Wade Davis and Kevin Siegrist return; Arodys Vizcaino down with injury

July 16, 2016

Atlanta Braves — In an attempt to shake off nine days of rust, Brian Snitker called on Arodys Vizcaino in the ninth with the Braves down five. The move backfired terribly when Vizcaino exited after three pitches with what appeared to be a right oblique injury. After the game, Snitker announced that Vizcaino had injured a side muscle and was expected to hit the DL. Although 22-year-old Mauricio Cabrera has the “future closer” tag and a 100+ MPH fastball, Jim Johnson has closing experience and should have the edge for save chances over the short term. Johnson got the last save opportunity on July 10, and the Braves may want to boost his trade value. Vizcaino’s absence will allow more room in the late innings for lefthanded strikeout machine Dario Alvarez (23 K, 10.2 IP).

Updated hierarchy:  Johnson | Cabrera | Alvarez.

Kansas City Royals — Closer Wade Davis should be activated from the DL on Saturday morning. One of the best relievers in the game, Davis will likely resume closing immediately, bumping Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria back in line. For all the speculation about Davis’s replacement, the Royals managed to record just one save in his absence.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Herrera | Soria.

Texas Rangers — While it isn’t quite as embarrassing as injuring yourself taking off your shoes, Jake Diekman found his way to the DL after cutting himself on a broken souvenir Cheers mug. Texas immediately inquired about aging Boston prospect Sam “Mayday” Malone, but the deal fell through when Malone failed a physical. It wasn’t all bad news for Texas, which also got Keone Kela back from the 60-day DL. Jeff Bannister said that he will use Kela in the late innings immediately, and that Matt Bush will be used in big spots against left-handed hitters. We give Bush the edge, as Kela hasn’t pitched since April.

Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Bush | Kela.

Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino maintained a pristine 0.00 ERA in his third appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery. Walt Weiss has said that Ottavino is a “big league closer,” and that he will try to get Ottavino back into that role, so if you’re looking for a speculative add, you could do a lot worse. He seems to have moved ahead of Jake McGee, but still has some work to do in order to pass Carlos Estevez.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | Ottavino | McGee.

Boston Red Sox — Craig Kimbrel had a successful knee surgery over the All-Star break, but he was joined officially on the DL by Junichi Tazawa (right shoulder impingement). Koji Uehara continued his perfect run as the leader of the patchwork Boston bullpen, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fifth save. Kimbrel is expected to miss 3-6 weeks, while Tazawa will be eligible to return as early as July 19.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Ziegler | Barnes.

St. Louis Cardinals — Kevin Siegrist was activated from the DL (mono) and pitched an inning in a Cardinals loss on Friday. When healthy, Siegrist was one of the Cardinals most trusted relievers, so he immediately jumps back into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Oh | Siegrist | Broxton.

Cincinnati Reds — Tony Cingrani came in to protect a two-run lead, but gave up a walk and a pair of singles, prompting Bryan Price to get Ross Ohlendorf warming. After a sacrifice bunt, another walk, and a foul out, Cingrani was lifted for Ohlendorf, who picked up the one-out save. Cingrani has been very good since taking the lead in the Cincinnati committee, but the Reds bullpen is still volatile, so don’t be surprised to see Ohlendorf snagging a few saves here and there.

Hierarchy remains: Cingrani | Ohlendorf | Iglesias.

Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Jepsen, released by the Twins, was picked up by the Rays this week and immediately pitched the ninth with the team down a run. While Jepsen will have to improve on his woeful Minnesota numbers to stick around, he is returning to a team where he saved five games last season — and Kevin Cash has been known to use his best reliever in the highest-leverage moments, not just the ninth inning. If Jepsen can return to the form he showed in 2015, he could climb into the hierarchy, but we’ll wait and see how he gets used before making that move.

Hierarchy remains: Colome | Cedeno | Ramirez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — If Wade Davis needs a game to get his legs back under him, this may be Herrera’s last shot at a clean save opportunity.
2. Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds — Tony Cingrani struggled throwing 27 pitches yesterday. Ohlendorf only needed two to pick up the save, and may be called upon again today.

Uehara and Herrera pick up saves

July 10, 2016

Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday for his fourth save of the season.  Manager John Farrell has named Uehara the closer while Kimbrel is out.  Newly acquired Brad Ziegler will see save chances only when Uehara is unavailable for now.

