Casey Janssen to close in Toronto; Sean Marshall, Steve Cishek to Hot Seat

Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall had a rough outing yesterday and was lifted by Dusty Baker in favor of Logan Ondrusek, who got the game’s final out and the save.  Marshall has been serviceable as closer this year; he has a 4.91 ERA and is 5 for 6 in save opportunities (for yesterday’s meltdown, he actually got a hold).  But set-up men Aroldis Chapman and Ondrusek are both sporting perfect 0.00 ERAs, and some fans in Cincinnati are already clamoring for a switch.  Sean Marshall to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Marshall |Chapman |Ondrusek |Madson |5/10/12

 
Miami Marlins – Steve Cishek blew his first save chance yesterday since being installed as closer. Prior to the game, he’d only given up 1 earned run in 14 innings, but with the Marlins 9th inning role still in flux, Ozzie Guillen could give Edward Mujica a shot sooner rather than later.  Steve Cishek to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Cishek |Mujica |Bell |Bell |5/10/12

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra’s demotion seems to have dropped him several spots down the Dodgers bullpen hierarchy; Josh Lindblom pitched the 8th inning in a close game last night.  Hierarchy change: Josh Lindblom to Set-up, Javy Guerra to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Jansen |Lindblom |Guerra |Jansen |5/10/12

 
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays just announced that they have demoted Francisco Cordero, and that Casey Janssen would be the team’s closer until Sergio Santos returns, according to the Toronto Star.  Janssen pitched a clean 9th in his first opportunity on Wednesday; Santos will likely be out at least another two weeks.  Hierarchy change: Casey Janssen to Closer, Francisco Cordero to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTOR |Janssen |Cordero |Perez |Santos |5/10/12 |Santos (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano, New York Yankees – Joe Girardi said that David Robertson will have the night off tonight.  Robertson has pitched two games in a row, including a rough blown save last night.
2. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – The Rangers and Orioles have a doubleheader today, and if Joe Nathan gets the save in game one, the Rangers could look to Adams in game two.
3. Pedro Strop, Baltimore Orioles – Ditto for the Orioles if Jim Johnson gets the save in game one.

Jim Johnson still hospitalized; Heath Bell blows yet another save

April 27, 2012

Miami Marlins — Another day, another debacle for big-ticket closer Heath Bell, who blew his third save in five chances with a 46-pitch, four-walk nightmare on Thursday. After the game, Ozzie Guillen gave Bell a vote of confidence as the  Miami closer; it seems the Marlins have 27 million reasons to stay the course.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIA |Bell |Mujica |Cishek |Bell |3/20/12

 
Baltimore Orioles — With Jim Johnson hospitalized all week with a mystery illness, the Orioles have had to turn elsewhere in the ninth during their last three games. After two straight saves for Pedro Strop, Thursday was Luis Ayala’s turn.  Manager Buck Showalter says Johnson could be released from the hospital Friday “if he can hold the food down.” No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Boston Red Sox — Junichi Tazawa picked up a three-inning save in last night’s blowout win over the White Sox. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Morales |Tazawa |Bailey |4/23/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica, Miami Marlins — Ozzie Guillen promised to give Heath Bell the day off on Friday, so if the Marlins need a save, they’ll likely turn to set-up man Mujica.
2. Aroldis Chapman,  Cincinnati Reds — Sean Marshall blew his first save of the year on Thursday, and also pitched for the second straight day. Watch for Chapman to get the call in the ninth on Friday, if need be.
3. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres —  Huston Street has pitched two days in a row, albeit in fairly short outings. There’s a chance he might get Friday off.

Javy Guerra and Hector Santiago blow saves, Pedro Strop picks up second save

April 26, 2012

Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra blew the save last night and took the loss for the second consecutive game. Guerra has gone 0-2 and only 2/4 in save opportunities in his last 5 games. Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless 8th and could take Guerra’s job if he continues to pitch poorly.   Javy Guerra to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Elbert |Guerra |4/26/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Hector Santiago blew the save on Wednesday but after the game manager Robin Ventura said he would stick with Santiago as closer.  Santiago is already on the hot seat so even with Ventura’s backing after the game, do not be surprised if a change is made soon if Santiago doesn’t figure out to stop giving up homeruns (He’s already given up 4 in 6 .1 innings so far this year).   No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/26/12

 
Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson remained hospitalized on Wednesday and Pedro Strop again got the save.  Johnson is still the closer when he comes back but Strop is definitely the guy to own as Johnson’s backup.  No Hierarchy change

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/26/12

 
Washington Nationals – Tom Gorzelanny got the save last night but it was of the three inning variety as the Nationals won by 5.  No hierarchy change

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Rodriguez |Lidge |Clippard |Storen |4/26/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop/Matt Lindstrom, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson might still not be over his sickness and the Orioles could go with Strop again who has gotten saves the past two games.  Lindstrom also has looked good lately and could be called upon if the Orioles want to give Strop a day off.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pedro Strop gets a save, Matt Guerrier to DL
 
 
April 25, 2012
Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Strop got the save last night as Jim Johnson spent Monday night in a hospital with flulike symptoms and was unavailable.   No hierarchy change.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBAL |Johnson |Strop |Lindstrom |Johnson |4/25/12
  
Seattle Mariners – Steve Delabar pitched the 7th with a 2 run lead last night and has been used more often than Lucas Luetge.  Hierarchy change: Steve Delabar to 2nd in line, replacing Lucas Luetge.
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |League |Wilhelmsen |Delabar |League |4/25/12
  
Los Angeles Dodgers – Matt Guerrier was placed on the DL Tuesday with elbow tendinitis.  Scott Elbert pitched the 7th in a tie game and will likely move back into that role.   Hierarchy change: Scott Elbert to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Guerrier. 
 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Elbert |Guerra |4/25/12
  
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson was unavailable on Monday due to flulike symptoms and if he is still under the weather tonight, Pedro Strop would likely get another save opportunity.
2. Brad Lidge,  Washington Nationals – Henry Rodriguez got the save on Tuesday so Brad Lidge could be in line for the next save opportunity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baltimore Orioles, Pedro Strop, Chris Jakubauskas
 
 
Baltimore Orioles- Since being acquired in the Mike Gonzalez deal, Pedro Strop has been quietly solid for the Orioles.  He was one of four relievers the O’s used to bridge the gap between their starting pitcher and closer Jim Johnson last night, and currently sports a sub-3 ERA.  Hierarchy change: Pedro Strop to 2nd in line, replacing Chris Jakubauskas.
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