Jordan Walden and Rex Brothers seize 8th inning roles

June 21, 2014

Atlanta Braves – After a rare Craig Kimbrel blown save sent the game to extras, Jordan Walden picked up his second save of the year in the 13th inning. Now that he’s back and healthy, Walden appears to be the Kimbrel handcuff.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Walden | Simmons.

Colorado Rockies – It’s been a rough month for Adam Ottavino, who, after allowing yet another earned run on Friday, has seen his ERA climb from 1.46 at the end of May to 4.13 today. With Ottavino struggling, Rex Brothers has reclaimed his 8th inning role thanks to a recent scoreless stretch that has spanned eight outings.

Updated hierarchy: Hawkins | Brothers | Ottavino.

Arizona Diamondbacks – After struggling in his return from the DL, veteran reliever J.J. Putz was designated for assignment. Evan Marshall will see most of the 7th inning opportunities going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Reed | Ziegler | Marshall.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – The Angels are currently using a closer-by-committee.
2. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman is almost certain to get a day off today after pitching in three of the last four games, including a 33-pitch effort last night.
3. Casey Fien, Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins has pitched in back to back games (41 total pitches) and is coming off a minor back injury. He might get the day off today.

Edward Mujica still trusted, somehow, in Boston

June 18, 2014

Boston Red Sox — With Koji Uehara and Andrew Miller unavailable after heavy recent use, John Farrell elected to keep Junichi Tazawa in a set-up role and go to Edward Mujica, who hadn’t pitched in six days, for the vulture save. After the game, Farrell explained that he would ideally like to go to Mujica on nights when Uehara is unavailable, so although recent usage and statistics don’t support it, we’ve got to put Mujica back in the hierarchy. In non-hierarchy news, Burke Badenhop has now pitched 30.1 straight innings without surrendering an earned run.

Updated hierarchy: Uehara | Miller | Mujica.

St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal was given a second straight night off, and the Cardinals went with Jason Motte with a four-run lead in the ninth. But after Motte gave up a home run and a ground-rule double, Pat Neshek got three straight outs to nail down the victory. Although we still believe Motte would close if Rosenthal went down with an injury, Neshek is making a strong case as well.

Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Motte | Neshek.

Atlanta Braves — After a period of very heavy use (59 pitches in three days), David Carpenter was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained right biceps. Jordan Walden will take on a bigger role in Carpenter’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Simmons | Walden.

Los Angeles Dodgers — With solid performances over the past three weeks, Brian Wilson has earned his job back, supplanting Brandon League as next in line behind Kenley Jansen.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Wilson | League.

Philadelphia Phillies — Jacob Diekman and his 100 MPH fastball have been seeing some high-leverage innings lately, including Tuesday’s eighth. Although Antonio Bastardo would probably be the next choice for saves in the Philly bullpen, Diekman and Ken Giles could play larger roles as the season progresses.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Bastardo | Diekman.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins — Steve Cishek threw 23 pitches Tuesday on his third straight day of work.

Juan Carlos Oviedo might be next in line for Tampa

June 11, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays — It’s fun to talk about, but until the team finally wins a game, the Tampa closer committee will remain a matter for philosophers, theologians, and Seminole medicine men. Juan Carlos Oviedo might get the first shot at breaking the curse tomorrow, since Joel Peralta was used Tuesday in a high-leverage spot in the eighth, and Jake McGee followed him with a 20-pitch ninth. If that happens, we can’t rule out the possibility that Oviedo takes the job and runs with it, perhaps earning up to one save per month for the flailing Rays. Watch out for Kirby Yates as a dark horse candidate too; he’s been a lights-out closer for the AAA Durham Bulls.

Hierarchy remains: Peralta | McGee | Oviedo.

Miami Marlins — Since arriving in a trade from Pittsburgh on June 1, Bryan Morris has been immediately thrust into higher-leverage spots for the Marlins, including four eighth-inning appearances in the last five days. His ascent will allow Mike Redmond to use Mike Dunn in more of a matchup role.

Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Ramos | Morris.

