Garrett Richards becoming an important man in the Angels bullpen

May 31, 2013

New York Mets – Though he’s been sabermetrically terrifying all season, Scott Rice has been real-world effective for the Mets as their go-to late-innings lefty.  Until his walk rate catches up to him, Rice would probably be the man for the save if the Mets were facing a lefty-heavy ninth inning and Bobby Parnell were unavailable.  Also in Mets news, Frank Francisco was transferred to the 60-day DL and may have thrown his last pitch as a Met.  Hierarchy change: Scott Rice to 2nd in line, replacing LaTroy Hawkins.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellBrandon LyonScott RiceBobby Parnell5/31/13
Frank Francisco (DL)

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Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn has seen his ERA climb by nearly a point and a half over his last two outings, including an uninspiring 0.1 innings last night.  Since declaring closer-by-committee a week and a half ago, there’s been little clarity in who has the lead, given how rarely the Marlins fall into a 9th inning save chance.  Steve Cishek is probably still the best guy to own, if you only own one Marlins reliever, but given the lefty’s recent struggles, Mike Dunn has likely fallen behind Chad Qualls in the runner-up position.  Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to Set-up, Mike Dunn to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekChad QuallsMike DunnSteve Cishek5/31/13

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Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins had the night off on Thursday, so as predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jared Burton picked up his second save of the year.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/31/13

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Houston Astros – Also predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch was a potential opportunity for Hector Ambriz, who struck out two in a solid 9th inning for his first career save.  (It was a good day for the VSW, even despite Mike Matheny’s baffling decision to go to Mitchell Boggs rather than Trevor Rosenthal in the Cardinals game.)  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizWesley WrightJose Veras5/31/13

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Los Angeles Angels – Garrett Richards has pitched the 8th inning ahead of Ernesto Frieri three times in the past week and has moved ahead of Scott Downs on the depth chart.  Richards now has five holds on the season, four of which have come in the last eight days.  Hierarchy change: Garrett Richards to Set-up, Scott Downs to 2nd in line. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriGarrett RichardsScott DownsErnesto Frieri5/31/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Philadelphia Phillies – Mike Adams had a rocky return from the disabled list on Monday, but was back to his old form on Wednesday, pitching a clean 8th ahead of Jonathan Papelbon.  Hierarchy change: Mike Adams to Set-up, Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line.  

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonMike AdamsAntonio BastardoJonathan Papelbon5/30/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in four straight and five of six.  Joel Peralta has also pitched in five of six, though his day off came more recently.  If Peralta can go, he’ll get the save opportunity tonight should one arise.  If not, Jake McGee will get the call.
2. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox – When Andrew Bailey returned from the DL a little over a week ago, John Farrell said he wouldn’t use him on back to back nights for a while.  Until he proves he can do it, Junichi Tazawa is a decent add after any Bailey appearance.

Steve Delabar could be closing soon for the Blue Jays

May 29, 2013

Toronto Blue Jays — With Darren Oliver on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, Steve Delabar has ascended to the setup role in the threadbare Jays bullpen. Right behind him is an equally overworked Brett Cecil, who has struck out eight of the last fourteen batters he’s faced. As Casey Janssen was held out of Tuesday’s game with a “tender” shoulder, Delabar may see ninth-inning action very soon. Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to Set-up, Brett Cecil to 2nd in line, Darren Oliver to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TORCasey JanssenSteve DelabarBrett CecilSergio Santos5/29/13
Sergio Santos (DL)Darren Oliver (DL)

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Miami Marlins – Mike Dunn entered in the eighth with a one-run lead and gave up three singles to tie the game; sent back out for the bottom of the ninth, he allowed two more singles and took the loss after Chad Qualls surrendered a game-ending hit. Those looking for clarity from this bullpen should prepare to wait two more weeks for the next save situation. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MIASteve CishekMike DunnChad QuallsSteve Cishek5/29/13

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New York Yankees — Joba Chamberlain was reactivated from the disabled list before Tuesday’s game. Although the Yankees’ pen has grown somewhat crowded in his absence, he should get a chance to regain his seventh-inning role. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line, replacing Boone Logan.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYYMariano RiveraDavid RobertsonJoba ChamberlainDavid Robertson5/29/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez had an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed tendinitis in his right rotator cuff. The injury is not expected to be serious, and Perez should return from the disabled list on or around June 11. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez5/29/13
 Chris Perez (DL)

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Minnesota Twins — Brian Duensing got his first save of the season on Tuesday by pitching a scoreless fourteenth inning. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsJared BurtonCasey FienGlen Perkins5/29/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals — Edward Mujica has pitched in three straight.
2. Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta have each had two straight lengthy outings.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins — Glen Perkins blew a save last night in a 29-pitch outing, and Burton is slightly better rested.
4. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has had two somewhat strenuous outings back-to-back.
5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Jansen has at least a putative shot at a save every night under the current Dodgers bullpen setup.

