Jake Petricka blows save while Matt Lindstrom works his way back from injury

August 3, 2014

Chicago White Sox — The White Sox had to call on Jake Petricka in the 8th inning last night trying to hold on to a one run lead.  He came on with two runners on and got the first man to ground out before giving up a go-ahead two run double.  Petricka was charged with a blown save but before the game Robin Ventura said that he has been impressed with Petricka in the closer’s role.  Matt Lindstrom, or Linstrom as the Charlotte Knights like to call him, threw an inning on Friday night and is expected to pitch every other day and could return to the White Sox as early as Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Kansas City Royals — Since picking up a save a little over a week ago, Aaron Crow has given up 5 runs (4 earned) in 2.2 innings and the Royals used him in the 5th yesterday in a game they were losing.  Meanwhile, Kelvin Herrera pitched the 7th inning ahead of Wade Davis and Greg Holland on Wednesday and Friday nights and seems to has re-established himself as the best option behind those two guys.

Updated hierarchy: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ronald Belisario/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka has pitched in three straight.

Chad Qualls unlikely to be traded; Jake Petricka now full-time

July 25, 2014

Houston Astros – Though seemingly a prime trade candidate, Chad Qualls is extremely unlikely to be moved, according to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow. Qualls, who is signed through 2015 and has a team option for 2016, has been a wonderful surprise for both Houston and his fantasy owners, and appears to still be a reliable bet for saves for the remainder of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Qualls | Fields | Sipp.

Miami Marlins – The A’s finally sent ole’ Jim Johnson out to pasture prior to Thursday’s game. We initially weren’t going to mention this, but Johnson is somehow still owned in 13 percent of leagues. And, actually, there’s a small chance that this increases his relevancy again, as the Marlins were reportedly interested in acquiring Johnson as recently as a few days ago. If they sign him, and then decide to move Steve Cishek, then Johnson could potentially be in the mix for saves in Miami.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Morris | Ramos.

Chicago White Sox — With Thursday’s news that Zach Putnam is headed to the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, Jake Petricka went, by default, from part-time closer to full-time closer. He responded well in his first save chance on Thursday night, striking out two in a perfect inning, and has the chance to seize the role for good ahead of Putnam’s (and Matt Lindstrom’s and Nate Jones’s) return.

Updated hierarchy: Petricka | Belisario | Guerra.

Detroit Tigers – With Joakim Soria looking on from the bullpen, Joe Nathan on Thursday pitched like a man who knew that even a single slip-up could cost him his job. Nathan had his most dominant appearance of the season, needing only 12 pitches to strike out the side. It’s possible that he’s still just one blown save from losing the job, but Nathan has likely created a tiny bit of breathing room for himself.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ken Giles/Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies – Jonathan Papelbon has pitched in three straight, throwing a total of 65 pitches over 4 innings.
2. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Greg Holland and Wade Davis have both pitched in three straight.

Jason Frasor traded to Kansas City

July 17, 2014

Texas Rangers — As we predicted, Jason Frasor was indeed traded — to Kansas City, for AAA all-star closer Spencer Patton. Neal Cotts moves back up to second in line for now, but he could also be next out the door.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Feliz | Cotts.

Kansas City Royals — Our first Royals update in 3 1/2 months doesn’t even come with a hierarchy change. New Royal Jason Frasor was the main set-up man in Arlington, but with Wade Davis dominating and Kelvin Herrera still topping 100 on the radar gun, he’ll be back in the pack in KC.

Hierarchy remains: Holland | Davis | Herrera.

Broxton back with the Reds; Santos doing well for Toronto

April 9, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, and though manager Bryan Price says he would like to let him “get his feet wet” before returning him to the ninth, it’s clear that he will be the Reds’ closer going forward. Meanwhile, J.J. Hoover entered in the seventh inning with Cincinnati trailing, and appears to have fallen behind the other members of the team’s short-lived closer committee. Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Closer, replacing J.J. Hoover.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/9/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Brett Cecil pitched the eighth last night after Steve Delabar was used to finish the sixth. Keep an eye on Sergio Santos too — he struck out the side in the ninth, and could have a shot at keeping the closer job even after Casey Janssen returns. Janssen will throw a side session on Wednesday before starting a few rehab outings. Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Steve Delabar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarCasey Janssen4/9/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria entered in the ninth inning of a 10-4 game and scattered four hits among three strikeouts, surrendering three runs. With Neftali Feliz impressing in the minors, another outing like that one could send Soria to the Hot Seat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/9/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera/Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has had two long outings in a row, and set-up man Wade Davis threw 27 pitches on Tuesday.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Josh Fields remains the best bet for Astros save chances, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
3. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched on two straight days, including throwing 27 pitches on Monday.

Jose Valverde takes over in New York and Brian Wilson hits the DL

April 2, 2014

New York Mets — Bobby Parnell’s diminished velocity led to a blown save on Opening Day. After he complained of forearm tightness, an examination revealed a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his throwing arm. Parnell, who received a platelet-rich plasma injection, will rest for at least two weeks, then begin a throwing program to determine if surgery will be necessary. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Jeurys Familia to Set-Up, Scott Rice to 2nd in line, Bobby Parnell to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYMJose ValverdeJeurys FamiliaScott RiceBobby Parnell4/2/14
Bobby Parnell (DL)

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Houston Astros — In the first sign that Houston’s closer-by-committee system will be as unpleasant for fantasy owners as it is for the players involved, putative “closer” Chad Qualls was summoned Tuesday in the eighth inning, up six. We still think he has the inside track at the most save opportunities with Jesse Crain out, but it’s best to think of anything you get from any Astros pitcher as gravy. Specifically, the gravy that dog food makes. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
HOUChad QuallsJosh FieldsMatt AlbersJosh Fields4/2/14
 Jesse Crain (DL)

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Los Angeles Dodgers — How about this? We let you know that Brian Wilson is headed to the disabled list with nerve irritation, and you just go ahead and make up your own punchline. Hierarchy change: Chris Perez to Set-up, Brandon League to 2nd in line, Brian Wilson to DL.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenChris PerezBrandon LeagueKenley Jansen4/2/14
Brian Wilson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Ned Yost has picked $4.8 million man Wade Davis as the team’s official set-up guy with Luke Hochevar out for the year. Davis and Aaron Crow had a rough time on Monday, however, and what seemed like a strength for Kansas City now appears very shaky indeed. Hierarchy change: Wade Davis to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandWade DavisKelvin HerreraGreg Holland4/2/14

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