Wade Davis returns from the DL

September 3, 2016

Kansas City Royals — Wade Davis was activated from the DL on Friday, and Ned Yost immediately threw him into the fire. After the Royals took a one-run lead, Davis got a save opportunity in his first action since July. He promptly hit the first batter he faced, and after a double and a two-run single, Davis was on the hook for the loss. It seems as though Yost trusts Davis to return to the closer role immediately, but there is reason to believe that Herrera may split the save opportunities down the stretch. When Davis entered the game last night the Royals bullpen was coming off two straight extra-inning games. Kelvin Herrera was also perfect in save opportunities while Davis was out, and Yost said after the game that he would avoid using Davis in back-to-back games for now. With as good as Davis has been, and given the clear save opportunity yesterday, he goes to the top spot in the hierarchy. However, don’t drop Herrera just yet. In a tight playoff race, he will certainly get chances down the stretch.

Updated hierarchy: Davis | Herrera | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Mark Rezepczynski got the first two outs of the seventh inning Friday before he walked and hit a batter. Dusty Baker then turned to 23-year-old Koda Glover to protect the one-run lead. Glover struck out Jose Reyes to end the frame, then stayed on in the 8th to face the heart of the Mets order and pick up his second hold of the year. He has had a solid first 10 games and Baker was quick to praise him after the win. Rzepczynski has been excellent for years, but he is still mostly a left-handed specialist.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Kelley | Glover.

Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle is back from the disabled list and some extra rehab. He should see some late-inning work if the A’s get a lead over the final month of the season.

Updated hierarchy: Madson | Axford | Doolittle.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Ned Yost has said that he won’t use Wade Davis on back to back days.
2. Mauricio Cabrera, Atlanta Braves — Jim Johnson has pitched in three straight games.
3. Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers — Tyler Thornburg has appeared in four of the last five contests, including a 17-pitch outing last night.

0.11 not a good ratio for Jeremy Jeffress

August 27, 2016

Texas Rangers — Jeremy Jeffress was placed on the restricted list following a Friday morning DWI arrest. Jeffress failed three drug tests in the minors — which he attributed to self-medicating his epilepsy — and was suspended twice. The Rangers are likely to activate him today and allow the legal process to play out before deciding on any suspension, but with Matt Bush and Jake Diekman pitching effectively, Jeffress may have to earn his way back into the hierarchy.

Updated hierarchy: Dyson | Diekman | Bush.

Arizona Diamondbacks — True to his word, Chip Hale used Randall Delgado and Daniel Hudson to protect a one-run lead on Friday. Delgado escaped the eighth with his scoreless streak intact (now 13 appearances), but Hudson, pitching for a third straight day, was not so lucky. He got two outs, then gave up three straight singles to blow his first save of the year. Arizona recovered to win in extra innings, but the bullpen woes continue and the team is no closer to finding an answer at closer. Delgado may have the inside lane for the next save chance.

Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Delgado | Barrett.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros — Luke Gregerson remained unavailable with an ankle injury; although he hasn’t pitched in nine days, the team is hopeful that he will return over the weekend. Michael Feliz, Chris Devenski, and Pat Neshek have filled in for Gregerson.

Hierarchy remains: Giles | Harris | Gregerson.

Kansas City Royals — The scoreless streak for the Royals bullpen came to an end at 41.1 innings on Friday night. Peter Moylan gave up two singles to start the ninth, and Kelvin Herrera couldn’t keep the inherited runners from scoring. This was the longest such streak since one by the 1966 A’s, also in Kansas City. Meanwhile, Wade Davis should be back next week.

Hierarchy remains: Herrera | Soria | Strahm.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Randall Delgado, Arizona Diamondbacks — Daniel Hudson has pitched in three straight games, needing 32 pitches on Friday.
2. Neftali Feliz, Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson has pitched three days in a row.
3. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — Brandon Maurer threw 38 pitches on Friday and Brad Hand has gone in three of four. Brandon Morrow would be an option, but he’s on paternity leave.
4. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals — Kelvin Herrera was on the mound when the Royals’ scoreless streak ended, so clearly he can’t be trusted. He’s also pitched in two straight and three of four.
5. Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays — Alex Colome has gone in three of four.

New closers abound as trade deadline looms

August 1, 2016

Milwaukee Brewers – For the second straight night, Will Smith got the 8th inning ahead of Jeremy Jeffress. Smith and Tyler Thornburg have been flipping back and forth depending on matchups, so if Jeffress is dealt today, a committee is the most likely outcome. If the Brewers want to pick just one man to close after a Jeffress deal, we still give Thornburg the slight edge.

Hierarchy remains: Jeffress | Thornburg | Smith.

Minnesota Twins – After pitching in three straight, both Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad were given the night off last night, allowing Ryan Pressly to pick up his first save. Pressly and Abad have been holding down the 7th and 8th innings recently, and if Kintzler is dealt today, the Twins also may look to a committee. Trevor May could also be in the mix if Kintzler moves.

Updated hierarchy: Kintzler | Abad | Pressly.

Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street continues to be terrible, and continues to have the support of his manager. But if Cam Bedrosian gets his hands on this job at some point, we don’t think he’ll ever give it back. Also, for those in holds leagues, Joe Smith is likely to be dealt to a contender today.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Bedrosian | Smith.

