Tom Wilhelmsen is new closer in Seattle; Rafael Dolis could lose job

May 27, 2012

Miami Marlins – For the second straight game, Heath Bell was yanked after allowing two baserunners to reach in the 9th inning, and for the second time, the Marlins held on to win.  This time, Randy Choate bailed Bell out for his first save of the season. After the game, Ozzie Guillen sounded generally supportive of Bell, but also told the Miami Herald that “Right now, it’s not working. I’m going to sleep on it and see if we come up with some ideas.”  Bell remains on the Hot Seat, though due to his contract, it’s likely he’ll continue to hang on to the job despite an 8.47 ERA.  But if he’s removed, Edward Mujica and Steve Cishek are most likely to benefit.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/27/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Saturday was another rough day for Cubs closer Rafael Dolis, who couldn’t find the strike zone and ended up hitting the game’s final batter to force in the game-winning run.  Afterward, Dale Sveum said his closer’s inability to find the strike zone was “not acceptable,” though he didn’t say he would remove the young righty from the role.  Dolis remains on a blazing Hot Seat and James Russell (1.74 ERA) would be the most likely candidate to replace him.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Camp |Marmol |5/27/12 |Marmol(DL) |

 
Seattle Mariners – Brandon League has been removed as closer, in a move manager Eric Wedge described as “very similar to what we did last year.” In 2011, League was demoted after becoming the first reliever in Mariners history to lose in four straight appearances, but regained his job only five days later, and wound up in the All-Star Game.  Wedge refused to commit to anyone as League’s replacement; Tom Wilhelmsen seems to be the most obvious candidate, but lefties Lucas Luetge and Charlie Furbush could be in the mix as well.  Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Closer, Brandon League to Set-Up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |League |Furbush |League |5/26/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/J.P. Howell, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in two straight games, and four of the last five. When Rodney gets a day off, Joel Peralta has been used in his place most often this season.  Peralta has also been used heavily in recent days, however, so the save chance could go to J.P. Howell.
2. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell has pitched in two straight and five of the last seven.  Steve Cishek has also pitched a lot lately, so if Bell is given a day off, Edward Mujica would close in his place.
3. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Davey Johnson clarified his closer role on Saturday, saying Tyler Clippard and Sean Burnett would share opportunities based on match-ups.  Clippard has gotten the first three saves, and as a righty, stands to get the majority of chances, but Burnett could snag a save against a lefty-heavy lineup on some nights.
4. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri will get the majority of opportunities, but Mike Scioscia is still using a closer-by-committee.

Chris Sale, Steve Cishek to close; Huston Street ailing

Philadelphia Phillies – Jose Contreras has struggled since returning from the disabled list, and was used early in the game on Friday.  Antonio Bastardo was called on in the 7th, and he pitched a clean inning.  Hierarchy change: Antonio Bastardo to 2nd in line, replacing Jose Contreras.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPHI |Papelbon |Qualls |Bastardo |Papelbon |5/5/12

 
Boston Red Sox – Vicente Padilla was unable to hold a 1-run lead in the 7th inning on Friday, and now as an 8.38 ERA.  Matt Albers (2 ER in 14 IPs) came on and preserved a tie game in the 8th and the 9th inning.  Hierarchy change: Matt Albers to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Albers |Bailey |4/29/12 |Bailey(DL) |

 
Colorado Rockies – Matt Belisle pitched a clean 7th inning on Friday, preserving a tie game for the Rockies; Edgmer Escalona took the loss in extras.  Hierarchy change: Matt Belisle to 2nd in line, replacing Edgmer Escalona. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Belisle |Betancourt |5/5/12

 
Baltimore Orioles – Luis Ayala pitched two innings in a tie game Friday, and has now gone 13 innings without allowing a run this season.  He’s surpassed Matt Lindstrom on the depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Luis Ayala to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Ayala |Johnson |5/5/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays – Joel Peralta recorded a one-out save on Friday.  As noted in the vulture save watch, Fernando Rodney had been used a lot lately, so he was given a night off.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Howell |Farnsworth |5/5/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell just blew his 4th save in 7 chances, prompting manager Ozzie Guillen to say after the game that he had do something about the closer role, and that he couldn’t wait around any longer.  Steve Cishek has out-pitched Edward Mujica so far this season, and is in line to inherit the job.  Hierarchy change: Steve Cishek to Closer, Heath Bell to 2nd in line. 

