Heath Bell hits the Hot Seat; Tom Wilhelmsen needed in Seattle

June 18, 2013

Seattle Mariners — Carter Capps was summoned in the sixth inning with the Mariners trailing by two. By the time he and Charlie Furbush were done spinning their craft, Seattle was down by nine. Eric Wedge has consistently said that Tom Wilhelmsen’s “mental break” from closing will be short-lived; add that to Monday’s debacle and Wedge’s use of Yoervis Medina in the ninth on Saturday, and you have a recipe for wholesale changes in the Seattle pen. Hierarchy change: Tom Wilhelmsen to Set-up, Yoervis Medina to 2nd in line.

CloserSet-Up2nd in line2014 CloserUpdated
SEA.Oliver Perez.Tom Wilhelmsen.Yoervis Medina.Tom Wilhelmsen.6/18/13
Stephen Pryor (DL)

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Arizona Diamondbacks — Heath Bell was the losing pitcher on Monday night; the game marked the third straight appearance in which Bell allowed at least one run. Heath Bell to Hot Seat.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
ARIHeath BellDavid HernandezBrad ZieglerJJ Putz6/18/13
JJ Putz (DL)

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Detroit Tigers — Drew Smyly retired all nine men he faced last night, earning an impressive three-inning save that both inserts him into the Tigers’ closer debate and illustrates why he’s unlikely to be seriously considered. After the game, Jim Leyland reiterated that he will use a “mix and match” approach to future save opportunities, which could involve everyone but starter Rick Porcello. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce Rondon6/18/13

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Cincinnati Reds — After Johnny Cueto’s successful return from the disabled list on Sunday, Dusty Baker and the Reds had to decide what to do with their sixth starter, talented young lefty Tony Cingrani. On Monday, Baker announced they would move Cingrani to the bullpen — a move the Reds may look into patenting — and he promptly got two high-leverage outs in a tight eighth inning. Cingrani is too valuable a starter to use in relief over the long term, but given the injuries to Jonathan Broxton and Sean Marshall, his presence in the bullpen will be a welcome one as long as it lasts. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanSam LeCureJ.J. HooverJonathan Broxton6/18/13
Jonathan Broxton (DL)

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres — Huston Street has pitched in three straight games since his return from the disabled list.
2. Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers — Ron Roenicke has promised to give K-Rod the chance to reach 300 career saves, and he’s still stuck at 298.
3. Joaquin Benoit/Phil Coke, Detroit Tigers — Joaquin Benoit or Phil Coke could get a save anytime that Jim Leyland prefer them to Jose Valverde in a matchup. Drew Smyly is out of the picture after a three-inning outing.
4. Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has thrown 40 pitches over the last two games.

Brandon Lyon re-establishing himself; Fernando Rodney struggling

May 17, 2013

Detroit Tigers – After taking the loss on Wednesday, Al Alburquerque was sent to the minors to work on his control.  With 26 Ks in 14.1 innings, Alburquerque has electric stuff, but he’d walked 13 batters and thrown six wild pitches, good to lead the majors (which is hard to do as a reliever).  Drew Smyly has a 1.88 ERA on the season and might see more holds in Alburquerque’s absence.  Hierarchy change: Drew Smyly to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
DETJose ValverdeJoaquin BenoitDrew SmylyBruce Rondon5/17/13

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New York Mets – With five straight scoreless outings — the fifth of which came last night in the 8th inning — Brandon Lyon has worked his way back into relevancy in the beleaguered Mets bullpen.  LaTroy Hawkins is headed in the other direction, having given up runs in his last three appearances.  Hierarchy change: Brandon Lyon to Set-up, LaTroy Hawkins to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
NYMBobby ParnellBrandon LyonLaTroy HawkinsBobby Parnell5/17/13
Frank Francisco (DL)

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Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman took a tough blown save last night, taking over for Mat Latos in the 9th with a 1-run lead and a runner on 3rd with 1 out.  Chapman allowed the runner to score, and after the Reds retook the lead in the 10th, it was J.J. Hoover who closed the game out.  Hoover was warming when the game was still 2-2, so this isn’t an indication that he’s passed Jonathan Broxton on the depth chart.  But, due to various game circumstances, he’s now picked up 3 saves in May and deserves a place on the Reds depth chart.  Hierarchy change: J.J. Hoover to 2nd in line, replacing Sean Marshall.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
CINAroldis ChapmanJonathan BroxtonJ.J. HooverJonathan Broxton5/17/13

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Tampa Bay Rays – After another dreadful outing, Fernando Rodney now has a 5.28 ERA and 3 blown saves in 10 tries this year.  Joe Madden gave him a vote of confidence after the game, saying: “I’m not really concerned yet. I’m not running away from Fernando. We’ll get him right.”  We are, though, especially with reliable set-up man Joel Peralta (1.96 ERA) having another solid season.  Fernando Rodney to Hot Seat. 

