Joe Smith establishing himself in Indians’ bullpen

April 12, 2012

Cleveland Indians- The middle-inning portion of the Indians bullpen continues to be shaky, as lefty specialist Rafael Perez had a bad outing on Wednesday.  Joe Smith, who in past years has been used exclusively against righties, has been one of the few steady arms thus far, and this year is being used against both lefties and righties.  Hierarchy change: Joe Smith to 2nd in line, replacing Rafael Perez. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |Smith |C.Perez |4/12/12

 
Colorado Rockies- Long reliever Tyler Chatwood recorded a three-inning save in a Rockies blowout on Wednesday.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCOL |Betancourt |Brothers |Belisle |Betancourt |4/12/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers- Joe Nathan has pitched on each of the last two days, including a 26-pitch blown save yesterday, and may get the night off.
2. Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres- Given Huston Street’s history of fragility, the Padres may give him the night off after two outings in a row.
3. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers- Jose Valverde has pitched two days in a row, including a 23-pitch outing yesterday.
4. Kenley Jansen/Matt Guerrier, Los Angeles Dodgers- Javy Guerra has pitched two days in a row, and could conceivably get a night off.  Kenley Jansen could as well, as he’s thrown more pitches than Guerra in the last two days.

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New closer in TB; Red Sox bullpen a mess

Boston Red Sox- Alfredo Aceves and Mark Melancon both blew save chances in Sunday’s Red Sox game, with manager Bobby Valentine saying after the game that there were lots of options on the table, including possibly bringing Daniel Bard back to the bullpen.  Franklin Morales, who had a strong outing Sunday, could also be a candidate to close.  Hierarchy change: Franklin Morales to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Melancon |Morales |Bailey |4/9/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks- Bryan Shaw picked up the save on Sunday, as JJ Putz had pitched two consecutive days prior.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Saito |Putz |4/9/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Fernando Rodney closed out Sunday’s game against the Yankees, notching his second save in as many days.  It seems that Joel Peralta’s leash was at short as it could be, as Rodney will close until Kyle Farnsworth returns from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodney to Closer, Joel Peralta to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |4/9/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Kerry Wood- Carlos Marmol has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Vinnie Pestano/Rafael Perez- Chris Perez has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.  So, too, has Pestano, however, so Rafael Perez is also a candidate for a vulture save opp.
Jon Rauch- Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Greg Holland- Jonathon Broxton has pitched two days in a row.

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New closers in Chicago, KC; Marmol and Peralta struggling

April 8, 2012

San Diego Padres- Luke Gregerson was the set-up man for the Padres late last season, but yesterday, they went to Gregerson in the 7th inning of a tie game, saving Andrew Cashner for the 8th.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Cashner to Set-up, Luke Gregerson to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Cashner |Gregerson |Street |4/8/12

 
Washington Nationals- Davey Johnson has said that he would alternate between Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge for save opportunities, and he stayed true to his word, calling on Rodriguez to pitch the 9th yesterday.  He closed the game out successfully, and the next opportunity should go back to Lidge.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/8/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs- Carlos Marmol had another ugly performance on Saturday, two days after taking the loss in the Cubs’ opener.  Marmol, who blew 10 saves in 2011, would be in more danger if set-up man Kerry Wood had been anything less than awful as well.  But should Marmol continue to struggle, the Cubs may be forced to look to Wood, or perhaps to young Rafael Dolis, for the 9th inning role.  Carlos Marmol to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Wood |Dolis |Marmol |4/8/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Joel Peralta was brought in to stop the Yankees rally yesterday, but only faced two hitters, the second of whom hit a HR off him.  Jake McGee was then brought in for one batter before Fernando Rodney came in to close it out.  Based on Peralta’s success filling in as closer last year, he figures to get another shot, but could be in danger of losing the job should he falter again.  Joel Peralta to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Peralta |Rodney |McGee |Farnsworth |4/8/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
Cleveland Indians- Tony Sipp was shelled on Saturday, two days after he looked shaky in the season’s opener.  For the time being, the Indians will likely call on Rafael Perez when they need a lefty, at least while Sipp works himself out.  Hierarchy change: Rafael Perez to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Sipp.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |R.Perez |C.Perez |4/8/12

 
Chicago White Sox- Hector Santiago closed out the White Sox victory on Saturday.  The White Sox mystery closer has been revealed, though the young lefty was not the trendy choice until he was seen warming up in the bullpen for a possible save opportunity that never materialized on Friday.  Jesse Crain seems to have fallen into a middle inning role, leaving Matt Thornton and Addison Reed to pitch the 7th and 8th.  Hierarchy change: Hector Santiago to Closer, Matt Thornton to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/7/12

 
Kansas City Royals- The Royals, up 4 runs in the 8th inning, went to Greg Holland first.  Jonathon Broxton pitched the 9th in a non-save situation and will close for the foreseeable future.  Hierarchy change: Jonathon Broxton to Closer, Greg Holland to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |4/7/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
None.

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