Shawn Kelley still has the inside track in Washington

June 16, 2016

Washington Nationals — Dusty Baker celebrated his 67th birthday by playing matchups in the ninth, calling on the newly healthy Matt Belisle, followed by lefthander Oliver Perez. The two combined to blow the save with a double and a home run, and it was good ol’ Shawn Kelley who wound up finishing the ninth. Combine the plethora of above-average relievers in the Nationals’ pen with Kelley’s injury history, and you have a recipe to tempt Dusty into full-on committee mode. But we’re keeping the faith that Kelley can earn the job.

Hierarchy remains: *Kelley | Rivero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners — Steve Cishek threw 35 pitches and walked three during a four-out appearance on Wednesday.
2. Jake Diekman, Texas Rangers — Sam Dyson has pitched in two straight and four of five.

Shawn Kelley to lead Washington committee with Jonathan Papelbon on DL

June 14, 2016

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon has been placed on the disabled list with a right intercostal strain. Shawn Kelley (13.1 K/9, 1.96 FIP) was last night’s closer, and we think he has the edge at picking up save opportunities during Papelbon’s absence. He has had two Tommy John surgeries, however. Dusty Baker says the choice might depend on matchups, though, so Felipe Rivero, a lefthander with a 95 MPH fastball, is another key option. The Nationals shouldn’t miss a beat in middle relief, as Blake Treinen and Sammy Solis have been very effective, but Papelbon’s injury may also push them into trade talks a little earlier than anticipated.

Updated hierarchy: *Kelley | Rivero | Treinen.
* = closer-by-committee

Jonathan Papelbon sits with soreness

June 14, 2016

Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon (aka the “D.C. Strangler”) stayed firmly planted on the Nationals’ dugout bench last night, while Shawn Kelley pitched a five-out save against the Cubs. After the game, Dusty Baker commented that Pap was “sore” and “ailing,” but claimed that the soreness was not arm-related. This confusing development comes as Pap is putting up career-low strikeout numbers and has clearly lost some juice on his fastball. Baker said that Pap will be evaluated today; we’ll be keeping an eye on the situation.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Oakland A’s — Zach Neal, who was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Friday, snagged his first career save last night, pitching three innings to close out the Rangers in front of Draymond Green in Oakland.

Hierarchy remains: Madson | Doolittle | Axford.

San Francisco Giants — In somewhat of a box score oddity, Derek Law became the fifth Giants’ pitcher to record a save this year — in a 11-5 win. Law came into the game in the eighth inning up four, but with the go-ahead run on deck. After San Francisco added two runs in its half of the ninth, he finished the game to pick up one of the more stress-free saves you are likely to see.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Gearrin | Strickland.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals — As noted, Jonathan Papelbon is sore and likely unavailable tonight.
2. Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers — K-Rod has gone in three straight, including a 33-pitch outing Monday.
3. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals — Both Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera have pitched in three straight.
4. Josh Smith/A.J. Morris, Cincinnati Reds — Who? Bear with us here. Tony Cingrani has pitched in four of five, and Ross Ohlendorf labored through 27 pitches last night. Blake Wood went two innings himself (36 pitches). It’s thin behind these three (although Alfredo “Big Pasta” Simon just joined the bullpen, and Raisel Iglesias should be back soon), but Smith and Morris are ready to serve.

Shawn Kelley keeps throwing up zeroes

May 8, 2016

Washington Nationals — For the second night in a row, Blake Treinen came on in the sixth inning. Shawn Kelley has a 0.00 ERA and has been pitching later in games than Treinen. Kelley was signed this off-season to be the primary set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon, and it looks like he is finally starting to pitch like he deserves to be in that role.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Kelley | Rivero.

Cincinnati Reds — A day after the Reds’ bullpen ended their streak of consecutive games allowing a run, they decided to start a new streak. Caleb Cotham gave up five runs while recording no outs in the tenth inning.  Cotham has really struggled recently, giving up ten runs in his past five appearances. Blake Wood hasn’t allowed a run in his four May outings, and replaces Cotham on our hierarchy for now. The Reds also optioned J.J. Hoover to the minors.

Updated hierarchy: *Ohlendorf | Cingrani | Wood.
* = closer-by-committee

Minnesota Twins — Casey Fien was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers yesterday. Ryan Pressly, who has 19 strikeouts in 17 innings, should see time in the later innings.

Updated hierarchy: Jepsen | May | Pressly.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs  – Hector Rondon has pitched in four straight.
2. Will Harris, Houston Astros – Luke Gregerson has pitched in three straight and four of the past five.
3. Joel Peralta, Seattle Mariners – Steve Cishek threw 35 pitches over two innings yesterday and has pitched in three of the past four.
4. Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays – Alex Colome has appeared on two straight and three of the past four.

Another save for Jeanmar Gomez

April 13, 2016

Philadelphia Phillies – Jeanmar Gomez is now 3-for-3 in save opportunities this season and has yet to give up a run. Pete Mackanin doesn’t want to jinx Gomez, but we’re taking away the asterisk and giving Gomez the full-time gig.

Hierarchy remains: Gomez | Hernandez | Hinojosa.

Washington Nationals – Blake Treinen was in line for a vulture save after a pair of ninth-inning strikeouts, but a walk led to Felipe Rivero taking over and earning his first save of the year. Shawn Kelley had already pitched.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Treinen | Kelley.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals – Wade Davis needed 33 pitches to secure a save last night.
2. Joe Smith, Los Angeles Angels – Huston Street hasn’t needed many pitches in each outing, but has thrown in three straight games.