Pedro Strop earns save in first game back from IL

June 5, 2019

Chicago Cubs — The Cubs activated Pedro Strop prior to Tuesday’s game. Strop immediately returned to his usual ninth-inning role, recording the final three outs of a 6-3 win. Steve Cishek may still get an occasional save chance, but Strop will once again be the primary source of saves for the Cubs.

Updated hierarchy: *Strop | Cishek | Kintzler.
* = closer-by-committee

Baltimore Orioles – What’s the best way for a former closer to try and get their job back? For Mychal Givens, it’s to watch your teammates Josh Lucas (2 BB, 3 ER) and Richard Bleier (4 H, 3 ER) combine to allow six runs in the bottom of the ninth. With a 12-5 lead now at 12-11 and the tying run on first, Brandon Hyde finally called on Givens to salvage a victory. Givens struck out Delino DeShields on three pitches before a failed pickoff attempt moved that tying run to second base. Givens then needed his catcher to make a perfect throw to first on a third strike that went all the way to the backstop to end the game. Shawn Armstrong, Paul Fry and Branden Kline had all pitched already, so Hyde didn’t have too many other options when the game got close again. It’s worth noting that Givens has put together two straight scoreless outings in high-leverage spots, so perhaps he is beginning to regain Hyde’s trust.

Hierarchy remains: *Armstrong | Fry | Kline.
* = closer-by-committee

Oakland A’s — Lou Trivino has struggled of late, having allowed seven earned runs over his last three appearances. Based on his recent ineffectiveness, it wasn’t too crazy to see Yusmeiro Petit in the seventh inning and Liam Hendriks in the eighth inning in Oakland’s 4-2 win on Tuesday. Bob Melvin said after the game that he just wanted to give Trivino an extra day of rest and that his role hasn’t changed. Hendriks, who was once a potential opener for Wednesday’s game but now won’t be, lowered his ERA to 1.62 but only picked up his second hold of the year. Petit, who has the ability to pitch multiple innings, now has eight holds this year. Both pitchers may find themselves earning more high-leverage work; we’ll monitor how much trust Melvin retains in Trivino and Joakim Soria.

Hierarchy remains: Treinen | Trivino | Soria.

Washington Nationals — Kyle Barraclough hasn’t pitched since May 28, and it seems like primary setup duties have somehow gone to Wander Suero despite his 5.96 ERA. One arm to keep an eye on however is flamethrower Tanner Rainey. He hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last five appearances and sports a K/9 of 15.96. 

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Suero | Rainey.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Steve Cishek – Pedro Strop threw 17 pitches in his first game back from the IL. There’s a chance he rests, though the Cubs do have Thursday off.
2. Jeurys Familia – Edwin Diaz (24 pitches) and Seth Lugo (29) were both busy last night and the Mets have a day game Thursday. Robert Gsellman got gshelled last night, so Familia may be the guy to lock down a save. Trust this bullpen at your own risk.
3. Joe Biagini/Daniel Hudson – Ken Giles threw 29 pitches in a four-out save last night. Biagini (21 pitches) and Hudson (20 pitches) were both busy last night as well, but they’re relatively well-rested.
4. Wander Suero – Sean Doolittle has pitched in three of four and the Nationals don’t have an off day tomorrow.

Thursday
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today that will be two straight and three of four.
2. Lou Trivino/Joakim Soria — Same goes for Blake Treinen.
3. Joe Biagini/Daniel Hudson/Tim Mayza — If Ken Giles pitches today, it’d be shocking if he gets the ball on Thursday. Mayza was activated from the IL yesterday and may get a spot save depending on everyone’s Wednesday workload.

Ryne Harper, Chad Bettis each collect first career save

May 29, 2019

Minnesota Twins — The stage was set for Taylor Rogers to collect another save, as he started the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead after Blake Parker gave up a pair of runs on three hits in the eighth. Rogers allowed a solo shot to lead off the frame, but he retired the next two batters. The next two Milwaukee hitters doubled and homered off Rogers in Monday’s eighth inning to hand the reliever a blown save, so Rocco Baldelli called upon 30-year-old Ryne Harper to face Hernan Perez, and Harper induced a pop-up to pick up his first career save. Harper has a devastating curveball that he throws 56% of the time, and it’s been effective to the tune of a 1.61 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 22.1 IP. Harper has four holds, including one on Monday, and should continue to see high-leverage work.

Updated hierarchy: *Parker | Rogers | Harper.
* = closer-by-committee

Tampa Bay Rays — Diego Castillo picked up his first save since May 15, allowing a run but still managing to close out a 3-1 victory. That was only the Rays’ third save overall since that May 15 triumph. Jose Alvarado, who has the other two saves since then, had pitched in two straight and three of four entering Tuesday. Castillo was likely in line for a save on Monday had the Rays not scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth; Alvarado navigated the top of the Toronto order in the top half of the frame.

Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Castillo | Pagan. 
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — After Robert Gsellman escaped a seventh-inning jam having allowed only one run, the Mets turned to Jeurys Familia in the eighth inning to protect what became a four-run lead. Familia put two men on before inducing a double play to end the frame and record his fourth consecutive scoreless appearance. Familia appears to have earned Mickey Callaway’s trust again, but we’ll see how long that lasts. Meanwhile, Seth Lugo is eligible to return from the IL on Thursday but is unlikely to do so since he has yet to even throw a bullpen session.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Familia | Gsellman.