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

 
Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale has been moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen and will immediately take over as closer.  Chris Sale experienced elbow soreness after his last start and the White Sox decided a move to the bullpen would be better for his health.  Sale will be given a few days off and will start closing on Monday in Cleveland.  Hierarchy change: Chris Sale to Closer, Hector Santiago to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Sale |Santiago |Thornton |Sale |5/5/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1.  Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres – Huston Street left Friday’s game early and was diagnosed with a posterior shoulder strain.  He said the injury was minor– earlier this season, a similar injury pulled Nick Blackburn out of a game, but he didn’t miss a start– but Street, who will have an MRI today, will probably be given at least a day or two off.
2. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek appears to be the man for the Marlins now that Ozzie Guillen is finally pulling the plug on Heath Bell, but Cishek threw 51 pitches yesterday in a 3-inning effort.  Edward Mujica could see the save opportunity tonight.
3. Hector Santiago/Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox – Chris Sale is the new closer in for the White Sox, but he won’t be called upon until Monday.  Hector Santiago or Matt Thornton will get 9th inning chances until then.
4. James Russell/Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs – New closer Rafael Dolis has pitched on three consecutive days, so Dale Sveum will likely play the match-ups to determine his 9th inning man tonight.
5. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez has pitched on three consecutive nights.
6. Vinnie Pestano, Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez has pitched on three consecutive nights.
7. Franklin Morales, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves threw 38 pitches in a 2.2 inning outing on Friday.

Rafael Dolis, David Robertson inherit jobs; Heath Bell still the closer in Miami

May 4, 2012

Miami Marlins – Edward Mujica got the save Thursday afternoon, as Heath Bell was unavailable.  Ozzie Guillen insisted before the game that Bell, despite a disastrous first month, is still the closer in Miami.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/4/12

 
New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera tore his ACL while shagging fly balls during warmups before Thursday’s game. He’s out for the year and his career may be over. Rafael Soriano was used in the 8th inning yesterday with the Yankees down by a run, leaving little doubt that it will be David Robertson who steps in and attempts to fill Rivera’s big shoes. Hierarchy change: Mariano Rivera to DL, David Robertson to Closer, Rafael Soriano to Setup, Cory Wade to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Robertson |Soriano |Wade |Robertson |5/4/12

 
Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol had another terrible outing today and after the game Manager Dale Sveum said he is definitely thinking about removing Marmol as closer. Sveum mentioned Rafael Dolis and James Russell as potential replacements.  Dolis should get the first shot as he was brought on today to try and clean up Marmol’s mess. Hierarchy change: Rafael Dolis to Closer, James Russell to set-up, Carlos Marmol to 2nd in Line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Dolis |Russell |Marmol |Marmol |5/4/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Ryan Cook/Brian Fuentes, Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour was held out of Wednesday’s game due to heavy use and a nagging back injury. If his back is still keeping him out, the A’s will look to Ryan Cook or Brian Fuentes for the save opportunity.

Grant Balfour struggling

May 2, 2012

Oakland A’s – Grant Balfour was summoned in a four-run game, but couldn’t close the door on the Red Sox, allowing two runs before being yanked; Jordan Norberto got the save in his absence.  Given set-up man Ryan Cook’s astonishing season thus far (12 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit), the A’s might be growing impatient with Balfour, who had already blown two of this last three save opps before Tuesday.  Grant Balfour to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Balfour |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |5/2/12

 
New York Mets – Terry Collins indicated at the start of the season that Miguel Batista would be his man on any night that both Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch were unavailable.  But Batista has consistently been the first man out of the bullpen for the Mets, and Bobby Parnell (3.38 ERA, 15/2 K/BB ratio) has been quietly solid.  Hierarchy change: Bobby Parnell to 2nd in line, replacing Miguel Batista.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Francisco |Rauch |Parnell |Francisco |5/2/12

 
Houston Astros – Wilton Lopez, who pitched parts of the 7th and 8th innings last night, has surpassed veteran Brandon Lyon on the Astros depth chart.  Hierarchy change: Wilton Lopez to 2nd in line, replacing Brandon Lyon.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Myers |Rodriguez |Lopez |Myers |5/2/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched on three straight nights. Peralta could get the save opp on Wednesday.
2. Chad Qualls, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathon Papelbon has pitched on back to back nights, and in three of the last four.  The Phillies could look to Qualls in the 9th today.

Heath Bell on the hot seat; Frank Francisco day-to-day

May 1, 2012

Los Angeles Angels – The ageless LaTroy Hawkins is sporting a 1.17 ERA and bridged the gap to new closer Scott Downs on Monday.  Hierarchy change: LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line, replacing Jason Isringhausen.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Downs |Walden |Hawkins |Walden |5/1/12

 
Colorado Rockies – Edgmer Escalona has been used as the late-innings righty out of the Rockies bullpen over the past week, helping to bridge the gap to Rafael Betancourt twice in the last two days.  Hierarchy change: Edgmer Escalona to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Belisle.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Escalona |Betancourt |5/1/12

 
Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible, allowing the Diamondbacks to score two late insurance runs.  Scouts say his velocity is down, and a big contract can’t protect his job forever.  Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |5/1/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jon Rauch, New York Mets – Frank Francisco has a tight hamstring and was unavailable Monday.  He’s day to day and could be out today as well.
2. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney has pitched in back to back games, throwing a total of 44 pitches.
3. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins – Heath Bell pitched yesterday in a non-save situation and was, again, terrible.  Ozzie Guillen might give him a night off tonight.