After Rafael Dolis meltdown, Jordan Romano could secure next save chance for Toronto

May 21, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — The way things were shaping up for Toronto on Thursday night, it looked as if there would be a committee leader change for the Blue Jays. Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Rafael Dolis, but Dolis ran into trouble in the ninth. He allowed two singles, threw a wild pitch, gave up an RBI groundout and then blew the save when he allowed a two-run homer to J.D. Martinez. Dolis’s ERA is now at 5.52, so we’re going to speculate the next save chance goes to Romano. 

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins – Tyler Duffey was suspended two games for throwing behind White Sox slugger Yermin Mercedes, a move apparently required by the unwritten rules of baseball and one that did not anger Mercedes’ manager. Duffey already served one game (the second of Thursday’s doubleheader) and will also miss Friday as well. Hansel Robles, meanwhile, scored his second save Thursday for the Twins and could be poised to shake the asterisk with another save or two. 

Hierarchy remains: *Robles | Rogers | Duffy.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Blake Treinen (LAD) — Kenley Jansen has gone in two straight and three of four.

Saturday:
1. Chad Green (NYY) — A Friday outing would be three of four for Aroldis Chapman.
2. Andrew Chafin (CHC) — The above is also true for Craig Kimbrel.
3. Taylor Rogers (MIN) — Ditto for Hansel Robles.

James Karinchak grabs a save for Cleveland

May 19, 2021

Cleveland Indians — James Karinchak pitched for the first time in six days on Tuesday, picking up his fourth save of the year. There was no indication postgame from Terry Francona that Karinchak is now his closer, and it’s likely Emmanuel Clase, who threw 26 pitches on Sunday, was getting an extra day of rest. Karinchak’s numbers are hard to ignore, however, and it may not be long before he claims the top spot in the Cleveland hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.

Toronto Blue Jays — Rafael Dolis returned from the IL on Tuesday and got the final three outs in an 8-0 win over the Red Sox. Charlie Montoyo said that he’ll use Dolis anywhere from the sixth inning to the ninth inning. We’ll keep Jordan Romano at the top of this committee for now, but don’t be surprised to see Dolis get the next save chance.

Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

San Francisco Giants – After we moved Tyler Rogers to the top of the Giants’ committee yesterday, it’s fitting that Jake McGee closed out Tuesday’s win with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 11th save of the season. Rogers had pitched in two straight and three of four heading into Tuesday, so a day off was probably in order.

Hierarchy remains: *Rogers | McGee | Doval.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies — The Phillies activated Archie Bradley off the IL on Tuesday and Bradley ended up with the win after he got the final out in the top of the eighth before his squad took the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Bradley projects to see some high-leverage opportunities, but we’ll see what exactly his workload entails before putting him back on the hierarchy.

Hierarchy remains: Neris | Alvarado | Coonrod.

Kansas City Royals – The good news? Josh Staumont has the last two saves for the Royals after closing out Tuesday’s triumph. The bad news? His previous save was on April 28. Staumont remains the best option for saves in Kansas City at the moment, but that means the Royals need to start winning more close games.

Hierarchy remains: *Staumont | Holland | Barlow.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Trevor May (NYM) – Edwin Diaz has pitched in three straight.
2. Mychal Givens (COL) – Daniel Bard threw 28 pitches over 1.1 IP last night.

Tomorrow
1. Mike Mayers/Tony Watson/Hunter Strickland (LAA) – If Raisel Iglesias pitches today, that will be three of four for him. The same is also true of Mayers and Watson, and the Angels have a doubleheader on Thursday, so maybe Strickland gets a chance for a save with his new team.
2. Jonathan Loaisiga/Chad Green (NYY) – If Aroldis Chapman goes today that will be two straight for him, with the same holding true for Loaisiga and Green.
3. Andrew Chafin (CHC) – A Wednesday appearance would be two in a row for Craig Kimbrel.
4. Chris Martin (ATL) – Ditto for Will Smith.

Rafael Dolis officially placed on IL

May 10, 2021

Milwaukee Brewers – Drew Rasmussen picked up a 10th inning save on Sunday after Josh Hader and Devin Williams had already pitched. Elsewhere in the Brewers hierarchy, Brent Suter recently exited a game after an injury (during a start, no less), so we’ll elevate JP Feyereisen in to his place.

Updated hierarchy: Hader | Williams | Feyereisen.

Los Angeles Angels – Tony Watson returned from the IL on Sunday and picked up where he left off, earning a 7th inning hold ahead of Mike Mayers and Raisel Iglesias.

Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Mayers | Watson.

St. Louis Cardinals – Ryan Helsley picked up a two-out save on Sunday, allowing Alex Reyes and Giovanny Gallegos to have the day off. The Vulture Save Watch is on fire lately.

Hierarchy remains: Reyes | Gallegos | Helsley.

Tampa Bay Rays – In a tight game against the A’s, Tampa used all three of the relievers we have listed on our hierarchy — but none of them got the 9th inning. Instead, that duty fell to Andrew Kittredge, who picked up his 2nd save of the season. Rays gonna Rays.

