Darren O’Day is placed on the IL

May 2, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays — Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 10th inning to pick up the win yesterday.  Romano has strung together three straight scoreless appearances after struggling in his first appearance off the IL.  However, it was Rafael Dolis who pitched a scoreless top of the 9th inning of a tie game, which is usually where a team will use its closer.  We will hold off on making a switch at this point, but if Dolis gets the next save. he could move to the top of this committee.  One switch we will make is to move Tyler Chatwood onto the hierarchy.  Chatwood pitched a scoreless 8th inning with a pair of strikeouts yesterday and has yet to allow an earned run this season.

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

New York Yankees — Darren O’Day has been placed on the IL with a rotator cuff strain.  Jonathan Loaisiga pitched another scoreless inning yesterday, his sixth straight appearance without allowing an earned run.  Loaisiga should see more time in the later innings while O’Day is out.

Updated hierarchy: Chapman | Green | Loaisiga.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Devin Williams/Brent Suter (MIL) – Josh Hader has pitched in three straight. Devin Williams has also pitched in two of three.
2. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – Hector Neris has pitched in three of four.
3. Rafael Dolis (TOR) – Jordan Romano has pitched in two straight and three of four.

Monday
1. Andrew Chafin/Rex Brothers (CHC) – If Craig Kimbrell pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Andrew Chafin.
2. Joely Rodriguez/John King (TEX) – If Ian Kennedy pitches today, it will be two straight and three of four. Same for Joely Rodriguez.

Jays go back to Rafael Dolis after Jordan Romano’s shaky outing

April 26, 2021

Detroit Tigers – Buck Farmer allowed 2 more runs yesterday and is off to a rough start this season. The Tigers will continue to mix and match in the late innings, but it’s unlikely that Farmer gets much high-leverage work until he can lower his 9.72 ERA.

Updated hierarchy: *B.Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano’s first appearance after his IL activation on Saturday was a rather forgettable one, and either due to his wildness or not wanting to use him twice in a row right out of the gate, the Jays went with Rafael Dolis for the 9th inning on Sunday. Dolis converted for his second save; this remains a committee.

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

San Francisco Giants – After Jake McGee pitched Thursday and Friday, Gabe Kapler wanted to give him an extra day off on Sunday, so Tyler Rogers pitched the 9th, earning his second save.

Hierarchy remains: McGee | Rogers | Peralta.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today/Tomorrow
1. Jordan Hicks – Alex Reyes has gone in two of three, throwing 48 total pitches. He might be down today, and if not, he’ll definitely be off tomorrow.

Tomorrow
1. Mike Mayers – If Raisel Iglesias goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. James Karinchak – If Emmanuel Clase goes today, it’ll be back to back and three of four.

Everyone seems to be getting a save in Seattle and Kansas City

April 16, 2021

Seattle Mariners – It sure looks like a committee is taking shape in Seattle. Kendall Graveman and Keynan Middleton each earned their second save of the year in both ends of a doubleheader on Thursday. Rafael Montero, who also has two saves this season, pitched the sixth inning to set up Graveman in game one. Manager Scott Servais said he used the pitchers in that order because of the pockets of hitters due up in each inning. Both pitchers did not pitch in the nightcap. So who is the closer? It’s complicated, but it seems Montero leads the group, for now. 

Updated hierarchy: *Montero | Graveman | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee

Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano has joined Julian Merryweather on the injured list. Look for Rafael Dolis to lead a beleaguered bullpen in the meantime. 

Updated hierarchy: *Dolis | Mayza | Thornton.
* = closer-by-committee

Cleveland Indians – Manager Terry Francona had a slim lead Thursday, so he turned to his three best late-inning arms to close things out. Nick Wittgren pitched a scoreless seventh inning, James Karinchak nailed down a scoreless eighth and Emannuel Clase tossed a scoreless ninth for his third save. Clase has looked terrific (0.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 7 Ks in 5.1 IP) and it appears he’s the guy, at least for now. 

Hierarchy remains: *Clase | Karinchak | Wittgren.
* = closer-by-committee

Kansas City Royals — One of the cloudier bullpen situations in baseball got even murkier Thursday when Scott Barlow pitched the final two innings to earn his first save. He is now the fifth Royal to have a save over the first 11 games. There was little reporting after the game about the team’s closer situation, so a lot of uncertainty remains. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What else do we say? 

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

Los Angeles Dodgers — It was a special night in Los Angeles on Thursday as David Price pitched a clean ninth to earn his first save since the 2008 ALCS. Manager Dave Roberts said he told Price before the game he’d get the opportunity to close if the situation presented itself. When Price converted to close Jackie Robinson Day across Major League Baseball, Roberts said, “I think (it) capped a really good night off.” Price could be looking at some high-leverage bullpen work moving forward, so we’ll track his upcoming usage. 

Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Knebel | Treinen.

San Diego Padres — Craig Stammen pitched the final three innings of the team’s 8-3 victory Thursday to earn his first save of the season in unconventional style. He shouldn’t factor into the team’s late-inning plans very often. 

Hierarchy remains: *Melancon | Pagan | Pomeranz.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Kendall Graveman (SEA) — Rafael Montero has pitched in four of six.
2. Sean Newcomb (ATL) — Even with an off day Thursday, Will Smith has gone in four of six.

Saturday:
1. Trevor May (NYM) — If he goes Friday, that would be three of four for Edwin Diaz.
2. Adam Ottavino (BOS) — Same as above for Matt Barnes.
3. Gregory Soto (DET) — Ditto for Bryan Garcia.
4. Sean Newcomb (ATL) — A Friday appearance would be five of seven for Will Smith.
5. Dylan Floro (MIA) — A Friday outing would be three of five for Yimi Garcia.

Jordan Romano the latest Blue Jay to hit the IL

April 15, 2021

Toronto Blue Jays – The Jays again lost their committee leader to the IL, as Jordan Romano will miss time with right ulnar neuritis. Rafael Dolis is likely the first choice for saves now as Toronto will try to patchwork its way through the late innings. Tim Mayza and Trent Thornton could also figure in.

Updated hierarchy: *Dolis | Mayza | Thornton.
* = closer-by-committee