gotten all but one of the save chances for the Marlins since the demotion of Heath Bell.  Bell, however, has also pitched well recently, and was used to finish off the 8th inning ahead of Cishek on Tuesday.  Hierarchy change: Heath Bell to Set-up, Mike Dunn to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |8/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched two nights in a row, throwing a total of pitches, and has pitched in five of the last six.
2. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez blew his second consecutive save on Tuesday, and has now thrown 61 pitches over the past three days.  His job is not in jeopardy yet, but he could get a day off to clear his head.
3. Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres – Both Huston Street and Luke Gregerson have pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves overall, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever match-ups are right.

Mike Dunn earns first save in Miami’s closer-by-committee; Wilton Lopez returns

July 17, 2012

Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez has returned from the disabled list and resumed his 8th inning duties on Monday, throwing a clean inning on Monday ahead of Brett Myers.  Lopez could get save chances if and when the Astros deal Brett Myers.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lopez |Lyon |Myers |7/17/12

 
New York Mets – Frank Francisco had a setback in his rehab and will take a few days off before attempting to throw again.  Bobby Parnell remains the team’s closer for the foreseeable future.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Parnell |Rauch |Beato |Francisco |7/17/12 |Francisc(DL)|

 
Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn pitched the 9th inning on Monday to pick up his first save of the season.  Heath Bell pitched a clean 8th inning, and is still potentially in the mix for saves, but Cishek and Dunn have gotten the first two opportunities since Ozzie Guillen installed a closer by committee.  Hierarchy change: Mike Dunn to Set-up, Heath Bell to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |Bell |7/17/12 |Oviedo(SUSP)|Mujica(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in four straight games.
2. Mike Dunn, Miami Marlins – The Marlins are employing a closer-by-committee and thus far, Steve Cishek and Mike Dunn have each picked up one save.  Cishek is still the best bet for a save on any given night, but Dunn could get the call if the Marlins are facing a lefty-heavy 9th inning.

Steve Cishek to lead closer by committee in Miami

July 10, 2012

Miami Marlins – Ozzie Guillen told The Dan LeBatard Show today that he would use a closer-by-committee after the All Star Break.  Steve Cishek is the best candidate for saves, while Mike Dunn could see some opportunities against lefty-heavy lineups.  Juan Oviedo (nee Leo Nunez) will also be in the mix when he returns from suspension.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to Set-up, Juan Ovideo to Set-up (Suspended). 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Bell |Dunn |Bell |7/10/12 |Oviedo(SUSP)|Mujica(DL) |

Heath Bell on the verge of losing his job again

July 9, 2012

Arizona Diamondbacks – Patrick Corbin picked up a 3-inning save on Sunday.  He does not factor in to Arizona’s normal late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |7/9/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell blew his 10th save of the season on Sunday.  After the game, Ozzie Guillen told the Miami Herald that he stood behind Bell, but in typically cryptic fashion, also said that “I have to make a decision, a solution, it will be drastic. But I will do it. We’ll wait until the All-Star break, and I will pick whoever is better out there to do the job.’’  Should Bell get demoted, Steve Cishek stands to inherit the job.  Juan Oviedo, the man formerly known as Leo Nunez, could also get a shot at his old job when he returns from his suspension later this month.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Cishek |Dunn |Bell |7/9/12 |Mujica(DL) |

Tom Wilhelmsen is new closer in Seattle; Rafael Dolis could lose job

May 27, 2012

Miami Marlins – For the second straight game, Heath Bell was yanked after allowing two baserunners to reach in the 9th inning, and for the second time, the Marlins held on to win.  This time, Randy Choate bailed Bell out for his first save of the season. After the game, Ozzie Guillen sounded generally supportive of Bell, but also told the Miami Herald that “Right now, it’s not working. I’m going to sleep on it and see if we come up with some ideas.”  Bell remains on the Hot Seat, though due to his contract, it’s likely he’ll continue to hang on to the job despite an 8.47 ERA.  But if he’s removed, Edward Mujica and Steve Cishek are most likely to benefit.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/27/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Saturday was another rough day for Cubs closer Rafael Dolis, who couldn’t find the strike zone and ended up hitting the game’s final batter to force in the game-winning run.  Afterward, Dale Sveum said his closer’s inability to find the strike zone was “not acceptable,” though he didn’t say he would remove the young righty from the role.  Dolis remains on a blazing Hot Seat and James Russell (1.74 ERA) would be the most likely candidate to replace him.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Camp |Marmol |5/27/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Brandon League has been removed as closer, in a move manager Eric Wedge described as “very similar to what we did last year.” In 2011, League was demoted after becoming the first reliever in Mariners history to lose in four straight appearances, but regained his job only five days later, and wound up in the All-Star Game.  Wedge refused to commit to anyone as League’s replacement; Tom Wilhelmsen seems to be the most obvious candidate, but lefties Lucas Luetge and Charlie Furbush could be in the mix as well.  Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Brandon League to Set-Up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |5/26/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/J.P. Howell, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight games, and four of the last five. When Rodney gets a day off, Joel Peralta has been used in his place most often this season.  Peralta has also been used heavily in recent days, however, so the save chance could go to J.P. Howell.
2. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in two straight and five of the last seven.  Steve Cishek has also pitched a lot lately, so if Bell is given a day off, Edward Mujica would close in his place.
3. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson clarified his closer role on Saturday, saying Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett would share opportunities based on match-ups.  Clippard has gotten the first three saves, and as a righty, stands to get the majority of chances, but Burnett could snag a save against a lefty-heavy lineup on some nights.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.