Cincinnati Reds – Tony Cingrani hasn’t been mentioned in many trade rumors, but the Reds could conceivably deal the lefty if they get a decent offer. His value would drop, as he wouldn’t close anywhere he lands, but a deal would mean Raisel Iglesias could ascend to the closer role. Also keep an eye on former first round pick Michael Lorenzen, who picked up his second hold of the season in the 8th inning yesterday.

Updated hierarchy: Cingrani | Iglesias | Lorenzen.  

Seattle Mariners – Steve Cishek blew his sixth save of the season last night, leading to Jon Lester’s walkoff bunt in the 12th inning. Edwin Diaz, whose K/9 is beyond ridiculous, looms ominously, and would close if Cishek is traded today. He might close soon, anyway.

Hierarchy remains: Cishek | Diaz | Wilhelmsen.

Chicago White Sox – The Cardinals acquired Zach Duke yesterday, and while the lefty will have to do some work to crack the St. Louis hierarchy, he does leave a hole in the Chicago bullpen. Look for Matt Albers to get more holds as as result.

Updated hierarchy: Robertson | Jones | Albers.

Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks traded Tyler Clippard back to the Yankees, clearing the way for Jake Barrett to get the majority of saves in Arizona. Enrique Burgos should see more holds as a result.

Updated hierarchy: *Barrett | Burgos | Hudson.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals – Following an MRI on his elbow, Wade Davis is headed to the DL. Kelvin Herrera will close in his place. There’s no word yet on how much time Davis will miss, but the team’s Twitter said he had a flexor strain, which sounds less ominous than what could have been.

Updated hierarchy: Herrera | Soria | Moylan.

Cleveland Indians – Sunday began with a bang as closer Andrew Miller was traded to the Indians for several prospects. It’s unclear who will close for Cleveland right away, though one beat writer is guessing Miller will supplant Cody Allen. Follow this page for updates.

Updated hierarchy: Miller | Allen | Shaw.

New York Yankees – The Yankees’ Big Three is down to one, and the last man standing is the big young righty Dellin Betances. He should close for the remainder of the season, unless the Yankees find a way to trade him over the next two days, too. Additionally, the Yankees picked up Tyler Clippard yesterday, who should immediately enter the late inning mix.

Updated hierarchy: Betances | Warren | Clippard.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome has pitched in three straight.
2. Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners – Steve Cishek has pitched in back to back games including an ugly blown save last night.
3. Tyler Thornburg/Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers – Jeremy Jeffress has pitched in four straight.
4. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Aroldis Chapman and Hector Rondon have both had high workloads lately, pitching in back to back games and four of five.

Jake Barrett to see more saves for Arizona

July 31, 2016

Arizona Diamondbacks – Jake Barrett got the final four outs of the game last night to record his third save of the season.  The young right hander has impressed manager Chip Hale, who says that Barrett has earned more save chances.  We will move Barrett to the head of the committee for now, and if he is successful in his next couple save chances, he could drop the asterisk and get a chance at the full time closer’s job for the rest of the season.

Hierarchy remains: *Barrett | Clippard |  Hudson. 
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — Closer Wade Davis went back to Kansas City on Saturday night for an MRI on his sore right arm.  He has not been placed on the DL but this is not a good sign for Davis, who just returned from the DL a few weeks ago.  We will continue to monitor his status.

Hierarchy remains: Davis | Herrera | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Newly acquired Mark Melancon has been confirmed as the new closer for the Washington Nationals. The Nationals former closer Jonathan Papelbon was reportedly on board with the trade, but this is the first time Papelbon will not be closing games since 2005.  Papelbon has really struggled recently, and he is going to need to pitch better if he wants to see some save chances when Melancon is unavailable.

Updated hierarchy: Melancon | Papelbon | Kelley.

Pittsburgh Pirates — The Pirates traded Mark Melancon to Washington for multiple players, including reliever Felipe Rivero. GM Neal Huntington has named Tony Watson the closer, with Neftali Feliz spelling him if necessary and Rivero pitching the seventh.

Updated hierarchy: Watson | Feliz | Rivero.

Los Angeles Angels – Joe Smith, who has been the subject of trade rumors, pitched 1.1 scoreless innings ahead of Bedrosian and Street on Saturday.  Smith hasn’t allowed a run since the All-Star break and should continue to be used in the later innings if he stays in LA.

Updated hierarchy: Street | Bedrosian | Smith.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
1. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals – Wade Davis is having an MRI on his right arm.
2. Tyler Thornburg/Will Smith, Milwaukee Brewers – Jeremy Jeffress has pitched in three straight.  Thornburg will likely get the call unless match-ups dictate a need for lefty Will Smith to finish the game.
3. Trevor May, Minnesota Twins – Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad have both appeared in three straight.
4. Hector Rondon/Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Aroldis Chapman blew his first save yesterday and has pitched in 3 of the last four.  Rondon has also pitched in three of the last four, but has thrown less than 10 pitches in each appearance.
5. Dan Otero, Cleveland Indians – Cody Allen has pitched in two straight, and three of the past four.  Brian Shaw has also pitched in two straight, and four of the past five.
6. Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome has pitched in two straight, and three of the past four.