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2014 Closer.Updated
TBFernando RodneyJoel PeraltaJake McGeeFernando Rodney5/17/13

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jonathan Broxton, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman has pitched on back-to-back nights, including a 26-pitch outing on Wednesday and a blown save last night.  He might get the night off.
2. Carter Capps, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched on back-to-back nights and has yet to go three straight this season.
3. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays – Fernando Rodney threw 35 pitches last night in blowing his third save of the season and could get a breather tonight.

Kevin Gregg closing, Joba Chamberlain with a save

April 28, 2013

New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera and David Robertson both got the night off after pitching in three of the previous four games.  Joba Chamberlain gave up a couple hits in the 9th but ultimately got the save.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedNYY |Rivera |Robertson |Chamberlain |Robertson |4/28/13

 
Cincinnati Reds – Sean Marshall returned from the DL and pitched a perfect inning with 2 strikeouts last night.  Look for Marshall to slide back into that late inning role for the Reds and could be an option to close when Chapman needs a day off depending on the matchups.   Hierarchy change: Sean Marshall to 2nd in line, replacing Sam LeCure.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |4/28/13

 
(UPDATED April 27, 2013 10:18 PM EDT) Chicago Cubs – Another 9th inning opportunity for Kevin Gregg, and a perfect inning for his third save of the season.  As we’ve said, Kyuji Fujikawa should take back over when he returns, so much of this is elementary; however, hard as it is to believe, Kevin Gregg appears to be the reliever to own now in Chicago.  Hierarchy change: Kevin Gregg to Closer, Carlos Marmol to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Gregg |Marmol |Russell |Fujikawa |4/27/13 |Fujikawa(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson has pitched in two straight and five of the last six.
2. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in two straight and four of the last five.

 

Rhiner Cruz pitching well in Houston; Kenley Jansen picks up save

April 12, 2013

Cincinnati Reds – After not pitching for the first week of the season, the Reds finally put Sean Marshall on the DL earlier this week.  Sam LeCure has been pitching in some important spots thus far, and has started the season having allowed only 1 run in 5 innings.  Hierarchy change: Sam LeCure to 2nd in line, Sean Marshall to DL. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |LeCure |Broxton |4/12/13 |Marshall(DL) |

 
Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League had the night off after a 30-pitch outing on Wednesday, so Kenley Jansen got the save last night.  League’s job is not in jeopardy at the moment.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedLAD |League |Jansen |Belisario |Jansen |4/12/13

 
Houston Astros – Josh Fields was placed on the DL earlier this week, adding more uncertainty to the least-defined bullpen in baseball.  The Astros are yet to have a save opportunity, so little is known outside of closer Jose Veras.  Rhiner Cruz pitched the 8th inning ahead of Veras in a blowout a few days ago, and he’s had the best start of any Astros reliever, with a 1.69 ERA in five appearances.  Hierarchy change: Rhiner Cruz to Set-up, Hector Ambriz to 2nd in line, Josh Fields to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedHOU |Veras |Cruz |Ambriz |Veras |4/12/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals – Rafael Soriano has pitched in three straight.

Marmol bumbles through another save opportunity; Valverde a Tiger again

April 5, 2013

Chicago Cubs — Dale Sveum stuck by Carlos Marmol after the embattled closer barely escaped a ninth inning that featured three singles wrapped around a walk. “He was OK. It didn’t seem that way, but it wasn’t too bad . . .  We know things can get interesting with him.” When Sveum tires of “interesting” approaches to protecting late leads, Kyuji Fujikawa and his 200+ saves await.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Fujikawa |Camp |Marmol |4/5/13

 
Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman picked up his first save of the year, and Sean Marshall, who has been kept out this season due to shoulder soreness, announced that he expected to be back for Friday night’s game against the Nationals.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedCIN |Chapman |Broxton |Marshall |Broxton |4/5/13

 
Detroit Tigers — In another threat to the Tigers’ fragile bullpen-by-committee setup, the team signed freshly shaven free agent Jose Valverde to a minor-league contract on Thursday. He’ll start out in extended spring training, then travel to Triple-A Toledo, and can opt out of the deal if he’s not in the majors by May 5. No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Coke |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/5/13

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Sergio Santos, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen has pitched in two consecutive games.
2. Mike Adams, Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon has thrown on two straight days.