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.

A new closer every day in Boston

May 7, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Joel Hanrahan’s ignoble return to the Boston bullpen lasted for precisely four batters, one of whom tapped him for a game-tying home run. To add injury to insult (and injury), Hanrahan left shortly thereafter with “right forearm tightness.” We believe Junichi Tazawa has a slight edge over Koji Uehara, but either or both could be used in the closer role. Although Craig Breslow (fresh from his own DL stint) is now the third-best healthy reliever in the Red Sox pen, Daniel Bard or Alfredo Aceves could also conceivably join what has become a disturbingly threadbare crew. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Closer, Koji Uehara to Set-up, Craig Breslow to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Tazawa |Uehara |Breslow |Bailey |5/7/13 |Bailey(DL) |Hanrahan(DL)|

 
Cleveland Indians — Vinnie Pestano was placed on the 15-day DL with a sore right elbow. Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to Set-up, Bryan Shaw to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Smith |Shaw |C.Perez |5/7/13 |Pestano (DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jamey Wright, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney threw 37 pitches in last night’s game and Joel Peralta threw for two innings.
2. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland blew a save yesterday and has pitched in two straight games; Kelvin Herrera pitched two innings after Holland left the game.

Marmol likely to close again until Fujikawa’s return

April 23, 2013

Chicago Cubs — James Russell came on in the 7th and gave up a tying triple. He stayed on for a scoreless 8th, then was relieved by Carlos Marmol, who pitched a passable 9th and 10th, finishing with a strikeout of Joey Votto. The seas are turning blood red, frogs are falling from the sky, and Carlos Marmol is probably the Cubs’ closer again — for now. Beware. Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to Closer, James Russell to Set-Up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Russell |Camp |Fujikawa |4/23/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox — John Farrell is running Andrew Bailey into the ground, sending him out for a third straight game to capture a low-leverage three-run save. Bailey hasn’t had two days of rest in two weeks, but surely must be off tomorrow.
2. Shawn Camp/Kevin Gregg, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has pitched in two straight games and is often saved for lefty matchups, while Carlos Marmol had a lengthy outing yesterday. If the Cubs need a save tomorrow, the options will be even less promising than normal.
3. Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano have each pitched in the last two games.

John Axford struggling; Phil Coke gets two straight opportunities

April 4, 2013

Milwaukee Brewers – John Axford got rocked in a non-save situation on Wednesday, entering the game in the 9th inning with the Brewers down by a run and allowing three runs.  He’s now given up three home runs in just 1.2 innings this season, prompting Ron Roenicke to observe: “(His velocity) was way down.  We’ll talk to him and see how he’s doing.”  John Axford to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedMIL |Axford |Henderson |Gonzalez |Axford |4/4/13

 
Cleveland Indians – Joe Smith picked up the save for the Indians in the 11th inning last night.  Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano had already pitched.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |4/4/13

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson came on to finish the 7th inning for the Pirates on Wednesday, then stayed on to pitch the 8th, logging a perfect 1.1 innings and picking up his first save of the year.  Due to his past experience, Mark Melancon is likely the guy the Pirates will use on days where Jason Grilli is unavailable, but Watson may get some 8th inning action as well.  Hierarchy change: Tony Watson to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Grilli |Melancon |Watson |Grilli |4/4/13

 
Detroit Tigers – We’re two games into the season, and Phil Coke has gotten both save opportunities for the Tigers.  He blew the save, retiring the first man before allowing two hits.  Additionally, the batters he faced were two lefties and a switch hitter, so Jim Leyland could still very easily be playing matchups, and it could just have fallen on Coke on the first two games of the season.  But if you’re only going to own one Tigers reliever, he’s the guy; Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque are also worth stashing, if you have the room.  Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/3/13

 

Scott Atchison quietly compiling a brilliant season

June 17, 2012

Boston Red Sox – Toiling in what’s generally been a mop-up role for much of the season, Scott Atchison has been nothing short of brilliant, pitching 35.1 innings– the most of anyone in the Red Sox bullpen– and compiling a 1.27 ERA in the process.  On Saturday, he earned his third hold of the season, finishing off the 7th inning, and it appears the Red Sox are finally ready to start using him in meaningful spots.  Hierarchy change: Scott Atchison to 2nd in line, replacing Andrew Miller.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Padilla |Atchison |Bailey |6/17/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Cleveland Indians – Nick Hagadone’s ERA rose to 4.98 after he got knocked around by the Pirates on Saturday.  After Chris Perez and Vinnie Pestano, the Indians bullpen has been shaky.  Only Joe Smith has been reliable in recent weeks, as he’s only allowed 1 run in his past 7.2 innings.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to 2nd in line, replacing Nick Hagadone.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |6/17/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. 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.