Kelvin Herrera to undergo MRI today

August 8, 2018

Washington Nationals — Kelvin Herrera left his ninth-inning appearance on Tuesday with what was announced as right shoulder tightness and will get an MRI on Wednesday. Should Herrera need a stint on the DL, Ryan Madson is a safe bet to take over as closer for the Nationals.

Hierarchy remains: *Herrera | Madson | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Miami Marlins – Don Mattingly announced yesterday that Kyle Barraclough is out as Marlins closer for the time being. Mattingly said he’d use a committee in the ninth inning for now — we like Drew Steckenrider to lead it.

Updated hierarchy: *Steckenrider | Conley | Guerra.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – Seranthony Dominguez earned a night off after throwing 29 pitches over the last two days, which led to Pat Neshek earning his second save of the season on Tuesday. Victor Arano preserved the Phillies’ lead by getting out of an inherited jam in the eighth inning.

Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Arano | Neshek.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Ryan Madson – Even if Kelvin Herrera avoids the DL, he should have today off.
2. Jordan Hicks – Bud Norris has pitched in three of the last four. The Cardinals are off on Thursday, but they could still opt to give Norris an extra day of rest today.

Tomorrow
1. Matt Barnes – Craig Kimbrel threw 22 pitches on Tuesday and may get Thursday off if he has a second consecutive lengthy outing.
2. Trevor Hildenberger/Addison Reed – An appearance tonight will be two straight and three of four for both Fernando Rodney and Trevor Hildenberger.
3. Justin Miller – Ryan Madson will have pitched in two straight and four of five should he get the ball on Wednesday. Miller may get the ninth inning if Kelvin Herrera needs an extended break.

Dakota Hudson rising in the St. Louis bullpen

August 2, 2018

Cleveland Indians — The Indians have two legitimate closers at the moment, with a third (Andrew Miller) about to return after consecutive scoreless outings for the Columbus Clippers. Wednesday it was Brad Hand with the five-out save.

Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Hand | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee

St. Louis Cardinals — 23-year-old Dakota Hudson got the seventh inning in a one-run game, claiming third chair in the Cardinals bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Hicks | Hudson. 

Washington Nationals — Kelvin Herrera allowed a run in the ninth, but hung on to earn his second save as a National. The team will fight for a playoff spot without veteran reliever Shawn Kelley, who was designated for assignment after throwing his glove in frustration when the Mets got within three touchdowns on Tuesday. Kelley’s tantrum was one of the mildest on this fun list of epic sports meltdowns.

Hierarchy remains: *Herrera | Madson | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles — Mychal Givens has allowed runs in five of his last six appearances, including Tuesday afternoon, where he was summoned in the eighth with a six-run lead but left after giving up two hits and two walks. The Orioles are on pace to pick up nine more saves this year, but are they really worth what they’ll cost your fantasy team?

Hierarchy remains: Givens | Fry | Wright Jr.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
None.

Friday:
1. Jose Alvarado — Sergio Romo has gone in two straight.
2. Josh Hader — Corey Knebel has gone in two of three.

Mad about Madson’s save? There’s a reason it wasn’t Herrera

July 13, 2018

Washington Nationals — Manager Dave Martinez surprised some by going with recent acquisition Kelvin Herrera in the eighth inning and the struggling Ryan Madson in the ninth. Before the game, Martinez informed Herrera that he’d face the top of the Mets order in the late innings, even if that came before the ninth. Herrera — who has been a bit wild since joining the Nats —  allowed a home run, another hit and a walk but escaped the eighth with just the one run allowed. Madson pitched a clean ninth for the save. With Sean Doolittle out, Herrera is still the most likely save-getter, but it appears he’s entering more of a bullpen ace role, which may mean some opportunities for Madson and Brandon Kintzler, too.

Updated hierarchy: *Herrera | Madson | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — Dylan Floro returned to LA in a trade with the Reds and has picked up back-to-back eighth-inning holds in front of Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers’ hierarchy behind Jansen has been murky all year long — so we won’t make a setup move just yet — but Floro and Daniel Hudson are certainly strong holds candidates alongside Scott Alexander and Erik Goeddel.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Goeddel | Alexander.

Oakland A’s — Closer Blake Trienen got the night off Thursday after pitching in two of the previous three games, and the A’s handed the ball to Lou Trivino, who converted the vulture opportunity for his fourth save.

Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Trivino | Buchter.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Victor Arano — Seranthony Dominguez has worked in three of four and four of six.
2. Kyle Crick — Felipe Vazquez has pitched in two straight and five of six!
3, Diego Castillo — Even though Sergio Romo was off Thursday, he has still pitched in four of the last six days.
4. Anthony Swarzak — Jeurys Familia has gone in three of four.

Saturday:
1. Joe Kelly — Entering Friday, Craig Kimbrel has gone in two straight.
2. Erik Goeddel et al. — The same is true for Kenley Jansen.
3, Ryan Madson/Brandon Kintzler — Madson and Kelvin Herrera have each worked in two of three entering Friday.
4. Kyle Crick/Edgar Santana — In addition to Vazquez’s heavy workload, the Bucs have a doubleheader on Saturday.

Kelvin Herrera is a closer once again (for now)

July 11, 2018

Washington Nationals – The Nationals placed Sean Doolittle on the DL yesterday with a left toe injury. Kelvin Herrera will take over the ninth inning in Doolittle’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Madson | Kintzler.

Tampa Bay Rays – With Chaz Roe on the DL, look for Diego Castillo to take over Roe’s role in the Tampa bullpen. Castillo, 24, made his big-league debut on June 6 and has been very good for the Rays, posting a 1.89 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 19 IP. If the Rays end up selling what’s left of their bullpen at the deadline, Castillo has the stuff to be the team’s next closer. Keep an eye on Castillo as the second half of the season gets underway.

Updated hierarchy: *Romo | Alvarado | Castillo.
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago Cubs — For the second time since Brandon Morrow came off the DL, Joe Maddon gave his closer a second day off. Instead, Maddon turned to Steve Cishek in the ninth inning on Tuesday, and Cishek delivered for his third save of the season in a 2-0 win. Maddon raved about his deep bullpen, and he showed off that depth on Tuesday by also using Justin Wilson in the eighth after CJ Edwards struck out the side in the seventh. It’s clear that Maddon has options, and it’s also clear he’s not afraid to use them in order to give Morrow extra rest. While it truly could be anybody getting the ball in the ninth when Morrow’s not available, we’ll slide Cishek into that spot after Tuesday’s strong outing.

Updated hierarchy: Morrow | Cishek | Edwards.

Milwaukee Brewers — Corbin Burnes is the Brewers’ top pitching prospect, and he showed why in his major league debut on Tuesday. He notched his first strikeout in a 1-2-3 eighth, and when the Brewers added two runs to extend their lead to 8-4, Burnes stayed on for another 1-2-3 inning and his first career save. The Orioles are very interested in Burnes, but the Brewers aren’t interested in dealing him. Milwaukee also insists that Burnes will be a starter next year. Don’t be surprised if he continues to shine in the bullpen for the rest of this season, however, as the Brewers look to keep their lead in the division.

Hierarchy remains: Knebel | Hader | Jeffress.

Chicago White Sox — Bruce Rondon entered Tuesday’s game with the bases loaded. He retired the first batter he faced, then walked the next three hitters to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 7-2 deficit. That should be it for Rondon in Chicago, as he was seen receiving well-wishes after the game. Nate Jones should be back after the All-Star break, but until then, lefty Xavier Cedeno (0.75 ERA, 15 K in 12 IP) is probably the best option for the White Sox when they enter the late innings. Juan Minaya and Luis Avilan should also be in line for some holds.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Fry | Cedeno.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brad Brach – Zach Britton has pitched in two straight and three of four.
2. Lou Trivino – Same goes for Blake Treinen.
3. Neil Ramirez – Cody Allen threw 31 pitches in a rough outing yesterday.
4. Jose Alvarado – Sergio Romo only threw three pitches yesterday, but it was his third appearance in four days.

Tomorrow
1. Archie Bradley/Yoshihisa Hirano – If Brad Boxberger pitches today, that will be two straight and three of four. Same goes for Archie Bradley…
2. Ken Giles/Chris Devenski – …and for Hector Rondon. Ken Giles threw a hissy fit after getting pulled last night following a brutal ninth inning, and while he didn’t hit himself this time, he may get an extra day off.
3. Neil Ramirez – If Allen gets the ball today, he may due for a day off on Thursday.
4. Jose Alvarado – If Romo does pitch today, he should get a day off tomorrow.