Jenrry Mejia snaked out of a Mets save

June 19, 2014

New York Mets — Terry Collins pulled closer Jenrry Mejia with two outs and a man on in the ninth to gain a platoon advantage against streaking lefthander Matt Adams. Journeyman Dana Eveland induced a groundout and earned his first save in nine years. This is the sort of flexible, open-minded, matchup-based approach to the ninth that should be celebrated from a manager. Unless you’re a Mejia owner, in which case Terry Collins is a real jobbernowl.

Hierarchy remains: Mejia | Familia | Black.

Minnesota Twins — With Glen Perkins sidelined with a bad back, Casey Fien got the call for a save opportunity in the tenth in Boston, only to give up consecutive home runs to lose the game. Perkins, who blamed himself for the loss, expects to be available on Thursday.

Hierarchy remains: Perkins | Fien | Duensing.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Edward Mujica/Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara has pitched on four of the last five days.
2. Daniel Webb/Zach Putnam, Chicago White Sox — Ronald Belisario was used for a five-out save on Wednesday and Daniel Webb is the best rested of the team’s high-end relievers.
3. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals — Rafael Soriano and Tyler Clippard have been used a lot recently.
4. Shawn Kelley, New York Yankees — A longshot, but David Robertson and Dellin Betances have gone in two straight, and Adam Warren pitched two innings on Wednesday.

Juan Carlos Oviedo might be next in line for Tampa

June 11, 2014

Tampa Bay Rays — It’s fun to talk about, but until the team finally wins a game, the Tampa closer committee will remain a matter for philosophers, theologians, and Seminole medicine men. Juan Carlos Oviedo might get the first shot at breaking the curse tomorrow, since Joel Peralta was used Tuesday in a high-leverage spot in the eighth, and Jake McGee followed him with a 20-pitch ninth. If that happens, we can’t rule out the possibility that Oviedo takes the job and runs with it, perhaps earning up to one save per month for the flailing Rays. Watch out for Kirby Yates as a dark horse candidate too; he’s been a lights-out closer for the AAA Durham Bulls.

Hierarchy remains: Peralta | McGee | Oviedo.

Miami Marlins — Since arriving in a trade from Pittsburgh on June 1, Bryan Morris has been immediately thrust into higher-leverage spots for the Marlins, including four eighth-inning appearances in the last five days. His ascent will allow Mike Redmond to use Mike Dunn in more of a matchup role.

Updated hierarchy: Cishek | Ramos | Morris.

New York Yankees — Shawn Kelley will be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday, but Joe Girardi will be careful with him for a while, avoiding use in back-to-back games. Dellin Betances and Adam Warren have been exemplary in Kelley’s absence.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Betances | Warren.

Atlanta Braves — Jordan Walden returned from the DL today after a month away, and we were all set to move him right into the Braves’ hierarchy — that is, until he entered Tuesday’s game with a four-run lead in the eighth and immediately issued three straight walks. Thanks to Shae Simmons, the Braves yielded only one run. Walden hasn’t historically struggled with control, but we’ll still wait to see what his next game holds before making the move.

Hierarchy remains: Kimbrel | Simmons | Carpenter.

Chicago Cubs — $4 million mistake Jose Veras was released today. Cubs fans, he can’t hurt you now. The bad man is gone.

Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Ramirez | Strop.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Juan Carlos Oviedo, Tampa Bay Rays — As noted above, if the Rays don’t give Joel Peralta the save opportunity Wednesday, it will likely go to Oviedo.
2. David Carpenter, Atlanta Braves — Craig Kimbrel struck out the side Tuesday with 11 pitches and 11 strikes, but it was his fourth night of work in the last five days. Shae Simmons has a similar usage pattern, leaving Carpenter as the best-rested option.
3. Luke Gregerson, Oakland A’s — Sean Doolittle threw 28 pitches in a two-inning outing.

Tommy Hunter could lose his job; Mets and A’s closing by committee

May 14, 2014

Baltimore Orioles — After an overturned call on a Rajai Davis steal, Tommy Hunter blew his second straight save and boasts a 21.60 ERA over his last four appearances. Hunter has allowed 29 baserunners in his 15 IP so far this year, and the cries to replace him are getting louder. Buck Showalter is speaking in generalities thus far: “You’re alert to it, you keep an eye on it. And if there’s some adjustments that need to be made, we’ll make them . . . we’ll constantly see what gives us the best option to pitch nine innings and be competitive and continue to be in first place. And that’s what we’ll do.” Here’s a link to his postgame news conference.

