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.

Chris Perez returns; Astros giving Jose Cisnero a bigger role

June 27, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates – After a taxing outing on Sunday, Jason Grilli has gotten a few days off.  On Wednesday, Mark Melancon pitched the 9th inning in his stead.  So far, there’s no indication that this is anything serious.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PITJason GrilliMark MelanconJustin WilsonJason Grilli6/27/13

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez, sidelined since May 27 with a strained rotator cuff, will be activated today and will resume closing immediately.  Vinnie Pestano, who picked up five saves in his absence, will move back to a set-up role.  Hierarchy change: Chris Perez to Closer, Vinnie Pestano to Set-up, Joe Smith to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEChris PerezVinnie PestanoJoe SmithChris Perez6/26/13

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Houston Astros – In pitching a scoreless 8th inning last night, Jose Cisnero lowered his season ERA to 2.14.  The young righthander has yet to give up a run in the month of June.  Despite his general competence (a quality not found in most Houston relievers), he hasn’t gotten much high-leverage work; he only has four holds on the season.  But his usage last night is an indication that Bo Porter might be trusting him with more big-game spots.  Hierarchy change: Jose Cisnero to 2nd in line, replacing Travis Blackley.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
HOUJose VerasHector AmbrizJose CisneroJose Veras6/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight.
2. Paco Rodriguez/Ronald Belisario, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen has pitched in four of the last five, including a 23-pitch outing last night.

Machi sent down, but Santiago Casilla may return soon; another Papel-blown save

June 25, 2013

San Francisco Giants — After a four-run, two-homer appearance on Sunday, Jean Machi was demoted to AAA Fresno. George Kontos took his place with the Giants and will slide right into Machi’s spot in their hierarchy. Note that Kontos is currently appealing a three-game suspension he received for throwing at Andrew McCutchen. In other news, Santiago Casilla threw off a mound over the weekend and could be on pace to return by the 4th of July. Hierarchy change: George Kontos to 2nd in line, replacing Jean Machi.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SF Sergio Romo Jeremy Affeldt George Kontos Sergio Romo 6/25/13
    Santiago Casilla (DL)      

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Philadelphia Phillies — Almost any other closer who blew four of his last five save opportunities would be on the Hot Seat, if not looking for new work. Jonathan Papelbon, however, is not your average closer and, in fairness, he was placed in a tough spot on Monday by Charlie Manuel’s decision to let a flagging Cliff Lee start the ninth. With the Phillies bullpen sporting a league-worst 4.68 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, something has to change soon — but that’s more likely to be Papelbon’s trade value than his bullpen role. No hierarchy change.

 .Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHI Jonathan Papelbon Antonio Bastardo Justin De Fratus Jonathan Papelbon 6/25/13
    Mike Adams (DL)      

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon League, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has pitched on three straight days.
2. Joe Smith/Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano has pitched on three of the last four days, including a 34-pitch outing on Saturday.

Fujikawa injured, Perez on DL

May 27, 2013

Chicago Cubs – Kyuji Fujikawa left yesterday’s game with a right forearm strain.  It sounds similar to the injury he suffered earlier this season and he is likely to return to the DL. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggCarlos MarmolJames Russell
Kyuji Fujikawa
5/27/13
Kyuji Fujikawa (INJ)

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has been put on the 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness.  Manager Terry Francona did not say anything about a replacement for Chris Perez in the postgame yesterday, but Vinnie Pestano seems like the logical choice.  He recorded a franchise record 36 holds and also a couple saves when Perez was unavailable last season.   He has struggled a little bit so far this year but Francona is impressed with what Pestano has done the past couple seasons.  Joe Smith got the call yesterday in the ninth, and Peter Gammons thinks it might be Bryan Shaw while acknowledging how well Cody Allen has been pitching.  We will continue to monitor this situation to see who emerges as the closer while Perez is sidelined.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/27/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson picked up the save on Saturday but blew another one on Sunday.  The blown save on Sunday was his fourth of the season and he is still very much on the hot seat.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BALJim JohnsonDarren O’DayTommy HunterJim Johnson5/27/13

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St. Louis Cardinals – Seth Maness picked up the win yesterday, pitching part of the sixth and seventh innings ahead of Rosenthal and Mujica.  Carlos Martinez was sent down to the minors and it looks like Maness will take over his late inning role.  Hierarchy change: Seth Maness to 2nd in line, replacing Carlos Martinez.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
STLEdward MujicaTrevor RosenthalSeth ManessJason Motte5/27/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson blew the save last night and threw 37 pitches.  He also pitched in Saturday so he will likely get the day off today.
2. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers – Jansen is still the best pitcher in the Dodgers bullpen and could get the save if he is not needed before the 9th inning.
3. Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan has pitched 3 games in a row and 4 out of the last 5.

Vinnie Pestano likely to see save chances if Chris Perez’s injury is serious

May 26, 2013

Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez left Sunday’s game early, favoring his arm after throwing a pitch.  The Indians went on to lose after Joe Smith gave up the game-winning hit on the next pitch.  Vinnie Pestano stands to get first crack at saves if Perez’s injury is serious.  Hierarchy change: Vinnie Pestano to Closer, Joe Smith to Set-up, Bryan Shaw to 2nd in line, Chris Perez injured.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithBryan ShawChris Perez5/26/13
 Chris Perez (INJ)

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