Herrera back for Royals, Bailey possibly out for year

July 20, 2013

Boston Red Sox — Andrew Bailey has been placed on the DL and will likely miss the rest of the season.  Craig Breslow pitched the 8th inning last night to pick up his 8th hold of the season and should continue to see more time in the late innings for the Red Sox.  Hierarchy change: Craig Breslow to 2nd in line replacing Andrew Bailey.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaCraig BreslowJunichi Tazawa7/20/13

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was recalled on Friday and got the last two outs in the 8th in a one run game.  Herrera had 17 strikeouts, and only 2 walks, in 11.2 scoreless innings at Triple-A Omaha.  He should immediately factor into the late inning plans for the Royals.   Hierarchy change: Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line, replacing Tim Collins.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowKelvin HerreraGreg Holland7/20/13

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Philadelphia Phillies – Justin De Fratus gave up 2 more runs on Friday night and his ERA is up to 5.23.  Jacob Diekman, on the other hand, has been pitching well, as he has not allowed a run in his last 5 appearances.  Hierarchy change: Jacob Diekman to 2nd in line replacing Justin De Fratus.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
PHIJonathan PapelbonAntonio BastardoJacob DiekmanJonathan Papelbon7/20/13
Mike Adams (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jordan Walden, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel had a long 9th inning last night throwing 25 pitches.

Someone needs to stop Brandon League; Marmol and Herrera disappear

June 26, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to quickly make it a one-run game. Paco Rodriguez took over and allowed another single before retiring the next three hitters to earn his first career save. This outing will almost certainly end League’s reign of terror in late/close situations; Don Mattingly says he will use League in easier spots until and unless he improves. Hierarchy change: Paco Rodriguez to Set-Up, Ronald Belisario to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADKenley JansenPaco RodriguezRonald BelisarioKenley Jansen6/26/13

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Chicago Cubs — 23 revelers were arrested Tuesday in Wrigleyville; we assume their riotous celebration was inspired by early word of Carlos Marmol’s demotion. With James Russell still the only lefty in the Cubs pen and Dale Sveum loath to use him in the ninth, we’re ready to predict that Blake Parker — with seven saves at AAA Iowa and great numbers in eight June appearances with the big club — takes on a larger role. Hierarchy change: Blake Parker to Set-up, James Russell to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CHCKevin GreggBlake ParkerJames RussellKevin Gregg6/26/13

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Los Angeles Angels — Garrett Richards has not collected a hold in the month of June, and he’s allowed eight earned runs over his last five outings (10.1 IP). Scott Downs has 14 holds and saved nine games for the Angels last year; he’s been facing more than just lefties too, although his splits against right-handed hitters are unimpressive. Hierarchy change: Scott Downs to 2nd in line, replacing Garrett Richards.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LAAErnesto FrieriKevin JepsenScott DownsErnesto Frieri6/26/13
Ryan Madson (DL)

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Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was sent to Omaha on Tuesday; fans of the mercurial righthander are advised to turn their tickets in and get their money back at the door. Ned Yost says that Herrera will pitch in a starting role at the AAA club, in the hope that he can “slow the game down” and start threading the needle again with all of his pitches. Yost added that Herrera’s eighth-inning role, truly the heart of matters, would be filled by Aaron Crow and lefty Tim Collins going forward. Hierarchy change: Tim Collins to 2nd in line, replacing Kelvin Herrera.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowTim CollinsGreg Holland6/26/13

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Cleveland Indians — Chris Perez pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night, and a return to the Indians should follow very shortly. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/26/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Tommy Hunter/Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles — Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight games, throwing 23 pitches in each of them.

Jose Valverde reaching end of his rope; Kelvin Herrera’s struggles continue

June 20, 2013

Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera took an ugly loss on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, he was sent out to pitch the 7th inning of a game the Royals were losing.  He didn’t have a great outing then, either, giving up a run on a hit and a walk.  Until Herrera straightens himself out, Aaron Crow will likely get any save opportunities on days when Greg Holland is unavailable.  Hierarchy change: Aaron Crow to Set-up, Kelvin Herrera to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
KCGreg HollandAaron CrowKelvin HerreraGreg Holland6/20/13

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Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde hadn’t pitched in several days, so he got some work on Wednesday in a game the Tigers were losing.  The results weren’t pretty, as Valverde surrendered four runs.  Jim Leyland didn’t completely throw him under the bus after the game, saying that Valverde doesn’t thrive in non-save situations.  But with Joaquin Benoit and Drew Smyly picking up the last two saves for the Tigers, and with Valverde approaching several performance bonuses, he remains on the hottest of Hot Seats.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce Rondon6/20/13

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Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez was originally scheduled to be activated on Friday, but has been getting knocked around in his rehab appearances, and now the Indians are saying Perez needs a few more days to get sharp.  Vinnie Pestano might get an extra save or two as a result.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CLEVinnie PestanoJoe SmithCody AllenChris Perez6/20/13
Chris Perez (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants – Sergio Romo has pitched in three straight.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers – K-Rod picked up save #299 last night.  He’ll keep getting save chances until he gets to 300.