Brandon League barely hanging on to his job; Heath Bell blows a save

May 13, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League entered Sunday’s game with the Dodgers up by four, and promptly allowed two runs to score before nailing down the final out.  His ERA climbed to 6.28 after the crummy outing, and he remains firmly on the Hot Seat.  One more bad outing, and Kenley Jansen could finally inherit the job.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen5/13/13

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – Heath Bell looked like the Heath Bell of 2012 on Sunday, blowing the save and watching as the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th.  It was Bell’s first blown save since inheriting the job, but since Kirk Gibson said early on that Bell and David Hernandez could both be used in the 9th inning, Bell might not get another opportunity if he blows up again.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezBrad ZieglerJJ Putz5/13/13
JJ Putz (DL)

 
Milwaukee Brewers – Tom Gorzelanny was placed on the DL over the weekend.  Brandon Kintzler picked up an 8th-inning hold earlier this week and stands to get more high-leverage chances in Gorzelanny’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Burke Badenhop to Set-up, Brandon Kintzler to 2nd in line, Tom Gorzelanny to DL.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
MILJim HendersonBurke BadenhopBrandon KintzlerJim Henderson5/13/13
Tom Gorzelanny (DL)

 
New York Mets – Scott Rice’s ratios have been ugly all season, but early on, he was at least getting outs.  His high walk rate has started to catch up to him though, and given that he has a tough time facing righties, it’s unlikely the Mets would go to him in a save spot unless they were playing matchups.  Veterans LaTroy Hawkins and Brandon Lyon are both more likely to get a 9th inning chance on nights when Bobby Parnell is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to Set-up, Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
NYMBobby ParnellLaTroy HawkinsBrandon LyonBobby Parnell5/13/13
Frank Francisco (DL)

 
Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee picked up his second 7th-inning hold in the past week on Sunday.  McGee has an extremely high ERA, but it’s mostly due to one horrible outing he had in early May.  On the rare night when both Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta were unavailable, he’d likely get the save opp.  Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Jamey Wright. 

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney5/13/13

 
Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen picked up a one-inning save in the 10th inning for the Indians on Sunday.  Chris Perez experienced some mild stiffness as he was warming up, but expects to be fine tomorrow.  No hierarchy change.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/13/13
Vinnie Pestano (DL)

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez was unavailable last night, and if he can’t go today, Joe Smith could get a save opportunity.  Even if Perez is available, Smith is a decent add, as the Indians have a doubleheader today.
2. LaTroy Hawkins, New York Mets – Bobby Parnell threw 30 pitches in a 1.1 inning outing on Sunday.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has been unavailable for a few days with a strained side.

Rays bullpen continues letting them down

May 2, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays – An ugly April for the Rays bullpen has spilled into May, as 7th inning man Jake McGee gave up 5 runs on Wednesday against the Royals.  McGee’s ERA jumped from 6.48 to 11.00 after the shellacking, and with hard-throwing righty Kyle Farnsworth struggling, the Rays may have to start leaning on journeyman Jamey Wright to get a few high-leverage outs late in games.  Wright has been one of the few reliable arms in Tampa, with a 1.54 ERA in 12 games so far.  Hierarchy change: Jamey Wright to 2nd in line, replacing Jake McGee.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Wright |Rodney |5/2/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dane De La Rosa/Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri threw 35 pitches last night, and has thrown 62 total over the past three days.  Scott Downs would be the man to earn the save in his absence, but he suffered a ribcage injury last night, and might not be available tonight.  If that’s the case, the job likely falls to young righty Dane De La Rosa.

Another save for Kelvin Herrera; Jake McGee ascending

April 11, 2013

Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera picked up his second save of the season on Wednesday, striking out three Twins in the process.  Greg Holland had the night off after a heavy workload on Tuesday, and remains on the Hot Seat, especially given how impressive Herrera has been in the early going.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedKC |Holland |Herrera |Crow |Holland |4/11/13

 
Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee pitched the 7th inning last night, a role he has settled into nicely.  Kyle Farnsworth, meanwhile, hasn’t pitched in many high-leverage situations in the early going.  Hierarchy change: Jake McGee to 2nd in line, replacing Kyle Farnsworth.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Rodney |4/11/13