Hierarchy remains: Uehara | Ziegler | Barnes.

Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera recorded his first save of the year yesterday.  Herrera pitched a perfect ninth, while Soria pitched a scoreless eighth inning.  It appears Ned Yost will go with the reliever pitching better over closing experience at this point so we will move Herrera to the head of the committee.  However, it may be short lived as Wade Davis threw back-to-back days pain free, and will assume the closer’s role as soon as he returns.

Updated hierarchy: *Herrera | Soria | Hochevar.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox — With David Robertson unavailable, Nate Jones got four outs to record his third save of the season.  Robertson will be out until after the All-Star break, and Jones should continue to close while he is out.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Jones | Duke.

Oakland A’s – Ryan Dull’s streak of stranding inherited runners ended on Saturday but he still picked up his first save of the season.   Regular closer Ryan Madson was unavailable, and Dull should continue to see save chances when Madson can’t go.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Dull | Axford.

Minnesota Twins – Fernando Abad’s struggles continued on Saturday; he has given up at least one run in five of his last seven appearances.  Brandon Kintzler came on to clean up Abad’s mess in the eighth inning, and even though he gave up a run of his own in the ninth, he recorded his fifth save of the year.  Kintzler is seeing most of the save chances and pitching better than Abad so we will drop the asterisk.  Trevor May pitched a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts, and now has three scoreless innings since returning from the DL.  May’s strikeout numbers are great and he could work his way into the saves conversation if he continues to throw up zeroes.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Abad | May.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes pitched the last three innings of a Pirates’ blowout win to record the save.  Hughes has pitched pretty well this season but the Pirates’ back end of the bullpen is pretty set right now with Melancon, Feliz, and Watson.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Feliz | Watson.

Colorado Rockies — Jordan Lyles picked up the second three inning save of Saturday in a Rockies’ five run victory.  Lyles does not figure into the Rockies’ regular late inning plans.

Hierarchy remains: Estevez | McGee | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Nate Jones, Chicago White Sox – David Robertson is out with a leg injury.
2. Brad Ziegler, Boston Red Sox – Koji Uehara has pitched in two straight.
3. Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen and Joe Blanton have both pitched in two straight and three of four.
4. David Phelps, Miami Marlins – AJ Ramos and Fernando Rodney have both appeared in two straight.
5. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals – The Royals could still give the veteran a shot at saves.

 

Mauricio Cabrera catching on in Atlanta

July 8, 2016

Atlanta Braves – Closer Arodys Vizcaino was unavailable Thursday after a rough outing Wednesday (1 IP, 2 ER, blown save, 21 pitches). In his place during an 11-inning affair against the Cubs? It was the recently called up Mauricio Cabrera, who pitched a clean 11th inning for his second save. With Vizcaino on the trade block, Cabrera could be the closer of the future in Atlanta.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cabrera.

San Francisco Giants – Giants setup man Cory Gearrin has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder… or if we’re being honest, it appears to be an extended of period of rest for Gearrin through the All-Star break. Manager Bruce Bochy admitted as much, saying, “It was going to be a few days (off) so we placed him on the DL to get this cleared up.” Bochy added that Gearrin should be back when eligible to come off of the DL.

Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon wasn’t available to pitch Thursday due to an illness. There was no word on whether he’ll be available Friday. Meantime, the Tigers surely needed him, as the bullpen yielded three runs in a loss to the Blue Jays.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Rondon.

Kansas City Royals – Would-be closer Joakim Soria pitched the eighth inning with a 2-0 deficit and allowed a Nelson Cruz homer. This certainly did not lend any clarity on the Royals closing situation, especially after Kelvin Herrera’s recent rough outings.

Hierarchy remains: *Soria | Herrera | Hochevar.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal pitched in the eighth inning of a 5-1 win over the Pirates, recording two outs in a clean outing. It’s a good sign for the demoted closer, but we’ll wait to slide him up in our hierarchy until we see more evidence that Mike Matheny is trusting him again.

Hierarchy remains: Oh | Broxton | Rosenthal.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Addison Reed, New York Mets — Jeurys Familia has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
2. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Who will get the first call for a save chance? Will it be Herrera or Joakim Soria?

