Joakim Soria going through odd stretch; Giants turn to committee

June 30, 2014

Chicago White Sox – We’re paying close attention to the White Sox, who on Sunday used Jake Petricka to protect a 4-run 9th inning lead. Robin Ventura keeps saying that he isn’t ready to name a new closer yet, but based on the last several days, Zach Putnam and Petricka continue to look like the two main options.

Hierarchy remains: Putnam | Petricka | Guerra.

Texas Rangers – Something odd is afoot with Joakim Soria. He didn’t pitch for 10 days from June 14 to June 24, and then, when Ron Washington finally decided to get him some work, Soria entered in the 9th inning of a blowout, threw 8 pitches, got 2 outs, and then was yanked for Scott Baker, who faced the final batter. Three days later, Soria had his worst outing of the year, blowing the save against the Twins. And then, two days after that — yesterday — he took the loss after allowing the tie breaking run in the 9th. He’s earned way too much trust to be placed on the Hot Seat just yet, but it’s certainly been a strange week for Soria, who has a troubled injury history. We’ll keep an eye on him in the coming days.

Hierarchy remains: Soria | Frasor | Cotts.

Houston Astros – Chad Qualls has been nursing a minor groin injury, so rather than use him on three straight days, Bo Porter called for Tony Sipp in the 9th inning on Sunday. Qualls was warming up just in case and should be fine for the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Sipp | Veras.

Oakland A’s – Sean Doolittle and Luke Gregerson had both pitched in two straight and three of four, so the A’s used Ryan Cook to get the last four outs of the game on Sunday. Cook, Dan Otero, and Fernando Abad will continue to jockey for 7th inning chances.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Gregerson | Cook.

San Francisco Giants — Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday that the struggling Sergio Romo would move into a setup role, and that closing duties would be handled by the newest rage: a committee, prominently featuring Santiago Casilla and lefthander Jeremy Affeldt. Romo himself could see work as part of the committee, depending on — say it with us now — matchups.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Affeldt | Romo.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jake Petricka, Chicago White Sox – Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka appear to be sharing save chances in Chicago.

Rex Brothers to close while Betancourt is on DL

July 21, 2013

Colorado Rockies – Rafael Betancourt has been placed on the DL with appendicitis.  The move is retroactive to July 15.  Rex Brothers will close in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to Closer, Matt Belisle to Set-up, Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, Rafael Betancourt to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRex BrothersMatt BelisleWilton LopezRafael Betancourt7/20/13
Rafael Betancourt (DL)

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Minnesota Twins – For the second night in a row, Casey Fien pitched the 8th ahead of Glen Perkins while Jared Burton pitched in the 7th inning.  Fien has made 11 straight scoreless appearances, lowering his ERA to 2.88 on the season.  Hierarchy change:  Casey Fien to Set-up, Jared Burton to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
MINGlen PerkinsCasey FienJared BurtonGlen Perkins7/21/13

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San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez got the last two outs of the 8th inning last night with the Giants up 2.  Lopez has a 1.54 ERA on the season. Hierarchy change: Javier Lopez to 2nd in line, replacing Jeremy Affeldt.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoSantiago CasillaJavier LopezSergio Romo7/21/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have both pitched two days in a row and Davey Johnson could go to Storen if there is a save opportunity today.
2. Sam LeCure, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two straight.

 

Grab Bastardo while you can; Casilla struggles in high-A rehab

July 10, 2013

Philadelphia Phillies — As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Antonio Bastardo earned his second save of the year on Tuesday, allowing Jonathan Papelbon some much-needed rest. With Mike Adams now on the long-term disabled list and Papelbon possibly moving to Detroit or Boston, Bastardo’s value could soon increase dramatically. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJustin De FratusJonathan Papelbon7/10/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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San Francisco Giants — Jeremy Affeldt pitched very poorly in Tuesday’s eighth inning, breaking the game open for an eventual Mets victory. Meanwhile, Santiago Casilla’s fourth minor league rehab appearance consisted of three walks in four batters faced. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SFSergio RomoJeremy AffeldtGeorge KontosSergio Romo7/10/13
Santiago Casilla (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Cody Allen/Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez has pitched on four straight days and Joe Smith and Cody Allen have each appeared in three straight games. Allen has thrown the fewest pitches, but if the Tribe have a two- or three-run lead going into the ninth on Wednesday, Terry Francona might take a chance on rehabilitating Vinnie Pestano.

Vinnie Pestano moved out of setup role; Matt Thornton facing extra pressure?

July 9, 2013

Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano’s failure to thrive after returning from an elbow injury has finally resulted in his demotion from the 8th inning role. Terry Francona says that Joe Smith will take over setup duties, with Cody Allen filling in when necessary — although the goal is to rehabilitate Pestano to his 2012 form. Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Cody Allen to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez7/9/13

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Colorado Rockies — Matt Belisle pitched a perfect eighth in a close game on Monday, and Walt Weiss seems to again prefer him to Wilton Lopez in higher-leverage situations. Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, replacing Wilton Lopez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
COLRafael BetancourtRex BrothersMatt BelisleRafael Betancourt7/9/13

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Chicago White Sox — Matt Thornton, the subject of several recent trade rumors, was ineffective in a tied eighth inning on Monday night and caught the loss. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHWAddison ReedMatt ThorntonMatt LindstromAddison Reed7/9/13
Jesse Crain (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria returned on Sunday after almost two years of recovery from Tommy John surgery; in his first two games back, he has picked up holds in the sixth and eighth innings. We’re not ready to move Soria into Texas’s hierarchy just yet, but don’t count him out. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TEXJoe NathanTanner ScheppersNeal CottsJoe Nathan7/9/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon struggled on Monday night; he has pitched on two straight days and four of the last five.
2. Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants — Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight games.
3. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Although Chris Perez threw only seven pitches on Monday, it was his third straight day of work.