Tommy Hunter to Hot Seat. Hierarchy remains: Hunter | Britton | O’Day.

New York Mets — If you woke up this morning wishing for another ill-defined closer committee, you owe Terry Collins a thank-you note. Kyle Farnsworth is the putative head of a motley crew that also includes Jose Valverde, Jeurys Familia, and Daisuke Matsuzaka — although Dice-K’s 3.2 IP on Tuesday are likely to keep him on the sidelines for a few days. Jenrry Mejia is not yet a candidate to close, according to Collins, but his “swing-and-miss stuff” could change that quickly going forward. As committees go, this one is more Aging than Intelligence.

Hierarchy remains: Farnsworth | Familia | Mejia.

Oakland A’s — Bob Melvin renewed Oakland’s commitment to a closer committee on Tuesday, noting that Sean Doolittle’s value with men on base can sometimes keep him from finishing close games. That acknowledgment suggests to us that Johnson still has a slight edge in the saves race going forward, but it’s anything but a full-throated endorsement.

Hierarchy remains: Johnson |  Doolittle | Gregerson.

New York Yankees — Shawn Kelley was placed on the DL with a lower back injury, retroactive to May 7; this will force Joe Girardi to lean on Adam Warren and Dellin Betances even more.

Hierarchy change: Robertson | Warren | Betances.

Chicago White Sox — Hope you didn’t run out and buy that Frank Francisco White Sox jersey. In his second appearance of the year, he gave up three runs to Oakland, raising his ERA to 13.50. Meanwhile, Matt Lindstrom, who’s supposed to be the class of this outfit, pitched the eighth inning down nine runs and got tagged for two more.  No hierarchy change.

Hierarchy change: Lindstrom | Belisario | Webb.

Los Angeles Angels — Although Joe Smith set up Ernesto Frieri for Tuesday night’s save, it was actually Smith who faced the tougher part of the Phillies lineup. Either man could see a save on a given night.

Hierarchy remains: Frieri | Smith | Kohn.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brett Cecil/Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays — Casey Janssen, fresh from a DL stint for a back injury, has pitched in two straight games.
2. Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians — Allen and Bryan Shaw may share save chances.
3. Anthony Bass, Houston Astros — Chad Qualls has been more effective as of late, but Anthony Bass could get a 9th inning chance at any time.
4. Brandon Kintzler, Milwaukee Brewers — K-Rod has been a workhorse this year, but if he gets a day off after pitching three of the last four days, Kintzler is the best-rested alternative.

Shawn Kelley to close in New York; Ryan Cook returns from DL

April 8, 2014

New York Yankees – David Robertson sustained an injured groin and is going on the disabled list. For what it’s worth, Robertson only expects to miss the minimum 15 days. Hierarchy change: Shawn Kelley to Closer, Adam Warren to Set-up, Matt Thornton to 2nd in line.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
NYYShawn KelleyAdam WarrenMatt ThorntonDavid Robertson4/7/14
David Robertson (DL)

.
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook returned from the disabled list and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-3 Oakland win. He should take over the 7th-inning role previously held by Luke Gregerson. Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to 2nd in line, replacing Luke Gregerson.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
OAKJim JohnsonSean DoolittleRyan CookRyan Cook4/8/14

.
Boston Red Sox – Left-hander Chris Capuano got the call in the 8th inning of a 2-1 game with two of the three Rangers due up that inning batting from the left side. The move paid off, as he allowed just one hit and escaped the inning unscathed. Capuano has been solid in his four innings of work this year, not allowing a run and striking out five, but for the moment is still behind Edward Mujica and Junichi Tazawa. No Hierarchy change.

.Closer.Set-Up.2nd in line.2015 Closer.Updated
BOSKoji UeharaJunichi TazawaEdward MujicaKoji Uehara4/5/14

.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Chad Qualls/Matt Albers, Houston Astros – Due to recent usage, listed closer Josh Fields is probably the best bet for any Astros save chance today, but with a committee in place, anything could happen.
2. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals – Trevor Rosenthal threw 27 pitches in a non-save situation yesterday.