Nathan to DL; Vulture Saves highlight busy night

April 9, 2015

Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan is heading to the DL with an elbow flexor strain. Joakim Soria will close in his absence, though Nathan will get the job back when he returns, said Brad Ausmus. Ausmus mentioned Joba Chamberlain and Ian Krol as 8th-inning candidates.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.

New York Yankees – Dellin Betances’ struggles carried over from spring, as he entered the game with the Yankees down by one to face the heart of the order in the eighth inning. He left after giving up a run, but earned a vulture win after Aaron Loup and Brett Cecil combined to give up three runs in the eighth. Andrew Miller earned his first save of the season, saying afterwards that he was comfortable as a co-closer. It’s too early to call this a shift at the top of the Yankees’ committee, as Betances was brought in to face three dangerous righties in a close game, and Miller fell into a save due to the implosion by Toronto’s bullpen. However, the early returns are leaning towards Miller, and you should not hesitate to pick him up if he is somehow still available.

Hierarchy remains: *Betances | Miller | Carpenter.
*closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – As was predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, it was Joel Peralta who got the call to close out a two-run game. Peralta was the only reliever that did not pitch yesterday, so it could be that it was simply his turn in the committee, but it is hard to ignore the disaster outing Hatcher had Tuesday. This is still a committee, but Peralta is worth a pickup if he is available after the past couple days.

Hierarchy remains: *Hatcher | Peralta | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies – John Axford got the save in the 10th inning after Latroy Hawkins blew his bid in the ninth. Adam Ottavino had already pitched, but Axford is a former closer, and that experience could get him some more high leverage spots in the future.

Hierarchy remains: Hawkins | Ottavino | Logan.

Philadelphia Phillies – Ken Giles struggled with his control in his 2015 debut, walking three and giving up a pair of unearned runs. However, the story of the night was Jonathan Papelbon, who bailed out Giles to get a four-out save. Afterwards he had some fun with the press, which included his best Randy Moss impression. All this serves to highlight his rift with the Philadelphia front office, which could lead to a trade if the right buyer comes along.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees – Miller looked sharp in his first save opportunity and may get another shot sooner rather than later after a tough outing for Dellin Betances on Wednesday.

Chris Hatcher gets first save; Jenrry Mejia’s injury could be serious

April 7, 2015

New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia experienced elbow stiffness in the Mets’ bullpen while warming up and never entered the game. Pitching coach Ricky Bones said that Mejia had the same expression on his face as when he hurt his elbow in 2011, when Bones was his coach in Buffalo. That injury required surgery. We will keep an eye on Mejia’s status, but for now, Jeurys Familia will get save opportunities, according to Terry Collins.

Updated hierarchy: Familia | Torres | Montero.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Chris Hatcher picked up his first career save on Opening Day in the Dodgers’ win over the Padres. Joel Peralta was sent in to face the heart of the San Diego order in the 8th, showing Don Mattingly’s willingness to use his best guys in tough spots. For now we will move Hatcher to the front of the class, but don’t be surprised if Mattingly gets comfortable mixing and matching. Either way, this bears close watching, as Kenley Jansen was still in a walking boot yesterday.

Updated hierarchy: *Hatcher | Peralta | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

Atlanta Braves – Prior to Jason Grilli picking up his first save of the year, Freddie Gonzalez confirmed that Grilli will be his closer and Jim Johnson his set-up man to start the season. This comes after the Braves shipped off über-closer Craig Kimbrel to the Padres ahead of opening day.

Hierarchy remains: Grilli | Johnson | Avilan.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta/JP Howell, Los Angeles Dodgers – We are not convinced that Hatcher is the go-to guy in LA just yet.
2. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees – It may be a while until we find out who the closer is in New York if the potentially lifeless Yankees don’t get a save opportunity soon.

Dellin Betances’s awful spring has forced him into a committee

April 3, 2015

New York Yankees – Dellin Betances has one more outing scheduled before the regular season starts, and it better be a good one, because the stories about his bad spring are becoming increasingly critical. Given his rough March — which included a 6.14 ERA and a fastball that didn’t seem to have as much life as last year — Joe Girardi has been forced to hold off on declaring a closer. This means Andrew Miller might see a few chances in the early going, and could take over the job entirely if Betances’s struggles spill over to the regular season.

Hierarchy remains: *Betances | Miller | Carpenter.
*closer-by-committee

Cincinnati Reds – Despite being a candidate to set up for Aroldis Chapman, Sam LeCure appeared to have lost some velocity on his fastball this spring and didn’t make the big league club. Tony Cingrani, the young lefty who earlier was vying for a spot in the rotation, has transitioned well to the bullpen, posting a 1.42 spring ERA (14 Ks vs 3 BBs) in 12.2 innings pitched, and could step into a prominent late inning role alongside Jumbo Diaz. J.J. Hoover is another candidate for high-leverage holds.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Diaz | Cingrani.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Speculation continues to swirl around who might be handed the keys to the 9th inning in Los Angeles. A committee still seems like the most likely outcome, at least in the early going, and we continue to believe that Joel Peralta is the best reliever to own. Sergio Santos, meanwhile, gave up a HR to Mike Trout last night in his final bid to make the club. He still could earn a spot, but probably won’t be a top option in the late innings.

