Ronald Belisario gets vote of confidence; Angels going full-on committee

June 25, 2014

Chicago White Sox — Robin Ventura announced on Tuesday that he was sticking with Ronald Belisario as the White Sox closer despite his troubles — which include 11 earned runs over 11 IP in his 13 appearances in the role. Although Belisario’s peripherals strongly suggest that he’s pitched better than his stats, general manager Rick Hahn made a point of telling the Chicago Tribune that Ventura is free to be “more flexible” in his approach to the ninth, mentioning Zach Putnam, Javy Guerra, and Daniel Webb as options.

Hierarchy remains: Belisario | Putnam | Petricka.

Los Angeles Angels — Mike Scioscia is serious about this committee thing; the last three LA save chances have gone to Cam Bedrosian, Kevin Jepsen, and now Joe Smith. Putative closer Ernesto Frieri worked a clean eighth. We’re keeping things as they have been until we hear something more solid from the Angels brass.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tony Watson/Justin Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon struggled through a 25-pitch save on Tuesday night and has pitched on three of four days. Watson has had a similar workload, but Wilson hasn’t pitched since last Friday.
2. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has pitched on four of the last five days.
3. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano has pitched on four of the last five (and six of the last eight) days, and Tyler Clippard has gone in three straight.

Tyler Clippard struggling; 10-player trade ups Francisco Cordero’s value

July 21, 2012

Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays picked up three pitchers from the Houston Astros in a 10-player trade on Thursday including Brandon Lyon, who will likely serve as a 7th inning guy ahead of Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Frasor. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Oliver |Lyon |Santos |7/21/12

 
Houston Astros – The Astros acquired Francisco Cordero from the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10-player trade on Thursday.  Cordero becomes an interesting player to watch, as he’ll likely assume the set-up role immediately, and could ascend to the closer spot if Brett Myers is dealt.  Hierarchy change: Francisco Cordero to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Cordero |Lopez |Myers |7/21/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra finished off the 7th inning, and has worked his way back in to a late-innings role for the Dodgers.  Josh Lindblom has struggled as of late, including on Friday, when he allowed three baserunners while only recording one out in the 6th inning.  Hierarchy change: Javy Guerra to 2nd in line, replacing Josh Lindblom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Belisario |Guerra |Jansen |7/21/12

 
Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard blew the save last night, and has now allowed 7 ERs in his last 3 outings, a span that includes two blown saves.  Sean Burnett and Drew Storen also had rough nights, but Clippard’s recent stretch is worrying, and the Nats have plenty of live arms in their bullpen who could be inserted into the closer role if he continues to struggle.  Tyler Clippard to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |Storen |7/21/12

 
Atlanta Braves – Chad Durbin picked up an 11th inning save on Friday after the Braves had exhausted much of the rest of their bullpen.  Durbin does not figure in to their usual late inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedATL |Kimbrel |O'Flaherty |Medlen |Kimbrel |7/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Grant Balfour, Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook has pitched in three straight games.
2. Kris Medlen, Atlanta Braves – Both Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty have pitched in three straight.
3. 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.
4. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – The Twins are employing a committee, and while Glen Perkins remains the best bet for saves, Jared Burton could get an opportunity whenever the Twins are facing a righty-heavy lineup.

Wilton Lopez quietly moving up in Astros pen; Santiago Casilla still ailing

June 4, 2012

Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez has quickly and quietly ascended in the Houston bullpen, and pitched the 8th inning ahead of Brett Myers on Sunday.  Fernando Rodriguez’s usage has been sporadic, and he has fallen behind Lopez and Brandon Lyon in the Astros pen.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to Set-up, replacing Fernando Rodriguez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Lopez |Lyon |Myers |6/4/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ronald Belisario pitched another scoreless inning on Sunday, a day after pitching the 8th inning ahead of Kenley Jansen.  Belisario, with a 1.35 ERA, has surpassed Javy Guerra on the Dodgers depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line, replacing Javy Guerra. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Lindblom |Belisario |Jansen |6/4/12

 
San Francisco Giants – The Giants are playing it safe with Santiago Casilla.  Bruce Bochy said could potentially have pitched over the weekend, but on Sunday, he was held out for a 2nd straight game.  As predicted in yesterday’s vulture save watch, Sergio Romo was the man to benefit, and he picked up his second consecutive save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSF |Casilla |Romo |Hensley |Wilson |6/4/12 |Wilson(DL) |

