Ryan Cook struggles; Saves for Glen Perkins and David Hernandez

June 23, 2012

Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins picked up his second save of the week on Friday.  As noted in yesterday’s vulture save watch, Matt Capps is still nursing an injury, but should be back soon.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Burton |Capps |6/23/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks – David Hernandez got out of a tough spot in the 8th inning, and then stayed on for the 9th with the D’Backs up 6-1 to earn his second save of the year.  This was not a typical save situation and JJ Putz’s job is not in jeopardy.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Shaw |Putz |6/23/12

 
Oakland A’s – All year, Ryan Cook’s dirty little secret has been his hideous BB/IP ratio (5.7 per 9), and yesterday, it finally came back to bite him, as he blew his second save of the season after walking the inning’s first two batters on nine pitches.  Under most circumstances, one outing wouldn’t be enough to endanger his job, but Cook has never actually been officially named the closer, and former 9th inning man Grant Balfour has been stellar all month, having allowed 0 runs and 3 hits in his last 9.2 innings.  Ryan Cook to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |6/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – If Matt Capps still can’t go today, Perkins could get another save opp.
3. Grant Balfour, Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook has pitched in three of the last four games, including his worst outing of the season last night.  He could get the day off.

Rex Brothers returning to 2011 form

June 22, 2012

Colorado Rockies – Sent to the minors after some early season struggles, Rex Brothers returned to the big leagues earlier this month and has since been dominant.  Yesterday, he finished off the 7th inning, and has now allowing just 2 hits and 1 run in 8.2 innings, while striking out 14.  Adam Ottavino, meanwhile, has struggled as of late, allowing 6 runs in his last 6.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Rex Brothers to 2nd in line, replacing Adam Ottavino.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Belisle |Brothers |Betancourt |6/22/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – If Matt Capps still can’t go today, Perkins could get another save opp.

Glen Perkins picks up a save; Ernesto Frieri now the full-time closer

June 21, 2012

Minnesota Twins – With Matt Capps dealing with an inflamed right shoulder, Glen Perkins picked up the save on Wednesday, pitching a clean inning.  Capps is expected back in a day or two.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Capps |Perkins |Burton |Capps |6/21/12

 
Los Angeles Angels – Scott Downs pitched the 8th inning last night, earning his 12th hold of the year.  But Ernesto Frieri has now gotten 8 of the last 11 save opportunities for the Angels, and since Downs’s return from a minor injury to his side, the lefty has been used exclusively as a set-up man.  The platoon is over; it’s now Frieri’s job for good.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Walden |Walden |6/21/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – As expected, Jose Valverde’s injury isn’t particularly serious, but he will be out through the weekend.  Joaquin Benoit will get save chances until he returns.
2. Glen Perkins, Minnesota Twins – If Matt Capps still can’t go today, Perkins could get another save opp.

Phil Coke picks up first save after Jose Valverde injury

June 20, 2012

Detroit Tigers – While warming up in the bullpen on Tuesday, Jose Valverde hurt his wrist and was held out of the game; Phil Coke entered in his place and picked up his first save of the season.  An initial exam by the Tigers medical staff suggested that the injury was minor, but Valverde still went for an MRI after the game.  The Tigers will likely announce the results before today’s game.  Valverde himself said he didn’t think that the injury was serious, but if he does need a DL stint, Joaquin Benoit will see the bulk of the save opportunities.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Coke |Valverde |6/20/12

 
Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford gave up back-to-back home runs last night, and has now given up 9 ERs in his last 5 innings pitched, a span that includes three blown saves, and a fourth outing where he needed to be bailed out by Jose Veras.  While Ron Roenicke said he’s ready to make a change just yet, Axford remains on the Hot Seat, with Francisco Rodriguez and his 292 saves waiting in the wings.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Rodriguez |Veras |Axford |6/20/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – Jason Frasor gave up 2 runs on Tuesday, pushing his ERA to 4.26.  Meanwhile, veteran lefty Darren Oliver pitched yet another scoreless inning, eventually earning the win after John Axford blew the save.  He’s been used against both righties and lefties this season, and now has a sparkling 1.48 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Darren Oliver to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Frasor. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Oliver |Santos |6/20/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – The results of Jose Valverde’s MRI have not been revealed, and if he can’t pitch today, Benoit will get the save opp.
2. Jose Veras, Milwaukee Brewers – While John Axford remains the closer in Milwaukee, he could get the night off to clear his head. Francisco Rodriguez has pitched in three consecutive games, making Jose Veras the best candidate for a save if Axford stays on the bench.

Carlos Marmol wins closer job back; Koji Uehara injured

June 16, 2012

Texas Rangers – The Rangers placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list yesterday.  Young lefty Robbie Ross is having an outstanding season and is the most likely candidate to inherit the 7th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Robbie Ross to 2nd in line, Koji Uehara to DL.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTEX |Nathan |Adams |Ross |Nathan |6/16/12 |Uehara(DL) |

 
Oakland A’s – Evan Scribner earned a 3-inning save on Friday.  He does not factor in to the A’s normal late inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |6/16/12

 
Kansas City Royals – Aaron Crow pitched the 8th inning on Friday, three days after being summoned in a close game in the 7th.  After Jonathon Broxton and Greg Holland, the Royals bullpen is pretty fluid, with Crow, Kelvin Herrera, and Tim Collins all being used in the 6th and 7th innings.  But recently, it’s been Crow who has seen the majority of the late-innings work.  Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |6/16/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol on Friday got his first save since returning from the minors, and Dale Sveum said after the game that Marmol was his closer again. Marmol is immediately on the Hot Seat, as it’s easy to picture Sveum yanking him out of the role again if he blows his next couple opportunities (and his save on Friday was far from smooth).  But he’ll see the majority of save chances going forward. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-up, Shawn Camp to 2nd in line.  

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Marmol |6/15/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde has pitched in three games in a row.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford has pitched in three straight.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 6 of the last 9 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.