Josh Fields no longer an option in Houston, Henderson to DL

May 3, 2014

Houston Astros – Bo Porter said on Friday that Josh Fields would be used in lower-leverage situations.  Porter went on to say that he still does not have a set closer, but he mentioned Chad Qualls and Anthony Bass as the main guys he would use in the 9th.

Hierarchy change: Qualls | Bass | Fields. 

Milwaukee Brewers – Jim Henderson has been placed on the DL with a sore shoulder.  Brandon Kintzler and Will Smith could both be used in the set-up role while Henderson is out.

Hierarchy change: Rodriguez | Kintzler | Smith.

Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have signed former All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan.  He has been placed on the DL and is expected back in June.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.

(Updated 12:21 AM) Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos blew his second straight save tonight and after the game Manager John Gibbons said that they might have to re-arrange some things in the bullpen.  Brett Cecil pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th inning tonight and has 18 ks in 10.1 innings this year.  He should get the first chance at closing but might not be available tomorrow after throwing 31 pitches tonight.  Steve Delabar could also be an option to close games until Casey Janssen returns from the DL.

Hierarchy change: Cecil | Delabar | Santos.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Darren O’Day, Baltimore Orioles – Tommy Hunter pitched last night after pitching in both games of the doubleheader on Thursday.
2. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s – As we’ve said for the past week, we think Jim Johnson gets the next save chance in Oakland, and we think the job is his again if he converts it.
3. Anthony Bass/Raul Valdes, Houston Astros – Well at least we know it won’t be Josh Fields blowing a save for the Astros today.

Sergio Santos likely out as Blue Jays closer

May 3, 2014

Toronto Blue Jays — Sergio Santos blew his second straight save tonight, and after the game, Manager John Gibbons said that they might have to re-arrange some things in the bullpen. Brett Cecil pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th inning tonight and has 18 ks in 10.1 innings this year.  He should get the first chance at closing but might not be available tomorrow after throwing 31 pitches tonight.  Steve Delabar could also be an option to close games until Casey Janssen returns from the DL. Hierarchy change: Cecil | Delabar | Santos.
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Too many walks in Boston and Toronto

April 30, 2014

Boston Red Sox — Edward Mujica has allowed at least one run each of the last five times he’s faced more than one batter, but John Farrell isn’t worried by his 10.00 ERA, or even the nearly sixfold increase in his walk rate. Farrell believes Mujica is struggling with his command due to infrequent use, suggesting that his role won’t be reduced — but we can’t imagine that he’d retain the advantage over Junichi Tazawa if Koji Uehara goes down with another injury. Hierarchy change: Junichi Tazawa to Set-Up, Edward Mujica to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaEdward MujicaKoji Uehara4/30/14

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Los Angeles Angels — For the second straight game, Fernando Salas pitched a high-leverage eighth inning in front of new closer Joe Smith. Michael Kohn had already been used in a tight spot in the sixth. No matter which of those two is higher in the pecking order, we think Ernesto Frieri — who pitched two perfect innings against the Yankees over the weekend — is more likely to pick up a save going forward. Hierarchy change: Ernesto Frieri to Set-Up, Michael Kohn to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
LAAJoe SmithErnesto FrieriMichael KohnErnesto Frieri4/30/14

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Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays are missing Casey Janssen, who remains at least two weeks away from a return. On Tuesday, Sergio Santos entered with two on and one out in a high-leverage eighth, and proceeded to give up two inherited runs, plus three of his own. Last year, Santos threw three times as many innings, and walked half as many men. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/30/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Colorado Rockies – The oldest player in the National League just keeps on rolling, racking up his ninth save in as many attempts. BMWs for everyone! No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
COLLaTroy HawkinsAdam OttavinoRex BrothersRex Brothers4/30/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers — The indefatigable K-Rod, new co-holder of the April save record, has pitched on four of the last five day. Jim Henderson has gone two in a row himself, but Kintzler had Tuesday off.
2. Jim Johnson, Oakland A’s — We believe Jim Johnson will see the next save opportunity in Oakland and reclaim the job. Expect an alert if that happens.
3. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — You can’t possibly need saves this badly.

O’Day picks up save, Santos bounces back

April 19, 2014

Baltimore Orioles – Darren O’Day picked up the save last night.  He got the last out of the 8th inning with the Orioles up 3 and then Orioles added another run in the top of the 9th.  O’Day stayed on to finish the game and record his first save of the season.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BALTommy HunterDarren O’DayEvan MeekTommy Hunter4/19/14

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Toronto Blue Jays — Before yesterday’s game, manager John Gibbons said that Sergio Santos has been tremendous this season.  Santos successfully closed out the Indians on Friday but it wasn’t smooth, as he allowed a hit and 2 walks in the 9th inning.  He is 5 out of 6 in save chances this season but he has struggled with walks and will need to get that under control if he wants to keep the job.   No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarSergio Santos4/19/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Arizona Diamondbacks – Addison Reed blew his first save of the season on Friday, giving up the game-tying solo homerun to Juan Uribe.  The Diamonbacks would go on to win the game in extra innings and former starter Trevor Cahill earned his first career save.  No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
ARIAddison ReedJ.J. PutzBrad ZieglerAddison Reed4/19/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays – Sergio Santos has pitched in 2 straight and 3 of the last 4, throwing a total of 56 pitches.
2. Sean Doolittle, Oakland A’s – Luke Gregerson has seen more save chances that Doolittle since Jim Johnson’s demotion but this is still looking like a committee so Doolittle could get the call based on match-ups.
3. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs – Our preference for saves in Chicago is still Hector Rondon, but with no official word yet from Rick Renteria, Pedro Strop could be the 9th inning option.
4. Chad Qualls/Anthony Bass, Houston Astros – If the Astros ever get another save opportunity they could use pretty much anyone at this point.

Broxton back with the Reds; Santos doing well for Toronto

April 9, 2014

Cincinnati Reds — Jonathan Broxton was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, and though manager Bryan Price says he would like to let him “get his feet wet” before returning him to the ninth, it’s clear that he will be the Reds’ closer going forward. Meanwhile, J.J. Hoover entered in the seventh inning with Cincinnati trailing, and appears to have fallen behind the other members of the team’s short-lived closer committee. Hierarchy change: Jonathan Broxton to Closer, replacing J.J. Hoover.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
CINJonathan BroxtonSam LeCureManny ParraAroldis Chapman4/9/14
Aroldis Chapman (DL)Sean Marshall (DL)

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Toronto Blue Jays — Brett Cecil pitched the eighth last night after Steve Delabar was used to finish the sixth. Keep an eye on Sergio Santos too — he struck out the side in the ninth, and could have a shot at keeping the closer job even after Casey Janssen returns. Janssen will throw a side session on Wednesday before starting a few rehab outings. Hierarchy change: Brett Cecil to Set-up, Steve Delabar to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TORSergio SantosBrett CecilSteve DelabarCasey Janssen4/9/14
Casey Janssen (DL)

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Texas Rangers — Joakim Soria entered in the ninth inning of a 10-4 game and scattered four hits among three strikeouts, surrendering three runs. With Neftali Feliz impressing in the minors, another outing like that one could send Soria to the Hot Seat. No hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
TEXJoakim SoriaAlexi OgandoNeal CottsJoakim Soria4/9/14

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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Kelvin Herrera/Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals — Greg Holland has had two long outings in a row, and set-up man Wade Davis threw 27 pitches on Tuesday.
2. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Josh Fields remains the best bet for Astros save chances, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
3. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal has pitched on two straight days, including throwing 27 pitches on Monday.