Hierarchy remains: *Springs | Thompson | Fairbanks.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – As mentioned yesterday, Rafael Dolis will indeed need an IL stint. Jordan Romano remains the favorite for saves in this beleaguered bullpen.

Updated hierarchy: *Romano | Chatwood | Mayza.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Tony Watson – Raisel Iglesias and Mike Mayers have gone back to back.

Tomorrow
1. Kyle Crick – If Richard Rodriguez goes today, it’s back to back.
2. Dylan Floro – Same for Yimi Garcia.
3. Ryne Stanek – Same for Ryan Pressly.
4. Adam Ottavino – Same for Matt Barnes.

Trevor May and Blake Treinen record saves while Rafael Dolis has a calf strain

May 9, 2021

New York Mets – Edwin Diaz got the day off yesterday and Trevor May pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season, but we aren’t telling you anything that the Vulture Save Watch didn’t already tell you yesterday.  

Hierarchy remains: Diaz | May | Familia.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays received the results of Rafael Dolis’ MRI and it showed a grade 1 calf strain.  Dolis has not been placed on the IL yet, but there is speculation that he could be added to the IL today when the Blue Jays have to make a roster move.  Romano should continue to be the favorite for saves while Dolis is out.

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers — In a game where the Dodgers’ once led 13-0, it’s amazing that there even was a save opportunity yesterday, but with a 14-11 lead in the ninth, the Dodgers called on Blake Treinen.  Treinen struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.  Manager Dave Roberts said that Kenley Jansen was available but since Treinen had already warmed up in case he was needed in the 8th, they just let him finish the game.

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Treinen | Gonzalez.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. A.J. Minter (ATL) – Will Smith has pitched in three of four.
2. Jose Cisnero (DET) – Gregory Soto has also pitched in three of four, including a 25 pitch out yesterday
3. Ryan Helsley (STL) – Alex Reyes and Giovanni Gallegos were both used for more than 3 outs yesterday and both threw close to 30 pitches.
4. Daniel Hudson/Will Harris (WAS) – Brad Hand has pitched in two of three, including a 29 pitch blown save yesterday. Daniel Hudson has also pitched in two of three, but only three 7 pitches yesterday.

Monday
1. Mike Mayers/Aaron Slegers (LAA) – If Rasel Iglesias pitches Sunday, it will be two straight. Same for Mike Mayers.

After Diaz injury, is it gonna be May in New York?

May 3, 2021

New York Mets – Edwin Diaz gave up the game-tying home run, and then didn’t, but had to come out of the game before throwing another pitch due to a sore back. He’s being reevaluated today, and if he needs to miss any time, Trevor May is the likely candidate for saves, though Jeurys Familia (who got the 1-out save after Diaz came out) has also been excellent so far this season. If Diaz needs to miss time, we’ll follow up with an alert.

Updated hierarchy: Diaz | May | Familia.

St. Louis Cardinals – Though Jordan Hicks received treatment for the dreaded “forearm tightness” diagnosis, the Cardinals are not overly concerned with his status, and he might be fine after a short IL trip. We’ll monitor this situation.

Hierarchy remains: Reyes | Gallegos | Hicks.

Toronto Blue Jays – Rafael Dolis got the final out of a 5-run game, but since the bases were loaded when he entered, that was good enough for his third save of the season. This continues to look like a committee.

Hierarchy remains: *Romano | Dolis | Chatwood.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Bryan Shaw finished the 6th and pitched the 7th for the Indians on Sunday, bridging the gap to set-up man James Karinchak, who continued his dominant season (11.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 25 Ks) by striking out the side. Emmanuel Clase finished things in the 9th. Expect to see more of this trio, in this order, going forward.

Updated hierarchy: Clase | Karinchak | Shaw.

Colorado Rockies – Having been used sparingly in recent weeks, the Rockies went to closer Daniel Bard in a tie game in the 8th inning on Sunday. Bard seemed to have good stuff, hitting 99 on the gun, but the result was a disastrous outing that ballooned his ERA to 9.00. After the game, Bard said he had to look at sequencing and/or whether he’s tipping pitches, but we have to think that he’s on shaky ground right now. Mychal Givens is the likely handcuff.

Hierarchy remains: Bard | Givens | Stephenson.

Seattle Mariners – Facing the Angels’ 3-4-5 hitters, the Mariners turned to Kendall Graveman in the 8th, then handed the 9th back to Rafael Montero, who locked down the save. Given the lineup implications, we’re going to leave Graveman and his 0.00 ERA at the top of this committee for now.

Hierarchy remains: *Graveman | Montero | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jeurys Familia – Even if Edwin Diaz’s back is fine, he’ll certainly be down today after pitching back to back over the weekend. Trevor May did the same, so maybe we’ll see Familia in the 9th again tonight.
2. Joely Rodriguez – Ian Kennedy has gone back to back and three of four.
3. Rex Brothers – Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin, and Dan Winkler are all gassed, so it’s last man standing for the Cubs tonight, with Brothers likely the best option.

Tomorrow
1. James Karinchak – If Emmanuel Clase goes tonight, it’s back to back and three of four.
2. Giovanny Gallegos – If Alex Reyes goes tonight, it’s back to back.
3. Jake Diekman – Same for Lou Trivino.