Heath Bell hits the Hot Seat; Tom Wilhelmsen needed in Seattle

June 18, 2013

Seattle Mariners — Carter Capps was summoned in the sixth inning with the Mariners trailing by two. By the time he and Charlie Furbush were done spinning their craft, Seattle was down by nine. Eric Wedge has consistently said that Tom Wilhelmsen’s “mental break” from closing will be short-lived; add that to Monday’s debacle and Wedge’s use of Yoervis Medina in the ninth on Saturday, and you have a recipe for wholesale changes in the Seattle pen. Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Set-up, Yoervis Medina to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
SEA.Oliver Perez.Tom Wilhelmsen.Yoervis Medina.Tom Wilhelmsen.6/18/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Arizona Diamondbacks — Heath Bell was the losing pitcher on Monday night; the game marked the third straight appearance in which Bell allowed at least one run. Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezBrad ZieglerJJ Putz6/18/13
JJ Putz (DL)

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Detroit Tigers — Drew Smyly retired all nine men he faced last night, earning an impressive three-inning save that both inserts him into the Tigers’ closer debate and illustrates why he’s unlikely to be seriously considered. After the game, Jim Leyland reiterated that he will use a “mix and match” approach to future save opportunities, which could involve everyone but starter Rick Porcello. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce Rondon6/18/13

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Cincinnati Reds — After Johnny Cueto’s successful return from the disabled list on Sunday, Dusty Baker and the Reds had to decide what to do with their sixth starter, talented young lefty Tony Cingrani. On Monday, Baker announced they would move Cingrani to the bullpen — a move the Reds may look into patenting — and he promptly got two high-leverage outs in a tight eighth inning. Cingrani is too valuable a starter to use in relief over the long term, but given the injuries to Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall, his presence in the bullpen will be a welcome one as long as it lasts. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanSam LeCureJ.J. HooverJonathan Broxton6/18/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched in three straight games since his return from the disabled list.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers — Ron Roenicke has promised to give K-Rod the chance to reach 300 career saves, and he’s still stuck at 298.
3. Joaquin Benoit/Phil Coke, Detroit Tigers — Joaquin Benoit or Phil Coke could get a save anytime that Jim Leyland prefer them to Jose Valverde in a matchup. Drew Smyly is out of the picture after a three-inning outing.
4. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 40 pitches over the last two games.

Brandon League with yet another blown save; Kenley Jansen awaits

June 11, 2013

Los Angeles Dodgers — After an effective eighth from Kenley Jansen, Brandon League was a comprehensive disaster, allowing four runs to earn the Dodgers their league-leading 13th blown save of the year. League has a 6.00 ERA and four blown saves; Jansen has 44 strikeouts in 32 innings and a WHIP of 1.00. Don Mattingly suggested that he was playing matchups by using League to close, but the best type of matchup for the Dodgers right now is the one that leaves him in the bullpen. Brandon League to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
LADBrandon LeagueKenley JansenPaco RodriguezKenley Jansen6/11/13

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San Diego Padres — After Tim Stauffer gave up a three-run homer to let the Braves back into the game in the ninth inning, it was Dale Thayer (as predicted in yesterday’s VSW) who nailed down the ensuing (chancy) save. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
SDLuke GregersonDale ThayerJoe ThatcherHuston Street6/11/13
Huston Street (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Ramon Troncoso, Chicago White Sox — If Robin Ventura sends Addison Reed out for a fourth consecutive game, less than a week after keeping him in for three innings and 55 pitches, someone ought to put him in another headlock. Most other Sox relievers have also pitched a lot lately, so it could be Troncoso time on Tuesday.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers — Although Jim Henderson is Milwaukee’s closer, Ron Roenicke has promised, in a surfeit of benevolence, to help K-Rod get to 300 saves. He needs two more.
3. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland pitched in his second straight game on Monday; notably, it was his fifth appearance in six days, over which he has thrown a whopping 86 pitches. Holland has been very effective, but some rest should be in order.
4. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — Andrew Bailey needed 32 pitches to blow a save in the tenth last night, just one day after he threw 24. Tazawa went for 20 pitches on Monday, but he had Sunday off.
5. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers — Don Mattingly claims (however disingenuously) that he would have used Jansen in the ninth depending on matchups, so he might get another shot at a save going forward.
6. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney threw 33 pitches last night in a 1.2-inning appearance.