Updated hierarchy: *Peralta | Hatcher | Howell.
*closer-by-committee

Luke Gregerson confirmed as Astros closer

March 31, 2015

Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson will close for the Astros to start the season, manager AJ Hinch said this afternoon. Gregerson was the frontrunner for the job after signing a 3-year, $18.5 million contract with the Astros in the offseason, and solidified his status with a strong spring. Chad Qualls and Pat Neshek also had excellent springs, and will fill the 7th and 8th innings. It isn’t apparent who would fill in on nights when Gregerson is unavailable, but we’ll give the edge to Qualls, who closed last season.

Hierarchy remains: Gregerson | Qualls | Neshek.

Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka has been battling forearm and elbow soreness for the past week and will open the season on the disabled list. Petricka was the heavy favorite to set up for David Robertson (who was battling a sore forearm himself earlier this spring), and the White Sox may have to mix and match until his return. Zach Putnam has had an awful spring, though he’s come around as of late; given his brief experience in the closer role, we’ll move him to first in line by default. Javy Guerra and Zach Duke will likely see their roles increase as well.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Putnam | Guerra.

Washington Nationals – The injury bug has been buzzing around the Nats clubhouse all spring, and their top two relievers have gotten bit. Drew Storen left a game yesterday after popping a blister on his foot. He doesn’t expect to miss any regular season time, but Casey Janssen might — the set-up man has been battling shoulder tendonitis. Craig Stammen stands to inherit 8th inning duties if Janssen is out.

Hierarchy remains: Storen | Janssen | Stammen.

Los Angeles Dodgers – We’re continuing to look for some clarity in the Los Angeles bullpen, but it seems more and more likely that Don Mattingly will head into the regular season with a closer-by-committee. The two leading candidates for the job, Joel Peralta (5.68 ERA in 6.1 spring IPs) and Chris Hatcher (7.36 ERA in 7.1 IPs) have done little to distinguish themselves; meanwhile, once-darkhorse Sergio Santos had a rough outing the other day and saw his own spring ERA jump to 4.70. Santos is still an interesting candidate, as he’s got the past experience and is consistently missing bats (10 Ks in 7.2 IPs). But given his contract status, he’s not even a lock to make the team. Those in deep leagues or leagues with holds may want to look at the only reliever who has been dominant for the Dodgers this spring: lefty Paco Rodriguez (9.1 IPs, 0.00 ERA, 0.32 WHIP, 12 Ks, 0 BBs). Given J.P. Howell’s pedestrian spring (6.2 IPs, 8.10 ERA), Rodriguez could jump him as the go-to lefty in the Dodgers pen, and potentially snag an occasional save when matchups are right.

Hierarchy remains: Peralta* | Hatcher | Santos.
*closer-by-committee

Joel Peralta nudges his way to the front in Los Angeles

March 26, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers — Chris Hatcher and his Wilsonesque beard have endured some rough outings lately, pushing his spring ERA over 10. Although Hatcher is a virtual lock to make the team because he’s out of minor league options, Joel Peralta may have edged in front of him in the race to lead what appears to be a confirmed committee situation that could also include Sergio Santos, Juan Nicasio, and lefties J.P. Howell and Paco Rodriguez. As expected, Brandon League will join Kenley Jansen on the DL to start the season, and some in LA are looking Rafael Soriano’s way.

Updated hierarchy: Peralta* | Hatcher | Santos.
*closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — A struggling Ryan Cook was sent to the minors on Tuesday to fix his mechanics. Eric O’Flaherty and Dan Otero will back up Tyler Clippard during Sean Doolittle’s absence, and young R.J. Alvarez is another intriguing option. Doolittle, meanwhile, is staying busy teaching his coaches about social media.

Updated hierarchy: Clippard | O’Flaherty | Otero.

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara, who turns 40 next week, might miss Opening Day with a hamstring strain. Edward Mujica would likely take the closer’s role until Uehara can get healthy, with Alexi Ogando moving ahead of Junichi Tazawa as a backup option.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Mujica | Ogando.

Tampa Bay Rays — Grant Balfour made his first appearance of the spring on Monday and expects to be ready for Opening Day. All three of Tampa’s current top relievers allowed a run in the game. Jake McGee is throwing curveballs again and should be back to closing in late April or early May.

Hierarchy remains: Balfour | Boxberger | Jepsen.

Toronto Blue Jays — As expected, Brett Cecil was officially named Toronto’s closer; Aaron Loup will set him up, with Steve Delabar and Miguel Castro behind them.

Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Loup | Delabar.

Colorado Rockies — Walt Weiss told reporters that Adam Ottavino will be the club’s top vulture save option when 42-year-old closer LaTroy Hawkins is fatigued, or watching Matlock reruns.

Updated hierarchy: Hawkins | Ottavino | Axford.

Cincinnati Reds — The eighth inning is wide open for the Reds, according to manager Bryan Price, who named no fewer than five possibilities for set-up work. We’ll leave things the way they are until the situation clears up, but one intriguing option Price didn’t mention is lefty Tony Cingrani, who may find a welcoming home in the bullpen.

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Diaz | LeCure.