Chicago Cubs — Pedro Strop made his first of two rehab appearances for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, needing just six pitches to get through the eighth inning. If everything goes as planned on Thursday, Strop should be activated this weekend. Meanwhile, Brad Brach has posted three straight bad outings and shouldn’t be seeing a save chance anytime soon. We’ll slot Tyler Chatwood, who recorded a save on May 25 and has found a little redemption this year, into the hierarchy until Strop returns.

Updated hierarchy: *Cishek | Kintzler | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Colorado Rockies — Chad Bettis retired three of the four hitters he faced in the eighth inning to keep the Rockies ahead, 4-2. When Colorado added two more runs in the ninth, Bettis returned to the hill and used a 1-2-3 inning to earn his first career save. Bettis, who began the year in the rotation, has turned in six scoreless outings over his last seven appearances out of the bullpen. He may be in line for more holds, especially multi-inning holds, if he continues to pitch well. He certainly came through for a tired Rockies bullpen on Tuesday, with Scott Oberg and Bryan Shaw desperately needing an off day.

Hierarchy remains: Oberg | Shaw | Estevez.

Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox had a good plan for the final three innings last night, using Brandon Workman in the seventh, Marcus Walden in the eighth and Matt Barnes in the ninth. Walden got into trouble in his turn on the mound, however, and Barnes had to come in for the final two outs of the eighth. Alex Cora didn’t want to use Barnes for additional outs, which meant Ryan Brasier got a save chance that he quickly blew as Cleveland scored five runs in the top of the ninth. As we mentioned on Monday, Cora doesn’t want Barnes to face a team’s best hitters every night, but it’s clear he also doesn’t want to overwork his best reliever so early in the season just to chase a win in May.

Hierarchy remains: *Barnes | Workman | Walden.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Kelvin Herrera – Alex Colome threw 24 pitches across two ninth-inning appearances yesterday, picking up the win in the resumption of a suspended game before securing a save in Tuesday’s regularly-scheduled affair.
2. Nick Wittgren/Tyler Clippard – Brad Hand needed 28 pitches to record last night’s save, his second-longest outing of the year. He may get a chance to pitch again tonight, but Wittgren or Clippard could also get a look if Hand is rested.
3. Will Harris – Roberto Osuna (52 pitches), Ryan Pressly (46 pitches) and Hector Rondon (63 pitches) have all pitched in two straight and three of four. Harris is rested, has a 1.00 ERA and seven holds this year.
4. Ian Kennedy – Kennedy is the most well-rested arm in the Kansas City committee, as Jake Diekman and Wily Peralta have pitched in three of four.
5. Jeurys Familia/Drew Gagnon – Edwin Diaz has pitched in three of four and four of six. Robert Gsellman threw 28 pitches last night, while Familia tossed 13. Drew Gagnon is a dark horse candidate as well for a save.

Tomorrow
1. Justin Anderson – Hansel Robles (20 pitches) and Ty Buttrey (26 pitches) were busy on Tuesday and both may get Thursday off if they have similar workloads on Wednesday.

Roenis Elias earns a seven-out save

May 15, 2019

Seattle Mariners — Roenis Elias entered the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two outs. He recorded a strikeout to end that threat and then struck out the side in the eighth inning. Elias stayed on for the ninth and recorded another strikeout before capping off his impressive 30-pitch save by inducing a 4-6-3 double play. Scott Servais said his team is looking to ride a hot hand when leading in the late innings, and it appears like that Elias is that hot hand right now.

Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Brennan | Rosscup.
* = closer-by-committee

New York Mets — The Mets activated Jeurys Familia from the IL on Tuesday. Mickey Callaway said that he doesn’t plan to use Familia in a high-leverage situation right away if he can help it, though if nobody else is available then Familia will be called upon in those spots. Ultimately, Callaway wants Familia to return to a setup role for Edwin Diaz. 

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.

Los Angeles Dodgers – MLB placed Julio Urias on administrative leave following his arrest on suspicion of domestic battery. Righty Dylan Floro and lefty Scott Alexander should see more hold opportunities in Urias’ absence.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Baez | Floro.

Chicago Cubs — Steve Cishek continues to lead the Cubs’ committee as he notched his second save in as many games. With Joe Maddon in charge you just never know, but it sure looks like Cishek will be the main source of saves for the Cubs until Pedro Strop returns from injury.

Hierarchy remains: *Cishek | Kintzler | Brach.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – After Taylor Rogers faced the heart of the Angels’ order in the top of the eighth, Byron Buxton bailed out Blake Parker for the last out of the inning. Parker then stayed on for the ninth to earn the save. Rogers seems to have Trout’s number and likely would have had the ninth had Trout been slated to come to the plate then. Both Parker and Rogers will continue to see save chances depending on matchups.

Hierarchy remains: *Parker | Rogers | Hildenberger.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Brandon Kintzler – Steve Cishek has pitched in three of four, though he only threw eight pitches last night and six pitches on Sunday.
2. Adam Conley – Sergio Romo threw 27 pitches last night in his first work since May 6. He’s well-rested, but the Marlins may still exercise caution if they somehow have a ninth-inning lead today.

Thursday
1. Taylor Rogers – Rogers should get today off after throwing 42 pitches across two straight days, but may see a save chance Thursday depending on Blake Parker’s usage.
2. Brandon Kintzler – If Steve Cishek pitches again today, it’s likely he’d have Thursday off.