 
Kansas City Royals – For the second time in three games, Kelvin Herrera pitched the 7th inning for the Royals, earning a hold ahead of Greg Holland and Jonathon Broxton.  In 29 innings, Herrera now has a 3.10 ERA with 25 Ks and 4 BBs.  Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line, replacing Aaron Crow.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Herrera |Broxton |6/4/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 4 of the last 6 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.
2. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has gotten all of the save opportunities since Rafael Dolis’s demotion, but his usage on Sunday- he pitched in the 8th inning with the Cubs trailing- shows he’s not being used like a traditional closer just yet.  Should the Cubs face a righty-heavy 9th inning, Shawn Camp could pick up a save.
3. Sergio Romo/Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – If the Giants continue to hold out Santiago Casilla, then Sergio Romo or Javier Lopez could nab a save.

Casey Janssen to close in Toronto; Sean Marshall, Steve Cishek to Hot Seat

Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall had a rough outing yesterday and was lifted by Dusty Baker in favor of Logan Ondrusek, who got the game’s final out and the save.  Marshall has been serviceable as closer this year; he has a 4.91 ERA and is 5 for 6 in save opportunities (for yesterday’s meltdown, he actually got a hold).  But set-up men Aroldis Chapman and Ondrusek are both sporting perfect 0.00 ERAs, and some fans in Cincinnati are already clamoring for a switch.  Sean Marshall to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Marshall |Chapman |Ondrusek |Madson |5/10/12

 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek blew his first save chance yesterday since being installed as closer. Prior to the game, he’d only given up 1 earned run in 14 innings, but with the Marlins 9th inning role still in flux, Ozzie Guillen could give Edward Mujica a shot sooner rather than later.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Mujica |Bell |Bell |5/10/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra’s demotion seems to have dropped him several spots down the Dodgers bullpen hierarchy; Josh Lindblom pitched the 8th inning in a close game last night.  Hierarchy change: Josh Lindblom to Set-up, Javy Guerra to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Lindblom |Guerra |Jansen |5/10/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays just announced that they have demoted Francisco Cordero, and that Casey Janssen would be the team’s closer until Sergio Santos returns, according to the Toronto Star.  Janssen pitched a clean 9th in his first opportunity on Wednesday; Santos will likely be out at least another two weeks.  Hierarchy change: Casey Janssen to Closer, Francisco Cordero to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Perez |Santos |5/10/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano, New York Yankees – Joe Girardi said that David Robertson will have the night off tonight.  Robertson has pitched two games in a row, including a rough blown save last night.
2. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – The Rangers and Orioles have a doubleheader today, and if Joe Nathan gets the save in game one, the Rangers could look to Adams in game two.
3. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Ditto for the Orioles if Jim Johnson gets the save in game one.

Kenley Jansen to close; Dale Thayer could see more opportunities

May 8, 2012

Cleveland Indians – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano were both held out of Cleveland’s doubleheader on Monday, and Cleveland went to young lefty Nick Hagadone in the first game.  Tony Sipp got the save in game 2, but Hagadone (1.08 ERA) has been the Indians most impressive middle reliever as of late.  Hierarchy change: Nick Hagadone to 2nd in line, replacing Joe Smith.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Hagadone |C.Perez |5/8/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vicente Padilla recorded a 2.2 inning save yesterday in a game the Red Sox won comfortably.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Albers |Bailey |5/8/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
San Diego Padres – As noted yesterday, Andrew Cashner was given the night off after a long outing on Sunday, but the Padres opted to use Dale Thayer in the 9th inning, leaving Luke Gregerson in the 8th inning role.  Should Cashner falter again, it could be Thayer (173 career minor league saves) who nabs the most opportunities in Huston Street’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Dale Thayer to Set-up, Luke Gregerson to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Cashner |Thayer |Gregerson |Street |5/8/12 |Street(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Don Mattingly before Monday’s series opener said that he was removing Javy Guerra from the closer role.  Kenley Jansen will close in his place, Mattingly said.  Hierarchy change: Kenley Jansen to Closer, Javy Guerra to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Guerra |Lindblom |Jansen |5/8/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has pitched on three consecutive nights.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Downs is making a quick recovery from his injury, and the Angels have opted not to put him on the disabled list.  Mike Scioscia said that Downs will return to the mound– and presumably, the closer’s role– whenever he feels up to it.