New York Yankees — Shawn Kelley will be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday, but Joe Girardi will be careful with him for a while, avoiding use in back-to-back games. Dellin Betances and Adam Warren have been exemplary in Kelley’s absence.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Betances | Warren.

Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden returned from the DL today after a month away, and we were all set to move him right into the Braves’ hierarchy — that is, until he entered Tuesday’s game with a four-run lead in the eighth and immediately issued three straight walks. Thanks to Shae Simmons, the Braves yielded only one run. Walden hasn’t historically struggled with control, but we’ll still wait to see what his next game holds before making the move.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Simmons | Carpenter.

Chicago Cubs — $4 million mistake Jose Veras was released today. Cubs fans, he can’t hurt you now. The bad man is gone.

Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Ramirez | Strop.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Juan Carlos Oviedo, Tampa Bay Rays — As noted above, if the Rays don’t give Joel Peralta the save opportunity Wednesday, it will likely go to Oviedo.
2. David Carpenter, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel struck out the side Tuesday with 11 pitches and 11 strikes, but it was his fourth night of work in the last five days. Shae Simmons has a similar usage pattern, leaving Carpenter as the best-rested option.
3. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle threw 28 pitches in a two-inning outing.

Chapman back as closer, Joe Smith picks up save

May 11, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — The Reds officially activated Aroldis Chapman from the disabled list before yesterday’s game, and manager Bryan Price has said that he won’t hesitate to go to Chapman in a save opportunity.

Hierarchy change: Chapman | Broxton | LeCure.

Los Angeles Angels — Joe Smith picked up the save yesterday, but he made it interesting.  Smith came on with two men on  and nobody out in the 9th inning, with the Angels up four runs.  He gave up a couple run-scoring singles before finally getting Adam Lind to ground into a double play to end the inning.  We think Frieri will get the bulk of the save chances, but Smith could still see some saves from time to time.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox have called up Frank Francisco.  Francisco was dominating Triple-A, having allowed 0 runs with 12 Ks in 8 innings.  Lindstrom has been solid as the closer recently, and it’s not clear how the White Sox will use Francisco immediately, but he could start seeing high-leverage situations if he can continue to pitch as well as he did in Charlotte.

Hierarchy remains: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

Atlanta Braves – The Braves have placed Jordan Walden on the DL with a strained hamstring.  David Carpenter should take over Walden’s set-up role, while Anthony Varvaro could see more time in the later innings.

Hierarchy change: Kimbrel | Carpenter | Varvaro.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. David Carpenter, Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel has pitched in 2 straight, throwing a total of 43 pitches.
2. Zach Britton/Darren O’Day,  Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter has appeared in two straight days and four of the last five.
3. Aaron Loup, Toronto Blue Jays – Cecil got the last save chance so the Blue Jays could turn to Loup for the next save opportunity.
4. Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – Bass blew the save yesterday so it would likely be Qualls’s turn today but you never know with the Astros.

Belisario back in the mix in Chicago, Kimbrel blows save

April 22, 2014
Chicago White Sox — Ronald Belisario got an inning-ending double play in the seventh before returning for the eighth to earn his third hold of the season. Maikel Cleto hasn’t pitched in five days, and Belisario has not allowed a run in each of his last two outings. Hierarchy change: Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line, replacing Maikel Cleto.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CHWMatt LindstromDaniel WebbRonald BelisarioNate Jones4/22/14
Nate Jones (DL)

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Atlanta Braves – Craig Kimbrel blew the save last night, though to his credit did bounce back with three straight strikeouts after allowing the game-tying double. He’s not on the hot seat yet, but this combined with his earlier arm troubles is a little worrying. Jordan Walden, meanwhile, has not allowed an earned run since April 9.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ATLCraig KimbrelJordan WaldenDavid CarpenterCraig Kimbrel4/20/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod has pitched in four straight and Henderson was the only key Milwaukee reliever to get a night off on Monday.
2. Gonzalez Germen, New York Mets – Both Kyle Farnsworth and Carlos Torres have pitched in back-to-back outings.
3. Matt Albers/Chad Qualls, Houston Astros – The Astros could use pretty much anyone in the 9th inning at this point.