Kelvin Herrera struggles, likely behind Joakim Soria in Royals’ closer race

July 7, 2016

Kansas City Royals — There wasn’t a save chance for KC on Wednesday, but it’s noteworthy that Kelvin Herrera came out for the eighth in a tie game. Herrera struck out the side, but also allowed two runs on three hits to take the loss. This only strengthens our belief that Ned Yost will give Joakim Soria the first shot to close.

Hierarchy remains: *Soria | Herrera | Hochevar.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — Edubray Ramos has pitched in three straight close seventh innings, including a Wednesday appearance with a tied score. As Philly’s closer of the future, his role could continue to grow in the second half of the season — especially if the team trades Jeanmar Gomez before he hits arbitration. For his part, David Hernandez has allowed 13 earned runs over his last nine appearances (9.2 IP).

Updated hierarchy: Gomez | Neris | Ramos.

Cleveland Indians — It’s been seven weeks since we talked to you about the Cleveland bullpen, but Zach McAllister has forced our hand. The righty started on Saturday after a 19-inning affair and got shelled by Toronto; on Wednesday, he came in for the seventh down six runs and gave up four more. Jeff Mansihp Manship (2.13 ERA, five holds) and Dan Otero (1.36 ERA, 8.45 K/9) are each pitching better than McAllister — and adding Otero gives the Indians the most anagrammable hierarchy in the league.

Updated hierarchy: Lonely Cad | Brash Yawn | Neat Odor.

Houston Astros — It wasn’t pretty for Luke Gregerson (1 ER, 3 BB), but he managed to grab the vulture save we foretold for him.

Hierarchy remains: Harris | Gregerson | Giles.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Neftali Feliz/Arquimedes Caminero, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon has pitched in two straight and five of the last six. Feliz and Tony Watson have each gone in four of five, so maybe Clint Hurdle will give Arquimedes a place to stand.
2. Pedro Baez, Los Angeles Dodgers — Baez’s usage has been weird lately, but he was the only reliever the Dodgers didn’t use in their 14-inning game on Wednesday. Kenley Jansen and Joe Blanton have each been used in three of four.
3. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — Ordinarily this would be a stretch, but Jonathan Papelbon just came back from the DL and has pitched in two of the last three.

Wade Davis hits DL; Alex Colome returns

July 6, 2016

Kansas City Royals — Wade Davis hit the DL on Tuesday with a right forearm strain. Manager Ned Yost refused to commit to a replacement, saying he will “mix and match” depending on who is available. Kelvin Herrera is the best choice to take over Davis’ role, but Joakim Soria has closer experience and Yost’s trust, so we’ll put Soria at the top of the committee for now.

Updated hierarchy: *Soria | Herrera | Hochevar.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome was activated from the DL Tuesday and pitched in a losing effort, his first work since June 18. The All-Star will resume his role as the Rays’ closer going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Colome | Cedeno | Ramirez.

Milwaukee Brewers — The mystery of Tyler Thornburg’s absence was solved Tuesday, as it was revealed that the 10-day period of rest was merely circumstantial. Thornburg appeared on Tuesday, allowing just one hit in the eighth inning of a 5-2 win. Will Smith pitched in the biggest spot of the game, however, striking out Bryce Harper with the bases loaded to end the seventh. We’ll switch Thornburg back to his spot behind Jeremy Jeffress, but don’t be surprised if Smith sees some of the eighth as well, especially if a lefty comes to the plate.

Updated hierarchy: Jeffress | Thornburg | Smith.

Colorado Rockies — Adam Ottavino officially made his return from Tommy John surgery on Tuesday in his first appearance since April 25, 2015. He struck out the only batter he faced in a 7-3 victory. Ottavino is expected to ease back into game action, but manager Walt Weiss said it won’t be long before the righty is pitching in high-leverage situations.

Updated hierarchy: Estevez | McGee | Ottavino.

Minnesota Twins — Trevor May returned from the DL Tuesday and pitched the seventh in a blowout win. Manager Paul Molitor said he will ease May back into things, which means Ryan Pressly shouldn’t lose his seventh-inning role right away. We’ll keep an eye on May’s progress as he eventually works his way back into the hierarchy, though the Twins are still open to May becoming a starter.

Hierarchy remains: *Kintzler | Abad | Pressly.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Will Harris has pitched in three straight games.
2. Tyler Thornburg/Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers – Jeremy Jeffress has appeared in each of the last three games, and Craig Counsell could play matchups in the ninth given Smith’s success against lefties.